Students’ definitive list of the best Halloween movies

A list by the people and for the people (for an ultimate spooky night in)

Isabella Sanchez / Asst. A&C Editor / The USD Vista

When it comes to Halloween, there is one fact no one can dispute; the holiday simply wouldn’t be complete without the movies that accompany it. Picking out a costume and flaunting it on Halloween night is fun, no doubt, but movies really get you in  the  spirit. Nothing beats putting on a gory slasher or a fun and nostalgic fall film with friends to get in the spooky mood. 

There are endless options but, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed – some USD students narrowed the list  down to the best Halloween flicks to watch in honor of the 31st. 

“Hocus Pocus” – Joulissa Arroyave, Junior

The cult-classic “Hocus Pocus” is about teen Max Dennison (Omri Katz) who moves to Salem, Massachusetts and stumbles upon a whole lot of trouble when he explores an abandoned house with his sister, Dani (Thora Birch), and new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After resurrecting three sister witches, skeptic Max finds that his Halloween won’t be as boring as he originally thought. 

For USD junior, Joulissa Arroyave, her Halloween film go-to is this cult classic for many reasons. 

“‘Hocus Pocus’ is my favorite Halloween movie,” Arroyave said. “The relationships and personalities between the sisters are very well chosen, the chemistry between the teenagers and their crushes is so cute, and the plot was very well written.”

“Scream” – Erin Kane, Senior

A horror classic, “Scream,” follows a masked knife maniac who stalks high-school students in a middle-class suburbia. Suddenly nobody is safe from this masked killer, turning this peaceful California town into a bloodbath. 

Although blood and gore isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Erin Kane, a USD senior, is their number one fan. 

“‘Scream’ is my favorite horror film because it mixes contemporary horror with classic slasher films,” Kane said. “It keeps you on the edge of your seat in suspense, while also dispeling the tension with moments of comedy only to scare you again right after.”

“The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” – Andrew Oleson, Sophomore

This “Peanuts” Halloween special revolves around the Peanuts gang celebrating Halloween while Linus waits for the appearance of the mysterious Great Pumpkin. 

For USD sophomore Andrew Oleson, the best Halloween film doesn’t necessarily have to be a nail-biter or a gory slasher. It can just be one that sparks nostalgia for the fall season. 

“This film is my favorite because it makes me think of the start of fall,” Oleson shared. “Back home, I would always watch it around Halloween, which was when all the tree leaves began to change colors and fall.”

“Halloweentown” – Kirsten Allmeroth, Junior & Nikki Giammanco, Senior

Teen Marnie Cromwell (Kimberly J. Brown) gets her world turned upside down on her 13th birthday when she learns that she comes from a family of witches and that she is in fact a witch, too. 

After the revelation, her grandma (Debbie Reynolds), a good witch herself, takes her to Halloweentown, where witches, goblins, and vampires dwell, all living normal lives. Marnie not only discovers this secret part of her family, but also that there is an evil force plotting to take over Halloweentown. Shockingly, she finds herself right in the center of it. 

USD junior, Kirsten Allmeroth, loves this classic Halloween film because it never gets old, even from childhood to adulthood.

“‘Halloweentown’ is the best Halloween movie because it is interesting for all ages and brings together the supernatural and real world,” Allmeroth shared. “It is a quintessential film for childhood and sets the mood for the fall seasons, even providing a sense of nostalgia for the older viewers as well!”

Nikki Giammanco agreed with Allmeroth. 

“My favorite Halloween movie is probably the first ‘Halloweentown!’” Giammanco said. “I always watch it during this time because it’s a feel good movie, and it reminds me of when I was younger.”

“Halloween Kills” – Nicholas von Tscharner, Senior

This new slasher film continues the gory saga of Michael Myers as past characters who survived Myers bloodlust from previous films come together to end his reign of terror once and for all. 

Nicholas von Tscharner, a USD senior, loves this film for not only its spookiness, but for its star-studded cast. 

“I really love ‘Halloween Kills’ because Kyle Richards is in it and I love the housewives,” von Tscharner said. “I like the most recent one as it’s just intense and gives you a good spooky feel.”

Whether you like a good scare or not, this list will serve as a helping hand for getting into the spooky spirit before the arrival of Halloween. 

So, turn off the lights, grab some popcorn or delicious candy, and get to watching.