Halloween is one of the most exciting times of year, and like any holiday, films based around that holiday have been made for the past century. Here are my picks for fifteen must watch films to really get into the Halloween spirit.

Day 1 – Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice is a perfect movie to start off our October movie marathon. Released on March 30, 1988, Beetlejuice is a cult classic that has been associated with Halloween ever since its release. Its uncanny humor and its sinister plot makes it a fan favorite of many. Following the death of a married couple and their journey into the underworld, they encounter Beetlejuice, a mischievous ghost who the couple use to drive away the family who just moved into their house. With its many twists and turns, Beetlejuice is a classic that uses its suspense and comedy to become a must watch for any October movie marathon. 

Day 2 – Hocus Pocus 

Continuing a theme of magic, Hocus Pocus is another movie perfect for the Halloween Season. Released in 1993 by Disney, Hocus Pocus is more of a family oriented comedy directed by Kenny Ortega. The story follows three teenagers who have accidently resurrected three evil witches from the dead, as they try to hunt down the teens to gain immortality by killing them. It’s light hearted tone and humorous characters preserve its place as a classic among Disney enthusiasts, making it a must see for any Halloween fan.

Day 3 – Scream

Taking a look into the horror world of Halloween, Scream is a great gateway film to start with because of its meta commentary of the genre and its thrilling plot. Released in 1996 and directed by Wes Craven, scream is iconic for revitalizing the slasher genre. The film centers on a group of friends who are determined to survive a serial killer outbreak in their town, as they use their prior horror knowledge and senses to survive being killed. Blending its humor, suspense, and thrill, Scream has shown itself to be a modern horror classic and is a fantastic film to watch during the Halloween season. 

Day 4 – Texas Chain Saw Massacre 

Continuing with the horror movies, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is an all time classic for horror fans. Released in 1974 and directed by Tobe Hooper, Texas Chain Saw Massacre is an independent horror film that changed the genre, opting for a more raw and gritty type of storytelling. The story follows a group of friends traveling through Texas as they find themselves in an empty house belonging to a family of cannibals. One of these is the now iconic killer Leatherface, who hunts down the group one by one. Changing the genre by its thematic tones and its imagery, Texas Chain Saw Massacre is an essential to the horror genre and is a must watch for all fans. 

Day 5 – Edward Scissorhands

Taking it back to the family genre, Edward Scissorhands is a dark fantasy type movie, taking dark themes and blending it with a family style movie. Released in 1990, and also directed by Tim Burton, the film tells the story of Edward Scissorhands, a man created by an inventor, but left unfinished after the inventor tragically passes away, leaving Edward incomplete with scissors for hands. When discovered, Edward is brought into a suburban neighborhood and welcomed by the townspeople, but after falling in love with a girl, the townspeople spark hostility and fear towards Edward. The film explores themes of isolation and discovery as it follows the hardships of Edward.

 Day 6 – Scream 2

Directed once again by Wes Craven and released in 1997, Scream 2 follows the survivors of the first film as they reach college, but still plagued by the tragedy of their past. While living their daily lives, a copycat killer emerges and follows a killing spree, similarly to the first film. Also similarly, the sequel serves as a meta commentary of sequels, and continues with the humorous and thrilling tones of the first film. 

Day 7 – Friday the 13th

In many ways, the original Friday the 13th film is a staple in the revitalization of the horror genre when entering the 1980s. Directed by Sean S. Cunningham and released in 1980, Friday the 13th is perhaps the most iconic slasher franchise and has arguably the most memorable horror figure of all time, Jason Voorhees. But the first film actually didn’t feature the famous killer as the tormentor of Camp Crystal Lake, instead opting for his mother to be the woman behind the mask. Set at a summer camp with a dark park, the story follows a new set of camp councilors who, one by one, get murdered by an unknown killer. The simple premise and staples in horror imagery and effects made the impact of Friday the 13th a game-changer for horror in the 1980s, making it a must watch for any October movie list. 

Day 8 – Beetlejuice 2

A well deserved follow up to the cult classic, Beetlejuice 2, released in 2024, saw the return of Tim Burton as director, and features similar twisted elements as the first film. The plot follows the main character of the first film, Lydia, 36 years after its events, and follows her daughter Astrid as she opens a portal back to the afterlife, bringing all sorts of chaos, once more leading to the return of Beetlejuice. In addition to new characters, Burton brings back plenty of old faces, and the film serves as a love letter to fans of the first one, making it a must watch for any Beetlejuice fans. 

Day 9 – The Nightmare Before Christmas

Once again directed by Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas is arguably one of the greatest Halloween films of all time, as it blends a unique animation style with a creative vision that brings life to every scene. Following Jack Skellington, the story follows his adventure as he discovers the land of Christmas and his journey of self-discovery and learning to become a better person. 

Day 10 – Halloweentown 

Released in 1998 as a Disney Channel Original film, Halloweentown is a family fantasy that follows the story of Marnie, who learns that she comes from a family of witches. As she follows her grandmother to her home of Halloweentown, she discovers a looming threat that puts the town’s residents in danger, and takes it upon herself, with her siblings, to fight the evil forces plaguing the town. The film has reestablished itself as a Halloween classic and has received a good following due to its light hearted message and its adventurous themes.

Day 11 – A Nightmare on Elm Street

A Nightmare on Elm Street is a must watch for any fan of horror, and is one another movie franchise that reestablished the genre from its decline in the 1980s due to its supernatural themes and its iconic killer, Freddy Krueger. Released in 1984, and directed by Wes Craven, the movie follows main character Nancy Thomas as she and her friends experience dreams of a disfigured man with razors on his glove. As her friends are killed in their sleep, Nancy takes it upon herself to discover the truth of the mysterious killer, and discovers the disturbing past of the figure. The film’s interesting plot, mixed with its scares and nightmarish villain, invented a new type of horror that would be followed for years to come, making A Nightmare on Elm Street a staple in horror history. 

Day 12 – Donnie Darko

Donnie Darko, released in 2001 and directed by Richard Kelly, is a psychological thriller that blends elements of horror with science fiction. Following Donnie after a near death scenario, he is tormented by visions of a figure in a rabbit costume as he is told the world will end on Halloween. Mixing elements of mental illness and teenage life, Donnie grapples with his visions and is drawn deeper into this psychological thriller. Its haunting tones and engaging plot makes Donnie Darko a must see for all fans of the thriller genre, and is a perfect movie for the Halloween season. 

Day 13 – Friday the 13th Part 2

Friday the 13th Part 2, serves as a much better version of the first film, finally introducing Jason Voorhees to the world. Released in 1981 and directed by Steve Miner, Part 2 continues at Camp Crystal Lake, and features a new set of unsuspecting counselors. The introduction of Jason Voorhees as the new killer and reinvention of effect and stunts solidified these films as some of the most influential horror films ever. 

Day 14 – Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters, released in 1984 and directed by Ivan Reitman, is a must see for any Halloween film rewatch, as its comedic elements and lovable characters make it a fun family movie without taking away from its scary elements. Following 4 scientists as they start a ghost catching business in New York City, a paranormal ghost is awakened and it uses ghosts to take over the city. The film’s blend of humor and groundbreaking special effects establishes its impact on horror comedies, making it one of the most beloved films of the 1980s. 

Day 15 – Halloween

Finally, the movie is named after the holiday itself, Halloween. Released in 1978 and directed by John Carpenter, Halloween is a must watch for any fan of movies, as it reinvents horror and storytelling while creating one of the most arguable characters in all of film, Michael Myers. Following his escape from an institution on Halloween, Michael Myers returns to his hometown where he stalks Laurie Strode and her friends, with the night culminating with Michael killing off teenagers one by one. The tension and atmosphere used in Halloween allows for it to be arguably one of the greatest Halloween films ever and one of the most influential films to the slasher genre. 

The Halloween season is home to hundreds of great films, and it’s almost impossible to just pick a select few to watch over the span of a month, but it’s hard to discredit the amount of influence that Halloween centered films have had on films in general and their lasting influences on modern filmmaking.