Now that it’s October, it’s finally Halloween time !. The movies and TV shows on this list are not designed to scare you. They are more to put you in mind. So grab your popcorn (and corn candy) and let’s get into the top five slightly scary things to watch out for for Spooky Season.
- Haunted hour
When I was growing up there were always four channels that my siblings and I would browse: Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon / Nicktoons, Disney XD, and The Hub. The Hub was a weird little chain that started in 2010 and ended in 2014. Meanwhile, RL Stein’s Haunted hour would air late at night (or late at night at the time, i.e. 10 p.m.). A horror anthology series created by Goose bumps‘RL Stein, that freaked me out when I was a kid. It was probably the spectacle that horrified me.
- Scooby doo (Any iteration)
Who doesn’t love Scooby Doo? You get mystery, ghosts, a fun character cast, and a talking dog! I have loved Scooby Doo my whole life. Due to the many ghoulish characters, this makes for a great spooky season watch. If you don’t know where to start, check out the original series, Scooby Doo, where are you? Films direct on DVD made in the late 90s (Scooby Doo on Zombie Island, Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost, Scooby Doo and the cyber hunt) are beautiful too.
- The nightmare before Christmas
Whether or not this is a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie is up for debate, but it gets you in the mood for both. For those of you who don’t know, The nightmare before Christmas follows Halloween Town King Jack Skellington as he tries to spread the Christmas spirit. It’s a great movie with charming characters, interesting visuals, and a unique plot.
- Horror show
This is probably the scariest movie / show on this list. While everything else is for all ages, Horror show is intended for adults. You’ll see tons of country dialogue, over-the-top actors, and general nonsense. The film is made up of a series of vignettes based on stories by Steven King and the 1950s EC horror comics. If you want to know more, check out My opinion.
Honorable mention:
Goose bumps: The classic 90s series is not as good as Haunted hour and is limited in terms of budget and time, but it still serves its purpose and offers some good ghosts and scares.
The Addams Family: The classic series was a comedy that offered a look at the life of a truly macabre family. If you want a blast from the past, The Addams Family always offers a moment of pleasure.
- Above the garden wall
A series of ten episodes about two children who get lost in the woods, Above the garden wall is a triumph of screenwriting, directing, cinematography and pretty much everything in between. This is the ultimate show to watch during Halloween because every episode is exquisite. It’s hard to say how amazing this series is, and it’s a wonder this series can exist given how dark, complicated, and surreal it is (given its premiere on Cartoon Network). This show is enjoyed by many different people, from animation fanatics to those who have never seen a cartoon. If nothing else, I would highly recommend this series.
The Five: Best Scary Things To Look Out For For Halloween