By Zachary Hunninghake
Correspondent
Halloween is just around the corner. Whether you’re planning on a movie marathon with friends or a cozy night in, these picks are guaranteed to get you in the spooky spirit.
“Weapons” (2025)
When everyone but a single child disappears from a classroom at the same time on the same night, the town is left questioning what — or who — is behind it.
The film incorporates non-linear storytelling, which surprisingly works to its benefit with the diverse panel of perspectives. Even though this is a horror movie, the comedy is done equally as well. Some great performances include Julia Garner, Cary Christopher and Josh Brolin.
“Beetlejuice” (1988)
When Barbara and Adam Maitland die in a car accident, they find themselves tethered to their old house. When the Deetz family moves in with their daughter, Lydia, the Maitlands try to scare them, but fail. The Maitlands hire Beetlejuice, a chaotic spirit who quickly turns dangerous, and this affects everyone around them.
Top performances in this include Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice and Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz. The film won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the Oscars. The film was later turned into a Broadway musical.
“Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)
Directed by Tim Burton, the film follows Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, who has grown tired of the same yearly routine of scaring people in the real world. One day, Jack accidentally finds Christmastown, with bright colors and a warm atmosphere. He gets a new respect for life, and he now plans to have Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking his job. Some actors that make this movie special include Ken Page, Catherine O’Hara and Chris Sarandon.
Burton made 227 custom-made puppets just for this movie. They filmed the movie in 24 frames per second, meaning that they had to pose each character 24 times for each second of the film. The movie was based on a poem Tim Burton wrote several years earlier.
“American Psycho” (2000)
In 1987, an attractive young professional in New York City, Patrick Bateman, lives a dual persona, working in the day but at night becoming a violent serial killer. This film examines what elements make a man into a monster. Standouts include Christian Bale as Bateman, Willem Dafoe as the detective and Chloë Sevigny as the secretary. Bale worked with a personal trainer three hours a day, six days a week, to play Bateman. “American Psycho” is a great horror movie and a psychological thriller, popular on Halloween due to the dark themes and iconic look of Bateman.
These movies are sure to make your spooky season unforgettable. Grab your favorite snacks and let the Halloween scares unfold!
