Need a spooky or family-friendly Halloween movie to watch? Check out our staff picks
It's Halloween!
Whether going out Tuesday to trick-or-treat with the little ones, staying at the door to pass out candy or sheltering inside with your front porch light off, there is a long list of spooky shows and movies to choose from to get your Halloween fix before turkey season officially kicks off in November.
Our staff at The Gainesville Sun has a few recommendations if you're struggling to find one.
Hereditary (2018)
Arguably the most cryptic and disturbing horror movie to be released in recent years comes from Ari Aster (Midsommar, 2019) in his full-length feature film debut. The movie is a cult-like sinister tale focused around a family who is grieving the recent loss of their mysterious grandmother. The family begins looking for answers, at the direction of the mother, by flirting with the supernatural world in a seance. As expected, they get far more than they bargained for. If you're a fan of well-made thrillers/horror and haven't seen this one yet, you need to.
− Andrew Caplan, editor
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
If you’re a horror movie fan — or a queer person — you’ve likely already seen this 2009 cult classic directed by Karyn Kusama. And if you haven’t, this October is the time. Megan Fox has an iconic performance as a possessed, man-eating, blood-sucking cheerleader in a small town plagued by a tragedy. The film explores her complex relationship with her do-good best friend played by Amanda Seyfried. Expect punchy one-liners, bloody swimming pools, and pom poms.
− Nora O'Neill, politics
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The debate over whether director Tim Burton’s classic 1993 hit is still a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie continues to this day. What’s not up for debate, however, is that 30 years later it’s still among the best stop-motion films of all time. Available to stream on Disney+, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, and his quest to take over Christmas. A subplot of rag doll Sally trying to free herself from her creator Dr. Finkelstein helps add to the movie’s depth. The film has a few scares but is suitable for most children. Bad guy Oogie Boogie’s kidnapping of Santa Claus is among the movie’s most frightening moments. With a total run time of just one hour and 16 minutes, it also makes for a quick and easy family-movie night.
− Alan Festo, business
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Every time a Peanuts holiday special plays, it feels like the start of a new season. I grew up watching Peanuts films every year for each holiday, and this is one that brings the nostalgia. Not only is this film a light-hearted classic, t was created in 1966, and we all know vintage is trending. It’s also perfect for viewers of all ages. I would recommend marking the start of each holiday season with a corresponding Peanuts film, in place of a typical Halloween horror flick.
− Lillian Lawson, education
The Exorcist (1973)
Why not go with an OG on its 50th anniversary? To me, a great Halloween movie is one that deals less with serial killers and more with the supernatural, and none do this better job than The Exorcist. When first released, fans waited in line for hours to see the story of a young girl possessed by a demon, and the attempts to rescue her through exorcism. Some scenes were so jarring, at the time, that viewers fainted or vomited during screenings. Let’s hope the same doesn’t happen to you this Halloween.
− Noah Ram, sports
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Need a spooky Halloween movie to watch? Check out our staff picks
