If you’re trying to build a list of must-sees this Halloween season, but just can’t quite decide what to put on that list, you’re in luck! This month, we’ve compiled a list of spooky-season classics that are undeniably important to any queue. Happy Halloween!

Hocus Pocus
(1993, PG)
This childhood classic carries much nostalgia for many. Produced by Disney, this watch is perfect for the whole family. With witches, cats, and spooky spells, this movie has certainly cemented itself in Halloween history and is worth adding to the watch list on nostalgia alone!

Beetlejuice
(1988, PG)
If you’ve never seen this relic, you’re missing out on a heartfelt comedy with plenty of fun and spooky spirit. Tim Burton takes the reins in this project starring both Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton in the main cast, and he works his magic to ensure the audience has a ghoulishly good time with his cast of characters. From liminal scenery to energetic acting, this movie deserves a watch regardless of who you are! Beetlejuice 2 is coming soon.

Edward Scissorhands
(1990, PG-13)
Another iconic movie by Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands takes the cookie-cutter American Dream and puts a fun and exciting twist on it. Taking place in an unspecified era, this quaint film encapsulates an eccentric and fun aesthetic that will undoubtedly leave the whole family rooting for the titular character and his quest!

The NightMARE Before Christmas
(1993, PG)
Tim Burton once again steals the spotlight with another family-friendly film for those who simply can’t wait for Christmastime to roll around. In this claymation classic, the story and characters alike will charm the viewer and leave them anxiously awaiting the limbo time of the year, commonly referred to as November.

The Twilight Zone
(1959-64)
A timeless classic, this series is most fun to watch with slightly older kids (middle school and up), because some of the thrill in the thriller part of the show is lost when you can’t quite wrap your head around the stories. If you don’t exactly have time for an entire movie, the 30-minute episodes of this anthology series will surely satisfy your eccentric expectations. A must-add to any Halloween watch list!

Pet Sematary
(1989, R)
Starting off the spookier side of this list is Pet Sematary, a Stephen King classic. If you love ghost stories (and don’t mind shedding a few tears seeing an animal meet an untimely fate), this movie is perfect for you. With a little spook but not too much scare, this film functions as a great watch for those who are casual horror fans!

Friday the 13th
(1980, R)
Teens, summer camp, and hockey masks! It doesn’t get much more iconic in terms of horror, does it? Friday the 13th is born right out of the newfound slasher craze of the 80s, and with an intriguing plot spanning twelve different movies (along with a prequel television show that is expected to be released in 2024) it is sure to satisfy any binge-watching needs this fall.

Scream
(1996, R)
What’s your favorite scary movie? If you answered Scream, you’d be a survivor in my books. This 90s gem has spawned countless merchandise lines, Halloween costumes, and six canonical movies (with a seventh on the way). If a horror movie that borders on comedy is your jam, this film is absolutely worth a watch.

A Nightmare on Elm Street
(1984, R)
80s horror was quite the scene, with hardly any movies avoiding immortalization within the genre, and A Nightmare on Elm Street was no exception. Starring horror icon Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, the story, ridiculous effects, and grainy cinematics are perfect for watching with friends who also enjoy a classic scare!

Halloween
(1978, R)
Ah, Halloween! This movie is highly regarded as the grandfather of horror as we know it, revamping everyone’s interest in the genre itself. With horror legend Jamie Lee-Curtis playing Michael Meyer’s main victim, this movie is sure to fulfill that horror hankering that tends to materialize this time of the year.

Whether you’re a fan of spine-tingling horror or lighthearted Halloween fun, these timeless favorites are essential additions to your viewing queue. Happy Halloween!