nightmare before christmas

I love spooky, haunted movies so much that I tend to only watch them during October. That way, I get my fix, watch as many as I want as often as I want, and then can move on to other genres when the season is over. Otherwise I’m afraid I’ll get far too bored of them and not be in the mood when the festive time of year comes around! And every year, no matter how many new movies I may want to explore, I always find time for my Top 10 Spooky Movies. I tried to keep it to 5, guys, I really did. But I just couldn’t! Now, this list may surprise you, since there’s only two truly scary movies on it. But, really, I love these movies so much that no matter what other horror film I watch I always make time for these! And since most of them are family-friendly they’ll go perfectly with whatever Halloween fright level you’re at!

The Ghost and Mr Chicken

This movie is, by far, my favorite Halloween movie. When I was a kid it used to scare me to death! Combine that with the fact that this movie probably, in conjunction with the Haunted Mansion, fueled my obsession with haunted houses and ghosts and how could it be anything other than my favorite! With hilarious Don Knotts antics, witty banter you don’t quite catch as a kid, and a perfect ending, this movie is one of the greatest Halloween movies ever. If you haven’t seen it, please watch it this year! You won’t regret it!

The Haunting

No! I’m not talking about the new The Haunting with Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta Jones and director’s stupid choices to show a dumb monster at the end. I’m talking about the original 1963 version with Julie Harris that’ll, if you have the right mind for it, scare the living daylights out of you. If you’re looking for jump scares and slasher villains, this isn’t the movie for you. But if you’re looking for a classic horror film that leaves your mind prickling with fear every time you hear the creak as your house settles, this is definitely one you’ll love! And my favorite part – the ending is almost completely unresolved, making it just that much more unsettling.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Yeah, yeah, it’s a little cliche, but I love The Nightmare Before Christmas. I love the claymation and the incredible music. But, most especially, I love the story of a Halloween Town where all the things I loved as a kid live until it’s time to come creeping back into our lives the next year. With catchy songs bordering creepy and fun and a style that’s suited for children and adults alike, Nightmare is a movie that’s hard to beat on a Halloween night.

Ghostbusters

I’m not sure if this counts as a “Halloween” movie, but it gives me an excuse to rewatch it every year, so I make it one. I really love 80s films and this is one of the quintessential 80s films. With 80s superstars, outrageous acting, and subtle quips this is one of the best Halloween movies of all time. Tie that in to some pretty amazing effects (for the time) and a soundtrack to withstand the ages and you have an absolute winner.

Clue

Again, this could technically not be a Halloween movie, but I watch it every year and had to include it on this list. This movie is hilarious, with extremely stark, witty banter, and the kind of situational humor that leaves you in stitches. It has a star-studded cast who are all at their best when they’re able to play off each other. And, with 4 different ways to watch the movie (the traditional, pick-one-of-three at random theatrical endings or the all-inclusive ending) this movie is the best (and one of the only) film adaptations of a board game.

The Woman in Black

As my husband so lovingly calls it, Harry Potter and the Woman in Black is a true masterpiece in haunted house movies. The book itself is scary enough, but this movie takes all the parts that leave your spine tingling and turns it up to 10. The suspense and tension, combined with one of the best ghost stories written, will convince you that this is one of the scariest ghost stories ever.

Corpse Bride

Here it is – the second Burton movie on the list. But I don’t care because I. Love. Corpse Bride. This movie is incredible, with the use of color and black and white to show the stuffy lives of Victorian England. The music is an incredible mix to classic Danny Elfman and the jazz version of Elfman, which makes for some pretty catchy songs as well as that feeling we all love to get from a Burton film. The story is witty and clever, with a heart-warming twist and, as always, a beautiful ending. Even if you’re not a Burton fan give this one a try. It may just surprise you.

Hocus Pocus

Especially this year, the 25th anniversary, what Halloween movie list would be complete without Hocus Pocus? This movie includes some pretty incredible acting by Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler, and possibly your very first crush on a voice with Thackery Binks. The Sanderson sisters are meant to steal your hearts with their hilarious attempts to stay young forever, while you’ll laugh at the absurdity of the older brother as he navigates new love and babysitting. This movie, set in the 90s, will bring up all the nostalgia you could ever imagine or want.

Practical Magic

My wonderful sister-in-law, who loves witches as much as I love Haunted Houses, introduced me to this one. This wonderful love story, set among the witch-crazed northeastern US, is the perfect watch for anyone who loves romance. The love and friendship between the two sisters is inspiring when you see how tightly they’re bound to each other, in spite of their polar opposite lives. The brilliantly funny aunts make a nice comic relief while the creepy-crawly boyfriend adds a bit of Halloween horror. Definitely give this one a go, but maybe not with the kids as it gets pretty dark right before the end.

Frankenweenie

What?! you say. Three Tim Burton films on your list? Why, yes. I absolutely and with no shame admit that I love Burton. And this movie is, again, another Burton masterpiece. The humor is outrageous, the parents completely relatable, and, as a scientist, Mr Rzykruski tickles my fancy. The choice to air this movie in black and white, an homage to the traditional Frankenstein/all monster movies, is brilliant, and Winona Rider’s character just kills me every time. Ultimately, this movie is a great story about a boy and his dog, and is something even my 2 year old loves.

Yes, I know, this list is much longer than the last ones. But honestly, how could it not be!? I feel the same way about scary music as I do about Christmas music – I listen to it only around Halloween so I don’t get sick of it year round, and I listen to almost nothing else from October 1 till November 1. I have a rather large playlist of creepy songs, fun Halloween jams, and even a few I sneak in year round because hey, they could be regular songs, too… But listed here are my top 10 favorites, in order from favoritest, to 10th favoritest!

The Haunted Mansion: Disneyland

I am a HUGE fan of the haunted mansion. As a kid I was always a fan of the macabre, particularly ghosts and haunted houses, and even as a kid the Haunted Mansion was my favorite Disney ride. I love the minor chords, the organ melody, and even love listening to the Ghost Host when I’m not on the ride. All 14 minutes of this song get played to death during October… and sometimes the rest of the year, too!

This is Halloween: Danny Elfman

I know, but I really do love The Nightmare Before Christmas. And this song, with it’s haunting minor chords and creepy lyrics, is usually the first Halloween song I listen to October 1st.

The Entire “The Thirteenth Hour” Album: Midnight Syndicate

It’s hard to find creepy music that isn’t tied to a film score. And when it is a film score, all I can think about is the movie it came from and the scene related to it. That makes it incredibly difficult to, say, play games while listening to it. And then a good friend of mine, the people who introduced me to my top Halloween game coincidentally, introduced me to Midnight Syndicate. This band is outrageously good, creating new, chilling content for, well, itself. And while they have a long list of awesome albums, The Thirteenth Hour is by far my favorite, since the theme is a haunted house. Definitely worth a listen to, and definitely worth adding to your playlists as you tabletop RPG this season!

Monster Mash: Bobby “Boris” Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers

No Halloween playlist would be complete without Monster Mash, an iconic song that includes 50’s doo wop with classic monsters! And the best part – not scary, so little kids can participate, as well.

The Haunted Organ from Ghost and Mr Chicken: The Ghost and Mr Chicken Soundtrack

Easily my favorite scary theme, this haunting organ piece is designed to chill and, combined with the image of a haunted house, is likely to leave you shuddering and turning up the lights.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor: Johann Sebastian Bach

This thrilling organ piece, while not meant to be creepy at all, is one of the classic Halloween pieces. The piercing beginning trills and runs, ending in a heavy minor chord that utilizes the depths of the base notes is the perfect song to get your mind in the Halloween spirit.

The Ball and Socket Lounge Music: Corpse Bride Soundtrack

If you like jazz these fun, simple, and spooky combo pieces really bring the Halloween spirit, even ending in a particularly memorable twist you’re bound to recognize.

Theme from Halloween: John Carpenter

The repeated minor piano notes, subtly and constantly playing in the background is the perfect way to set your teeth on edge and let you know that something, like those notes, may just be creeping up behind you.

The Psycho – a Suite for Strings: Bernard Herrmann

Again, this is more of a collection than a single song, because how could I possibly leave out some of the most iconic scary movie music of all time? Even when you know you’re alone and are definitely not in the shower, this music is bound to make you check over your shoulder for an unwanted intruder.

Dead Man’s Party: Oingo Boingo

This song, in perfect Danny Elfman style, combines classic 80’s new wave with the almost mythical songwriting of a true creepy genius. This particular song is a catchy, hilarious take on a funeral and the afterlife.

And a Bonus Song! ( because I couldn’t, in good conscience, leave this one off):

Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor: Frederic Chopin

While you may not know this song by the correct title I guarantee all of you will recognize the melody as the classic “Funeral March”. And this song, in it’s original format, has nearly 10 minutes of variations on that theme to augment any Halloween playlist.

Tag: nightmare before christmas

Top 10 Spooky Movies