Autumn is finally here. That means Halloween is just around the corner. Which also means scary and spooky movies abound. I have Halloween favorites that I try to watch each year for the holiday some scary, some not, but all are perfect for the season. The only rules for this is one movie per franchise and must have been released before 2000. So let's start with a classic character in a real mystery.
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island:
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I loved Scooby Doo as a kid, though I wasn't a big fan of the movies before this one I still liked the shows that aired on Cartoon Network at the time. This one became a favorite after my first viewing and watched this one since and I still watch it to this day. The story is that the gang go their separate ways after a case and is reunited to investigate a mystery of an island about ghosts, zombies, and witches. There are a couple good twists in it as well as an animation upgrade and a good soundtrack, including the stand out song "It's terror time again" by Skycycle which I listen to on its own because it's that good. I highly recommend this film if you love Scooby Doo. This next one is bound to put a spell on you.
Hocus Pocus:
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This film is a staple of the holiday, though in the so cheesy it's good reasons that it hit the cult classic status it has. That's not to say it doesn't have a few good things in it. The story is about kids who accidentally released three witches who caused chaos on the town in the colonial era and are now causing havoc while trying to obtain their full power and immortality. The actresses who played the witches were brilliant and you can tell they had fun with the roles. The songs are catchy especially Children of the Night, extremely mystifying and nice to listen to. If you want a fun movie full of nostalgic cheese, I highly recommend this for the season. Now let's stick with the Disney theme for this last one.
Disney Halloween Treat/ A Disney Halloween:
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This one isn't exactly a normal film, but an anthology of Halloween themed and spooky shorts from Disney. The anthology is hosted by a pumpkin puppet that introduces the segments, it's not too spectacular, but for little kids, it's just the right amount of fright and delight. In 1983 A Disney Halloween was released, it took parts from Disney's Halloween Treat and another special from 1977 called Disney's Greatest Villains, this ran each year on Halloween in syndication until the mid nineties. It did get a VHS release in 1984, however no DVD or Blu Ray is available from Disney itself. I'd recommend it to the little kids that aren't ready for the more grown scares just yet.
With these three films, you are bound to find something that will fit your fancy. So get yourself some popcorn or candy that was meant for the trick or treaters, sit on the couch, and enjoy a good marathon. Have a happy Halloween and remember to live life and live nostalgic.