Halloween is one of my favourite holidays. Why? Pumpkin carving, dressing up in scary costumes and most importantly the Halloween films. It’s the first holiday of the colder months, and something about it is so magical. Halloween is a great excuse to watch all of my favourite horror films. I love the weird adrenaline rush feeling that comes with being scared. The uncertainty, the mystery, the suspense.
With Halloween just weeks away I’ve put together the ultimate guide to spooky films, that will ignite your inner Halloween spirit. From fun classics like ‘Hocus Pocus’ to the newest cinema releases like ‘Ouija: Origin Of Evil’, these 11 films will put a scare in your step. Are you ready?
‘The Ring’
Want some friendly advice from me? If you ever meet a girl called Samara, who is wearing a white dress and looks like she’s been dragged through a hedge backwards… run! You might come across her if you watch an old video tape, and you might be left with seven days to live. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
‘The Grudge’
‘The Grudge’ is an adaptation of a Japanese horror film. I love this film because it genuinely scares the shit out of me. It’s all about a girl named Sarah Michelle Gella, who is left to break a curse. What happens if she doesn’t break the curse? She’ll become the victim of a supernatural spirit that possess and then kills its victims.
‘Paranormal Activity’
Ignore the sequels and start with the original, ‘Paranormal Activity’ is an incredibly eerie story about a couple whose home is disturbed by an unknown presence. The whole film was shot on video camera and adds to the intensity of this horror. I’ve seen this numerous times and I still jump out of my skin. Every. Single. Time.
‘The Addams Family’
I always kind of wished I was a part of ‘The Addams Family’, simply for their misfit Halloween all year round vibe. They’re a crazy family made up of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Thing and Cousin Itt. Who’s going to click along to the catchy theme with me? Der-der-der-dum *click click*.
‘The Conjuring’
This film is seriously whacked up. Not only is it based on true events, but it’s also about a family. Evil spirits are terrorising a family home, and paranormal investigators are called in to help them. It’s creepy and will definitely leave you needing to sleep with a night light.
‘Hocus Pocus’
Witches, trick or treating, a Halloween ball, resurrections, zombies, a town called Salem, a spell book, black-flamed candle, cursed children, and a talking immortal black cat. This film ticks all of the Halloween boxes and is an absolute classic. (And despite what the title suggests, this is certainly NOT a load of ‘Hocus Pocus’.)
‘Casper’
Despite being often being used as an insult for pale complexions, ‘Casper’ is amazing. Halloween wouldn’t be the same with ‘Casper’ the friendly ghost, and his not so friendly uncles Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso. This film is a major throwback, and if anything else is the perfect last minute Halloween costume inspiration.
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’
When Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Skelton Town becomes bored of the usual Halloween celebrations he goes on the hunt for something new. This is a Tim Burton styled extravaganza with catchy sing-a-long songs including “This is Halloween” written by the original godfather of Halloween, Marilyn Manson. This radiates so much joy within me because it combines both Halloween and Christmas. 😭❣️
‘The Exorcist’
If you want more of a classic horror film, you can’t go wrong with Oscar-winning film ‘The Exorcist’. It’s all about a mother who enlists the help of priests to rid her daughter of the evil spirits that have possessed her. It’s not exactly family friendly, but it definitely has a massive scare factor to it…
‘Halloween’
The first film in any franchise is usually the best, isn’t it? And it certainly is the case for ‘Halloween’ the first film of the Slasher franchise. It’s all about Michael Myers, a murderous child who escapes from a psychiatric hospital and years later returning to his hometown on a mission to kill.
‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’
Fancy spending your Halloween at the cinema this year? If so, ‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ is the film to see when it’s released on October 21st. The film is a prequel to the super creepy ‘Ouija’ and tells the chilling story of a widowed mother and her two daughters. They add a new stunt to bolster their séance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home that consumes daughter Doris. Sounds a bit scary really, doesn’t it?
‘Ouija; Origin of Evil’ is in cinemas from October 21st, 2016.
Featured image source.
