Queue up these six ghostly movies perfect to watch on Halloween. 

Hocus Pocus

When stubborn teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) moves to Salem, Massachusetts, he’s ready to prove that Halloween is an overrated bunch of hocus pocus. But after accidentally awakening a trio of villainous witches who had been dead for more than 300 years, Max and his friends (along with the help of a vengeful cat) must stop the witches from casting an evil spell on their town before the witches can take over Salem. 

“Hocus Pocus” is a staple in Halloween culture. It combines a heartfelt storyline with comically predictable jump scares, and the witty comedic timing of actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Bett Medler and Kathy Najimy, who play the Sanderson Sisters (the evil witches). The extravagant costumes and the film’s 90s feel only elevate the nostalgia, making it a family classic that is guaranteed to bring laughs. Notorious for its kid-friendly dark humor, “Hocus Pocus” has influenced a plethora of Halloween movies released in the decades following it.

The Addams Family

The members of the Addams family are a ghoulishly eccentric bunch of oddballs who delight in macabre comedy and are unaware that others find them bizarre and frightening. They live a simple life surrounded by torture devices, deadly animals and sharp corners. So one can imagine their surprise when the Addamses find out they have a long-lost relative named “Fester Addams” who claims to be the father, Gomez’s, brother. In fact, Uncle Fester turns out to be nothing but a snake intending to swindle the family out of their vast fortune. In order to get rid of Fester and save their family once and for all, the Addamses must learn to navigate the conventional American lifestyle while still holding onto their obscure values. 

This movie definitely plays better with age. Though presented as family-friendly, the harder you look, the easier it is to notice the strong violent undertones and sexual innuendo. The dark humor of the film is certainly understood by children, but it definitely packs more of a punch when the viewer is over the age of 13. “The Addams Family” shows the cinematic world a new kind of family dysfunctionality, and it’s come to be loved by all. With meticulously creepy sets and an excellent soundtrack throughout, the movie maintains a constant eerie feel, making it a must-watch for the Halloween season.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

In Halloween Town, where it’s always Halloween, Jack Skellington yearns to be somewhere new. Despite being one of the most popular people in his town, Jack is tired of the mundane normalcy of Halloween. So when he finds out Christmas Town exists, Jack thinks he’s found his purpose, the one thing he was missing. He will spread Christmas cheer to everyone, even if they don’t want it. Unfortunately, Jack’s journey does more bad than good and he ends up putting himself, his friends and even Santa Claus in imminent danger. 

The genius of filmmaker Tim Burton combined with director Henry Selick’s styling creates one of the most impressive stop-motion animated musicals to date. Meticulously crafted with an unparalleled level of precision, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” has an entirely original concept with relatable characters, allowing the audience to see themselves reflected on screen and invest in their stories. The film utilizes musical elements and setting to help convey emotion rather than just relying on dialogue, and the plot keeps the audience on their toes. It’s deeply creative, funny and manages to fit the Halloween aesthetic even while incorporating elements of other holidays. The movie is absolutely worth a watch, either for its exemplary cast, music or storyline.

Halloweentown

Marnie Piper’s 13th birthday was anything but normal. When she discovers that both her mother and grandmother are witches, Marnie comes to realize that she’s one too. Her world gets a whole lot bigger when she finds a secret portal to a magical place filled with hundreds of supernatural creatures: “Halloweentown.” Marnie and her siblings Dylan and Sophie go through the portal to discover that the place is not as welcoming as it seems. Marnie has to learn how to use her newfound power and the help of her family to battle wicked warlocks and evil curses  — all to save their world from being taken over by the dangers within Halloweentown. 

“Halloweentown” is the perfect fall movie for kids. Even without complicated special effects and scary monsters, the movie teaches a complex story of bravery and perseverance. The original movie’s success prompted a four-movie series. Although the following three films managed to carry on the magic of the holiday, the original “Halloweentown” will forever remain the most iconic fan-favorite.

Frankenstein

The lines between electricity and biology start to blur when talented scientist Victor Frankenstein uses a strike of lightning to awaken his greatest experiment yet, an eight-foot-tall, 300-pound misunderstood villain simply referred to as “The Monster.” The unorthodox scientist, once filled with tenacity, now lives in fear of his hideous and unpredictable creation. Frankenstein’s monster is angry at Victor for not giving him the fatherly love he thinks he deserves. Filled with resentment, The Monster takes his anger out on the unsuspecting townspeople of Ingolstadt, Germany. Victor, wanting to save himself, the townspeople and The Monster has to put his horror aside and determine if he should do what is easy, or what is right. 

Mary Shelley published “Frankenstein” in 1818. In the past two centuries, the story has earned worldwide fame and a reputation as a Halloween staple. It was one of the first books to tie gothic, science and horror fiction into a single story, and its brilliance is still referenced when new authors write thrillers. Frankenstein explored ancient themes of literature: anguished dread of mortality, the consequences of obsession and the divine retribution that always follows overweening ambition in mythology. Without Mary Shelley, the literary world of horror would be without a multitude of books, all of which piggybacked off of the iconic “Frankenstein.”

Halloween

Whether Michael meant to do it or not, stabbing your 17-year-old sister at age six is a pretty surefire way to see the inside of a prison. Micheal has been stuck in a cage for 15 years, reliving that one Halloween night with his beloved sister over and over. But he’s older now, and ready for more. So when October 30th, 1978 rolls around, Micheal knows it’s time to return to Haddonfield, Illinois and show his neighbors what he’s capable of. Stealing a car to get away from the tight clutch of Smith’s Grove Correctional Facility is hardly the worst thing Michael has planned for this Halloween. After all, everyone’s entitled to one good scare.

“Halloween” is the most successful independent movie of all time. Directed by John Carpe, the worldwide success of the first film ignited a slasher-movie frenzy, the most recent one being “Halloween Ends.” Released in 2022, the film brings the franchise to 13 movies surrounding the plot of ghoulishly wonderful horror. Audiences feared homicidal maniac Micheal Myers in a way no villain had ever been feared before. Micheal didn’t have any revenge to see through, no enemies or rivals deliberately seeking him out nor lived in an abusive household. The idea that a murderer’s motive is just to kill for sport brought intense psychological horror to the story and scared viewers in a new way. The series has a reputation for modern horror, using different characters and twisted cinematography to ensure watching the movies is a memorable experience. Halloween will never be fully complete without “Halloween.”