1. Hocus Pocus (1993)
The ultimate Halloween comfort movie. Three chaotic witches return from the dead, a talking black cat dispenses sass, and Salem turns into trick-or-treat chaos. It’s camp, it’s cozy, it’s required viewing.
2. Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
No, it doesn’t replace the original, but it doesn’t have to. The Sanderson sisters still chew scenery, and the nostalgia factor is strong enough to light a Black Flame Candle.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it Halloween? Is it Christmas? It’s both, and that’s the fun. Jack Skellington’s Pumpkin King energy is peak spooky-season aesthetic.
4. Coraline (2009)
Creepy button eyes, uncanny stop-motion, and an “other mother” who is straight nightmare fuel. Somehow scary and beautiful at the same time.
5. Beetlejuice (1988)
A haunted house comedy that doubles as costume inspiration. Burton’s afterlife is bizarre, funny, and deeply Halloween-coded.
6. Wednesday (Netflix, 2022–)
Gothic boarding school adventures, cello solos in graveyards, and deadpan one-liners for days. Wednesday Addams is the Halloween spirit animal.
7. The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)
Campy, gothic, and hilarious. Angelica Huston’s Morticia alone could power Halloween for decades.
8. Practical Magic (1998)
Witches, love spells, and margaritas at midnight. More autumn cozy than scary, but it nails the seasonal vibe.
9. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Pick any Halloween episode, but start with “Halloween” (Season 2), where costumes literally come to life. Buffy’s blend of horror, comedy, and heart is timeless.
10. Goosebumps (1990s & 2023 reboot)
Spooky stories for kids that are still weirdly unsettling as adults. The original “Haunted Mask” episode remains an iconic Halloween TV show.
11. Stranger Things (Netflix)
From Halloween costumes to Demogorgons, this show bleeds seasonal vibes. Bikes, walkie-talkies, and creepy Upside Down imagery = instant October mood.
12. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Pure nostalgia. Pumpkin patches, costumes, and that sweet mix of melancholy and joy that only Charlie Brown can deliver.
13. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
A Halloween anthology that weaves together ghost stories, werewolves, and one very creepy pumpkin-headed trick-or-treater. Cult classic status is well earned.
14. Halloween (1978)
The slasher blueprint. Beyond the scares, the suburban streets lined with crunchy leaves and glowing pumpkins define the Halloween look.
15. Scream (1996)
Meta, funny, scary, and endlessly quotable. It’s both a love letter to slashers and a great October watch on its own.
16. The Witches (1990)
Roald Dahl’s story brought to life with terrifying practical effects. The hotel transformation scene is still nightmare fuel.
17. Casper (1995)
Not scary, just sweet. A ghost story that’s all about friendship and family, wrapped in gothic mansion vibes.
18. Over the Garden Wall (2014)
A short animated miniseries that feels like an autumn fairy tale. Talking animals, mysterious woods, and a mood that’s equal parts cozy and eerie.
19. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
The Halloween feast, floating pumpkins, and troll-in-the-bathroom scene make this the most seasonally perfect of the Potter films.
20. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
A spooky animated classic where - for once - the monsters are real. Equal parts creepy and nostalgic Saturday-morning fun.
Halloween isn’t just about being scared. it’s about a vibe. It’s the flicker of jack-o-lanterns, the sound of crunchy leaves, the thrill of ghost stories, and the comfort of witches, vampires, and monsters (friendly or not). This list mixes slashers with cartoons, cult classics with cozy favorites, so no matter what kind of spooky-season person you are, you’ll find something to put you in the spirit.
So grab a blanket, light a candle, pour something pumpkin-spiced, and press play. Halloween has arrived. 🎃
