I can never commit to the #31DaysofHalloween like Brandon and Brittany do. There’s just too much football to watch on the weekends and keep up with during the week. Plus, full disclosure here – I’m way too jumpy and grew up with too many fuckin’ ghost stories to go all in on the horror of the season. Plus, I have watched Dead Poets Society eight times already this month. LOVE that movie at this time of year…
But, it doesn’t mean I haven’t gotten in on the fun at all! I’ve had a Spooky Season to remember in my own right. Let’s hit the highlights as I watched some of the classics and sprinkled in a few new ones, too. And, don’t be shy – hit the comments below with YOUR Spooky Season viewing recap so far!
BIG NATURAL’S 2021 SPOOKY SEASON RECAP
The Regulars
Monster House – It’s underrated in the Halloween game, and I think it’s high time it gets its due. This is one I usually kick off the month of October with. It can be creepy, but it’s nice stylistically, and at the heart of it, there’s quite a charming love story.
The Lighthouse – I added The Lighthouse to my regular Halloween rotation after seeing it for the first time last year. I just love how fucking empty it makes my soul feel. It’s not the typical horror movie, but the ambience of the film, the tone, and the haunting soul-sucking that the story does is perfect for this time of year. It instantly became one of my favorite movies.
The Wolfman (2010) – Give me Benecio Del Toro and Anthony Hopkins duking it out with a horrid dreary backdrop every single Spooky Season.
Hubie Halloween – I know it’s corny, but it was an instant Halloween classic in my book and instantly brought back the nostalgia I had as a kid for the excitement of Halloween night approaching. In a weird way, Adam Sandler and company really captured that ‘you know what might happen on Halloween night’ spirit in a stupid, funny way.
Goosebumps – Say what you will about this movie, but it is fun for the whole family. I spent Halloween with my niece and nephew in New Jersey a few years ago, and they absolutely loved this flick. So, every year, it’s a nice reminder of fond family memories. So, sue me for liking a shitty movie for sentimental reasons.
The New Blood
Venom – I know this superhero movie very much doesn’t belong here but hear me out. It was released in October, and Venom is kind of a scary super hero/villain? I don’t know…something about the vibe just told me to try it out and it didn’t necessarily miss. Worth a shot.
Scary Movie – I was surprised at how enjoyable I found this one to be upon rewatch since I’m not an immature and hormonal teenager anymore. Oh wait…shit…am I still an immature and hormonal teenager?
Little Shop of Horrors – As a guy that hates musicals – seriously, just tell me a story…don’t interrupt it with a boring ass song – I was actually surprised at how much I enjoyed this one upon watching it for the first time. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. Rick Moranis doesn’t miss.
Halloween (1978) – Feels dumb to put this one in the ‘new blood’ category, right? After about 20 years of sitting down and watching five minutes here and five minutes there of this one on AMC, the fiancé and I finally decided to just sit down and pay attention to it. Now, I get it. This is THE quintessential Halloween movie.
Muppets Haunted Mansion – I like the real Haunted Mansion movie with Eddie Murphy better, but something about The Muppets just feels like a holiday. I’m probably not the target demographic for this one, but I’ll say I enjoyed it. Holy shit – I really am a grown ass child, aren’t I?
Outside the Box
The Cell – It’s a mind bender that gets by on its trippy-as-hell visuals, but the casting choices were a tad off. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it as a movie that was weird as hell but not overall prolific in the jump scare department. I could do this one regularly. By the way, stay tuned for our Drinking With…The Cell livestream tonight on all the main SoBros Network social media accounts!
Secret Window – It came out in the spring of 2004, so it feels like it’s lost in the shuffle in the thriller department. But, it’s a great movie to try something new with if you haven’t already seen it.
Resident Evil – It’s more action than horror, but you still can’t beat a zombie thriller with some potent jump scares in the mix.
Shaun of the Dead – Read what I wrote about Resident Evil, and just add a whole hell of a lot more laughs to it.
The Mount Rushmore of Halloween Movies
- Hocus Pocus
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
- Scream
What the hell can I say about these that hasn’t already been said? I watched Scream yesterday morning, but I usually wait and watch the remaining three the night before or the night of Halloween, so they’re still on the docket for me. Otherwise, that’s it! What are your favorite Halloween movies? Let me know in the comments!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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