Oct. 26, 2026 by Kayla Magnus (‘29)
Hocus Pocus:
Hocus Pocus is a classic Halloween movie about three sisters who are all witches. They are accidentally resurrected after being dead for centuries by a group of kids. Then, these kids work tenaciously to rid themselves of the evil witches. It is an adored film, especially around this time of year. Four students at Saratoga High: Amélie, Anna, Lucy and Julia, all stated that it was their favorite Halloween movie and Julia even said that it is her comfort movie when she is sick.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls:
This movie is based on a novel and is a dark fantasy/comedy. It is about a ten year old who moves to Michigan and disturbs something paranormal, leading him to race against a destructive clock. Tovah Dickson, a student at Schuylerville said that this was her favorite movie to watch during the Halloween season. It’s generally a lesser known Halloween movie, so if you’re looking for a niche watch this Halloween season this would be a great pick.
The Nightmare Before Christmas:
This film is my own favorite Halloween movie. It follows Jack Skellington of Halloween Town on his journey to steal Christmas. It is a Tim Burton claymation that has an air of nostalgia for me specifically, but it is also just a genuinely extraordinary film that is perfect for the Halloween and even Christmas season.
The Corpse Bride:
This is another incredible Tim Burton claymation that has an ominous Halloween vibe. It is centered around Emily, a bride who was killed by her fiancé on their wedding day, and Victor who is in an arranged marriage with a woman named Victoria. In the film, Victor accidentally brings Emily to the Human world, who then brings him back to the world of the dead. Emily, a student at Maple Avenue Middle school, stated that it is her favorite movie to watch around Halloween time.
Scream:
The scream movies are quintessential horror films that usually follow a similar plot line centered around a serial killer named Ghost-face. This killer wears an iconic mask and throughout the film, pursues their teenage victims who relentlessly try to escape and fight back. When asked what her favorite Halloween movie was, Elle, a student at Saratoga High said, “Scream I for sure”. If you’re not a huge fan of horror movies, there is a comedic adaptation called Scary Movie that is absolutely hilarious as well.