Halloween Classics

Photo by Joslyn Banta

As Oct. 31 approaches, it is a perfect time to get in the spirit by watching some classic movies that feature the more whimsical side of halloween. These movies are just a few of the classics that I watch every year before Halloween. They involve the lives of witches, monsters, trick-or-treating, a monster house and even ghosts. 

“Halloweentown”

“Halloweentown” is a classic that premiered in 1998 on the Disney Channel. It is about a young girl named Marnie Piper who feels different from everyone else. In the words of her brother Dylan, “She only likes weird stuff.” But we learn that the Piper children are not allowed to celebrate Halloween because their mother thinks it is too dangerous. Then we meet Piper's grandma, who is from a far away place called Halloweentown. This movie is whimsical, full of surprises and Halloween characters. “Halloweentown” be found on Disney Plus. 

“Hocus Pocus” 

“Hocus Pocus” was released in 1993 by Disney. It is about the Sanderson sisters, witches who consume children’s souls to become younger. In the movie, they are defeated by Thackary Binks and he is turned into a black cat. He then begins guarding the house the witches lived in so that they could not come back to life. He fails in the end and Max, a virgin, lights a black candle and the witches return in the 1990s. This movie is full of action and singing. “Hocus Pocus” can be found on Disney Plus. 

“Monster House”

“Monster House” was released in 2006 by Columbia Pictures. It is an animated feature that is about a house that is monstrous just like the title says. Three children make it their mission to destroy the house as Halloween is quickly approaching, so that the children going out on Halloween will be safe. With a huge twist at the end, this movie is a must watch. It is crazy, full of twists and turns. “Monster House” can be found on Netflix. 

“Casper” 

“Casper” was released in 1995 by Universal Pictures. It is about a child ghost who lives in a house with older ghosts. As a young family moves into the house that Casper and his older “brothers” haunt, Casper tries to protect the family’s daughter. Casper is labeled as a friendly ghost because he wants to make friends with humans and not push them out of the house. This movie is full of hilarious accidents, tearful moments and a happy ending. “Casper” can be found on Vudu. 

These movies are a perfect way to celebrate Halloween from your couch. These classics bring me back to my childhood when I was scared of the monster house, wanted so badly to dance with Casper, have a cat that could talk and have a big family secret that I was a witch.