The first week of October is among us and Halloween is just around the corner.  With spooky festivities catering to both children and adults, Halloween is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable holidays.  Horror movies, spooky animations, and iconic Sci-fi films inspire some of the best costumes and decorations. Movies like John Carpenter’s Halloween and Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus have created a sensationalized atmosphere to Halloween, bringing both thrill and magic to the eerie holiday.  Here are four other quintessential movies to get everybody into the spirit of Halloween:

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005)

Set in the late 1800’s, the Corpse Bride features beautiful Victorian-era clothing and architecture that have been combined with themes of the living dead.  The movie begins with a soon-to-be-married Victor, reciting his vows in an empty, moonlit forest. Although Victor appears to be alone, a woman’s hand, previously believed to be a tree branch, drags him to the underworld.  This hand belongs to Emily, a dead bride who was murdered for eloping with her true love. As the story continues, the bond between Emily and Victor grows immensely, creating an overall ardent film. With its beautifully crafted undead characters and dark but romantic tone, the Corpse Bride is a great Halloween movie.

The Craft (1996)

Andrew Fleming’s The Craft is an amazing film, telling the story of teenage witches using their powers for both good and evil.  Sarah, the new student at the school, finds herself in a group of wannabe witches in search of the power of “Manon.”  However, receiving the power of the deity eventually leads to their insanity, which Sarah must bring to an end. With the Catholic school girl and 80’s gothic styling, the characters in this film make for iconic Halloween costumes for both groups and people going solo.  

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

With its unusual subject matter and iconic costumes, Edward Scissorhands is a masterpiece, perfect for not only Halloween, but anytime.  This movie tells the story of a living science experiment with scissors for hands: Edward Scissorhands (played by Johnny Depp).  Living in solitude for the entirety of his life, Edward is eventually brought out of the shadows by Peg, a door-to-door Avon seller looking to help him.  Edward is brought to Peg’s suburban, 50’s style home. The story takes a turn as he falls in love with Peg’s daughter, played by Winona Ryder. Edward’s reputation has continuous ups and downs throughout the film; however, his true colors eventually show, proving that he is more than just a science experiment.

Psycho (1960)

As possibly one of the most well-known horror movies, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho was a true pioneer in both thriller and serial killer films.  This film tells the story of Marion Crane, a young woman who has just left her boyfriend and is now on the run.  Crane eventually stumbles upon the Bates Motel. Marion’s stay at the Bates Motel is one out of a nightmare as she discovers Norman Bates’s murderous tendencies and overall psychotic reasoning.