The best way to celebrate the fall involves curling up on the couch with some hot tea or apple cider while eating a pumpkin-spiced treat and watching favorite childhood Halloween movies. Those who do not go trick-or-treating anymore can still enjoy Halloween. The school week is stressful, so every student deserves to unwind by watching favorite childhood movies and embracing the spirit of autumn.

One way to revisit childhood favorite films involves switching over to the Disney Channel. Disney has its own Halloween originals, like the “Halloweentown”series. Kate Mraz ’16 says, “My favorite Halloween throwback movie will always be “Halloweentown”. I always lived for the night that Disney Channel aired it during the “Halloween” special.” “Twitches”, another Disney Channel original, starring Tia and Tamera Mowry. The twins are best known for their popular, 90’s TV show, “Sister, Sister.” In “Twitches”, the Mowry sisters play two girls who find out that they are twin witches. The girls then need to use their newfound power and fight against an evil spirit called, “the Darkness.” The Disney Channel also plays movies like “Hocus Pocus” and “The Little Vampire” during the Halloween season.

Those who spend more time watching ABC Family can watch its Halloween Countdown, “13 Nights of Halloween”. This year, ABC Family will start playing Halloween movies on Sunday, October 19th. The marathon will begin with “Casper” and will include many childhood favorites, such as “The Addams Family”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “Beetlejuice”, “The Haunted Mansion”, and many others. Eli Akerfeldt ’16 says, “My favorite movie to watch around Halloween is “Casper” because it makes me feel nostalgic.” “Casper”, a film released in 1995, stars Christina Ricci. In the movie, a young girl, Kat, and her father move into an old house because someone hired her father to get rid of the ghosts living there. Although the four ghosts initially startle Kat, she quickly befriends Casper and helps him gain his home back from the malevolent owners.
Another way to get into the holiday season involves watching some of the episodes of ABC Family’s television show “Pretty Little Liars”. Fiona Saunders ’18 says, “I always liked watching the “Pretty Little Liars” Halloween episode because it would freak me out and be really creepy. Also, I would be like the last one awake in my house watching it, so the lights would be turned off, and [I would just sit] on the couch all huddled up watching it.”

For those who prefer to watch classic horror films, AMC has a Halloween “Fear Fest” which will play from October 17th until October 31st. Some of the classics include “Friday the 13th”, “Scream”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, and many more.

Another way to get ready for Halloween involves watching movies based on books. The fall is a great time to read, but those who prefer watching movies rather than reading books are in luck. Some Halloween movies based on books include Frankenstein, The Shining, The Exorcist, and, of course, the Harry Potter series.
For those who no longer like to go out and trick-or-treat anymore, what better way to celebrate fall than to stay home and watch favorite childhood movies. If you are a “Saw” fan or you want to watch Disney Channel originals, there is no doubt that watching a Halloween throwback will get you in the mood for fall. Grab a bag of popcorn and some candy, invite your friends over, put on your favorite Halloween movie, turn out the lights and have a great time.