Favourite Halloween flicks

Halloween is less than a week away! Costume parties, trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving are definitely all fun festive activities, but we certainly can’t forget about our favourite Halloween movies.

Whether you’re in the mood for a gruesome horror film or a family-comedy we’ve compiled a list of our favourite Halloween movies with both adult-only and kid-friendly options. Grab some healthy Halloween treats and don’t forget to turn out the lights to enjoy these classics.

Top Adult Halloween Movies:

• Halloween (1978 – Rated: R): The original, with a very young Jamie Lee Curtis. The “Michael Myers” masks still give me chills.
• Silence of the Lambs (1991 – Rated: R): “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” Hannibal Lecter.
• Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975 – Rated: R): The film version of the British rock musical stage play.
• The Shining (1980 – Rated: R): A family moves into an isolated hotel for the winter. The father becomes influenced by a supernatural presence and of course madness ensues. “Red rum. Red rum. Red rum.”
• Shaun of the Dead (2004 – Rated: R): A hilarious British “zombie-comedy” starring and co-written by Simon Pegg.
• Poltergeist (1982 – Rated: PG 13): A families home is invaded by malicious ghosts that end up abducting their youngest daughter. “They’re here…”
• The Exorcist (1973 – Rated: R): Is there anything more disturbing than a movie about a demonic child? This classic has been named one of the scariest movies of all time by Entertainment Weekly.

Top Family-Friendly Halloween Movies (older children):

• Beetlejuice (1988 – Rated: PG): A comedy film directed by Tim Burton. A recently deceased couple become ghosts and haunt their former home, when the obnoxious Beetlejuice comes into the picture.
• Ghostbusters (1984 – Rated: PG): “If there’s something strange in your neighborhood, who ya gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!” This science-fiction comedy is definitely a classic.
• Practical Magic (1998 – Rated: PG 13): Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are sisters who carry a family legacy of witchcraft and misfortune.
• Harry Potter series (2001-2011 – Rated: PG 13): This film series is based on the novels by J.K Rowling, and is the highest grossing film series of all time.
• The Addam’s Family (1991 – Rated PG 13): A dark-comedy based on the cartoon characters created by Charles Addams.

Top Family-Friendly Halloween Movies (young children):

• E.T (1982 – Rated: PG): Co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg, this movie is about a lonely child who befriends an extraterrestrial that is stranded on earth. This classic was nominated for 9 Oscars.
• Monsters Inc. (2001 – Rated: G): An adorable Disney movie about the “business” of being a monster. This is one of those rare family movies that parents and children will both enjoy.
• The Nightmare before Christmas (1993 – Rated: PG): Produced and co-written by Tim Burton, this film is about Jack Skellington from “Halloween Town” who opens a portal to “Christmas Town”.
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966 – Rated: G): It may not have the sophisticated graphics that today’s children expect, but who doesn’t love Snoopy and Charlie Brown? Join the Peanuts crew as they prepare for Halloween.
• Hocus Pocus (1993 – Rated: PG): Another Halloween-themed film released by Disney. A Halloween-hating teenager resurrects 3 witches; “The Sanderson Sisters”.
• Casper (1995 – Rated: PG): This family-friendly film is based on the “Casper the Friendly Ghost” cartoons and comic books.

Until next time,

Peace, love and vitamin C!