If tests breathing down your spine, extracurriculars piling up or maintaining a social life aren’t scaring you enough, here is a list of fun movies and stories to watch to get you into that All Hallows’ Eve mood:
“Hocus Pocus”
An iconic Halloween film set on the famed Oct. 31, this movie is about three witches brought back to life by a reckless teen trying to impress a girl. It’s the perfect light-hearted spooky film to cozy up to on your couch or in a lobby with your friends. Sitting at only 96 minutes, this film brings laughs, cheers and tears.
“Beetlejuice”
Careful not to say it three times, or you’ll be visited by the strange character: Beetlejuice! This movie has an outstanding cast, including Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton. Not to mention, it is directed by the king of Halloween films, Tim Burton. “Beetlejuice” is short and sweet with a run time of 92 minutes.
“Corpse Bride”
When mentioning the cinematic genius of Tim Burton, the hopeless romantic movie, “Corpse Bride,” must be included. After an arranged marriage wedding rehearsal went sideways, Victor, voiced by Johnny Depp, finds himself married to Emily, voiced by Helen Bonham-Carter. The stop-motion film — filled with fantastic songs — sits at a nice 77 minutes.
“Sweeney Todd”
Another Burton musical perfect for the spooky season is “Sweeney Todd.” With actors Bonham-Carter, Depp, Alan Rickman and Jamie Campbell Bower, this gory film is about a demonic barber on a search for revenge. Worth every minute, this is a longer film with a run time of 113 minutes.
“Coraline”
It’s hard not to hear about the controversial, eerie stop-motion film based on the Neil Gaiman book “Coraline.” It is a story about a girl named Coraline finding another world in her new house and having to decide between it and her original life. Filled with other mothers and talking black cats, this movie is another long one, sitting at 115 minutes.
Now, if this October you’re sitting at your desk twiddling your thumbs, angsty for something besides the usual Halloween movies, here are some works of literature to fill your time:
Spooky Short Stories
Most people can remember the thrilling horror of reading the “Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. While it is an amazing, spooky season read, some of Poe’s other works, such as the “Pit and the Pendulum” or “The Raven,” serve as great options. However, if Poe doesn’t tickle your fancy, “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne incorporates Puritan ideas into those same gothic elements. Lastly, if you haven’t (or have) been in Theo Hummer’s American Literature class, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving is another spooky story for your October reading list.
“Frankenstein”
The classic story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster is seen in so many Halloween traditions and tales, yet nothing can beat the original 1818 novel by Mary Shelley. If school hasn’t worn you thin, this is a great book to challenge your intelligence this season.
The Brothers Grimm Tales
These aren’t the watered-down Disney movies and tales that were your childhood staples; instead, they are warning tales perfect for that queasy, uneasy feeling. The cute children’s stories of Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel and Cinderella take a dark turn with their rich German history.
“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
A spooky, interesting tale of the duality of humanity, “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is shorter and more digestible but still a thought-provoking read. Science and philosophy blended in a witch’s cauldron produced this great story to cozy up and read!
Goosebumps
This is for all those looking for a blast to the past with the books that shaped so many childhoods. These stories involve a small child protagonist, usually who has moved to a new town and finds themself in a spooky situation. Pick any one of the multitude, and it’ll certainly set the mood!
