Everyone has their own, unique tastes in Halloween movies. Some people like to be scared out of their minds to celebrate Oct. 31, others prefer popcorn and candy to scares. Sure, horror films tend to lend themselves more to the Halloween movie genre, and there aren't really that many movies that aren't horror, but are specific to Halloween — Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown aside. Still, there are plenty of Halloween movies out there, including a few you haven't seen yet. Unless you've dug deep into the histories of Halloween movies, odds are you've missed out on a few treasures. To help you out, here are 13 underrated Halloween movies to watch this October.
What makes a Halloween movie? Does a movie have to take place during Halloween to qualify for that title? While it's preferable, not all Halloween movies need to actually include the holiday in its plot. No, to be a Halloween movie a film just needs to have a few creepy themes. Ghosts, zombies, a crazy stalker or murderous family — it's all Halloween-appropriate. So, with that in mind, here are 13 Halloween movies you might have forgotten about.
1. Trick 'r Treat
A Halloween movie through and through, Trick 'r Treat is a horror film about four interconnected stories that take place one scary Halloween night.
2. Young Frankenstein
Horror not your thing? Check out Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, a hilarious take on the Frankenstein classic.
3. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer is far from scary, but the story of a cheerleader destined to kill vampires is still superb Halloween fun.
4. Sleepy Hollow
Johnny Depp starred in this creepy Tim Burton movie about the Headless Horseman. As is true to almost all of Burton's resumé, Sleepy Hollow brings the dark humor and creepy visuals every Halloween movie should have.
5. The Witches
The Witches, based on the book by Roald Dahl, might look like a sweet, kids' Halloween movie, but the end of the movie will have you rushing to turn on the lights and grab a hug from your mother.
6. Hellboy
Hellboy features two things that are oddly Halloween appropriate: a demon and Nazis.
7. 28 Days Later...
A zombie apocalypse movie to end all zombie apocalypse movie, 28 Days Later... isn't so much Halloween as it is flat out terrifying — and that's a good thing.
8. Corpse Bride
Another Burton film, Corpse Bride is a nice, romantic yet creepy movie to watch this Halloween.
9. Fright Night
The Fright Night remake starring Anton Yelchin and Colin Farrell is a greatly underrated Halloween movie. It's got charming leads and a romantic comedy plot with horror-movie scares. What more could one ask for?
10. ParaNorman
ParaNorman is a great movie to watch for those Halloween movie lovers who have seen all the classic horror films (like Halloween and Scream) because it pokes fun at every single one.
11. The Glass House
The Glass House is a seriously disturbing thriller about a teenage girl (Leelee Sobieski) whose parents die in a mysterious car accident, leaving her and her brother in the care of their sort of creepy family friends. Not only is it an intense Halloween watch, it will also give you major early 2000s feels.
12. Practical Magic
How anything starring Sandra Bullock as a witch can be underrated will forever be a mystery, and yet here we are.
13. Shaun Of The Dead
Shaun of the Dead is quite possibly the best zombie movie of all time. (Yeah, I said it.)
The only thing better than watching one of these underrated Halloween movies is watching all of these underrated Halloween movies. 'Tis the season, after all.
Images: Focus Features; Giphy (9); supagirl/tumblr; nicole-kidman/tumblr; thezombiephiles/tumblr
