10 Halloween Films That'll Candy Your Apple [Blog #4]
Welcome to October, folks. The nights are darker, the air a bit cooler, and the leaves are beginning to change. Sound the alarm, bust out the plastic skeletons, and stock up on your candy because spooky season has finally arrived.
To commemorate the occasion, I thought I’d share with you my list of movies that best capture the spirit of the season and usher in the month with dreadful delight.
The list is not a best-of, greatest ever, or in any way all-inclusive. These are my go-to shelf picks (some horrific, others hilarious) to satisfy that October horror appetite.
Trick ‘r Treat (2009)
While I’m not ranking these films, this is my unofficial number one, and for good reason. The 2009 Halloween anthology, written and directed by Michael Dougherty, is the quintessential love letter to the season.
Taking place over the course of one Halloween night, four vignettes reveal the darkness lurking beneath a seemingly ordinary small town. Weaved through each story is Sam, the mysterious Halloween enforcer, presiding over the night with his ominous presence.
I’ll be honest, this is my all-time favorite October film. Hell, I’ll watch it throughout the year when I find myself in need of a good ol’ shot of seasonal nostalgia. You’d be hard-pressed to find another film better suited for an October viewing.
Hell House, LLC. (2015)
Found footage horror done right. The film that sparked a franchise, with a forth entry releasing on Shudder later this month. But, the original remains the most grounded.
Shot in a documentary/vlog style, the film follows a group of haunted house entrepreneurs opening a haunt, aptly named “Hell House,” in the small town of Abaddon, New York.
This isn’t a film that leans on cheap jump scares for its thrills. Things lurk in the background waiting to be discovered. As a viewer, you are experiencing the creepy happenings along with the characters, with eyes searching the room as the camera lingers —uncomfortably long— around the shadowy and decrepit hotel.
A perfect watch before bed when you’re home alone.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
The best zombie movie ever? Yes. Hot-take? I’m not sure anymore. This one has quite a cult following, so maybe it’s a common sentiment. Don’t @ me.
A comedically nihilistic, punk-rock romp that is 100 percent a product of its time. There are some great zombie movies out there, but do their’s talk?
It’s tough to put this movie in a single box. It’s shocking and campy, funny and bleak. RotLD holds a special place in my heart. I remember seeing tar-man on TV when I was a kid, and he scared the ever living hell out of me. Little did I know at the time this film would go on to become one of my all time favorites.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
There’s something oddly satisfying about Tim Burton’s cold and gloomy adaptation of this 19th century short story about the infamous headless horseman.
While its quite the departure from its source material, the visually stunning spectacle injects fresh life into a classic ghost story. It weaves an intricate murder mystery with the supernatural and grounds it all in human greed, desire, and revenge.
Apparently, Johnny Depp requested a large prosthetic nose for his role as Ichabod Crane, but he was denied. Likely because the studio didn’t want to sully their eye-candy.
The Blob (1988)
The 80s were a golden era for horror remakes. Unlike the clumsy remakes forced into theaters today, films like The Blob were in desperate need of an update geared toward an audience that had grown accustomed to the shock and spectacle of slasher and exploit films so common to the era.
I love the balance achieved between the serious tone and understanding the absurdity of the subject matter.
This creature-feature proves to be an entertaining ride, with fun characters, practical effects out the wazoo, and a healthy dash of genre subversion. We also get a nice commentary on government negligence and the utility of civil disobedience.
Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010)
As far as indie horror movies go, this one is pretty well-known after a long and successful run on various streaming platforms.
Pure horror/comedy gold, the performances are over-the-top in all the perfect ways, playing on the horror tropes we know and love, but its Alan Tudyk who steals the show here.
A film about misunderstandings and accepting yourself others for who they are, not how they appear. Who knew horror could have such a wholesome message buried beneath the gore?
As someone who was born in Georgia, raised in Michigan, and now lives in Tennessee, the murder hillbilly trope is something I now choose to take partial offense to.
The Fog (1980)
You had me at ghost pirates.
A vengeful fog chokes out a quiet coastal town, pitting Jamie Lee and Tom Atkins against a vengeful force risen from the depths of the ocean.
I’m pretty sure Tom Atkins’ only purpose back then was to be a badass and make the ladies swoon. He and the cast of Carpenter regulars don’t disappoint in this thriller about dark secrets and revenge.
On top of being a fun watch, this is also one of the best John Carpenter scores. Dark, haunting, and the perfect backing track for Halloween shenanigans.
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Women want to be her, and men want to be with her.
The goth queen of horror faces off against evil and a prude city council in an idillic Massachusetts town, making unlikely friends and discovering truths about her and her family along the way.
The contrast of Elvira against the backdrop of the white picket fence, cutesy town USA is the joke here, but it’s really her big … personality that steals the show.
Less of a horror and more of a popcorn treat, it’s a gut-buster from start to finish.
Fright Night (1985)
Was high school a drag? Having girlfriend troubles? Did a vampire just move in next door?
Proving, once again, the 80s were just cooler than all the other decades, ordinary small-town kids, along with the eccentric Peter Vincent, face-off against a suburban vampire (with great hair by the way).
The market is flooded with vampire content, so I can imagine this was a breath of fresh air when it was released. It holds up today, and I always put it on in October due to its mix of 80’s and gothic atmosphere.
Evil Dead (2013)
A modern revamp of the classic we all know and love, moving away from the comedic elements while ramping up the scares and gore.
No Bruce Campbell? Eh, fine.
While some took issue with the shift in tone (a valid point), I think the new and original can both coexist in their own lanes without stepping on each other’s toes.
It takes some time for this one to kick-off, but when it does be prepared for a full-throttle, blood-curdling, face-melting, scream-till-the-credits-roll type of ride. I suggest you have a strong stomach going in.
Evil Dead is a truly scary film, and the sequel, released earlier this year, ain’t too bad either.
Halloween (1978)
Obligatory number 11. I tacked this one at the end. I almost didn’t include it because it’s too obvious.
Yeah, watch it. We all will. Duh.
I had originally omitted the section because every Halloween movie list has Halloween. So it was either include it or give a long explanation on why I didn’t.
What can can be said about this? John Carpenter, Michael Meyers, slash, stab, creepy piano theme, all awesome.
Carve a pumpkin and eat some Reese’s cups while we all continue to wonder why the hell Michael would bother disguising himself in a bed sheet.