Every October, Halloween fans make it a priority to revisit certain films in preparation for the Oct. 31 holiday. From “Beetlejuice” to “Hocus Pocus,” certain films have remained popular options for Halloween lovers to watch on a yearly basis, especially given the tiresome number of times they are aired on television during the month. 

Despite the volume of films often seen on television channels and mainstream watchlists during “Spooky Season,” there is a plentiful amount of great films that are often left out of the conversation. In commemoration of the upcoming holiday, Laker Review would like to recommend some films which are also worthy of receiving traditional viewings during Halloween time.

Musical: “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Phantom of the Paradise”

Like the Halloween favorite “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Phantom of the Paradise” are set apart from other musical films by their over-the-top premises and rock’ n roll-inspired soundtracks. Influenced by ’50s B-Movies, including the non-musical film of the same name, “Little Shop of Horrors” tells of impoverished flower shop employee Seymour (Rick Moranis, “Ghostbusters), who discovers a talking, carnivorous alien plant (Levi Stubbs, “Captain N: The Game Master”). In a contemporary retelling of “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Phantom of the Paradise” follows a disfigured songwriter who, after having his work stolen from him, adopts a new persona and terrorizes the concert hall at which his songs are being performed. With their horror-themed stories, campy tones and unique soundtracks, both musicals may easily get viewers into the Halloween spirit.

Horror: “Carrie” and “Candyman”

Though both are fairly recognizable, both “Carrie” and “Candyman” unfortunately seem to be less talked about in comparison to other essential horror films. Helmed by “Phantom of the Paradise” director Brian De Palma (“Scarface”), “Carrie” is the first in many adaptations of Stephen King’s (“It”) novels. Starring Sissy Spacek (“Castle Rock”) as the eponymous Carrie White, the film follows the girl who, after reaching her breaking point, uses telekinetic abilities to wreak havoc on her bullies. Gaining new popularity following the release of its sequel of the same name, “Candyman” follows a graduate student who unintentionally awakens an ominous spirit while doing research on urban legends. Though both films are mostly devoid of scares, their subversions to the horror genre, well-developed stories and memorable characters warrant much praise, thereby making them worthwhile to watch every October.

Thriller: “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “Misery”

Sidelining the gore and abundance of kills seen in many horror films, character-driven thrillers such as “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “Misery” may haunt viewers just as effectively, if not even more. The former, which stars Bette Davis (“All About Eve”) and Joan Crawford (“Mildred Pierce”), focuses on a middle-aged former child star who keeps her wheelchair-bound sister prisoner in their Hollywood mansion. The latter film, another Stephen King Adaptation, stars Kathy Bates (“American Horror Story”) as Annie Wilkes, a murderous nurse who kidnaps her favorite author (James Caan, “The Godfather”). Riding on the crazed, intimidating personalities of their antagonists and the limited nature of their sets, both films make viewers as though they are the ones being held captive throughout them. By mostly deriving fear from interactions between characters, the films present realistic qualities which, given their plausibility, make them all the more terrifying to behold.

Comedy: “The Cabin in the Woods” and “What We Do in the Shadows”

For those looking for something more humorous to watch during the Halloween season, films like “The Cabin in the Woods” and “What We Do in the Shadows” will definitely foot the bill. Balancing elements of horror and comedy, “The Cabin in the Woods” shows a group of college students who are attacked by zombies in an environment manipulated by technicians in an underground lab. Directed by and starring Taika Waititi (“Jojo Rabbit”), “What We Do in the Shadows” is a mockumentary film which depicts the everyday lives of a group of vampires living in a New Zealand flat. Rather than resorting to mockery, both films lovingly parody the elements which make horror films popular. By embracing horror tropes, archetypes and subgenres while simultaneously poking fun at them, the films should equally appeal to fans looking for something either hair-raising or gut-busting to watch before Halloween.

Animation: “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” and “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit”

From “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” there are many animated films which have proven to be Halloween mainstays for their family-friendly qualities. Possessing mildly eerie tones and comedic focuses, films like “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” and “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” are also great films for viewers of all ages to enjoy during the Halloween season. While its “The Wind in the Willows” portion makes for a nice warmup, “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad’s” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” segment is what gives the film its grim, Halloween-oriented feel. Containing bits of slapstick and narration from Bing Crosby (“Going My Way”), the film maintains a lighthearted, fun demeanor until it hits viewers with the appearance of the story’s iconic Headless Horseman scene. In “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” Aardman Animations’ famous duo goes on the hunt for a monstrous creature infamous for eating their community’s prized vegetables. Spoofing classic horror and monster movies, the film contains a soothingly simple story which works heavily off of the token slapstick and absurdist humor of the “Wallace and Gromit” film series. Relatively undemanding, both films make for humorous, relaxing films for the entire family to enjoy. The films also boast beautiful animation with creepy aesthetics that compliment their Halloween-oriented stories.

Though the more accessible or traditional films to watch during Halloween time are deserving of their popularity, there are other movies which deserve a great deal of love during the season. While perhaps not all of them scream “Halloween” at first glance, their macabre, sometimes terrifying, presentations and memorable qualities make them more than worthy of being rewatched by those who love the holiday. 

Image from Madman Films via YouTube