October is here, which means it is officially spooky season. A large part of getting into the fall spirit is watching seasonal movies. At the beginning of each season, you can easily catch me curled up in bed watching festive films. Movies are incredible, not just for entertainment, but for the emotions they evoke. Whether it is nostalgia, fear, or something new you are after, there are many movies that will be just right for you.
If you want to feel like a little kid again, snuggled up in a blanket eating sugary sweets, these picks are perfect for you, giving you that feeling of bittersweet nostalgia.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – A young boy discovers he is a wizard who belongs at Hogwarts. He attends school, meets new life-long friends, and faces magical conflicts. This series is life-changing, as it takes you on a whimsical journey that feels like you are right there with them.
Hocus Pocus (1993) – A teenage boy resurrects a trio of witches on Halloween who have ill intentions of stealing young children’s lives. This movie is a great mix of dark witchcraft and family comedy.
Ghostbusters (1984) – Three parapsychologists start their own ghost removal service in New York City, dealing with paranormal activity and mysterious customers. With its famous catchy theme song, by the end of this movie you will be yelling out, “Who ya gonna call?”
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – The king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, attempts to take over the newly discovered Christmas Town. Despite Christmas being in the title, there is just enough spookiness that makes this sweetly nostalgic.
If you are feeling a bit spookier and looking for movies filled with suspense and jump scares, these movies are more for your crowd. This short list of movies will have you tossing your popcorn right through the air and sleeping with one eye open.
It (2017) – Modeled after the Stephen King classic, a child mysteriously disappears in a small town in 1989; his brother and friends attempt to discover and take down the evil entity behind the abduction. This clown may be the most terrifying one I have ever seen; it still creeps into my nightmares.
The Conjuring (2013) – Based off a true story, an average seven-person family that is freshly moved into a new Rhode Island home begins experiencing extreme paranormal activity. Ed and Lorraine Warren attempt to uncover the deep evil spirits within this home.
Sinister (2012) – A true crime writer moves to a past murder house with his family and unleashes the absolute essence of evil. This movie is a must-watch not just for the visuals, but for the utterly sinister soundtrack.
A Quiet Place (2018) – In an abandoned world filled with evil entities with hypersensitive hearing, a family struggles to stay quiet and alive. Starring John Krasinski, this film is a bit of a change of scenery for Jim Halpert.
This year has been filled with amazing new releases. Horror movie fans are having a field day with thrillers constantly coming out. Here are some fresh releases from this year that are entertaining, spooky, and just right for fall.
Weapons – An elementary school class mysteriously disappears on the same night at the exact same time, except for one child who is left eerily behind. As this movie takes you through the point of view of each character, you will find yourself sliding deeper into your seat trying to hide from the terror.
The Long Walk – A group of boys participate in an annual competition where they must all maintain the same walking speed or face violent consequences. This is another work made by the master of horror, Stephen King. That should be all the warning you need.
Sinners – Two twin brothers return home and create strong bonds over their love for music, but there are evil spirits lurking in the darkness waiting for them. One minute I was grooving to the sweet rhythms, the next I was clutching my seat in anxiety and fear.
Black Phone 2 – After being abducted in “The Black Phone”, teenage boy Finn struggles with his past traumatic experiences while his sister begins having disturbing dreams and visions that are not just a coincidence. Who knew Ethan Hawke could be so frightening?
With all these options, it is time to go grab a blanket, plop yourself on the couch, and get ready to indulge in all the pumpkin-spiced snacks in sight. Whether you want shivers down your spine or a smile spread across your face, this list of movies is the best of both worlds.
