Five Halloween favourites to watch this weekend

If you’re anything like me, the entire month of October will be dedicated to watching Halloween movies and Halloween movies only. Within that, there are many niches ranging in scope from classic horrors and chilling thrillers to the nostalgically spooky and kid’s classics.

There are, however, a number of movies that instantly spring to mind when you consider the season. Not quite scary and family-friendly for the most part, we’ve rounded up five Halloween favourites to watch this weekend.

Hocus Pocus 1 and 2

Surely this one needs no introduction? Last year, the long-awaited sequel was released with the Sanderson sisters — played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy — returning to Salem 29 years after the Black Flame Candle was first lit. Naturally, chaos ensues. Second time around, it’s a 16-year-old girl named Becca (played by the Gossip Girl revival’s Whitney Peak) who manages to put things to rights once and for all.

The Craft (and The Craft Legacy)

A personal favourite and a true classic of the genre, it’s not Halloween until you’ve sat down to watch this 1996 masterclass in teen witchcraft. The plot follows the new girl in school who falls in with a clique of wannabe witches as they come to grips with their growing powers. Also, if you’re a fan of 90s grunge, the styling will be right up your alley. In 2020, The Craft Revival was released and, following a similar plot of a teen coven mastering their powers, is a very good watch as well.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton and spooky season really do go hand in hand, so whether you’ve never seen The Nightmare Before Christmas or you’re settling in for yet another rewatch, it will always go down a treat. Jack Skellington, a being from Halloween Town, finds Christmas Town and is instantly enchanted. The situation becomes riveting when his obsession with Christmas leads him to abduct Santa Claus. Trust me when I say you’ll have the soundtrack on rotation for the rest of the month.

Scary Movie

In my estimation, there’s always room for a comedy horror on any must-watch list, and Scary Movie really was the first of its kind. An incredibly quotable movie, who wouldn’t want to spend an evening watching Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris) and friends as they run from the Ghostface killer? Top-notch tongue-in-cheek viewing.

Halloweentown

There are many follow-ups to this kid’s classic — from Halloweentown High to Return to Halloweentown — but nothing comes close to the original. When Grandma Aggie comes to visit, the Piper children notice her use magic. Curious, they follow her back to Halloweentown where Aggie and their mother Gwen are attacked by the dark forces. On Marnie’s 13th birthday, her supernatural powers kick in and she too becomes a witch.