When summer closes out and October finally comes around, the holiday that everyone has been waiting for arrives: Halloween. Becoming emersed in the spooky spirit, children excitedly figure out what their costume will be, parents shop for candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters — but most of all, one thing springs back into the media as the months become colder and Oct. 31 returns: Halloween movies. So, in celebration of the season changing, I have decided to list and give my thoughts on some of what I believe to be are the most iconic Halloween movies.
“Hocus Pocus”
When thinking about what to watch on the big screen when October comes, this classic movie comes to many people’s minds: “Hocus Pocus.” Produced by Walt Disney Pictures in 1993, the story focuses on a trio of three witches, Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler), Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy), who seek immortality after being summoned accidentally by Max Dennison (Omri Katz), his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw). Throughout the movie, the kids try to prevent the witches from becoming immortal by stealing their magic book with the help of a talking cat.
I’ve always liked “Hocus Pocus,” but it isn’t the type of movie I can watch over and over again. If I watch the movie too many times, I often find it cliche and think that the trope — a trio fighting a group of bad guys — is a bit over-done. It’s definitely an iconic film though, so I believe that everyone should watch it at least once.
“Coraline”
Though it’s not technically a Halloween movie, “Coraline” has been one of my favorites for a long time. In the movie, Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) moves into her new home with her parents and discovers an alternate world beyond a door in her living room. She then meets the other-mother, who gives Coraline the best food, room and life the girl could ask for, but she later discovers that the alternate reality she so desired to live in isn’t what it seems.
I have always loved “Coraline.” The stop-motion animation, done by LAIKA studios, is wonderful and I always catch myself not paying attention to the movie in favor of just looking at how clean the details are. It might be scary for young children, but the story is charming and I find the coming-of-age theme as something to look forward to when the leaves start to turn orange.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
With the debate of whether or not “The Nightmare Before Christmas” by Tim Burton is a Halloween movie or truly a Christmas movie, I believe whole-heartedly that it needs to be watched the night before Halloween. When Jack Skellington, who lives in Halloweentown, becomes bored with the same festivities each year and discovers Christmastown, he decides to kidnap Santa Clause and become the ruler of the warm-spirited holiday.
I think “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a stunning movie, and the music has to be some of my favorite out of all the Halloween music there is. It’s obvious how much time and effort went into making the movie. The premise is unique and the characters are all so interesting, so I recommend anyone who hasn’t watched this film to watch it as soon as they can.
“Corpse Bride”
Last but not least, “Corpse Bride,” another film by Tim Burton, centers on Victor (Johnny Depp) and Victoria’s (Emily Watson) arranged marriage, only for chaos to occur when Victor accidentally proposes to Emily, who had been murdered shortly after her own wedding, and he has to figure out how to get back to Victoria before she is married of to someone else.
Out of all of the films discussed so far, the premise of “Corpse Bride” has to be one of my favorites by far. I love all of the main characters, and the movie does a good job of making you want to root for and care about each one of them. I find Emily’s story to be quite sad, but all in all, the film is sweet, imaginative and bittersweet. I love when the scene switches from the afterlife to the normal world, and I think “Corpse Bride” is a great movie for when you are in your feelings and need something to touch your heart.
This article was edited by Emily Logan, Aarushi Rana and Srinitha Arikati.
