Every year around this time I can almost feel my maturity level dropping, starting in October and by December 25 my maturity level has dropped at least ten years. (Or fifteen.) What can I say? I love, love, LOVE the holidays, complete with all of the decorations, treats, traditions, and of course, movies! I am not a huge television watcher, but I love my cheesy holiday flicks. Usually I try to do the 13 nights of Halloween followed by the 12 nights before Christmas, however this year has been all sorts of crazy and so I haven’t gotten to indulge in that tradition- much to the relief of my poor husband who pretty much hates (understatement) this time of year….but that is ok, I love it enough for the both of us! So I figured with just a few days before Halloween still left, I would post the BEST movies to watch at this time of year (and I even did all 13 of my “usuals” for you ambitious holiday movie watchers!) Get the popcorn poppin’ !
1- The first movie to start off the list? HOCUS POCUS of course! I don’t think Halloween would feel right without seeing Bette Midler and her ‘sisters’ flying on a vacuum!
2- PSYCHO. Halloween wouldn’t be complete without watching something from the Master of Suspense. Psycho happens to be my favorite but feel free to substitute (or watch more than one) any Alfred Hitchcock film.
3- I have to include this one because it was my all time childhood favorite, no matter what the cinematic quality. Plus it is a classic, so don’t even think about skipping CASPER, the Friendly Ghost !
4- Tim Burton is one of my favorite creators of quirky, creepy films, so rest assured this isn’t the first time you will see him on this list. BEETLEJUICE is the best combination of creepy/quirky/funny, and I consider dressing up as Lydia every year (although haven’t yet!)
5- What is a good scary situation without an awesome mystery-solving gang? SCOOBY DOO movies (I mean the older, cartoon ones of course!) are so fun that I couldn’t choose just one. My suggestion? Just pick two faves and toss a coin!
6- Halloween calls for dressing up and one of the most popular costumes is ALWAYS pirates. Coincidence that PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN makes this list? I think not. Plus I love Johnny Depp. A lot.
7- This one is a more recent film that has become one of my favorites, FRANKENWEENIE. Maybe it is because I loved the original book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, but there are so many fun references to the book in this quirky little film (by Tim Burton, I told you he would appear again!) that it has become one of my Halloween season staples.
8- I am a huge fan of black and white movies, so in addition to psycho I needed to add at least one more! ARSENIC AND OLD LACE is one of the most hilarious movies ever about two cute little old ladies who feel so bad for old, lonely men that they want to help them by putting them out of their misery. Even if you don’t love black and white, this film is a must see any time of the year!
9- Halloween just wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have my annual fright from Michael Myers in HALLOWEEN. Enough said.
10- Ba ba du dum. *snap snap* I can’t help myself but sing the song every time I think of the ADDAMS FAMILY. Fun, creepy, and I pretty much try to model my marriage after Gomez and Morticia, they are just so in love!
11- The NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is awesome because it totally doubles as a Halloween AND Christmas movie, so yes, like a ten year old, I always watch it twice. And I am so not ashamed because it is in my list of top favorite movies of all time. I even had a crush on Jack Skellington as a child (in a non-creepy, I-am-just-a-weird-child type of way!) Thank you once again, Tim Burton.
12- When CLUE originally came out, it actually had three different endings and you had to go to different theatres to see each one! Kinda fun right? Except with today’s movie ticket prices I don’t think that would ever fly….however, it still makes a great movie- probably because it is based on my favorite board game!
13- Last but not least, and probably the best actually, who can have a holiday without Charlie Brown? IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN is one of the sweetest, fun Halloween films that has been a tradition from the time I was in diapers. I have never gone a year without it and never plan to.
**Note: all of these movies can be purchased on Amazon and if you click on the image of the film it should take you to a direct link- Happy Halloween!**
