Top 11 Films For Your Halloween Season

2. Psycho

This film is my #2 because it has one of the biggest cinematic twists in a movie done by one of the greatest directors of all time.  It’s hard to rank any Hitchcock film against another, but this one will have to take the lead as best for the Halloween season.  It is not just the scare factor that makes this film great but the Master of Suspense is able to make us feel uncomfortable in every scene from start to finish with the power of his camera alone.  When Hitchcock was once asked what the scariest thing he ever did in a movie was he answered that any police scene like the one at the start of “Psycho” put him on edge more than anything.

1. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton and Danny Elfman’s animated classic is my #1 because it embodies all that Halloween should be about (It’s also probably my #1 Christmas film too).  The film is funny and quirky, dark and creepy, and enjoyable to all ages of audiences.  The plot, characters, and type of filmmaking are all original and timeless.  For me this film is to Halloween as “It’s A Wonderful Life” is to Christmas.  The storyline of Jack Skellington searching for meaning in his life is relatable to everyone.  Travelling with him through both Halloween and Christmas town helps us share his struggle and melancholy, and allows us to celebrate with him when we learn the lesson that we can and should be happy being the best at what we do.  I will continue to watch this movie every October as I put up my Halloween decorations, and when finished, scream from my balcony into the night air “I’M JACK! THE PUMPKIN KING.”