45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

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Big Scorpio energy.

By Anna Moeslein September 21, 2022

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45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

We're just gonna say it: There is no October tradition better than watching classic Halloween movies. Pumpkin picking? Meh. Trick-or-treating? Buy your own candy! Costume parties? Too much effort.

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45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

Truly, the best way to celebrate the spooky season is to chill on the couch with a glass of hard cider and a movie with Scorpio vibes that never gets old, no matter how many times you watch it.

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45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

Luckily, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and more streaming services are easily available, and Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween has a full lineup of options. Whether you're in the mood for scary horror movies or looking for more family-friendly fare, 

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45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

there are plenty of classic Halloween movies to keep you entertained all spooky season long. Luckily, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, and more streaming services are easily available, and Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween has a full lineup of options. 

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45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

Whether you're in the mood for scary horror movies or looking for more family-friendly fare, there are plenty of classic Halloween movies to keep you entertained all spooky season long. See our picks, below. And if you still need more options, check out our guide to the best Halloween movies and TV shows.

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45 Classic Halloween Movies That Will Put You in a Spooky Mood

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Hocus Pocus (1993)

First on the list is Hocus Pocus, arguably the GOAT when it comes to the best Halloween movies. Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker are all hilarious and creepy as the Sanderson sisters, three comically evil witches from the 17th century who are accidentally brought back from the dead by an unsuspecting teen.

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The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Looking for family Halloween movies? Here you go. Based on the beloved Disney theme park ride, The Haunted Mansion is a family-friendly event starring Eddie Murphy as a successful real estate agent who spends more time at work than with his family. 

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The Haunted Mansion (2003)

He promises to take his family on vacation to make up for his workaholic ways…but it all goes awry when they encounter, you guessed it, a haunted mansion.

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Practical Magic (1998)

This list doesn't comprise just spooky movies. If you're in the mood for a romantic comedy but also feeling witchy, the best—and only—option is Practical Magic. The movie about love, loss, and potions stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two sisters who were raised by their magical aunts.

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Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Adam Sandler plays Count Dracula, the proud owner of a popular resort for monsters and other spooky creatures that promises its customers a relaxing human-free setting. That is, until an unsuspecting traveler (Andy Samberg) stumbles upon the property and catches the eye of Dracula's daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez).

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Halloweentown (1998)

This Disney channel original movie is beloved for a reason: Debbie Reynolds is a camp vision as Grandmother Aggie, a witch who encourages her grandkids to embrace all things Halloween. The movie was so popular that it launched three sequels: Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown.

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Scream (1996)

If you're going to watch only one scary movie on Halloween, make it Scream. Directed by Wes Craven, the slasher breathed new life into the genre when it came out in 1996 thanks to its revolutionary meta attitude toward horror clichés. Scream delivers the, well, screams…but it does it with a wink.

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Scary Movie (2000)

To understand the impact of Scream, just look at Scary Movie. The parody film, directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, was a huge box-office hit for its spot-on spoofs of some of the scariest horror movies. Another reason to watch: Regina Hall is wildly funny in it.

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Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (1993)

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, a made-for-TV movie starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, is a Halloween go-to for many millennials of a certain age. The twins play two little girls who go on a wild adventure to save their great aunt (Cloris Leachman), who was cursed by her evil twin sister.

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Halloween (1978)

It has Halloween in the title—of course it's going to make this list. More than that, though, Halloween is a classic of the horror genre. Written by John Carpenter and Debra Hill, the ’70s film follows serial killer Michael (Nick Castle) as he stalks a a teen babysitter (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends.

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Halloween (2018)

Halloween was so successful that a series of sequels followed, all arguably worse than the last. Then, in 2018, a new version came out that ignored all the past flops and references the events of the first horror film only. And it's incredible! Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her role, now older, wiser, and dealing with the trauma of her past.

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Casper (1995)

There's something for everyone in Casper: For adults, the ’90s fashion and nostalgia will be appealing, while kids can have fun with the spooky (but not too spooky) story of a teen girl and her “ghost therapist” father who move into a haunted house.

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Ghostbusters (1984)

Before Ghostbusters came out in 1984, it was rare to see supernatural things like ghosts and demons treated as comedy. So next time you're enjoying a horror-comedy like Ready or Not or Happy Death Day, you can thank stars Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, and Rick Moranis.

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Ghostbusters (2016)

After you watch the original Ghostbusters, check out the criminally undervalued 2016 remake that stars Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Kristen Wiig. Casting that good is simply *chef's kiss.* Also great: a hilarious cameo from Chris Hemsworth as the ghost-busting group's dim-witted receptionist.

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Can't decide between a musical, a horror movie, or a campy comedy? Why not have all three with The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Though the movie was critically panned when it came out in 1975, it has gained an international cult following in the decades since.

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Twitches (2005)

This Disney channel original movie stars Tia and Tamera Mowry as two magical sisters, Apollo and Artemis, who were separated at birth. On their 21st birthday, they are reunited and embark on an adventure to discover their true nature.

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The Craft (1996)

We love scary movies that also serve up excellent '90s style inspiration. In this, a group of teens—played by Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Robin Tunney, and Fairuza Balk—navigate high school as well as their burgeoning power as witches. What could possibly go wrong?

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Beetlejuice (1988)

Winona Ryder is absolutely iconic as Lydia Deetz, a teenager who moves into a house haunted by the ghosts of a recently deceased couple (played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis). Things become even more complicated when an obnoxious poltergeist named Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) gets involved.

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Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Of course a Tim Burton film would make the list. (In fact, we've included several.) What can we say, the auteur is a master at all things spooky, and Edward Scissorhands is one of his best. The horror-romance stars Johnny Depp as the titular character, an unfinished humanoid creation that has scissors instead of hands.

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Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Another Tim Burton and Johnny Depp pairing. This time, Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, a constable sent from New York City to investigate the mystery of the Headless Horseman.

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The Addams Family (1991)

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky—they're the Addams Family, a macabre group of aristocrats with delightfully eccentric names like Morticia, Gomez, and Wednesday. This ’90s film, based on the cartoons by Charles Addams and the 1964 TV series, is the best adaptation and we won’t hear otherwise.

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The Shining (1980)

If we're going to be talking about classic scary movies, there is no choice but to include The Shining. In 2018 it was selected to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” We can't believe it took that long. 

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The Shining (1980)

The 1980 film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's novel is a horror masterpiece.

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Carrie (1976)

Another haunting Stephen King novel that was turned into a culturally beloved horror movie. Sissy Spacek stars as the titular Carrie, a high school student who is bullied at school and abused by her fanatically religious mother. It all culminates in seriously scary supernatural event on prom night.

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Idle Hands (1999)

The plot of Idle Hands is truly bizarre, which is what makes it so entertaining: Devon Sawa (remember him from Casper?) plays a lazy stoner whose right hand becomes possessed by the devil and goes on a killing spree. It's a darkly funny movie, made all the better by appearances from Jessica Alba, Vivica A. Fox, and Seth Green.

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Goosebumps (2015)

If you loved reading Goosebumps, the children's horror series by R.L. Stine, then it's worth checking out this 2015 film adaptation. Jack Black stars as a highly fictionalized version of the author—and when the monsters from his books come alive and start haunting the real world, chaos ensues.

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Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

After Goosebumps, stay with the theme of scary book series turned movie for preteens by going with Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Based on the short stories that featured terrifying characters like The Big Toe and The Jangly Man, this film adaptation imagines what would happen if your worst nightmares became real.

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E.T. (1982)

Not every movie you watch in October has to be hide-under-the-covers frightening. E.T., a beloved sci-fi film about a friendly alien who visits earth, is the perfect vibe for someone who wants to embrace the spooky season without all the gore or jump scares.

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It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

Can you believe this Peanuts special is over 50 years old? And yet it remains as entertaining as ever. Hang with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Sally, Lucy, and the rest of the gang as they prepare for Halloween.

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Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Written, directed, and edited by George A. Romero, Night of the Living Dead is so popular among horror fans that the zombie classic has inspired several sequels and remakes. But you can't beat the original starring Duane Jones. Old horror movies just hit different, you know?

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Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016)

While Boo! A Madea Halloween was not a hit with critics, it did make a whopping $74.8 million at the box office. Pretty good for a movie that was based on a joke: Director and writer Tyler Perry got the idea from a fictitious Madea movie Chris Rock mentions in 2014's Top Five.

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Death Becomes Her (1992)

Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn are two narcissistic rivals who are given a magic potion that promises eternal youth…only to discover some seriously bad side effects of chasing immortality. What's not to love?

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Mean Girls (2004)

If you're wondering why Mean Girls is included, then you clearly don't remember the iconic Halloween party. You know, the one where Cady (Lindsay Lohan) famously quips, “In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In girl world, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything else about it.”

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Men in Black (1997)

Men in Black remains a great Halloween costume idea—all you need is a suit, dark shades, and a laser pointer—and the movie holds up around this time of year too. Will Smith stars opposite Tommy Lee Jones as agents in a secret organization that supervises all extraterrestrial life on Earth.

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Donnie Darko (2001)

On October 2, 1988, Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal) sleepwalks out of his house and meets a figure in a rabbit costume named Frank. Frank claims the world will end by the end of the month—so, Halloween. What follows is a weird, increasingly creepy tale with a finale you won't see coming.

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Hubie Halloween (2020)

This may be too new to be considered a “classic” Halloween movie, but the holiday vibes are just so strong! Adam Sandler, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph, Kevin James, Tim Meadows, and more star in this horror-comedy about the quirky townspeople of Salem, Massachusetts, and one very wild Halloween.

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The Guest (2014)

The Guest is more of an homage to ’80s action movies than horror, but the events take place around Halloween so you can still get your Scorpio energy on while enjoying Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens as a soldier with a mysterious past and a lot of abs.

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The Corpse Bride (2005)

This Oscar-nominated film tells the story of Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp), the awkward son of a wealthy family who accidentally becomes entangled with the ghost of a woman seeking retribution for her death (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter).

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A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting (2020)

The child in a babysitter's care is kidnapped by the bogeyman on Halloween, so she sets out to rescue him. Hope she gets paid overtime!

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

Witches and wizards learning new spells, a troll let loose in a castle, and other magical surprises? The Harry Potter movies should absolutely be enjoyed this season. Grab a butterbeer and settle in for yet another visit to Hogwarts with Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

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The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

Based on R.L. Stine's book series of the same name, the Fear Street Trilogy is a fun mix of horror, nostalgia, and teen drama as a group of high schoolers work to break a curse that's haunted their town for hundreds of years over the course of three films: 1994, 1978, and 1666.

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Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

The only thing truly scary about this beloved horror-musical is how often you'll catch yourself singing “Suddenly, Seymour” after you watch.

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The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

After Little Shop of Horrors, keep the vibes going by watching another Broadway musical with a creepy setting. This adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running romantic drama stars a nearly unrecognizable Gerard Butler as the titular Phantom, 

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The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

a mysterious figure who lives in the catacombs of the Paris opera house, and Emmy Rossum as the aspiring singer he's obsessed with.

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Labyrinth (1986)

Sorry not sorry, we're not done with spooky musicals quite yet! Labyrinth has become a cult favorite for its fantastical designs courtesy of Jim Henson's Creature Shop as well as David Bowie's camp performance as The Goblin King.

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Nope (2022)

Though one of the newest films on this list, we're confident in calling Nope a Halloween classic. The film—about a brother and sister investigating extraterrestrial activity on their family ranch—is a good entry point for people looking for something a little creepy but not prohibitively scary. Watch if only to see Keke Palmer's best performance to date.

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What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

Joan Crawford and Bette Davis star in this psychological thriller about a former child star and her paraplegic sister. The movie is so iconic—and unsettling—that horror maestro Ryan Murphy created an entire miniseries, FX's Feud, around the making of it.

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