STAFF PICKS: Best Halloween movies and TV specials
Every October, the Halloween bug bites us all. There’s nothing quite like making fresh popcorn, opening your favorite candy, sitting back on the couch and watching a Halloween classic on TV. These are our favorites.
“What We Do In The Shadows”
My favorite Halloween-ish movie is “What we do in the Shadows.” This is a mockumentary film that follows 4 vampires (that come from different time periods) as they navigate the modern world. The story makes the mundane hilarious and sticks to the traditional attributes of “classic” vampires like burning in sunlight and no reflections in mirrors. If that doesn’t sell it for you, this was made by the crew of “Flight of the Concords” including “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi.
– Alyssa Shotwell, Online Editor
“Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost”
The film is arguably the best Scooby Doo movie period. It is super hilarious, it deals with the persecution of witches in colonial New England, has the Hex Girls AND over the top New England accents. All of this would make it my favorite, but then it also stars my favorite human ever, Tim Curry, and it is all I could ever possibly want in movie.
– Emily Wolfe, Executive Editor
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
It is almost as old as me and so versatile of a movie. You can watch it for Halloween AND Christmas! I relate to Jack Skellington’s boredom of the same routine and longing for something different. It is fun to learn about how other people enjoy their holidays or new traditions you might adopt after trying it. Stop-motion animation has been interesting to me since I saw the movie as a kid and I love the music!
– Arturo Guerra, Audience Engagement Coordinator
“Scream”
Without a doubt, “Scream” is my favorite movie to watch during Halloween. Growing up I remember watching it and playing “Scream” with my cousin, who would chase me around wearing the Ghostface mask. I had this blue jean jacket I loved to wear because it was similar to the one Sidney has on in the final action scenes. It was also the start of my interest in journalism, thanks to the character of Gail Weathers.
– Brandon Ruiz-Peña, Editor-in-Chief
“Halloweentown”
My favorite Halloween movie is Halloweentown. As a kid, I was easily spooked so I stayed away from creepy/scary stuff. Now it basically reminds me of my childhood aka better times LOL. But jokes aside, it just makes me reminisce in a good way. I love it!
– Jessica Kunzat, Live Reporter Coordinator
“Halloween”
This may be a bit on the nose, but there is a reason this franchise is still going strong. As the film that helped (or arguably did) start the slasher film genre, Halloween’s impact is still felt today and is a film I have always enjoyed. As a big horror fan growing up, Halloween was always the slasher film I enjoyed the most, with only A Nighmare on Elm Street close to being just as enjoyable. Regardless, this is the movie that still makes millions dress up as Michael Myers on Halloween.
– Troylon Griffin II, Managing Editor
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
My favorite Halloween movie is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966) because it reminds me of the nostalgic traditions of Halloween I remember taking part in as a kid. Pumpkin carving, trick or treating and Halloween parties are what make the holiday what it is for me, and I also really love all movies with Snoopy in them, so this is my essential pick.
– Miles Shellshear, Managing Editor
