Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays for it has shaped the world as we know it. The wonderful season is the reason for some of the Greatest most influential movies of all time.
- Monster Squad:
This 1987 film took all the infamous monsters and put them all together in one movie. For instance Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman, Mummy, and Gillman. Monster Squad emphasizes the importance of friendship as this group of boys takes on these monsters and saves the world. This classic fills you with excitement and hope all in favor of the underdogs aka the Monster Squad. This movie also is serious but so comical. Its light-hearted and creative nature draws you in blinding you to the flaws within. The movie only scored a 56% on Rotten Tomatoes but when reported 90% of people who watched the movie loved it. Monster Squad is available on platforms like Hulu and even free on Amazon Prime Video.
- Nightmare Before Christmas:
A cinematic masterpiece that truly brings the Halloween feeling knocking at your door. The stop-motion animation provides a sense of fantasy and adventure for people of all ages. Jack Skellington and Sally have captured our hearts in a way never seen before throughout this dark tale of finding oneself. The rich animation was a huge risk for Disney but turned out to be something immersive and magical. The story is spooky yet stylish, with music that is catchy and unforgettable, and every character is different but full of life. This movie is just a refreshing look at the holiday for it highlights differences in others which is the true spirit of Halloween. Tim Burton used his creative brilliance to make something so impactive and unique it brings the view back for multiple Holidays. Nightmare Before Christmas was so influential the debate between whether it is a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie is still at the top of our minds. Even though it is a clear Halloween movie. This 1993 wonder received a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes rightfully so. It is available to watch on Disney+ and is $3.79 on Amazon Prime Video.
- Scream:
Wes Craven redefined slasher and broke all the rules of the horror industry with his creation of the movie Scream. As the horror industry started to die due to its repetitiveness, Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson stepped in with their creative brilliance to make a film that played on the corny side of slasher but also remained respectful to it, resulting in a movie loved by all. It turned the out played out masked murders into someone fresh and new that would captive the Audience. The twist at the end is to die for. They nailed the concept of every where all at once because there where two killers and one of them was Sidney’s boyfriend!! Just the concept of two killers was revolutionary and one to be remembered for ages. Scream along with its entire franchise is available for rent on Amazon prime video and free with subscription to MAX. The original Scream received a 81 on Rotten Tomatoes which means the majority of viewers where also impressed with its brilliance.
- Hocus Pocus:
This 1993 Disney wonder is one to watch out for. It was a complete fail at the box office when it aired due to its talk of witches eating children and talking cats. Although its plot is all over the place it just provides a sense of home to those searching and longing for their youthful days. Some people (like myself) grew up watching this movie so, every year we find ourselves right back under the spell of those witches who fill us with laughter, nostalgia, and comfort. Hocus Pocus once failure turned triumphant is one to remember and enjoy now and for generations to come. Hocus Pocus was so impactful it was even remade almost 30 years later. This wonderful movie only received a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes but received a viewing score of over 90%. It is also available to watch on Disney+.
- Halloween:
There is no Contest. Halloween is one of the most beloved horror films to ever be created. This John Carpenter film is truly like no other when it comes to getting into the holiday spirit. Upon its release 45 years ago Halloween became the most successful horror film of its time. It has certainly set the bar for horror and what it means to be a slasher movie. The mysterious element of a psychotic man terrorizing the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois on a murder spree, in a white mask, really creates this eery feeling within the viewer. Carpenter took fright to a whole other level because it even has an impeccable soundtrack with the theme song so recognizable that it stays on repeat in our heads. These different elements made this low-budget 1978 movie unforgettable and the king of all things Halloween. This movie was so influential that it received a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. Available to watch on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
