Halloween, the spookiest night of the year, is almost here! We have just six days left until this highly anticipated celebration. Halloween has a special way of rekindling that childlike wonder in all of us. Who can resist the temptation of candy corn, caramel apples, and everything pumpkin spice? And let’s not forget about the joy of decorating for Halloween! As we get closer to October 31st, De Película and LOS40 USA present a lineup of 10 timeless classic movies for you to enjoy all night long!
1.- The Nightmare Before Christmas
Of course, this movie had to take the lead on the list, as it’s one of the most cherished films, and interestingly, it can be enjoyed on special occasions both during Halloween and Christmas. The film was directed by Henry Selick, produced by Tim Burton, and made its debut in 1993.
The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the ‘real world.’ But everything changes when Jack accidentally stumbles upon ‘Christmas Town’ and plans to take over the holiday.
2.- Beetlejuice
Despite its release back in 1988 under the direction of Tim Burton, Beetlejuice remains a timeless classic that is unlikely to ever go out of fashion. The story revolves around Barbara and Adam, a couple who, after a car accident, find themselves back at their home without realizing that they are no longer among the living.
It doesn’t take long for an irritating family, including their daughter, who possesses the ability to see ghosts, to move into their house. Faced with this predicament, Barbara and Adam decide to ‘hire’ a mischievous spirit to assist them in ousting the new tenants.
3.- Corpse Bride
Once again, under the direction of Tim Burton, this 2005 film remains a favorite and continues to inspire countless costumes that flood social media each year.
The story centers on Victor, a shy young man whose family arranges a marriage for him. While rehearsing his wedding vows in a quiet forest, he unintentionally awakens the spirit of a deceased bride. She emerges from her grave, believing that Victor has married her. Now, Victor must navigate both the realm of the living and the world of the deceased to prevent his living fiancée from marrying someone else.
4.- Hocus Pocus
Directed by Kenny Ortega, this 1993 movie tells the story of Max Dennison, a teenager who, along with his younger sister Dani and their new friend Allison, decides to explore an old abandoned house. Max dismisses a story shared by Allison as mere superstition, inadvertently setting free a group of wicked witches who once lived in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches’ spellbook to prevent them from becoming immortal.
5.- Casper
It’s highly unlikely that any ’90s kid can forget the 1995 movie directed by Brad Silberling, which is based on the animated character, Casper the Friendly Ghost.
Casper is a gentle young ghost who peacefully haunts a mansion in Maine. However, things take a turn when a ghost specialist, James Harvey, arrives to communicate with Casper and other spirits. He brings along his teenage daughter, Kat, and Casper quickly falls in love with Kat. Their budding relationship becomes increasingly complicated, not only because of his ghostly form but also due to the mischievous antics of his troublesome ghostly uncles.
6.- Coraline
Directed once more by Henry Selick, this film hit theaters in 2009 and swiftly gained a dedicated following. The story revolves around Coraline, a young girl who stumbles upon a hidden door in her new house. Behind it, she discovers an alternate world that closely mirrors her own but is, in many ways, much better. However, her initial joy soon transforms into unease as she comes to understand that things are not what they seem. Now, she must find her way back to her real family and her own life.
7.- Edward Scissorhands
Another Tim Burton creation that hit the screens in 1990, this movie is also a classic for both Halloween and Christmas. The plot centers around Edward, a gentle and peculiar man brought to life by a scientist who, unfortunately, passed away before finishing him. Edward is left with a unique appearance, having scissor blades for hands.
When Peg, a saleswoman from the suburbs, discovers Edward, she takes him into her home, and her teenage daughter develops a strong bond with him. Despite his kind nature and incredible artistic abilities, Edward’s unconventional hands make him an outcast in their community.
8.- The Addams Family
This 1991 film is a supernatural black comedy based on the characters from the cartoon and the 1964 television series. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, it tells the story of the Addams family, who face a threat when a mother and her son, aided by an unscrupulous lawyer, plot to seize the family fortune.
9.- A Nightmare on Elm Street
This classic slasher film from 1984 likely left a deep impression on multiple generations. It was directed by Wes Craven and revolves around a group of teenagers from the Midwest who become victims of Freddy Krueger, a disfigured killer who haunts their dreams, causing their real-life deaths. As they delve further into this eerie phenomenon, one girl begins to suspect that a dark secret held by her and her friends’ parents may hold the key to unraveling the mystery.
10.- The Rocky Horror Picture Show
This film, released in 1979 and directed by Jim Sharman, is another cult classic. While it may not be as scary as A Nightmare on Elm Street, it offers a surreal and unique experience. The story revolves around a couple, Brad and Janet, who find themselves stuck with a flat tire during a storm. Seeking refuge, they stumble upon the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist, and meet a cast of peculiar and eccentric characters, including a rebellious biker and a mysterious butler. As the plot unfolds through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter introduces his latest creation: a muscular man named ‘Rocky.’
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