Halloween is my favorite time of year. I say time of year because, for me, it’s not just one day. It’s a lifestyle choice that goes the whole month. I love to celebrate the Halloween spirit all October, and I usually do that by watching all sorts of Halloween-y things. I decided to make a media calendar for this October, and I also decided to share it- in case you want to join me in the creepy, kooky, and spooky.
I tried to keep each choice at about 90-120 min; the length of a normal movie. Most of these are available online (Netflix, Hulu, your torrenting site of choice) or at your local library. Also, nothing here would be counted as truly gory, psychotic “horror”; but that’s not to say you won’t get scared!
October 1
Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School
I start out the month with a mild-mannered movie that’s sure to get you into the Halloween spirit! If you’re like me, this movie is practically childhood nostalgia in 90 minutes. If you haven’t seen it before, then you’re in for a treat- or a Scooby Snack!
October 2
All Ideas Are Bad Ideas
It’s the right Monday! Today, take some time to listen to our podcast. In the Halloween spirit, we’ll be covering The Mummy! If you want something more, watch this movie along with us.
October 3
The Addams Family (TV Show)
What’s more classically spooky than the Addams Family? This show was the original kooky, creepy comedy. Don’t let the black and white fool you- their humor is timeless. I suggest watching these episodes: Halloween With the Addams Family, The Addams Family and the Spaceman, and Halloween – Addams Style.
October 4
Young Frankenstein
I’ll be honest, I haven’t actually seen this movie, despite it being a pretty popular film. So I figure, what better time to see what I’ve been missing? I’ve heard it’s a witty, irreverent, laugh out loud look at the monster movie genre. Sure sounds good to me!
October 5
Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (TV Show)
I think everybody will agree with me on this selection. You can’t have October without some spooky Scooby Doo. I’m talking here about the original TV show, though any and all movies would also be a great choice. I suggest watching these episodes: The Backstage Rage, A Night of Fright Is No Delight, and Haunted House Hang-Up.
October 6
Coraline
Made by Laika (a personal favorite), Coraline is a cinematically pleasing, suspenseful tale of a young girl who, one day, seems to have an Other Mother. Full of memorable characters and slowly building creep factor, Coraline is guaranteed to be one of your new favorite Halloween movies.
Bonus: Read the original book by Neil Gaiman. It’s a relatively short story and a delightful piece of fiction.
October 7
The Addams Family (Movie)
What could possibly top the classic 1964 television show? The 1991 movie, of course. Featuring everybody’s favorite family, including an older and more biting version of Wednesday, this movie has every charm the Addams’ can offer. By the end you’ll be in the Halloween spirit- and ready to join to family!
October 8 – 10
Night in the Woods
You may be asking why I set aside three days for this one- it’s a computer game (playable on Mac or PC). A brilliant platform-style game, Night in the Woods follows Mae, a college dropout who moves back home, as she tries to rekindle old friendships, find her place in a dying town, and figure out who she is. Oh, and there’s also that murder ghost running around.
This is the only one on the list that is guaranteed to cost you money, but take my word for it, the purchase is well worth it. You can download it for $20 from the Night in the Woods website. If you don’t want to buy it, I suggest downloading Longest Night and Lost Constellation from the same website– they’re free, and they just might get you hooked on the wonderful art style and gameplay. You can fill in any other time on these days with stuff from the list you might have missed, or more episodes of the shows we’ve listed so far.
October 11
Halloweentown
Despite being a dorky kids movie, this one is well worth watching, if only because it fits the season so well. Halloweentown resides just on the other side of reality- where all those Halloween personalities are very real indeed. Fun, cheesy, and humorous, this movie will definitely bring a smile to your face.
October 12
Over the Garden Wall
Unlike other TV shows on this list, I suggest watching every episode of Over the Garden Wall today; this is because watching the entire series only takes as long as your standard movie. Don’t be deceived by the cute animation and the Cartoon Network logo- this show is plenty creepy.
October 13
Paranorman
Another Laika film, Paranorman is a unique piece of cinema, both in animation style and storytelling. It has a cast of colorful characters, whose interactions with each other speak to humanity’s best and worst qualities. By the end, you’ll be rooting for Norman and all the other people in the world who are just a little bit different.
October 14
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The entire series can fit into the Halloween spirit, but some episodes stand out above the rest. Buffy, Willow, and Xander are always getting into some horrific, ridiculous adventure in Sunnydale. For a milder (and more Halloween-y) time, I suggest watching these episodes: Halloween and Fear Itself. For a scarier time, I suggest watching these episodes: Hush and Killed By Death.
October 15
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The only movie that fits both the Halloween and Christmas spirit. I think people would riot if I didn’t include it on this list; and I’ll be honest, it’s grown on me a lot in recent years. I didn’t discover this tale of Jack Skellington and his town of Halloween until late college, but the songs, creepy animation, and off-the-wall characters definitely make this movie one to remember.
October 16
All Ideas Are Bad Ideas
It’s the right Monday! Today, take some time to listen to our podcast. We’ll be covering a nostalgic fan favorite- Hocus Pocus. If you want something more, then watch this movie along with us!
October 17 – 19
Ghost Hunt
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. An anime? In my Halloween list? But I promise you, this one is well worth it. An unlikely team of paranormal researchers chase down spirits in some of Japan’s most haunted places- and believe me, this show is not one to be watched alone in the dark. I suggest watching the whole series, hence why I set aside three days for it. The episodes fit together in arcs, so I recommend Evil Spirits All Over!?, Doll House, and After School Hexer on the 17th; Ghost Story in the Park, Silent Christmas, and A Forbidden Pastime on the 18th; and Bloodstained Labyrinth and Cursed House on the 19th.
October 20
Little Shop of Horrors
A fantastic film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, Little Shop is a tale of a young florist in love and his gruesome otherworldly plant. With strangely catchy tunes, a growing sense of dread, and a whole lot of blood, Little Shop will certainly deliver some grade A horror.
October 21
The X Files
Every month is prime time to watch the X Files, but you definitely can’t have October without some of this classic show. Spanning across nine original seasons, it’s hard to pick out which of Mulder and Scully’s adventures would be best to watch today; luckily for you, I already did that. For a milder time, I suggest watching these episodes: Bad Blood and The Post-Modern Prometheus. For a scarier time, I suggest watching these episodes: Die Hand Die Verletzt and Home.
October 22
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
A surreal cult classic, this one is best to watch in a theater, with rice and water pistols on hand; but, lacking that, take some time out of today to watch it at home. If you’ve watched it before, you know exactly why I couldn’t leave it off of a list like this. If you haven’t watched it before… well, prepare yourself for seeing Tim Curry in fishnets, and so much more.
October 23
Supernatural
A more contemporary X Files, Supernatural has a huge fan following and has burgeoned into a show with an elaborate plot, an enormous cast of characters, and a host of otherworldly encounters. However, we can’t forget that the show started out as a terrifying “monster of the week” series. For a milder time, I suggest watching these episodes: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester and Monster Movie (which will look familiar if you watched The Post-Modern Prometheus for the X Files). For a scarier time, I suggest watching these episodes: Scarecrow and Family Remains.
October 24 – 26
Stranger Things
This is one of those shows that, if you haven’t seen it yet, now is the time. Not only is it an incredible piece of storytelling, cinematography, and nostalgia for the early 80s, but Season 2 comes out this month. These few days are your last chance to know what’s going on before spoilers ruin your life.
October 27 & 28
Stranger Things 2
I think we are all hype for the much-anticipated sequel season to this amazing show (and if you aren’t when you’re reading this, you will be after October 26th). I let this take up two days because it releases on a Friday, so you may not be able to binge all of it if you work, share your TV, or actually want to sleep. If you find your Saturday barren, however, fill it in with a couple of iconic, if short, videos- Thriller and The Skeleton Dance.
October 29
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
For me, nothing says nostalgia like the Charlie Brown films. I remember watching this after trick-or-treating every year when I was a kid. I’m sure it wasn’t the only Halloween movie on public-access television, but it sure seemed that way at our house.
October 30
Beetlejuice
The eve of Halloween calls for something special: one of my all-time favorite movies, Beetlejuice. It’s a classic creepy flick with a comedy element you couldn’t replicate if you tried. Add in spectacular acting, afterlife attorneys, and an unusual soundtrack, and you’ve got yourself a Halloween spectacular.
Bonus: All Ideas Are Bad Ideas
It’s the right Monday! Today, take some time to listen to our podcast. We’ll be covering this very movie- Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
October 31
Ghostbusters
Happy Halloween everybody! Today’s selection speaks for itself. I personally will be watching the classic Ghostbusters, as my nostalgia won’t allow for anything else, but you could always sub in the 2016 reboot if you prefer. (Or you could watch both- no judgment here.) Today is also a great day to catch any of the movies, shows, or books you missed this month. Have a safe, spooky All Hallows Eve!
All Ideas Are Bad Ideas 