It’s the spooky season once again, and time for the Library’s annual Halloween horror movie recommendations! This Halloween, kick back, but don’t relax–’cause you never know what boogey, ghoulie, or goblin is hiding under your bed. Throw on one of these frightening favorites of our faculty, staff, and SLATE members. But beware, some of these flicks are not for the faint of heart!
Lauren Dillon (1L) and Erin Collins, Professor of Law
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
“A classic Tim Burton movie. And while Christmas is in the title don’t let it fool you, it holds a certain spooky charm that bodes well with Halloween. While it is not traditionally scary, it has an oddly nostalgic feel coupled with a creepy vibe. Something worth watching if you want a different category of ‘creepy’ movie that is not gore or violence. Bonus points: it is also a claymation movie!”
Kaylee Johnson (3L)
Poltergeist (1982)
“My favorite Halloween movie is Poltergeist. This film follows the Freeling family whose quiet suburban lives are thrown into chaos when ghosts begin to commune with youngest daughter, Carol Ann, through the white noise on the television. At firsts the ghosts appear friendly, moving objects around the house and amusing the family, but things quickly become scary when the ghosts abduct Carol Ann and terrorize the family. The family’s only hope of finding their daughter is a team of paranormal investigators who aim to draw the ghosts out and force them to bring back Carol Ann.”
Kierstin Rose (1L)
Misery (1990)
“My favorite Halloween movie is Misery (1990). Misery is a psychological thriller based off of the Stephen King book of the same name. Paul Sheldon, an author, is in a car accident after which, his ‘biggest fan,’ Annie Wilkes, finds him and takes him to her cabin to recover. Her obsession takes a dark turn as she reads the manuscript he is working on. In true Stephen King fashion, Misery will leave you questioning what comes next all the way up until the end.”
Savannah Throneberry (1L)
Perfect Blue (1997)
“A 1997 Japanese animated mystery thriller about a girl who leaves her popular idol group in order to transition into acting. Things slowly start to fall apart as she sheds her innocent image for a more sensualized acting persona. Her fans are not happy with this shift, one in particular, seems to know her every movement. Things quickly spiral as tensions rise, her stalker seems to be closing in on her. This movie is not only beautifully animated but is a harrowing tale of the realities of how we are perceived versus who we really are and the battle to not be consumed by the opinions of others.”
Reagan Cavanaugh (2L)
ParaNorman (2012)
“ParaNorman tells the story of Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), an outcast who can see and speak with the dead. No one in town believes in his ability, except for his best friend Neil (Tucker Albrizzi). But when a 300-year-old witch’s curse is unleashed on the town, Norman is the only one who can save the town from an all-out zombie apocalypse. This movie is a Halloween staple, filled with stunning stop-motion, heartwarming characters, and drop-dead humor.”
Hannah Romero (1L)
Coraline (2009)
“Coraline is dark horror disguised as a children’s movie. Since the film is stop-motion, it took four years to produce. All four years of work are evident in this story about a young girl who does not appreciate her parents and her living situation. She finds a small door in her new home that leads to an idealized version of her world. However, all is not as it seems; her ‘other mother’ demands that Coraline sacrifice her eyes to stay in their world. There are elements of horror, fantasy, and a good message to wrap it up!”
Katie Gill (2L)
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! (1966)
“My Favorite Halloween Movie: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966) I am not one for horror movies, though I have been roped into watching a few. My favorite Halloween movie (although it is only 25 minutes) is one that makes your inner child smile. Whether it’s watching poor Charlie Brown trick or treat for rocks, Linus roping love-struck Sally into waiting for the Great Pumpkin, or Snoopy being a world-class fighter pilot, it never fails to make me laugh and feel nostalgic!”
Jack Ellis (1L)
Halloween (1978)
“It might seem a little obvious, but leaving the original slasher masterpiece off a list like this would be criminal. With sequels of varying quality, the film that established the genre still does it the best.”
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
“A true modern classic. I initially passed over this film because the title gave me a bargain bin b-movie impression, but after finally watching it a few years ago, it immediately became my ritual Halloween watch. Great characters, excellent stories, good practical effects and drenched in Halloween atmosphere.”
Evil Dead 2 (1987)
“Don’t worry about seeing the original (but the remake is worth a watch!) because this sequel recaps all the important bits and then launches into the best comedy horror of all-time. A spooky cabin, demons, and Bruce Campbell’s chin all collide in a rip roaring fashion of thrills and laughs.
From Janice Craft, Professor of Law
Evil Dead 2: Possibly the most ridiculous “horror” movie I’ve ever seen. A Sam Raimi special; it’s a total spectacle.”
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
“The 2nd best comedy horror of all-time, T&DvE is the perfect satire that lampoons the slasher genre while paying homage to it. Alan Tudyk is only the second funniest person in the movie. It’s that funny!”
Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
“Before Carrie or Scarface, Brian De Palma was obsessed with doing an ambitious adaptation of Phantom of the Opera. The result is a film that pairs with Rocky Horror Picture Show like peanut butter and jelly. Completely hated in its time, despite being nominated for an Academy Award for the music, the film has been slower to achieve cult pantheon status than its “big sister” RHPS, but is every bit as deserving.”
Alex Clay Hutchings, Student Services Librarian
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
“Starring Mia Farrow, Rosemary’s Baby tells the story of a young wife hoping to start a family with new husband. What she didn’t expect was her husband had secretly conspired with the devil for her to carry the Antichrist! This movie is an absolute horror classic, with suspenseful pacing, amazing acting, and more than a few terrifying twists.”
Janice Craft, Director of Professional Identity Formation
Hereditary (2018)
“Easily the scariest movie I’ve seen in the past five years. Toni Collette alone is nightmare-inducing.”
Get Out (2017)
“I’ve no idea how this was Jordan Peele’s directorial debut. The plot, music, casting, Easter eggs, social commentary, suspense – it’s all flawless.”
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
“I don’t consider this a horror movie but I’ve seen it listed on “Best Horror Movies of All Time” lists and I’ll take up any opportunity to recommend Jodie Foster’s and Anthony Hopkins’ incredible performances.”
Ashley Dobbs, Professor of Law
The Ring (2002)
“What is that super creepy Japanese horror film with the girl ,… THE RING.”
Sylvia Yanes, Faculty Services Librarian
The Sixth Sense (1999)
“Quietly nerve-wracking for the entire run time, and M. Night Shyamalan’s OG plot twist film.”
Alien (1979)
“Arguably, the most badass ‘final girl.'”
Roger Skalbeck, Assoc. Dean for Library and Information Service
Nope (2022)
“My Halloween pick for 2022 is ‘Nope’ by Jordan Peele.
Also, this list from IMDB: Not So Scary Movies for Scaredy Cats – There are some good ones on the list, including Shaun of the Dead, Cabin in the Woods, and Evil Dead 2.”
Kim Edwards, Director of Technology Services
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
“There’s nothing that says Halloween more than a good, scary or horror movie, preferably one that involves Count Dracula. There have been many Dracula movies made over time, but the BEST one of all is Hotel Transylvania! OK, ok – I’m absolutely NOT a scary or horror movie fan at all, but I do love a good Adam Sadler comedy and this one fits the bill. In this family friendly film, Count Dracula is the owner of Hotel Transylvania, where he invites the world’s monsters to come and celebrate his daughter Mavis’ birthday. In an odd twist of events, Drac discovers a (gasp!) human has accidently crashed the party, and that’s where the fun begins! Columbia pictures has produced four Hotel Transylvania movies, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. New to 2022 is Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, which I look forward to enjoying during this spookiest of seasons.
Hotel Transylvania – five pumpkins!”