Do you like scary movies?
That movie quote had me not answering the phone after dark for many years in fear that I’d be starring in my own horror film.
As it’s certified spooky season and as House of Coco’s film and telly buff, I’ve weaved a web of blood-curdling classics and some charmingly creepy family watches to have your Halloween weekend brimming with fear.
Here’s your Halloween Weekend Watchlist:
The Haunted Mansion
This is a cracker: As a kid, I was obsessed with the Haunted Mansion at Disney World, and I was sad not to visit on my recent trip to Orlando (more on that coming soon!), but I indulged in The Haunted Mansion film on Disney+ this week. Any movie with Eddie Murphy is sure to pack a barrel of laughs, and this one comes with a fair few haunts too.
If you’re into sinister Butlers who are up to something and mysterious ghouls with unfinished business, The Haunted Mansion is where it’s at. It’s a fun family watch and an easy lone watch if you don’t quite feel like having sleepless nights.
There’s also a 2023 adaptation in the works because Disney love repurposing their classics – Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Winona Ryder, Dan Levy and Jamie Lee Curtis are rumoured to be cast, so I’ll report back next year on how this new story ranks against the original.
There’s no denying it’s a star-studded cast; let’s hope they can fill Eddie Murphy’s shoes!
Streaming on Disney+
Hocus Pocus 2
I’m going to level with you; I haven’t watched the first Hocus Pocus movie or the second – I know, lock me up and throw away the key! How I managed to navigate my entire childhood without indulging in the brilliance of Bett Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy is beyond me.
However, with the release of Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+ this year, I think it’s time to break that spell, and you should too – though, at this point, I’m assuming I’m one of three people who hasn’t yet seen it!
The first film was released in 1993 and is a fantasy comedy that follows the dynamic yet wicked trio after they accidentally resurrect a teenage boy (as you do). Twenty-nine years later, the Sanderson Sisters have been resurrected to wreak some havoc, and revenge is on the menu. That sounds like my idea of a good time!
Both movies are streaming on Disney+.
Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
The one everyone’s been talking about, and for a good reason. This is one strictly for the strong stomached of you; if you can make it past the first episode, congratulations, you’ve clearly digested too many true crime documentaries (no pun intended).
Dahmer is the life story of one of the most prolific serial killers in American history, Jeffery Dahmer and is told from the perspective of his victims. This isn’t a show for the faint-hearted, and it deals with real-life events, albeit through the gaze of an adapted fictional narrative.
Dahmer is a 10-episode mini-series that you can surely binge over Halloween weekend, and Evan Peters (American Horror Story) gives one of his most chilling performances to date – and he’s done a few at this point.
I’d advise staying away from the snacks during certain points, though – you’ll understand why.
Streaming on Netflix
The Haunting of Bly Manor
If you loved The Haunting of Hill House, released in 2018, you must watch The Haunting of Bly Manor. Bly Manor did crawl onto our screens in 2020, but I think it’s worth adding to any Halloween list for years to come.
Following the new hire of an American nanny at a gothic English manor, Bly Manor is an aesthetically rich romance drama full of twists and turns to the very end. It features some exceptional performances from Victoria Pedretti and the magnificent Rahul Kohli. Even though it will leave you feeling on edge, it also makes you feel rather warm inside – love a story with layers!
Streaming on Netflix
Jeepers Creepers
If you’re looking for the heebie-jeebies and to gain a fear of road trips, why not treat yourself to a night in with Jeepers Creepers?
I first watched this as a kid (thanks, Dad!), and it scared the daylights out of me. It’s a simple thriller/horror that will have you guessing “WTF?” the entire way through. It gives Predator mixed with Silence of the Lambs vibes and will have you questioning every desolate church you see on your travels.
Released in 2001, Jeepers Creepers is a bit of a cult classic to this day – “Every 23rd Spring For 23 Days, It Gets To…Eat”.
EAT WHAT? Ah, now that would be telling. Give it a watch and find out!
Available on Amazon Prime
Dawn of the Dead
Okay, so following on from the “films that scarred me as a child”, zombie movies have consistently ranked the highest in terms of not being able to sleep ever again after watching.
For some reason, the 2004 remake of George A Romero’s Dawn of the Dead left me questioning the existence of humanity. It also led me to hide my DVD copy in the fridge, like Joey’s copy of The Shining in Friends.
Zombies, to me, have always been the most realistic ghoul and, therefore, the scariest – and I’m not talking about the ones that crawl out of the ground. I’m talking about the ones that can run and rip you to pieces, like the Dawn of the Dead ones.
Set in a shopping mall in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, the original film was a statement on the consumeristic nature of humanity – I anticipate we’ll see a similar story about our use of social media soon.
I’m still not over my irrational fear of zombies, so I won’t be watching Dawn of the Dead anytime soon, but it’s a cult classic for cheap thrills that should be on your list this Halloween.
Available on Amazon Prime
The Return of the Living Dead
A comedy. Depending on how you feel about the undead.
I completely forgot about this film until I was compiling this mini-list, and then I remembered how much I loved and simultaneously hated this movie. The Return of the Living Dead is one of the greatest films of its genre, horror-comedy, and if you don’t believe me, check out its 91% Rotten Tomatoes score.
My friends and I were obsessed with this film when we were teenagers, mainly because we couldn’t determine if it was serious or a spoof – which somehow makes it even funnier.
Looking back, it’s quite clearly a comedy, but it’s still creepy as all hell.
Released in 1985, The Return of the Living Dead follows a bunch of teenage delinquents who get caught up in the aftermath of a medical supply warehouse spilling vapours that cause the dead to rise as zombies.
To quote the original movie advertisement, “they’re back from the grave and ready to party!”.
Available on Amazon Prime
I love horror as a genre, and I could make a never-ending list of spin-tingling films and shows, but for now, these will have to do.
Whatever you’re up to this Halloween, make it outrageous and remember, all work and no play make Jack a dull boy!
Demi x
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