I am not a big Halloween kind of girl. The candy is yummy and it's fun to dress in a costume if you have a place to go but otherwise I could do without it. Lots of time Halloween = horror movie marathons. I don't know about you but I'm not really into the horror genre. Sometimes I'll watch one (usually a really cheap B movie that is more funny than scary) but overall I could do without. I like disturbing stories, don't get me wrong, but I prefer my stories to be more of a thrill and less of a normal horror flick. I wanted to share a list of movies that give me the Halloween feels without being your typical slasher flick. Here are some movies that I personally love - some of them being my favorite movies EVER - and that I especially enjoy at this time of year. So grab a cozy sweater and some hot cocoa and settle in for a chilling movie night.
The Prestige
A short and sweet plot summary: Two magicians strive to have the best magic trick. Which turns them from friends to enemies. I can't say any more because I promise too much information would spoil it. Just watch it anyway.
This is not a movie that would be labeled in thriller or scary BUT I feel like this movie has enough twists and turns and messes with your head to make it a good exciting movie. It's dark and dreary and there is a lot going on but I HIGHLY recommend it. DO NOT GOOGLE IT AND READ SPOILERS. I say this because spoilers will ruin the viewing experience. Just find a place to rent it and see for yourself!
Here is the trailer:
Rear Window
The Story: "A wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his apartment window and becomes convinced one of them has committed murder."
Jimmy Stewart is a classic for a reason. He is one of my favorite old actors and Jer and I love watching his movies together. This movie has been a personal favorite of mine for many years. You can't beat a classic Alfred Hitchcock film. Also likely to make you suspicious of your neighbors.
The Birds
The story: "A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people."
I absolutely love this movie. It is another top favorite of mine and another Alfred Hitchcock film. This is everything a thriller should be. The unknowns of why the birds are attacking is eerie and while I don't find this movie scary there are definitely some chilling scenes. Plus Tippi Hedren was beautiful and I love getting to see all the old clothes and things.
The Village
The story: "An Amish-style community lives cut off from the outside world by the woods, in which they believe dangerous creatures exist. They have an uneasy truce with the creatures - if they stay out of the woods, they are left unharmed. When one of the young villagers becomes ill, the boy who loves her ignores the elders of the village to make a bid to the next town to fetch medicine."
This is a movie that you either love or hate. I am one of the people who loves it. It is creepy, thrilling AND it messes with your mind a little bit. If you like the horror bits more in your movies this will be the one for you because it does have moments to make you jump.
Secret Window
The story: "While in the process of an ugly divorce from his wife (Maria Bello), writer Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp) relocates to his remote cabin in upstate New York for solitude. Attempting to recover his mental health, Rainey has the misfortune of being found by John Shooter (John Turturro), a farmer who claims Rainey plagiarized his work. At first, Rainey ignores the accusations, but Shooter has no intention of quietly disappearing. Soon, Shooter becomes increasingly vicious in his quest for retribution."
I know that I have said this for every single one of these movies BUT I LOVE THIS MOVIE. This is one of my top favorites ever (actually almost all of these movies are my top favorites! oops haha) but this movie is a great piece of work. Johnny Depp is excellent. The storyline, the atmosphere, the ending, all of it is wonderful. Make sure to pay attention because it is a psychological thriller and you don't want to miss it.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
The story: "Comedy meets horror when Bud Abbott and Lou Costello encounter Universal's classic monsters in the frightfully funny Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The world of baggage handlers Chick Young (Abbott) and Wilbur Grey (Costello) is turned upside down when they receive the remains of Dracula (Bela Lugosi) and Frankenstein (Glenn Strange) bound for the House of Horrors museum. When Dracula and Frankenstein escape, complete chaos ensues as Chick and Wilbur get mixed up in an evil plot to switch Wilbur's brain with Frankenstein's and are aided by Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney, Jr.), who turns into The Wolf Man when the moon is full! Featuring a perfect blend of laughs and thrills, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is one the 'all-time great horror comedies."
This movie is a comedy but it's a perfect comic relief from all of the spooky stories. I love old movies so much and this combines all of the greats: Frankenstein, Dracula and the Wolfman into one great entertaining film. I love watching this. Never gets old.
and last but not least...
Halloweentown
The story: "In a place called Halloweentown, good and evil look very different than one might expect. Thanks to a visit from Grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds), Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) and her family's tradition of ignoring the Halloween holiday are about to change in the extreme. It seems that Marnie's mother Gwen (Judith Hoag) has been hiding a big secret from her three children--all of them possess supernatural powers. Now that it's Marnie's thirteenth birthday, she must begin her training as a witch or lose her powers forever. While Gwen wants nothing more than to see her children grow up as "normal" humans, Grandmother Aggie and Marnie have other ideas. A brewing crisis between good and evil in the alternate world Halloweentown soon pulls the entire family through a portal and into an intense battle."
I grew up watching this movie on the Disney Channel. We weren't always allowed to watch it so it's kind of fun to be able to watch it more as an adult. It's definitely a cheesy kids movie but I love it. It's classic and it's fun and it makes Halloween fun.
Those are all my top spooky favorites. What is your favorite part of Halloween? What are your go to Halloween/scary/fall movies?
Also, I do realize I did not include Hocus Pocus. I do love that movie and it is a classic but EVERYONE loves that movie and I just felt like it didn't even need to be included cause DUH. You are going to be watching it anyway.
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