Cool fall winds, warm cider, and the changing color of leaves typically mark the initial days of the month of October before the advent of Halloween creeps onto our calendars. In anticipation of All Hallows’ Eve watch this list of notable films for some humorous or nightmare inducing evenings.
1. Corpse Bride (2005)
Directed by: Tim Burton & Mike Johnson
Released in 2005, Tim Burton & Mike Johnson’s stop-motion animated film Corpse Bride was a critical and commercial success and nominated at the 78th Academy Awards for best animated film. Burton & Johnson’s film is a musical fantasy depicting the exploitative nature of a gothic romance veiled under the innocence of an 18th century fable. Ease your way into a Halloween movie marathon with this classic film.
2. Practical Magic (2008)
Directed by: Griffin Dunne
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as two magical sisters trying to navigate the trials and tribulations associated with love, loss, community, and sisterhood. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic has turned into a cult classic twenty years after its release for its emotional plot and 90’s visuals. Reportedly, the film was reportedly cursed by a real witch hired as a witch consultant for the film.
3. Zodiac (2007)
Directed by: David Fincher
Directed by David Fincher the Zodiac tells the story of the manhunt that gripped the Bay Area during the 1960s and 1970s in order to find the Zodiac killer. Roberty Downery Jr., Mark Ruffalo, and Jake Gyllenhaal star as reporters and investigators obsessed with locating the serial murder. The psychological thriller lures you into the darkness and fear of the San Francisco streets during the 60s and 70s as the Zodiac killer taunts the city’s residents and investigators alike.
4. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Step into the gothic retelling of everyone’s favorite vampire this Halloween through Francis Coppola’s horror film based off of Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. Set in 19th century Romania the film sees Wiona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, and Keanu Reeves play out this aesthetically pleasing classic tale. Through romantic and operatic lenses, Coppola revived the tale of Dracula and redefined the nature of cinematic vampires.
5. Us (2019)
Directed by: Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele’s psychological horror film broke box office records with its release in 2019, further cementing Peele’s renown as the leading director of his generation and social commentator. The film explores the complex duality of human nature against the backdrop of economic poverty. Lupita Nyong’o stars in Us as the character of Adelaide and through her we find ourselves exploring both the obvious and hidden messages Peele aims to convey about economic and social interactions in America.
6. Dark Water (2002)
Directed by: Hideo Nakata
In the midst of a divorce, a single mother, Yoshimi Matsubara, rents an apartment for both her and her daughter. After moving in, Yoshimi notices a persistent dark leak worsening by the day. This leak provides the psychological backdrop to this truly horrifying film that is bound to leave you with nightmares.
7. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Directed by: Mel Brooks
Written by Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein is a continuation of the iconic working collaboration between Wilder and Brooks. Wilder stars as the titular character while Brooks directs this horror-comedy film based off of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Complete your Halloween movie marathon on a lighter note with this delectable film.
For other fun film suggestions, check out 8 Iconic Films for Fashion Fanatics.
