Niche and Nostalgic: Spooky films you need to watch this Halloween Season
Written by Jamilla Philson
Halloween is just around the corner, and if films are as paramount of a tradition to you as they are to me, you need to lock in with these goodies. This film selection I’ve curated spans everything from cheesy feel-good Y2K flicks to modern gory, mind-bending, analytical horror. The recommendations will be ranked in three categories which I have organized below 1. Popcorn (not scary, feel-good, cutesy), 2. Thrilling (this one’s got a little kick to it, definitely gory), 3. Okay this shit crazy (self-explanatory, lol).
All images courtesy of IMDb, Film Grab
Popcorn (1991) - Thrilling
Originally finding this personal cult classic on Youtube back in 2021, Popcorn (1991) is one of the most underrated horror movies I’ve ever experienced. It’s definitely an ode to classic horror fans, especially if the 90s are your bread and butter (think Scream). As Mark Herrier’s only feature film, the plot follows a group of college students as they organize a horror film festival in an abandoned theater only to be stalked by a madman connected to a cult. It is the perfect film to watch in preparation for Halloween or in the background of a Halloween party, and it’s still available for free on Youtube.
Miracle Mile (1988) - Thrilling
Although this one is more sci-fi than horror, it’s such a beautifully constructed and visually compelling film: literally the definition of 80s eye candy. Directed by Steve De Jarnatt in 1988, this film follows Harry Washello as he falls in love for the first time in 30 years, coincidentally on the day of one of his dates with his new love, he receives an alarming intercepted phone call from the US military that a nuclear missile is on it’s way and he has 70 minutes before all hell breaks loose. Determined to find his love again and alert the general public, Harry sends LA into a ball of chaos, not knowing if the phone call was real at all. I adore this film and recommend it to all of my friends who want something silly, iconic, and thrilling.
Freaky (2020) - Okay this shit crazy
Freaky was a cultural reset, in terms of horror of course. Director Christopher Landon takes a spooky twist on Freaky Friday (2003), where the protagonist, teenager Millie Kessler, unintentionally swaps bodies with a notorious serial killer, played by Vince Vaughn. This film feeds the nostalgia void in me without creating a cheesy sequel we know we all don’t want to sit through. Freaky is jarring indeed, featuring the craziest and most disturbing gore, while also providing classic raunchy high school drama and comedic relief without it coming off as tacky.
Fresh (2022) - Thrilling
Fresh and Bones and All (2022) coming out in the same year is all you need to know about the resurgence of the“ cannibalism as romance” trope. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Sebastian Stan, this Mimi Cave directorial debut will always be in my arsenal of horror. After meeting a cute guy in a grocery store, Noa decides to spontaneously go on a romantic weekend trip with him, not knowing what yet awaits her. The perfect romance for this halloween season, plus who could forget one of the most iconic dance scenes to come out of this decade thus far.
Halloweentown (1998) - Popcorn
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Halloweentown will, hands down, be one of my favorites, even year round. The coziness of Grandma Aggie’s treats or the children sneaking out in the middle of the night to travel to Halloweentown is unmatchable. This is pure canned nostalgia and they simply do not make movies like this anymore. If you’ve never seen this film, it centers on a 13 year old who discovers she is a witch and is transported to a magical town where her Grandma lives, filled with werewolves, vampires, ghouls and anything else you can imagine, just in time to save it from evil spirits and warlocks. Halloweentown will forever be iconic in this house!
Happy Death Day (2017) - Popcorn/Thrilling
Another iconic Christopher Landon film, this one is perfect for someone who wants more of a silly horror movie for this season. Taking another twist on the legendary film, Groundhog Day (1993), it follows a college student named Tree who gets murdered on the night of her birthday and has to relive the day over and over until she can find the killer and solve the murder. If you’re not a big horror fan, this is the perfect stepping stone into the genre. It is lighthearted while having those spooky and horror undertones, essentially a slasher that is made for the mainstream.
Ginger Snaps (2000) - Thrilling (TW: suicide / self harm)
Angsty. Werewolves. Sisters. What more can you want in this iconic 2000s film? It follows two teenage sisters, Ginger and Brigitte, who’s relationship becomes tested when Ginger gets her first period and is bitten by an unusual animal. As the full moon approaches she begins to exhibit animalistic, or rather, werewolf-istic type tendencies. Her younger sister Brigitte must save her sister and herself. Not only does this make an iconic halloween costume, but this is such a cool forgotten horror classic.
Lisa Frankenstein (2024) - Popcorn
Our second Kathyrn Newton film on this list! Lisa Frankenstein absolutely exceeded my expectations. Having watched it recently, I was blown away by how kitschy and camp this film was. Starring Newton and Cole Sprouse, it follows a misunderstood teenage girl in the 80s who befriends a resurrected Victorian corpse, as he helps her commit crimes and fall in love. Lisa Frankenstein is a highly underrated new release that completely went under my radar this year.
Urban Legend (1998) - Thrilling
This film was also one of my most underrated recommendations of all time. It follows a group of college students at a New England university after a string of murders inspired by urban legends. Urban Legend is the perfect middle ground of cozy moody 90s autumnal horror and enticing slasher. Not only does Jared Leto ironically play a guy named Paul (much like in American Psycho), but it exceeds all expectations and is the ideal for this October.
I Saw the TV Glow (2024) - Okay this shit crazy
I cannot stop talking about this movie and I never will. Not only did this send me into a full blown existential crisis after the first watch, but became a staple viewing in my life (and now in the lives of my friends and family). Jane Schoenbraun’s brilliant film serves as an allegory for transitioning, as Schoenbraun began writing the script after three months of starting hormone replacement therapy. I Saw the TV Glow centers around two high schoolers and their obsession with a niche CW-like show called The Pink Opaque, which alters the reality of what they know as their lives.
