In honor of the spooky season, the Talisman staff decided to share some of their favorite Halloween movies and what makes the movies special to them. The three movies listed were some of the staff’s favorite Halloween movies.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
The most popular movie on staff happens to be celebrating Christmas. The Tim Burton movie came out in 1993 with a storyline of Halloween characters stumbling upon Christmas town and making it their mission to take over Christmas.
“I like how it is not a normal Halloween movie,” social media director Abby Stahl said. “It combines two of my favorite holidays, making it the best of both worlds.”
Writer Zella Bunch mentions how the movie carries a lot of childhood memories, also adding a note of the soundtrack being a musical, which makes it so much more enjoyable.
Between the catchy soundtrack, unique storyline and childhood nostalgia, there is no surprise that this came ranked first.
“Hubie Halloween”
The comical, rather than scary, “Hubie Halloween” starring Adam Sandler as his character Hubie, who finds himself investigating a murder in their small town, comes in as a close second. Multiple staff members recall how the film went with a different approach to Halloween movies.
“[What makes it] different from other [Halloween] movies is that it is a comedy movie,” broadcast member Elijah Derstine said. “So it’s more entertaining than a scary movie for me.”
Writer Vivian Kumpf mentioned how the movie is very funny for someone who isn’t a big fan of horror movies.
The comedy centered movie is perfect for halloween watch if you are looking for a quick laugh rather than an on edge jumpscare-like movie movie.
“Hocus Pocus”
The classic Disney Halloween movie came ranked in 3rd place, with the charming characteristics of the movie and sentimental meaning coming into play.
“Hocus Pocus is one of the original Halloween movies; it has an older vibe to it,” staff artist Melina Zapata said. “I feel like Halloween movies now, try to be scary and not whimsical.”
Josie Segerist, a writer and podcast host, mentioned how the movie holds a close place to her heart. It was her mother’s favorite Halloween movie and will stay sentimental to Segerist.
The sequel came out in 2022 following the storyline of the past movie with a more modern twist. The 2-part movie series tells the story of 2 kids on the journey of trying to keep the witches from becoming immortal. Both of these movies are available on streaming platforms such as Disney+.
Scary Movies
The staff did not just like comedy movies, but a handful of them also enjoyed horror movies. A popular choice was the original “Halloween” which is about a murderer in the year of 1963, who escaped from prison on Halloween and is looking for his next victim. With the franchise having several movies, “Halloween” brings a thriller to any watch party. The newest remake of “It” also took a place on the top list, with the movie centering around a shape shifting clown dwelling in the sewers and preying on innocent children every 27 years.
There is something out there for everyone and this is just a few of the staff’s favorite Halloween movies. However, take part in watching some of the few covered here or any other of your favorites.
