It’s once again the season of fall, when leaves turn crisp and the aroma of pumpkin spice and cinnamon fills the air, and spirits are high as Halloween approaches. With many ways to celebrate, nothing can beat the classic tradition of enjoying Halloween films.
Among students, the top three Halloween movies are “Hocus Pocus,” “Halloween” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Elle Sutorka ‘28 loves “Hocus Pocus” because of its nostalgia, quality, and fun feel.
“I like watching ‘Hocus Pocus’ for Halloween because it’s a classic,” Sutorka said. “It’s a family tradition to watch it every Halloween.”
Released on July 16, 1993, and directed by Kenny Ortega, “Hocus Pocus” has since become a favorite Halloween movie among fans, according to IMDb. The film follows teenager Max Dennison, his little sister Dani and his new friend Allison as they accidentally free a dangerous coven of witches, Winifred, Mary and Sarah Sanderson, previously executed in 1693 for feeding on children’s youth to stay young.
Logan Olson ’29, on the other hand, prefers the movie “Halloween” for its thrill, as it’s exhilarating and gets the adrenaline going.
“It’s a very chilling and exciting movie,” Olson said. “It really gets your heart pumping and blood rushing.”
Directed by John Carpenter and released on October 25, 1978, “Halloween” quickly became a horror classic among Halloween films. The movie centers on serial killer Michael Myers, who murdered his sister at the age of six on a Halloween night. After years in confinement, he escapes at 21 to continue his killing spree in his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois.
For a more whimsical Halloween favorite, Calisse Budek ’27 enjoys “The Nightmare Before Christmas” for the memories it brings back and the spirit it evokes.
“I like ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ because it gets me in the mood for Halloween,” Budek said. “It’s a classic, and it gives me nostalgia. It brings me back to when I was a kid.”
Directed by Tim Burton, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” ranks high. It follows Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, who comes across and becomes fascinated with Christmas Town. He then plots to kidnap Santa to take over Christmas for a change instead of boring old Halloween.
All three films are similar: they’re original, popular and Halloween staples. Students tend to return to what’s nostalgic and comforting, the timeless magic of Halloween season classics.
“It’s the nostalgia that matters,” Sutorka said. “That’s why I enjoy watching Halloween films with my family, and the tradition of it.”
