Halloween falls on a weekday this year, which means many of you may be getting ready to host or attend a festive Halloween party this weekend. That means creative costumes, spooky treats, and wicked concoctions are likely in your future, but if you’re the host of said party you may also be considering putting on some great Halloween movies to play in the background—that is, unless you’ve still got your “monster sounds” tape from the 90s and intend to throw that classic on instead.
Finding the perfect background movie can be tough. You want something recognizable that’s not going to demand every second of your guests’ attention, but also something that’s engaging enough that it can serve as an additional activity for those not crazy about making small talk for four hours. It’s a tough balance, so we’re here to help.
Below, you’ll find a rundown of the best movies to play during a Halloween party. These are spooky in nature, popular enough that most guests will recognize the familiar beats of the film, but also engaging enough to keep the festivities going late into the night. For ease of access, we’ve also noted where/if any of the films are available on streaming or playing on cable.
So check out the list below, andclick here for an even larger list of great Halloween movies. Happy viewing!
The Scream Trilogy
Where to Watch:Netflix
Okay soScream 3isn’t really all that great, but this is an easy recommendation because the first threeScreammovies are all streaming on Netflix—so that’s six hours of Halloween party programming right there. Live-quoting during your party is encouraged, and the trilogy’s meta-commentary on the horror genre as a whole makes this series a mighty fun communal watch.
Where to Watch: Available free On Demand via AMC
Obviously. It wouldn’t be Halloween withoutJohn Carpenter’s classicHalloween, and throwing this on in the middle of a party also gives your festivities a tremendous soundtrack.
Hocus Pocus
Where to Watch: Airing Saturday, October 26th at 11:50pm ET/PT on Freeform
It wouldn’t be Halloween withoutHocus Pocus. Few could have imagined at the time that this 1993 Disney family film would become the cornerstone of millennial Halloween nostalgia a decade later, but this fun-loving adventure pic has become a stalwart of cable TV every October. It combines old world witchcraft with good old fashioned teenage hormones, as Max and his younger sister must battle a trio of revived witches alongside Max’s crush and a talking cat named Binx. It’s ridiculous, but the performances elevate the material from cheesy Disney Channel Original Movie to scenery-chewing romp.
The Cabin in the Woods
This is a fun pick if you feel like many of your guests might want to actually sit down and watch the movie—especially if they haven’t seen it before.The Cabin in the Woodsis a fantastic mind meld between co-writerJoss Whedonand co-writer/directorDrew Goddard, as the film essentially takes the horror genre to task for getting too lazy. It’s a story packed full of spooky surprises, building to a wonderfully bloody finale that stands as one of the best horror set pieces of all time.
Addams Family Values
Where to Watch: Airing Saturday, October 26th at 7:40pm ET/PT on Freeform
Let’s get this out of the way:Addams Family Valuesis better thanThe Addams Family. The sequel is more fun, more cohesive, and features a spectacular performance fromJoan Cusack. Game, set, and match. If you have cable, this one’s airing on Saturday night so feel free to just throw that channel on, sit back, and enjoy a horror comedy classic.
Trick ‘r Treat
Not unlikeThe Cabin in the Woods, this one is also a lot of fun if you have friends who’ve never seen it.Trick ‘r Treatis an anthology horror film, telling a few separate stories set on Halloween night with characters that intersect. That makes it a great watch for a few minutes here, a few minutes there, but really the whole film is a joy to experience from beginning to end.
The Monster Squad
Where to Watch: Hulu
An underrated gem if there ever was one,The Monster Squadis essentiallyThe Gooniesbut with the classic Universal Monsters. It revolves around a group of kids who must do battle with monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, and The Wolfman (who does, in fact, have nards).
Shaun of the Dead
Where to Watch?: Available VOD on Starz
Pro-tip: If you know someone who doesn’t likeShaun of the Dead, cut ties with them immediately. They are not to be trusted. FilmmakerEdgar Wright’s horror-comedy classic is the definition of a rewatchable movie, as the story of a group of friends trying to survive a zombie apocalypse by heading down to their local pub is chock full of unforgettable moments, expert-level jokes, and a refreshing amount of sincerity.
