Spooky season is here and what better way to start off this frightening season than with a list of classic Halloween movies. Here is a list of film options that are family-friendly or could leave you with nightmares. Grab some popcorn, a blanket, and your favorite scream-worthy movie. 

“Halloween” (1978)
If the title doesn’t say it enough, this film is the definition of scary. On a Halloween night in 1963, 6-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. But on Oct. 30, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, 21-year-old Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith’s Grove. The one thing that sticks in my head is the theme song, “Halloween Theme” written and performed by John Carpenter. This theme song alone is enough to give the devil goosebumps.

“The Shining” (1980)
“Heeeereee’s Johnny!” When I think of Halloween, Jack Nicholson’s face from “The Shining” immediately comes to mind. The film centers on the life of Jack Torrance (Nicholson), a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a position as the offseason caretaker of the historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. As Jack and his family stay, weird supernatural occurrences start to happen and Jack goes crazy. The scenes in this movie are iconic and brilliant. This movie has given me so many nightmares and still haunts me to this day. 

“A Nightmare On Elm Street” (1984)
This Wes Craven classic slasher film is about several Midwestern teenagers falling prey to Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund), a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams which, in turn, kills them in reality. This film also includes a cameo by none other than Johnny Depp, and no he did not wear his pirate costume. 

“The Monster Squad” (1987)
Five young kids find themselves up against Dracula, the Mummy, the Gill-Man, a werewolf, and Frankenstein’s Monster. The monsters are in search of a magic amulet as the kids’ plot to destroy them. In the end, it comes down to a fight between the monsters and the squad. Talk about a nice old feel-good movie that’s not too bloody and nightmare-inducing. This is a great movie to introduce kids to the iconic monsters of Halloween.

“Hocus Pocus” (1993)
My favorite thing about “Hocus Pocus” is the Sanderson sisters, they remind me of me and my sisters because of the way we act around each other. “Hocus Pocus” is a comedy horror movie about three witches known as the Sanderson sisters (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy). They are resurrected by a virgin in present-day Salem, unleashing all sorts of mayhem and a wild goose chase.

“Halloweentown” (1998)
Marnie Piper and her siblings get a big shock when they follow their grandma home to Halloweentown and find out they come from a family of witches. The town is the only place where supernatural beings can lead a normal life, but trouble is looming and Marnie needs to save the town. As I watched this film growing up, I always wished Halloweentown was a real place. It’s my all-time favorite Halloween movie and a must-see. It’s also a series which means, there is more to love.

“The Haunted Mansion” (2003)
The Evers family plan to take a trip and along the way, they stop off at a sinister mansion. Everything was going according to plan until they realize that they are not the only spirits in the house. It’s up to Jim Evers (played by Eddie Murphy) to save his family. This film is a great reason to look for a haunted house on Halloween because some houses are as cool as “The Haunted Mansion.”

“The Addams Family” (1991)
The Addams Family is family goals for Halloween costumes. A man, Christopher Lloyd, claiming to be Uncle Fester, the missing brother of Gomez Addams (Raul Julia), arrives at the Addams’ home and the family is thrilled. As the fake Fester hangs around, he realizes maybe he belongs and starts to care. All the characters are great in their own ways, but Wednesday is my spirit animal because of the way she doesn’t care about anything.

“Practical Magic” (1998)
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are sisters Sally and Gillian who are witches. This film has a vicious boyfriend, a handsome policeman, a family curse, and an evil spirit that threatens to end their family line. “Practical Magic” pulled me in with the beginning scenes when the sisters are little girls and Sally makes a true love spell, Amas Veritas. Sally grabs a bowl and starts throwing in ingredients that represent what she wants in a guy, which [SPOILER ALERT], the handsome policeman ends up being the perfect man she conjured up. Imagine building your perfect person from how they look, their personality, their profession, and basically everything they are.