After a double feature of murder mystery intrigue, it felt only right to turn the lights down low and settle in for something a little more cinematic with cozy blankets and warm tea in hand. October, after all, is the perfect time to revisit the films that defined spooky season long before streaming queues existed: those black-and-white thrillers, haunted nostalgic memories, and campy cult classics that never lose their charm.
This isn’t a list of jump scares or modern horror; it’s a love letter to atmosphere and forgotten films. Wherever your tastes lie, these are some of my favourite movies to revisit during the Halloween season.
Enchanted Evenings: Whimsy, Witches & Cozy Magic
Hocus Pocus (1993)
In Salem, Massachusetts, three mischievous 17th-century witches are accidentally resurrected by a skeptical teenager, his annoying little sister, and their new friend on Halloween night. As the sisters attempt to reclaim their youth and immortality by stealing the life force of children, the group of modern-day misfits race to stop them before sunrise.
Why it made the list: This movie is October charm. Between the chaos of fall in Salem and Bette Midler’s dramatic flair, it never fails to transport me to the kind of Halloween where pillowcases doubled as candy bags and every costume involved at least one safety pin and was made two sizes too large to fit over a Canadian Prairie parka.
Fun Fact: Bette Midler, who played Winnie, used old dictionaries for words to improvise as historically accurate insults. I love that dedication!
Practical Magic (1998)
Raised by their eccentric aunts, two sisters navigate love, loss, and a family curse that has haunted generations of women before them. A blend of romance, mysticism, and sisterhood, Practical Magic captures both the heartbreak and healing power of believing in something more.
Why it made the list: There is something familiar that washes over me every time I see this movie. It is part comfort, part reminder that magic can be found in the messy, imperfect corners of life. And the soundtrack? Always on repeat.
Fun Fact: The cast said they felt supernatural elements of the house starting to affect them, particularly while filming the coven scene at the end of the film. Interesting because the house was not real, only a shell that was torn down after filming ended.
Bell, Book and Candle (1958)
A modern-day witch living in New York City uses her powers to enchant her neighbour — only to find herself genuinely falling in love, which could cost her magical abilities. Blending romance, comedy, and supernatural intrigue, this mid-century classic captures the allure of charm and consequence.
Why it made the list: A cat named Pyewacket and a love spell. How better to draw you in and entertain you?
“Hasn’t this cat got anything better to do? Couldn’t you give him something to read?” – Shep Henderson (James Stewart), Bell, Book and Candle
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
Set during World War II, a novice witch and three evacuated children embark on a magical journey aboard a flying bed to find a spell that could help defend Britain. Combining live action and animation, the film weaves whimsy, adventure, and a gentle wartime message of courage and imagination.
Why it made the list: Angela Lansbury is simply delightful as Engletine Price, and you can’t help but love David Tomlinson, who brings humour and a devilish glint to his role of Emelius Brown. I love the chemistry between the two. And no matter how long ago I have seen it, I will never forget the most important words: Treguna, Mekoides, Trecorum, Satis Dee. Wait… did that shoe just move?
Fun Fact: The song “The Beautiful Briny Sea” was originally written for Mary Poppins (1964) but was ultimately dropped.
Haunted Hijinks: Playful Ghosts & Spirited Laughs
Ghostbusters (1984)
After losing their academic posts, three eccentric scientists start a ghost-catching business in New York City, only to face a supernatural threat of apocalyptic proportions. Equal parts comedy and fantasy, it remains one of the most iconic and inventive films of the 1980s.
Why it made the list: This one still makes me laugh out loud — clever, quotable, and just spooky enough to count as Halloween viewing without scaring the life out of you. Plus, that theme song is basically an October anthem!
Fun Fact: Bill Murray ad-libbed most of his lines. In several scenes, the other actors’ reactions were completely genuine. The results were so good, they remained in the final cut.
Beetlejuice (1988)
When a recently deceased couple find their home overrun by an eccentric new “living” family, they enlist the help of a chaotic “bio-exorcist” named Beetlejuice to scare away the new owners. Director Tim Burton’s distinctive blend of gothic visuals and dark humour turned this bizarre afterlife comedy into a cult classic.
Why it made the list: It is delightfully strange, unapologetically 80s, and somehow still manages to be comforting. Every rewatch feels like catching up with oddball relatives you secretly adore!
“Live people ignore the strange and unusual. I myself am strange and unusual.” – Lydia Deetz, Beetlejuice
Casper (1995)
A paranormal therapist and his daughter move into a crumbling mansion to communicate with the resident ghosts — one of whom happens to be a kind-hearted young spirit named Casper. What follows is a blend of lighthearted hauntings, family secrets, and a surprisingly touching story about belonging and friendship beyond the grave.
Why it made the list: It is sweetly spooky in that unmistakable ‘90s way. Equal parts laughter, melancholy, and innocent charm. And who didn’t immediately fall in love with a ghost with one sentence: “Can I keep you?”
Fun Fact: The original script had an alternative ending where we were never meant to see the human version of Casper the Ghost!
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
On his wedding day, a mild-mannered theatre critic discovers that his seemingly charming elderly aunts have been poisoning lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. This darkly comedic gem blends farce, murder, and mid-century charm into a deliciously macabre concoction.
Why it made the list: My personal top pick for Halloween 2025! It’s proof that murder can, in fact, be polite.
Fun Fact: Arsenic and Old Lace remains one of the most popular pre-war comedies for amateur theatre groups, especially during the Halloween season.
Old Hollywood Haunts: Classic Glamour & Creepy Charm
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
A wealthy eccentric invites five strangers to spend the night in a supposedly haunted mansion with the promise of $10,000 for anyone who survives until morning. As the night unfolds, eerie occurrences blur the line between trickery and true terror. Vincent Price delivers a masterclass in sinister charm, making this movie an iconic haunted house tale.
Why it made the list: The old Hollywood suspense still holds up, proving that atmosphere and suggestion can be far more chilling than outright gore. Like a hauntingly good ghost story with impeccable manners!
Fun Fact: The entire film was shot in only 14 days, during the same year it was released.
Topper Returns (1941)
When a lively young woman is murdered on her way to a seaside mansion, her ghost enlists the help of the bewildered but good-hearted Cosmo Topper to solve her own crime. Part ghost story, part screwball comedy, this movie is a mix of mystery, humour, and supernatural hijinks, delivering a lighthearted take on the ghost story genre.
Why it made the list: An unlikely Halloween pick, but deserving of a place on my watchlist, it is a delightful reminder that even ghosts can have a sense of humour. The mix of haunting and hilarity captures everything I love about old Hollywood — elegance, mischief, and campy visual effects.
Fun Fact: Billie Burke plays Mrs. Topper in this movie, but is widely known for playing Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz only a few years earlier!
Dracula (1931)
Adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel, this early Universal horror classic introduced audiences to Count Dracula, the charismatic and terrifying vampire from Transylvania. Bela Lugosi’s iconic portrayal set the standard for vampires on screen. Shadowy castles, hypnotic stares, and a slow, creeping dread helped define early horror cinema.
Why it made the list: There is something timelessly elegant about the horror of restraint. This movie doesn’t need blatant gore to chill you — just that unnervingly calm voice and a well-placed cape.
“For one who has not lived even a single lifetime, you’re a wise man, Van Helsing.” — Count Dracula, Dracula
Cinematic Thrills: Spooks, Scream Queens & 90s Cult Classics
Clue (1985)
Six strangers are invited to a mysterious dinner party at a secluded mansion, only to find themselves entangled in a murder investigation that is equal parts chaos and comedy. Based on the board game, this fast-paced comedy-mystery offers multiple endings, sharp wit, and a perfect ensemble cast.
Why it made the list: The original murder mystery game! Few movies pull off this level of absurdity with such style. It is witty, quick, and gleefully over-the-top. Makes you want to attend (or host) a dinner party with this much drama.
Fun Fact: The original theatrical release included only one of the three filmed endings — so depending on your theatre, you never knew which one you’d get!
Scream (1996)
When a masked killer terrorizes a small town, Woodsboro, a group of high school students must navigate the deadly blend of real horror and movie-inspired tropes. Wes Craven’s self-aware slasher revitalized the horror genre with its sharp writing and meta-commentary, both mocking and honouring its cinematic roots.
Why it made the list: This movie is clever, fast-talking, and still manages to make you jump even when you know what’s coming. It’s a love letter to horror fans who’ve seen it all, but still find themselves watching through their fingers….(me!).
“Careful. This is the moment when the supposedly dead killer comes back to life, for one last scare.” – Randy, Scream
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Two rival women discover an elixir promising eternal youth, only to learn that immortality comes with gruesome consequences. This darkly comic tale of vanity, vengeance, and very bad decisions sparkles with sharp dialogue and over-the-top performances from Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn.
Why it made the list: Few movies make aging, death, and broken friendship look this stylish (or this funny!). Equal parts morbid and magnificent, although not a classic Halloween movie, this fits nicely into an October watchlist.
Fun Fact: During the infamous shovel fight, Meryl Streep accidentally hit Goldie Hawn in the face, leaving her with a small scar. Ouch!
As the Last Jack-o’-Lantern Candle Fades
There’s a particular magic in returning to older films — the kind that rely more on mood than monsters, suggestion rather than spectacle. They invite you to slow down, savour the shadows, and let your imagination do some of the haunting.
Whether you’re revisiting a beloved favourite or discovering a forgotten gem, I hope this watchlist adds a little vintage flair to your Halloween traditions.
And if you still find yourself wanting more after the credits roll, I’ve tucked in a few classic TV episodes to provide the perfect encore to a night of cozy chills.
- Murdoch Mysteries: “Friday the 13th, 1901” (Season 7, Episode 14)
- Poirot: “Hallowe’en Party” (Season 12, Episode 2)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: “Halloween” (Season 2, Episode 6)
- Are you Afraid of the Dark?: “The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle” (Season 2, Episode 10)
What are your must-watch Halloween movies? I’m always collecting new (and old) favourites. Tell me your top picks (the moodier, the better!) or share your cozy viewing rituals — after all, stories (and scares) are best when shared.
Stay curious, stay cozy, and never underestimate the power of tea and a good alibi.
Cara
I love that Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode!
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