The origin of Halloween traces back almost 2,000 years to the Celts (who called home what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of northern France) and their festival of Samhain. November 1st was the Celtic New Year where they lit bonfires and dressed in costumes to ward off wayward ghosts. This time of year for the Celts represented the changing of the seasons from summer and harvest to winter and a scarcity of food. For the Celts, with winter often came death.
After the rise of Christianity in the 8th century, Pope Gregory III declared November 1st All Saint's Day as a day to honor all the saints and martyrs. The night before All Saint's Day they called All Hallow's Eve, and it retained some of the Celtic traditions from the festival of Samhain. Eventually, All Hallow's Eve evolved and spread to many countries around the world.
The celebration of Halloween in America got off to a rocky start due to the strict Protestant belief systems present in the New England colonies. However, people celebrated All Hallow's Eve more widely in Maryland and the more southern colonies. Still, by the 19th century with the influx of immigrants from all over Europe, bringing with them their customs, the celebration of Halloween became more widespread.
Now in the modern United States, scary movies, kid-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, Halloween parties with popcorn balls and bobbing for apples, haunted houses, and corn mazes fulfill the spirit of Halloween. Halloween very much became another commercial holiday. and it moved a way from its Celtic roots.
Candy companies make a few bucks on pumpkin-shaped chocolate, scary movies clog the Netflix stream, and people dress up in costumes. Nonetheless, it is all in good fun, so here is a list of thirteen (see what I did there?) movies or series to watch this Halloween.
Some are spooky, some are down right scary, and others are just right for a night of family fun. Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!
1. The Halloweentown Series
I loved the Halloweentown series since I was a kid. I still watch them every year, and I own digital copies of all of them. Even the fourth one, Return to Halloweentown, where they replaced Kimberly J. Brown with Sarah Paxton as Marnie like we wouldn't notice... (Disney, y'all ain't slick.) Either way, the Halloweentown series should be on everyone's Halloween watchlist.
2. Hocus Pocus
Who doesn't love Hocus Pocus? If you know people who don't, unfriend them on all social media, and block their numbers. (You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.) Hocus Pocus is a Halloween staple, no matter your age.
3. Hellraiser Series
Hellraiser might be a little retro these days, but it is still a spine-tingler. My mom loves scary movies, and she loves Hellraiser - when I was a kid, I caught a few scenes when I was supposed to be asleep, and let me tell you... those dreams were not pleasant! But now that I'm older, the Hellraiser series is one of my go-to scary movies during the Halloween season.
4. The Halloween Series
Gotta love a good slasher film! The Halloween series are classics. Jamie Lee Curtis running from Michael Myers will never get old. I wouldn't watch this one with the kids, though.
5. A Nightmare on Elm Street Series
Another classic slasher series... You can't go wrong with '80s special effects and Freddy's bad jokes.
6. Children of the Corn
Who doesn't want to watch a movie about a cult of creepy kids? I mean, just look at that kid's eerie smirk. Children of the Corn adapted from a Stephen King story, and it has all of the creep factor you expect from the mind of the horror master himself. Definitely give this one a go this Halloween.
7. Thir13en Ghosts
A man inherits his uncle's collection of strange and unique things and his house - what he doesn't realize until he moves his family in... he also inherits his uncle's collection of 13 malicious ghosts. This one is a must watch this Halloween.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is a good one for the whole family. Watch Jack and his crew discover the concept of Christmas, after Jack discovers Christmas Town. (But watch out for Oogie Boogie!)
9. Twitches
I'm a sucker for a good Disney Channel Original Movie, but Twitches is a good one for anyone's watchlist. Pop this one in or stream it, and enjoy the Mowry twins in their magical action.
10. Under Wraps
Here is another DCOM from my childhood. A group of kids accidentally reanimate a mummy on Halloween. Let the fun begin!
11. Ghostbusters Series
No offense to the ladies who remade this classic earlier this year, but I am a huge fan of the originals. Plus, it gives you that awesome theme song from Ray Parker Jr. (Who ya gonna call?)
12. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Also no offense to the folks who remade this earlier this month (I haven't seen it yet!), but The Rocky Horror Picture Show will always be on my Halloween watch list. Actually, who am I kidding, this is on my watch list year round. (Let's do the time warp again!)
13. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The classic tale of the headless horseman and Ichabod Crane starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci... Need I say more?
