Alright you guys and ghouls, we’ve reached that time of year once again. The nights get dark a little earlier, and there is a chill to the air as the harvest moon runs high and bright. Looking for that certain scary film to close out an October night? Look no further than these recommendations.
"True: Tricky Treat Day"
Streaming’s most popular animated series, “True and the Rainbow Kingdom,” has a delightful Halloween special just for smaller kids! “True: Tricky Treat Day” features the plucky female hero aptly named True, who, along with her friends, discovers that a yeti eats a cursed piece of candy and has the world turned upside down with menacing Howling Greenies. With bright-eyed animations galore, this little spook film plays wonderfully to all younger children and their families.
"The Witches (2020)"
Roald Dahl is the famous children’s author to such wonderful books as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach.” One of his little lesser known works is “The Witches,” a brooding children’s fantasy tale about a young boy and his grandmother who seek refuge from a gaggle of witches at a grand hotel. This updated remake of 1990 version stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, and Stanley Tucci in the main roles, as comedian Chris Rock voices the animated mouse role of Hero. A bit much at times for smaller children, this film plays more to the pre-teen audience.
"Fear Street"
Based on R.L. Stine’s famous “Fear Street” series, a clever amalgamation featuring some of his most horrific plots has finally been given the big screen treatment. Set in the mid 90s, the warring high school factions between students from Sunnydale and Shadyside come to a head when a 400-year-old witch is awakened from her slumber, and the two sides must team up to destroy her once and for all. The film comes across as an R-Rated version of streaming’s super popular franchise “Stranger Things.” Anyone who is a fan of Stine’s books will certainly enjoy this scare trilogy.
"Werewolves Within"
Loosely based on a video game of the same name, “Werewolves Within” has a lot more going for it than meets the eye. It’s the story of a newbie forest ranger who befriends a mail carrier in a small, politically divided town. After a series of strange happenings and with he help of a scientist, residents in the town take armed refuge in a creaky lodge. Half comedy and half gore-fest, “Werewolves Within” makes for a howling good horror comedy.
"Candyman (2021)"
Here is a modern update on the legendary Clive Barker short story that’s produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele. The mythology builds upon the original film and on the urban legend of reciting Candyman’s name in a mirror in order to conjure him. Literally armed with a grizzly hook for a hand, he’s not exactly there to grant any wishes. A noir thriller at times, “Candyman” has that rare distinction of being a horror sequel that actually works.
Honorable Horror Mentions
“Porno” Set in 1992, movie theater employees find a hidden room with a forbidden film reel. When played, it conjures up a vivacious succubus that stalks men. Whip smart dialogue with over-the-top effects, this film was a surprisingly big hit at film festivals.
“Amulet” A homeless soldier in the heart of London takes a job to repair an older home. He’s allowed to fix everything except for the attic, which is said to house a very disturbed woman. Frightening tension with just the right amount of slow burn pacing, “Amulet” is an off-the-charts disturbing horror film.
"True: Tricky Treat Day"
Streaming’s most popular animated series, “True and the Rainbow Kingdom,” has a delightful Halloween special just for smaller kids! “True: Tricky Treat Day” features the plucky female hero aptly named True, who, along with her friends, discovers that a yeti eats a cursed piece of candy and has the world turned upside down with menacing Howling Greenies. With bright-eyed animations galore, this little spook film plays wonderfully to all younger children and their families.
"The Witches (2020)"
Roald Dahl is the famous children’s author to such wonderful books as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “James and the Giant Peach.” One of his little lesser known works is “The Witches,” a brooding children’s fantasy tale about a young boy and his grandmother who seek refuge from a gaggle of witches at a grand hotel. This updated remake of 1990 version stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, and Stanley Tucci in the main roles, as comedian Chris Rock voices the animated mouse role of Hero. A bit much at times for smaller children, this film plays more to the pre-teen audience.
"Fear Street"
Based on R.L. Stine’s famous “Fear Street” series, a clever amalgamation featuring some of his most horrific plots has finally been given the big screen treatment. Set in the mid 90s, the warring high school factions between students from Sunnydale and Shadyside come to a head when a 400-year-old witch is awakened from her slumber, and the two sides must team up to destroy her once and for all. The film comes across as an R-Rated version of streaming’s super popular franchise “Stranger Things.” Anyone who is a fan of Stine’s books will certainly enjoy this scare trilogy.
"Werewolves Within"
Loosely based on a video game of the same name, “Werewolves Within” has a lot more going for it than meets the eye. It’s the story of a newbie forest ranger who befriends a mail carrier in a small, politically divided town. After a series of strange happenings and with he help of a scientist, residents in the town take armed refuge in a creaky lodge. Half comedy and half gore-fest, “Werewolves Within” makes for a howling good horror comedy.
"Candyman (2021)"
Here is a modern update on the legendary Clive Barker short story that’s produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele. The mythology builds upon the original film and on the urban legend of reciting Candyman’s name in a mirror in order to conjure him. Literally armed with a grizzly hook for a hand, he’s not exactly there to grant any wishes. A noir thriller at times, “Candyman” has that rare distinction of being a horror sequel that actually works.
Honorable Horror Mentions
“Porno” Set in 1992, movie theater employees find a hidden room with a forbidden film reel. When played, it conjures up a vivacious succubus that stalks men. Whip smart dialogue with over-the-top effects, this film was a surprisingly big hit at film festivals.
“Amulet” A homeless soldier in the heart of London takes a job to repair an older home. He’s allowed to fix everything except for the attic, which is said to house a very disturbed woman. Frightening tension with just the right amount of slow burn pacing, “Amulet” is an off-the-charts disturbing horror film.
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