As Halloween approaches, we all need shows and movies to help embrace cozy autumn vibes or eerie thrills.
Here are some films and shows to get you into the Hallow’s Eve spirit:
“Coraline” (2009)
This stop-motion film tells the story of a young girl, Coraline, who discovers a hidden door in her new house. The secret door leads her to another world where everything is impeccable or at least seems to be.
Coraline struggles to adjust to this bizarre neighborhood and encounters interesting characters until she finds the perfect escape. Do not be fooled by the idea that this film is made for kids, as you will be surprised by the true horrors Coraline faces and all the hidden meanings director Henry Selick alludes to.
Coraline’s story reminds us that the imperfect is our perfect, but we learn later it is often better to notice the things we take for granted rather than yearn for something else.
“Coraline” is available to stream on Tubi.
“Corpse Bride” (2005)
Directed by Tim Burton, this film is an animated gothic romance with all the aesthetic elements and scenery any Burton fan could hope for.
You will watch as a nervous groom named Victor (Johnny Depp) accidentally proposes to a bride named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) who — surprise! — is dead.
Emily’s touching and sad story will leave you empathetic for her, hoping she can get her happy ending. Similarly, Victor undergoes great development and learns to stand up for himself after this adventure.
This film’s eerie yet comforting aesthetic makes it one of the perfect Halloween viewings for a gloomy night.
“Corpse Bride” is available to stream on Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
“E.T.” (1982)
“E.T.” is a heartwarming tale that takes place during the weekend of Halloween. A young boy, Elliot (Henry Thomas), discovers a gentle and lovable alien and embarks on a mission to get him back to his home planet.
“E.T.” explores themes of friendship, family and love in the face of what you might think impossible. The film’s coziness and sense of adventure will keep you entertained as you fall in love with the adorable alien.
“E.T.” is available to stream on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video.
“Over the Garden Wall” (2014)
This hidden gem from Cartoon Network follows two young brothers’ adventures through the woods. The older brother, Wirt (Elijah Wood), and his younger brother get lost in the forest and try to find their way home. On this journey, they run into all sorts of odd, fairytale-like towns, creatures and magic including pumpkin people and human-sized frogs.
All of this takes place during Halloween weekend and holds that bizarre but nostalgic fall time aesthetic similar to that of Disney Channel’s “Gravity Falls.”
“Over the Garden Wall” is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
“Addams Family Values” (1993)
With the popular show “Wednesday” (2022) coming out recently, it is the perfect time to revisit the classic Addams Family movie as it tells the story of Wednesday Addams and her family.
Christina Ricci truly stands out in her performance as Wednesday, defining and setting the precedent and perfectly encapsulating this bizarre character. The film follows Wednesday as she attends summer camp and meets her uncle’s new fiance, who seems up to no good.
Burton’s classic aesthetic and scenery play a large role in this movie, giving it its Halloween feel and telling a fun, relatable story.
“Addams Family Values” is available to stream on Paramount Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.
”It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” (1966)
“It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” holds the cozy nostalgic effect of autumn as audiences watch the honest and vulnerable Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) and his personality-filled friends celebrate Halloween.
The episode introduces the Great Pumpkin, who supposedly brings gifts to children who believe in it.
Kids dress up, go trick-or-treating, attend Halloween parties and partake in all sorts of Halloween fun — Snoopy, of course, has an adventure of his own. This special may not be the most action-packed, but it is an enjoyable watch that will bring audiences back to their childhood Halloween days.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” is available to stream on Apple TV+.
“Friday the 13th” (1980)
This classic horror movie must be included in this list for the scare element of Halloween. While childhood movies can bring back the nostalgia of trick-or-treating with friends when you were younger, “Friday the 13th” will snatch away the feeling of ease and replace it with petrifying scenes to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Starring Kevin Bacon, Harry Crosby, Jeannine Taylor and Adrienne King, you will experience the anxiety, horror and desperation for survival these teen counselors face when murderers plague their summer camp.
This movie will make you glad your sleepaway camp days are over.
“Friday the 13th” is available to stream on Paramount Plus and Apple TV+.
“Monster House” (2006)
Three young children are convinced that a neighborhood house harbors a secret: the house is alive and eats people. One child witnessed the house eat his sister's bike and that, combined with rumors that the owner of the house had eaten his wife, are all the proof they need that this building poses a danger to all.
As Halloween approaches, the kids are determined to expose the house before unknowing trick-or-treaters are met with its horrors and their untimely demise. During their journey, you experience the kids’ desperation to keep everyone safe and will laugh as they uncover secrets and form unlikely friendships.
“Monster House” is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
This collection of suggestions will undoubtedly put you in an excited mood for both Halloween and this fall season.
This article was edited by Alfie Pritchard, Marina Zaczkiewicz and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks and Emma Brown.
