If you grew up in the 90's and reached young adulthood in the 2000's, you are a millennial. And if you're anything like me, you probably spent the better part of October watching Halloween programming and gearing up for the costume party you never attended.
I'm 34 and still love watching those same movies. Maybe it's the nostalgia, because honestly, many of these movies only became blockbusters in my heart. They weren't award winners, but they were entertaining, and isn't that what it's all about?
Every year I watch these movies to get into the Halloween/autumn spirit. I'm sure you've heard of them and probably watched them too, but perhaps this list will serve as a reminder for some of you. Stir the memory of those nights spent swooning over Devon Sawa (Casper) and wishing you could live in the Practical Magic house.
the nightmare before christmas
casper
I saw this movie for two reasons: 1) it seemed cool and I was a fan of Christina Ricci and 2) Devon Sawa. I remember sitting in the theater and thinking, When is he going to appear??! At the very end of the movie. Lame. But, I still enjoyed it. In fact, I liked it so much that I created some stupid little game for my friends and I to play that involved us choosing characters from the movie. I don't remember what the game was about, but I do remember the rule that no one could choose to be Kat or Casper because I didn't want anyone fighting over the most popular characters. So I became Stretch and my other two friends became Stinky and Fatso.
Also, here's a photo of Devon Sawa in 2015.
beetlejuice
Another classic. Did anyone else draw a door on his/her bedroom wall with chalk and knock on it hoping it would open? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? And I connected with Lydia. "I myself am both strange and unusual." Maybe not as much as I did with Wednesday, but I think I'm saying that because I never dressed up as Lydia for Halloween. It was always Wednesday.
the addams family
How could I not include The Addams Family in a movie list for millennials? My favorite scene...
the witches
death becomes her
Morbid. Funny. A commentary on the lengths some people will take to remain young and beautiful. If you haven't seen this movie, put it on your to-watch list now! You won't be disappointed.
practical magic
Practical Magic is everything we love about this time of year: old houses and magic spells and witches, zombie men and kitchen witchery and midnight margaritas. Weeeee!
hocus pocus
I remember going to my friend's house and sitting on her mom's bed to watch this movie on the little television in the bedroom. It was always dark and cool. My friend was slightly afraid to watch this movie, so she'd hide her eyes inside blankets and pillows. For what reason, I still don't know. This is the least scariest movie, unless you find eccentric witches spooky.
halloweentown
I haven't actually watched this movie in years, maybe since the early 2000s, but I do remember enjoying it for its Halloween packed goodness. And did you know you can visit Halloweentown?
If you've watched all those and still crave more 90's Halloween "horror" check out these:
- Scream
- Idle Hands
- Sleepy Hollow
- The Crow
- The Blair Witch Project
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Se7en
- The Craft
Did I miss anything? What's your favorite Halloween movie?