As Halloween gets closer, there are many different activities that people participate in to get in the spirit. Maybe you’ll bake your favorite Halloween dessert, carve pumpkins, or go shopping for costumes. But the easiest way to get into the Halloween spirit is by watching the best scary/fall-themed movies. You can cater to your own taste through a wide selection of movies on multiple different streaming platforms, but in case you need inspiration, here are some fan favorites. 

Of course, a classic is Halloween. This movie is about Michael Meyers returning to a small town with the intention to kill, 15 years after murdering his sister on Halloween night. For years Michael Meyers has been a famous character and even a popular choice when looking for Halloween costumes. If you love scary movies that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this classic is definitely for you. 

On a lighter note, another popular one is Ghostbusters, which focuses on three parapsychologists who create a ghost-removing service. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve definitely heard the song. This is another classic that is worth seeing at least once in your life. 

A Nightmare on Elm Street starring Johnny Depp is probably a film you have heard of before. This movie is about teenagers who have become the targets of a serial killer in their nightmares. This film franchise also produced another iconic character, Freddy Krueger, who is another popular choice when searching for the perfect Halloween costume. 

If you’re a fan of fantasy, Hocus Pocus is for you. This film follows three witches who were executed in the 17th century and resurrected by a teenage boy after he moves to Salem, Massachusetts. Hocus Pocus is more comedy-oriented and fantasy based than other Halloween movies, but of course, it’s still a good one to get in the holiday spirit. The comedic trio of witches keeps the movie light and funny while also contributing supernatural aspects.

Stephen King, the author of supernatural fiction and thriller novels, has produced many bestselling books in his lifetime. Arguably one of his best is It, the story of Pennywise the clown. The book is great, and the movie adaptation does a great job of bringing it to life. The story follows a group of outcasted teenage kids who are haunted by a shape-shifting clown, Pennywise. One of the best horror films out there, It contains elements of suspense, humor, and lots of action. It’s definitely a must-watch if you’re in the mood for something scary. 

Coraline is another fantasy film focusing on a young girl who finds a hidden door to her idealized version of her life. This movie is a classic animated dark fantasy that everyone should see at least once. It has a unique story following parallel universes and other horror aspects, with an addicting ambiance that will leave you wanting to watch it multiple times.

If you’re a fan of Disney, Halloweentown is for you. It is an animated comedy film about a young girl who finds out she’s a witch and helps save her town from supernatural beings. This Disney film is funny and lighthearted, and is perfect if you’re looking for something quick to watch. It’s become a beloved film for families to watch over the years, and it’s great for kids of all ages.

It would be a good assumption that everyone has heard of the popular franchise Friday the 13th. Whenever the 13th of the month happens to fall on a Friday, it’s likely that you’ll hear at least one person mention the significance of Friday the 13th. This is because of the many films that fall into this franchise, starting with the 1980 rendition about a group of counselors at a summer camp called Crystal Lake being haunted by an evil, violent killer. These films are a great choice because you can decide for yourself if you want to watch one or all of the movies in the series.

Another popular film franchise is Scream. In 1996, the first Scream movie was released with an acclaiming and attention-grabbing cast. Starring many popular actors, this movie became a quick hit, and 4 more films were released. These horror films still remain popular as they are continuously released. They are definitely films to put at the top of your list this Halloween season!

One final movie that is amazing to watch in October is The Nightmare Before Christmas. Because it’s been argued whether this is a Halloween or Christmas movie, it’s perfect to watch for both seasons. Watching it on Halloween day is the perfect transition from Halloween to Christmas. Produced in 1993, this is a stop-motion animated film that follows Jack Skellington, the “king” of Halloween Town. Jack Skellington ventures off and stumbles upon Christmas Town, which he is especially intrigued by. His ideas to bring Christmas Town back to his home cause conflict in Halloween Town. This movie will take you on a fun, magical journey filled with great songs and great animation. It’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit.