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Halloween Movie Night: Our Favourites!
TRICK-OR-TREATING, GHOSTLY GREETINGS,
PUMPKINS-GLOWING, COLD-WIND-BLOWING,
PHANTOM-CREEPING, EERIE-WEEPING,
BLACK- CAT-PURRING, MIDNIGHT-STIRRING,
WITCHES-BREWING, OWLS-TWIT-TWOOING,
THE TIME IS HERE, LET’S GATHER NEAR….
…ONLY IF YOU DARE!
Are you ready for Halloween and all the upcoming spooky celebrations?
As you might be able to tell from the above poem (created by one of our very own, talented, writing team) we’re big fans of Halloween here at Hallmark and we love to celebrate the season in all kinds of different ways. From trick-or-treating with our kids, to fancy dress parties with our friends, to large, organised Halloween events designed to scare our socks off, we are here for it all! And one thing we realised as we’ve been talking about our celebrations is just how important the world of film is to this particular occasion! Whether it’s a case of watching films to get you in the spooky mood or using them as inspiration for costumes, party themes and more, there is no doubt that Halloween and movies are made for each other!
So, with that in mind, we’ve gathered together some of our favourite Halloween films, along with some suggestions for how you might incorporate them or their vibe into your own celebrations this year. Alternatively, if your idea of a fun Halloween is disabling the doorbell, closing the curtains and staying home with the TV, then feel free to just use this list as a viewing prompt for an entire day of Halloween movies, that’s fine too, no judgement here!
Our Essential Halloween Movie List
Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
This is Halloween. This is Halloween… Catchy tunes, quirky characters and incredible stop-motion animation combine in one of the most beloved of all Halloween films. If you like a little more care in your scare then this is the movie for you! With love and romance at the heart of this tale, plus THE most amazing soundtrack, it’s hard not to fall for the story of a disillusioned skeleton in search of something more, but BEWARE, some of the characters may prove a little too creepy for smaller viewers.
If you’re looking for a theme for a Halloween party though, then this could be the film for you! There’s a whole multitude of characters to base a costume on, the soundtrack is ready made and there are all kinds of decorating ideas online based around the ‘look’ of the film (especially if you go with a look inspired by the end scenes where Halloween Town is covered in snow 😉). You can even create your very own perfect Halloween Tree with our latest range of Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas inspired collectible tree decorations!
Hocus Pocus 1 & 2
Another great option for families with slightly older kids, or a range of ages within the family, is the Hocus Pocus series. Run amok with the Sanderson sisters for a riotous Halloween adventure mixing magic, horror and humour to create an iconic Halloween series beloved by kids and adults alike. This is a perfect theme for a Halloween cocktail or mocktail party too… Think flamboyant costumes, cauldrons filled with colourful ‘potions’, themed snacks, spooky soundtrack and, of course, perfectly designed cards to help you celebrate the occasion (or to frame and display as boo-tiful artwork around your lair).
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice & Beetlejuice 2
Adults and teens alike will find it hard to resist the anarchic joy of Tim Burton’s iconic 90s classic Beetlejuice and its recent, much-anticipated, sequel. Dark humour, fantastic effects and Michael Keaton Douglas’ in possibly the greatest role of his life combine to create a wickedly funny, wild ride through the afterlife and beyond. For the ultimate in wild parties channel the green haired menace himself and go for black and white stripes with touches of bright purple and, of course, acid green in your décor, gross goodies like jelly worms and bugs absolutely fit the bill and if you have any old dolls lying around (and no children who would be upset by this next bit) a collection of shrunken heads will definitely add to the vibe – as of course will the star of the show himself… in iconic mini hanging decoration form!
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
A gentle and heartwarming tale of belief, friendship and fun that’s the perfect accompaniment to classic Halloween crafts and party games like apple bobbing, pumpkin carving (or painting for those who share Linus’ sensitivities) and more. This one is great for smaller kids, combining spooky fun with classic animation and no real scary bits. Plus, if you’re looking for some cute cards to help the kids celebrate Halloween or party invitations for your own seasonal spooktacular our PEANUTS™ collection has everything you need.
Classic Monster Movies – Frankenstein, Dracula etc.
You can’t beat the original B-movie horrors for frightful fun at Halloween. These are probably best kept away from younger members of the family though, because whilst the effects and acting may not inspire terror in tweens and older, for littlies these classics are still pretty scary. That said, for many, these films are what Halloween is all about so if that’s you then you go ahead, get your ghoul on and embrace all the spooky retro vibes this scare season.
Star Wars
Ghoulies and ghosties not your idea of the way to have fun? Don’t worry we’ve thought about you guys too, so if you’re after an alternative, less medieval, way to celebrate your dark side this Halloween, how about STAR WARS™? Once again, you’ve got great costumes and iconic baddies but this time good is battling evil in a galaxy far, far away (with spaceships) and, of course, there’s no magic in sight *cough*. If that sounds more like your sort of vibe then these may just be the kind of cards and decorations you’re looking for to complement your Sith-oween style!
And finally…
For those of you who feel that witchcraft is for life not just for Halloween, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t use the spooky season as a fantastic excuse to rewatch ALL the Harry Potter™ films! Grab your cloaks and wands and revel in your love for The Boy Who Lived and his magical adventures by decorating your home with a fantastical selection of enchanting ornaments and more, featuring all your favourite magic users and various other memorable icons from the films.
So, there you have it, that’s essentially a snapshot of the perfect spooky season for us, and we hope we’ve given you a few ideas as to how you could celebrate and get into the spirit of things this week, no matter what your personal Halloween style…
Hope You Have a Spooktacular Time!
