Worst2First: My Top Ten Films to Watch on Halloween

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Films to Watch on Halloween

Halloween is my second most favorite holiday of the year (the first being Christmas, talk about two extremes), and with horror being my favorite genre of movies, there's countless movies you could pick to watch on Halloween night. 

With Halloween fast approaching, here are my top ten films to watch on Halloween, Worst2First.

**There will be no spoilers.**

#10

Casper

Starting off early in the day should be the family-friendly "Casper," because probably the children are still in the house.  "Casper" is a great film that the whole family can enjoy, and features some top-notch talent in Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Eric Idle and Amy Brenneman, and focuses on a father and daughter who experience three mischievous ghosts and one friendly one named Casper.  For 1995, the animation was far beyond its time, and even though it might not hold up to today's blockbuster standards, it's still one that should be watched.

#9

The Witch

 A telling of a classic New England folktale, Robert Eggers directs and writes a thrilling historical tale of a Puritan family living on their own who encounter a deadly witch in the woods that threatens to destroy the family from the inside out.  With some truly nauseating moments as well as a chilling soundtrack and stunning cinematography, this is a small independent horror film you should definitely see on Halloween weekend.

#8

The Conjuring 2

One of those rare films where the sequel is better than the original, "The Conjuring 2" is filled with edge-of-your-seat thrills, chills and screams, as well as showcasing the tremendous acting talents of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga who star as Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life ghost investigators who studied a supernatural haunting in Enfield, England.  More than just lazy jump scares, the story is terrifying at its core and holds a relentless grasp on your heart from start to finish.  Plus the nun is creepy as all get out.

#7

Beetlejuice

If you're looking for a more light-hearted Halloween, "Beetlejuice" is the film for you.  Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis star as a recently deceased couple who haunt their old home in hopes of driving out the new inhabitants (played by Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey Jones and Winona Ryder) with the help of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), an obnoxious, devious ghost.  Tim Burton directed this classic horror comedy gem that also won the Oscar for Best Makeup.

#6

Poltergeist

Leave behind that truly awful remake, or the three subpar sequels, and instead treat yourself to the Tobe Hooper directed,  Steven Spielberg produced classic ghost story "Poltergeist."  A young family moves into a new home that they don't know was built on top of an Indian burial ground, and the youngest daughter Carol Anne sees ghosts in the television, landing the now iconic line, "They're here."  What follows is an unrelenting night of terror including alternate dimensions, deranged clowns and corpses (which, unbeknownst to the actors, were actually real corpses) in the pool.  Somehow still holding a family-friendly PG rating, this film is far from friendly and will probably leave you with nightmares.

#5

The Exorcist

With the Fox series in full swing, there's no better time than Halloween to check out the classic tale that inspired the series.  The film centers on a young girl possessed by the devil, and the flawed priest who tries to exercise it in one of the most chilling, spellbinding and downright terrifying exorcisms ever seen on screen.  It's obvious why, after all these years, a film like this still strikes fear in the hearts of audiences, and Halloween is the perfect time to experience it again, or for the first time.

#4

Trick r Treat

The anthology movie subgenre isn't that well-known, but "Trick r Treat" is one of the best.  The film features four interconnecting stories, all united by Sam - a mysterious child who wears shabby orange pajamas and a burlap sack over his face - who appears whenever someone breaks Halloween traditions.  Featuring an all-star cast including Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker and Jean-Luc Bilodeau, this is a film anthology that delivers on the chills as well as some excellent dark humor and compelling stories.

#3

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The classic stop-motion animated film is perfect for both Halloween and Christmas, and centers around Jack Skellington, who lives in Halloween Town and finds his way to Christmas Town and decides to celebrate both holidays with disastrous and humorous consequences.  Released in 1993, the animation at the time was revolutionary, and it still holds to this day.  The movie features some tremendous moments, classic one-liners and a Danny Elfman-inspired musical score that will entertain young and old alike on Halloween...or Christmas.

#2

Hocus Pocus

Even if you don't own the film, you'll find this easily on any basic cable channel the week leading up to and including Halloween.  It's the "It's a Wonderful Life" for Halloween season, and there's no surprise why.  The film focuses on three witches in Salem who are brought back to Earth to once again wreak havoc in the most humorous and hilarious ways.  Featuring the outstanding acting chops of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, "Hocus Pocus" is a must-see this Halloween season.

#1

Halloween

You can't celebrate Halloween without the film that inspired the serial killer sub-genre.  Everyone knows the name Michael Myers - not the "Shrek" voice actor, but rather the unrelenting serial killer who stalks the town of Haddonfield, Illinois looking to kill babysitters.  Jamie Lee Curtis proves herself as the ultimate scream queen here as the resourceful, intelligent virginal final girl who goes toe-to-toe with the white-masked killer.  Add in one of the most iconic soundtracks in film history and you've got the ultimate Halloween movie that should be celebrated every year.