By Penny Theodorakopoulou,
Nothing gets you in the eerie spirit for Halloween faster than a classic horror film. Turning the lights down low while watching a movie causes your heart to race, your mind to scan the shadows for danger, and your body to jump up and down from the couch whenever there is a loud noise. However, new Halloween movies appear every year. Some of them fade away, much like the fake blood from a costume, while others seep into your bones and remain there forever. Since today is Halloween, I am going to suggest 5 movies that we watched when we were little and spooked us quite a bit, but we always come back to them for good times’ sake.
5. The Exorcist (1973)
1973’s The Exorcist, in my humble opinion, just could not be excluded from this list. It is an absolute classic, and I think it is one of the very first horror movies, if not the first one, that our parents watched in their teen years. Although it might not seem to newer generations as scary as it did a few decades back, The Exorcist was one of those movies that intrigued the audience and had them at their feet back when it was released.
Actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) moves to Washington, D.C., where she is filming a movie with her 12-year-old daughter Regan (Linda Blair). The mother and daughter get along well, but eventually, Regan starts acting peculiarly. Despite extensive neurological testing, doctors are unable to identify anything that could account for her conduct. Regan’s condition worsens to the point where Chris turns to Father Karras (Jason Miller), a Roman Catholic priest and psychiatrist, to see whether an exorcism could help them. At this point, Regan needs to be chained to her bed, cursing like a sailor, and speaking in tongues. Karras is skeptical, but the church ultimately agrees and sends Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), who has performed an exorcism and had a close encounter with the devil.
4. Friday the 13th (1980)
The ’80s were a decade full of horror movies. One that was distinct from the others was — and remains to be — Friday the 13th. If The Exorcist seemed scary back then, Friday the 13th definitely scares even the least spooked person up to this day.
After years of unsuccessful attempts to reopen the camp for the summer, a group of teens visits Camp Crystal Lake. They are unaware that a young boy perished there once as a result of the counselors’ negligence. Jason Voorhees was that youngster, and someone is now seeking retribution for his death on Friday the 13th — his birthday —, and the trusting new teenagers are his target. The killer is… find out by watching the movie, if you have not already!
3. The Shining (1980)
I know I said from the very title of this article that I am going to talk about all-time classics, but come on, who has not watched Kubrick’s The Shining? Just the poster was — and still is — enough reason to watch this movie.
In case you have not watched The Shining, it is based on Stephen King’s titular book. In it, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a writer, attends a job interview for the position of winter caretaker at the remote, historic, enormous, and stunning Overlook Hotel. Jack travels with Wendy, his wife (Shelley Duvall), and Danny, their kid (Danny Lloyd). It so happens that Danny possesses a strange ability known as “The Shining.” On their first day at the Overlook, Danny meets Hallorann, the hotel cook (Scatman Crothers), who forewarns him about the establishment and the terrifying Room 237. As the days pass, Danny begins to get visions, while Jack begins to spiral out of control and become increasingly violent. At this point, Danny and Wendy become convinced that Jack may attempt to do something horrible. “Here’s Johnny”, after all!
2. Halloween (1978)
Nearing number one, though I must admit that I have not chosen these movies according to personal favorites but rather personal preferences for a truly scary movie night, 1978’s Halloween must be included under any circumstances.
Six-year-old Michael Myers (Will Sandin) murdered his 17-year-old sister, Judith (Sandy Johnson), in a merciless manner on a chilly Halloween night in 1963. He received a 15-year prison sentence. But on October 30, 1978, a 21-year-old Michael Myers (Nick Castle) steals a car and flees Smith’s Grove while being transported for a court date. He goes back to the peaceful Haddonfield, Illinois, where he searches for his next victims.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Want to end the night on a happy note? Is there any of your friends already considering decorating their house with Christmas decorations? Then Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is the movie you ought to lighten the mood!
I have already dedicated an article regarding one of Burton’s masterpieces and a personal favorite movie of mine. In case, however, you have not read it, I suggest you do, for I analyze the movie way more, the story goes like this: every year in Halloween Town, the same procedure is followed as the monsters emerge to terrorize people. On this particular Halloween, the Pumpkin King Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon when speaking, and Danny Elfman when singing) wanders off into the woods with his dog Zero because he is tired of the concept. He finds a clearing of woods with many entrances that signify various festivals at the crack of dawn. When Jack enters the Christmas world through the Christmas Tree door, he is immediately enthralled by this brand-new concept of Christmas, which he feels compelled to share with the people of Halloween Town.
I have to admit, I had a hard time choosing which movies are worth mentioning. There is literally a plethora of movies, old and new, I could have picked. However, as far as I am concerned, these are the five most recommended movies that, first, everyone has at least heard of, and second, has at least watched one of them. But in case you have not, today is the day to have a Halloween marathon movie with your friends and/or family! What are you waiting for? ♪ This is Halloween! This is Halloween! ♪
References
- 60 Best Halloween Movies, From Old Classics to New Cult Favorites, goodhousekeeping.com, Available here
- 10 Καλύτερες ταινίες για Halloween, kasseta.gr, Available here
- The Nightmare Before Christmas — 1993 — English, ievenn.com, Available here
- John Carpenter’s 1978 ‘Halloween’ Is One of the Best, Scariest Horror Movies of All Time—Here’s Why, parade.com, Available here
- The Exorcist, rogerebert.com, Available here
- I’ve never seen … The Shining, theguardian.com, Available here
- Friday the 13th (1980) Review, voicesfromthebalcony.com, Available here
