It’s cozy time: Fall and Halloween edition! Just about ready to snuggle up and get cozy for the season? Me too! If there’s one thing that the season calls for, it’s some quality time with a good film and maybe (possibly always) a favorite treat. We’ve made a list of the best movies to watch for Fall/Halloween so that you don’t have to spend an hour deciding what to pick! A breakdown of quaint, charming movies rolling in 3, 2, 1…
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Halloween. Classic. The Nightmare Before Christmas is all things quirky, spooky and Halloween indulgent. Since its release in 1993 the annual argument remains: Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween movie, or is it a Christmas movie? I say, both! Other notable films by Tim Burton include Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland and Beetlejuice – which sequel is set to release this year! If you enjoy the oddities of stop animation and want to have a musical Halloween, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a great choice.
Coco
I was obsessed with Coco when it first came out, I’d never really seen anything like it! It celebrates La Dia de Los Muertos (or the Day of the Dead), following the main character, Miguel, through a journey of connecting with his ancestors. Ofrendas are a central theme to the movie, a tradition which originates in Mexico but can be found through Latin America. Cheery, teary and heart-warming, Coco is the perfect fall movie to snuggle up to as Dia de Los Muertos always falls on the 3 days of November that follow Halloween.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Another excellent Fall/Halloween flick is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! I picked the first movie of the Harry Potter series, as it passes the Halloween test with flying colors. It is the first time in the series Halloween makes an appearance in the world of Hogwarts. Complete with floating jack-o-lanterns, the Hogwarts castle, cauldrons, ghosts, magic and of course, witches and wizards! Both the beginnings and ends of Harry Potter feel a little more eerie than the rest, though I’d say any of the 9 movies are equally appropriate to watch between autumn and Halloween! So pour yourself a cup of nostalgia and reenter the magic world of witches and wizards from where it all started!
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
A very short and sweet cartoon Halloween special, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is brought to you by none other than the Peanuts. An original short story loved by all ages, you can follow Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and other favorite characters through their Halloween adventures. See what awaits in the pumpkin patch…is it the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown??
Fantastic Mr. Fox
A lovely segue way into fall, Fantastic Mr. Fox is a well-loved and visually exciting portrait of a fox family and their friends. Debuting as Wes Anderson’s sixth film, Fantastic Mr. Fox is actually based off of Roald Dahl’s 1970 children’s novel of the same name. Anderson loved the book as a kid and was given extensive access to Roald Dahl’s archives as he made the film – and I am so glad he did! The colorway of the movie is incredible and heavily embodies a rich fall color palette throughout. Silly and very charming, Fantastic Mr. Fox delivers the harvest time whimsy we are looking for.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Another cult classic, Hocus Pocus is the obvious answer for witches brew and cheesy 90’s entertainment. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, home of the Salem witch trials, the neighborhood kids accidentally let loose the Sanderson Sisters – an ancient trio of evil (and comedic) witches. A children’s classic, Hocus Pocus 3 is also set to be released in October of this year! So it sounds like a Hocus Pocus Marathon is in order, witches and all! Double, double toil andtrouble! Fire burn and cauldron bubble!
Night at the Museum
Funny, creative and a history lesson all in one? Definitely a Lars kind of movie! Night at the Museum is a moving film that continues to be an inspiring watch. A story of courage and magic, you’ll see the Natural History Museum come alive at night with a great barrage of characters and plots. History feels so up close and personal as Larry, the night watch at the museum, navigates all the personality and strife of these historical characters. Centered on family and archives of the past, Night at the Museum is a feel-good pick to laugh at this Halloween!
Jumanji (1995)
I played board games much more often as a kid than I do now – especially at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. I think that is also where my brother and I discovered Jumanji, probably still on VHS back then! Other movies have been made based on board games, but I can’t think of any that top the originality of Jumanji. Maybe the 1985 version of Clue? Well who knows, but this is a great Halloween movie for kids, as the main characters themselves are a pair of siblings trying to win the game!
The Addams Family (1993)
They’re creepy and they’re kooky…mysterious and spooky…haha sorry I had to. The Addams Family! They are THE Halloween family, which has remained true down through the years in several adaptations and remakes of the original. You probably know about Netflix’s series Wednesday, which is a spin off on Wednesday Addams, the eldest child. It performed so well that a second season is in production for release in 2025. Which just proves that people still love a perfectly macabre and ooky Halloween family!
Where the Wild Things Are
Also based on a children’s novel, Where the Wild Things Are is lovely and powerful. Written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are explores deep themes while remaining true to the childhood imagination and fantasy land of Wild Things. An emotional yet playful film, it holds meaning for both children and adults and makes for a memorable movie night to hold your loved ones closer. Make room on the couch for a bedtime story; Where the Wild Things Are!
Let us know if you enjoy any of these movies for Fall/Halloween and what you thought! Tag us in pictures of your big family sleepovers or watch party nights at #larshalloween or #larsparties. Let the Fall/Halloween movies begin!