Every year I have a list of Films and Shorts I must watch. Here is that list to help you get in the Halloween Spirit!

Let’s start with the family friendly!

1. Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad

Though I personally love Mr. Toad, I don’t watch that part for Halloween. The Adventures of Ichabod is what I’m after. Based on the Washington Irvin Story, Sleepy Hollow, it tells the tale of Sleepy Hollows new school master Ichabod Crane. A good portion of the short focuses on Ichabod and his rising popularity in the town and his fawning over Katrina, the daughter of a wealthy farmer. She is sought after by many in the village but mostly by Ichabod and the town strong man (think Gaston from Beauty and The Beast) Brom Bones.

The last 10 minutes of this short however is pure gold. This segment serves as a gateway in to Horror for me. The tension while Ichabod is going through the forest is palpable. The fact that the legend was told to Ichabod and the audience just a few minutes earlier, adds so much, because you know the story, you know how to get out of the situation. Will Ichabod get out? Is the legend even true? All this is wrapped up in this scene, and then throw in some classic golden age Disney humor and beautiful animation. This is a classic I never miss.

2. Hocus Pocus

Continuing with the Family friendly. I don’t really need to say much about this film, it is very much a cult, and really now Main stream, classic. The Sanderson Sisters chemistry mixed with the dark,but still child friendly, humor is just a great combination. I do find that for the most part if you didn’t grow up with this film in some fashion you may have missed the train and might not find the appeal. For me and many other millennials, it’s a must.

3. A Nightmare Before Christmas

This is one of my all time favorites. Another film that was once Cult Classic but now more main stream. It hasn’t lost any of its charm because of it however. The music, the animation, the humor, the moral, it’s just all on point. The best thing about this too is it is a dual Holiday film. People like to argue that it is one or the other, but for me it is fair game to watch from September through December.

4. Disney Shorts: Trick or Treat and Skeleton Dance.

These are 100% must for me, I have been watching them since I was a child when they were part of the Disney Channel Halloween Special, and it just doesn’t feel like Halloween with out them. Trick or Treat is a Donald Duck. Cartoon and it is just great fun. The Skeleton Dance was the first “ Silly Symphony” created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, it is an animation classic, and still holds as being a fun way to get into the spooky season spirit.

5. Ghostbusters

This is the last Family friendly on the list. Ghostbuster is just an absolute classic. I always say that it’s a horror film that happens to be funny. Though you have comedic legends leading the show, it really is a masterfully written horror, peppered with jokes and a well thought out story, that leads up to the ultimate haunting of NYC. It helped define pop culture for a generation, and it holds up to this day.

6. A Nightmare on Elm Street

This is my all time favorite Horror franchise. I love slashers like Jason and Michael, but there is something about Freddy that I find so appealing. Being in a sleeping state and so vulnerable is just such a great setting for a horror film. Robert Englund performance as Freddy is haunting, how he mixes fear with comedy is terrifying. He taunts his victims and enjoys it, he is completely sadistic and one of the best of the Hollywood Monsters.

7. Halloween

After Freddy comes Michael for me. This film is easily one of my favorite Horror films. The performance of all that characters really sell this film. The cinematography puts you right into the film and even into the shoes of Michael. My favorite part of this film is that, even though it had jump scares, it doesn’t,rely, on them. Many times Michael is just standing in frame and it’s terrifying. The fact that he is stalking the every move of these teenage girls and they don’t even notice is horrifying.

8. Friday the 13th

This is Pat’s favorite slasher. I mean it is such a fun franchise all the way through. It gives itself the liberty to be cheesy, and it works so well. Jason is such a beast and a force and it’s just a a great time watching these films. The original is a fun watch, even though I know who the killer is, I appreciate the film for what it was trying to do for unsuspecting viewers.

9. Child Play

Chucky has been a long Time favorite of mine, in every iteration . The original film you can tell really tries to take a scary and dark route, and honestly it works really well. Talking walking dolls are creepy by default, but throw in Brad Dourif as the voice of Chucky and it just adds a whole other level. The way this character has evolved is fantastic too. The new series is brilliant and hilarious. If you haven’t watched the USA/Syfy series yet, do yourself a favor and watch, it is so much fun.

10. Trick R Treat

The Crème de la Crème for me. The perfect Halloween film in my opinion. It’s masterfully written with the separate stories all tying together, and perfectly encapsulates the meaning and feel of Halloween. The idea of showing Halloween respect because of its Samhain origins, is actually a beautiful sentiment. It’s a time where the veil is thin between the living and the dead, and as the living, we should pay our respects to the dead on that one day. No smashing pumpkins, no tainting candy, respect the dead etc. just show some respect.

Along with my list every year I always delve into discovering new Horror as well. Here at Horror Time however it is always spooky season, so watching horror films is an all year thing.

Enjoy Halloween my fellow Horror Fans!