To me, one of the best and most efficient ways to get in the holiday spirit is through classic seasonal movies. I love settling in with a bunch of snacks, a few drinks and a stack of films to get through. Though the likelihood of that happening anytime in the near future is sparse, I can still dream, right? If I had my way, or if Penelope was old enough, I'd dedicate a whole weekend to decorating, making pumpkin cookies and watching this entire list!
This first group is what I like to call 'Halloween Lite'. These movies are more family-friend, not necessarily scary, and just a good time!
Hocus Pocus - a true classic to me. I love this movie so much and if you just don't get why, see this list.
The Addams Family - a stellar cast and a good enough story. Plus they're scary and they're spooky!
Ghostbusters - another classic. I love both I and II but if I only get to pick one, I'd have to go with the original.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show - not really Halloween per se, but it evokes that dark, spooky spirit. It's just a fun movie with pretty fabulous soundtrack which is worth watching for alone.
The next group are some classic scary movies that some deep, dark part of me really loves to watch!
Halloween - there's nothing like the original. I've seen it many times yet it still manages to get under my skin.
Psycho - it's the quintessential scary movie, the film that defined a genre. And it still puts me on edge to shower when I'm home alone.
Scream - the first scary movie that I ever saw (and in a theater!) and the opening scene is still one of my all time favorites! You know, in a really morbidly thrilling kind of way.
The Exorcist - totally over the top and let's face it, it's totally dated. But when Reagan walks backwards down the stairs with those green eyes and scarred face? Ugh I'm shuddering just thinking about it.
Nosferatu - the original Dracula and a silent film to boot, yet still manages to be quite scary in it's old age.
The Shining - just a story of a creeptastic hotel and the inhabitants who slowly go crazy there. oh and some dead people too.
And finally, since I'm always on the look out for some new things, here are a few movies that I'd love to see for the first time this year:
The Birds
In Cold Blood
The Amityville Horror
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
What are your Halloween movie musts?