Many holidays are closely associated with some films, for example, Die Hard and Home Alone are frequently linked to Christmas, so on the eve of 31st October, it would be a good idea to discover what are the best Halloween movies to enjoy them in company of friends or family. They are perfect not only for learning about this holiday, its celebrations, traditions but also to create spooky atmosphere and have some fun. For sure, these are children who get the most joy out of Halloween, but adults too can have nice time celebrating it.
Top 5 Halloween Traditions
There are dozens of different theories about origins of this holiday. Some claim that it derived from a Celtic festival called Samhain, Roman celebration honoring Pomona or also having roots in Latin American Day of the dead. Despite history of Halloween the most widespread traditions and activities on this day are:
Carving Pumpkins
Making jack-o'-lanterns is no doubt the very first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Halloween traditions. This custom is believed to have originated in Ireland, where carved pumpkin with candle inside would serve to keep away the evil spirit from home. However, now it has become most widespread Halloween traditions around the world with millions of pumpkins sold for carving globally.
Trick-or-Treating
What can be nicer than scaring people and getting some sweets for it? In medieval times poor children would come from home to home on Halloween and ask for treats for praying for hosts. Now it has become just a fun activity for kids to walk around neighborhoods asking for candies.
Going to Halloween-themed Party
For adults, it’s one of the most fun activities to go to a Halloween party in a costume, carve pumpkins, have bright-colored drinks, and take part in contests for the best costume. It is also a good opportunity to sit with friends, turn off the light, watch some classic Halloween movies that would make everyone’s blood run cold.
Wearing a Scary Costume
Some time ago this tradition was only followed in the UK and North America, but in recent years, many people all over the world enjoy dressing up in scary costumes. Initially, people would wear costume on this day in order to protect themselves from spirits of the dead that were believed to come to earth and wander around on 31st October.
Apple Bobbing
It is extremely old games played even in the Roman Empire. People gather around bucket filled with water and some apples floating on the surface. A player needs to get out an apple without using hands. Despite its simplicity and old age, apple bobbing remains the best fun Halloween games.
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List of Halloween Movies On Any Taste
Choosing movie is very responsible task as you try to please the tastes of many people who gather for your party. Look through TheWordPoint's list of best Halloween cartoons & films. Find most appealing and start getting ready for holiday celebration.
Films for Family Gatherings
Although both kids and adults enjoy this holiday, it may sometimes be hard to find a movie that would be both appropriate for children and interesting for adults. So here are some of them:
Although this is more of science fiction, this good old films is about popular Halloween characters – ghosts, some of which are scary and dangerous. But brave and smart scientists are there to save humanity.
It is another beautifully dark work produced by Tim Burton inspired by Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. Unlike Halloween cartoon movies, stop-motion films create unique gloomy atmosphere in this story about favorite pet brought back to life by a boy with help of electrical shock.
While previous motion pictures in this series are primarily targeted at younger audiences touching upon relationships between parents and children. Hotel Transylvania 3 takes closer look at the life and feelings of grown-ups. It makes this film about friendly monsters engaging for viewers of any age.
It’s probably one of the most suitable for family Halloween movies since it tells a story about spooky Addams. Their unconventional relationships within family with the outer world make anyone laugh and thrill.
Directed by Tim Burton, this animated film is meant as a Christmas story, but characters along with gloomy atmosphere together with iconic spooky song “This Is Halloween” make it great choice for both children as well as adults on 31st October.
Best Films for Kids
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Super Monsters Save Halloween (2018)
What can be better than a monster? A super monster! In this animated movie, they are more like Christmas elves helping to create holiday atmosphere.
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Matilda (1996)
Life of this young innocent girl seems like nightmare full of evil creatures. Although this movie does not have any direct connection to Halloween, for kids it would seem like real Halloween horror film.
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Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Monsters are not always evil. In fact, they may sometimes be scared of … humans. It’s among sweet animated movies for Halloween that presents different perspective on fear.
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Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
This sequel to the first film is about the series ambivalent monster nature and of course, on parent-child relationships.
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Twitches (2005)
It is classical sister-twins’ stories but full of magic, darkness, and fighting evil.
Halloween Movies by Subscription Service
It is high time to check what are the best options for movies to arrange spooky atmosphere offered by online subscription service you use.
Halloween movies on Netflix
Ever felt your family is a little weird? Watch this horror film by Jordan Peele to discover how weird as well as dark your doppelgänger family could be.
It is another beautifully scary work created by Tim Burton. This stop-motion animated musical film was nominated for the 78th Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature. That is also an ideal choice for scaredy cats.
This title might be a bit confusing, how many Halloween movies are there called “Halloween”? – 11. Since the release of the original back in 1978, this franchise has taken place among favorite ones to watch with friends in a dark room.
This film features perhaps the sexiest witch ever. Spooky and mystical humor of this comedy would put spell on any viewer.
Originally, story about this unusual family was a cartoon by Charles Addams. But it is best recognized by characters of the Addams Family. Dark humor and gothic images make it the perfect Halloween movie for a fun company.
Disney Halloween movies
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The Haunted Mansion (2003)
It cannot be called scariest film, but definitely funny. Mansion full of ghosts and mysteries together with humor of Eddie Murphy make great combination that terrifies and makes you laugh.
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Maleficent (2014)
This movie is an alternative story to the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. It presents best interpretations as it makes original flat plot rounded, explaining actions of Maleficent.
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Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
This sequel from original 2014 movie continues theme and touches upon questions of love, hypocrisy, evil.
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Hocus Pocus (1993)
It is a dark comedy horror movie starring Sarah Jessica Parker among others. Three tricky witches want to be young forever and have fun. What a humanly wish!
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Return to Halloweentown (2006)
It is sequel to original Halloweentown movie that now tells story of Marnie studying at Witch University in Halloweentown that turns out to be far distant from real magic. But active spirit of the girl helps her get into an adventure even in the boring surroundings.
Halloween movies on Hulu
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Carrie (2013)
Carrie’s story is probably one of the best as well as creepiest with central female character written by Stephen King. Carrie (2013) is remake of original movie and fourth film in this franchise about girl with supernatural powers.
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The Amityville Horror (2005)
If you are into watching really scary movie, consider this one. It is among classical stories when a family is moving to a new house with the only difference that this movie was inspired by real-life events.
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The Shining (1980)
Based on novel of horror master, Stephen King. It is probably the most iconic among all Halloween movies. If you have seen memes with Jack Nicholson looking mad with an evil smile but haven’t yet watched The Shining, it is a must for this Halloween.
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Ghost Stories (2018)
It is a British horror film featuring Martin Freeman about a man called Phillip Goodman who aims at solving very unconventional mystical events.
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The Others (2001)
Starring Nicole Kidman, this mystical psychological horror movie is best English-Spanish collaborations that won many prestigious awards both in Spain and in the US. It tells very creepy story about a mother and her two children that both have a very rare illness of being harmed by sunlight.
Halloween movies on Amazon Prime
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Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)
You’re into laughing and shrugging? Then watch this mockumentary black comedy slasher movie about journalists team who study an aspiring serial killer.
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Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Redefining story of Frankenstein's monster, it is good Halloween movies that you can watch every year and enjoy it again. Starring young Johnny Depp, this movie tells a beautiful and sad story about a creature alien to human world.
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A Quiet Place (2018)
It is a science fiction horror movie in a post-apocalyptical world inhabited by aliens who have a good sense of hearing. Don’t scream too loud!
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Child's Play (2019)
If you enjoy horror movies, this one should have been on your list for Halloween. It is the latest movie about Chucky, a red-haired doll killer.
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Wishmaster (1997)
Directed by Robert Kurtzman, it is one of the best and creepiest slasher movies with blood-freezing images and suspenseful plot.
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Choose Top Halloween Movies & Dive Into Holiday Atmosphere
Despite the costume to wear and a movie to watch, Halloween is the time to enjoy what on any other day would frighten. What is particularly wonderful about this holiday is that it makes you reconsider positive and negative feelings. On Halloween, the scarier something is – the better.
