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I Love Halloween

Halloween Movies Worth Watching

By: WildMagic
Written on October 9th, 2009

October has arrived and it's time to begin preparing for one of my favorite holidays: Halloween. For me, the celebrations begin well before Samhain Eve- in fact they usually lasts all month. One of the ways in which I enjoy Halloween is by watching movies appropriate to the holiday.

Typical horror movies irk me. The unimaginative plots, overused conventions, and excessively sensationalized effects make them absurd, tiresome, and generally unenjoyable. Yes, yes, I know... Horror is one of the "Body Genres" of film, and is therefore intended to incite an emotion- in this case fear- so strongly that is causes a physical reaction. I'm aware of that, but slasher films and generic horror movies just don't do anything for me. (I mean, really, how many times can a person watch a screaming bimbo flee a murderous psychopath, or witness a well-meaning victim contend with a creepy, evil child? For that matter, how many bloody times can said homicidal maniacs and demonic juveniles be resurrected? Seriously!  And if I hear one more thing about a post-apocalyptic future, I'm going to scream.)

I do, however, greatly enjoy many horrors and thrillers that excite the mind as well as the emotions. Good plots are a requirement, therefore making mystery-thrillers a favorite, and uniqueness is an immense bonus. If a movie has both those characteristics, and involves the supernatural on as well, I'm almost certain to love it.

So, for those who may share my disdain for plotless, tawdy horror flicks, I've composed the following list of Halloween Movies Worth Watching!

1. The Others
2. The Orphanage
3. Sleepy Hollow
4. The Ninth Gate
5. Interview with the Vampire
6. Night Watch (the foreign film, not the crappy American atrocity by the same name)
7. Day Watch
8. The Gift
9. The Wicker Man (the original, not the remake)
10. The Crow
11. The Craft
12. Bram Stokers Dracula
13. The Exorcist (the original)
14. What Lies Beneath
15.  The Changeling (the 1970's film, not the recent one.)
16.  Skeleton Key
17.  Psycho (the original)

Also, for when you want something fun rather than frightening, or just something kid-friendly, try these:

1. Practical Magic (not for kids, but great for a Halloween girl's night.)
2. Hocus Pocus
3. Death Becomes Her
4. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
5. Monsters, inc (It's cute and you know it.)
6. Disney Classic Halloween Cartoons (like Trick or Treat, and Lonesome Ghosts.)
7. Disney's Legend of Sleepy Hollow
8. Something Wicked This Way Comes
9. Blackbeard's Ghost
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas
11. Kiki's Delivery Service
12. Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
13. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

If you enjoy real life haunting as well, consider looking up episodes of A Haunting, Ghost Hunters and Haunted Histories.

Enjoy and have a great October!

 

By: WildMagic
Age: 26-30 , Female
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7 responses
  • Littlebrownbat
    Littlebrownbat

    You've listed all my favorites, especially the Crow, Sleepy Hollow and Hocus Pocus (that one is a guilty pleasure, Bette Midler kills me!). I'm not a big slasher movie fan either. These are my idea of perfect Halloween films.

    Oct 9, 2011
    2 likes
    • WildMagic
      WildMagic

      I'm glad to find a kindred spirit (no pun intended.) :) Also, if you like Halloween cartoons, I just embedded some YouTube links to some of those great classic Disney Halloween cartoons on another story in this experience. :) Have a good night!

      Oct 9, 2011
      1 like
  • outdoorsguy
    outdoorsguy

    I tend to agree, though some modern horror is okay. I liked your lists, though a Few I question LOL the others bored me to tears, not a scary moment in the whole movie, i guess what realy ruined it for me was figuring out what was goign on before the halfway point of the movie. hate it when that happens.



    try Shaun of the Dead or Dog soldiers which is an awesome werewolf movie from over the pond. Excellent movie in my book.

    Oct 8, 2011
    1 like
    • WildMagic
      WildMagic

      I've seen Shaun of the Dead, but didn't think to add it to the list. Perhaps I should. I've never seen Dog Soldiers, though I recall hearing something about it. I may have to check it out.

      Oct 8, 2011
      1 like
  • WildMagic
    WildMagic

    I thought of another that I should have included-- though this is a film that people either love or hate-- Ginger Snaps. I've always found the telling of the story from the perspective of the warewolf, who is trying desperately not to become a monster, to be an interesting twist.

    Jul 2, 2010
    1 like
  • WildMagic
    WildMagic

    How could I forget Psycho?! That certainly should have been on the list. I've never seen Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte, though. But this is the perfect time of year to look it up!

    Also, I should have included Bella Lugosi's Dracula films. I've always enjoyed those.

    Oct 11, 2009
    1 like
  • Toby2day
    Toby2day

    Yep yep yep. I'm always reminded that Samhain wasn't just one night..but closer to three or four days (or nights; muhahahaha)

    I'm another one... not overly impressed with hack and slash films. But enjoy a good evening curled up with the cheesier licks (hammer studios was fantastic).

    And I like the taste in films you suggested. I loved "The Crow" the sequels were rather pale tho.

    But some of the older ones I might add to the list:

    "Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte"

    "Psycho" (the original)

    The originals of the Night of the Living Dead, and for laughs Return of the Living Dead.



    So.... enjoy ....

    Oct 9, 2009
    1 like