5 Films To Watch This Halloween!

I love Halloween. I mean, carving a pumpkin is fun and who can turn down the big bowl of sweets (for the trick-or-treaters of course)? But the best part of Halloween, for me at least, is that it offers the perfect excuse to put on your jammies, draw the curtains and snuggle down with some Halloween-appropriate movies.

My dilemma with Halloween is that you're supposed to get scared, right? You're supposed to watch horror movies aren't you? This can be a difficult feat when, like me, horror films simply do not scare you and as a result you feel a bit... Cheated. Well, classic Halloween films come in all shapes and sizes so never fear - here are the top 5 Halloween classics that you can enjoy even if you are not left quaking in your boots!

5. The Exorcist (1973)

Erm, okay - perhaps this one does teeter into the 'horror' aspect of Halloween but a film made 40 years ago really isn't all that scary, is it? It is however a classic and a film that should be watched and appreciated in all of it's gory glory. The Exorcist is about a little girl called Regan who is possessed by a mysterious demon and two priests must do anything that it takes in order to save her life; 360 head spins and green vomit ensues. The Exorcist is probably the number one film when it comes to 'classic horror'; a film that encompasses the traditional meaning of Halloween through the use of demons and the supernatural rather than human psychopaths. It caused quite a stir upon release in the 1970s with some cinemas even handing out special 'barf bags' at screenings because the film was considered so gruesome. Compared to the types of films we are exposed to in this day and age (without complimentary sick bags!), The Exorcist is actually pretty tame but still a great film and always worth watching.

4. The Omen (1976)Obviously the classic horror film production was at its peak in the 1970s - what else could explain another great horror film being released in the same decade? As if Rosemary's Baby (1968) didn't do enough to scare off horror film fanatics from having kids, in The Omen we are introduced to Damian - a seemingly innocent child of a wealthy couple who actually turns out to be the Antichrist. Literally, the Antichrist. It is a fascinating story with somewhat surprising albeit ridiculous twists and turns which makes it an encapsulating watch. Do not confuse this movie with the subpar 2006 remake starring Julia Stiles, if you are going to watch The Omen make sure you do it properly and watch the original!

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Okay, I have a confession to make: I don't actually... technically... really... like this film? I have tried really hard to make myself like it by watching it every year but there's something about it that I just can't enjoy. Why is it on the list then? Well, i'm a huge Christmas lover. Absolutely anything to do with Christmas I will watch and Jack Skellington stumbling across ChristmasTown and trying to bring Christmas to HalloweenTown thus hybridizing the two holidays and making it socially acceptable to watch a film with Christmas themes in October will always be something that I applaud. Also, I love the song 'What's This?'

2. Donnie Darko (2001)

If you haven't already seen this film, maybe have it as one of the first films you watch in your Halloween Movie Marathon - one where your brain hasn't started to turn to mush and you actually can pay attention to the story because if you don't you might find yourself getting a bit lost. Donnie Darko is a troubled teenager who narrowly avoids death in a freak accident, however, he soon becomes plagued by visions of a giant rabbit who manipulates him into committing a series of crimes. I think the reason this film feels especially Halloween-y (you know, aside from the giant bunnys and weird crimes) is simply because it is set around the time of Halloween. It is a great film though with an incredible story that will leave you thinking...

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

No other film in the history of cinema quite encapsulates the essence of Halloween as much as Hocus Pocus. A childhood classic that will never get old, Hocus Pocus tells the story of the Sanderson sisters who are brought back to life after being executed 300 years ago. In order to stay young the sisters must kill the town's children and it is down to teenager Max to save the day. This film really does have everything: a talking cat, catchy musical numbers and witty one-liners, it is suitable for the whole family and if it isn't already part of your Halloween rituals you should make it into one - stat!

What films would you recommend for Halloween viewing?

Let me know!

Love,