5 Lesser Known Movies to Watch This Halloween
By: Dean Thomas
There are the classic movies that everyone knows and watches this time of year. The classic horror movies like Halloween or Friday the 13th, or maybe the family friendly Hocus Pocus is more your style. However, this Halloween it may be time to add some new movies to your Halloween watchlist. I have put together a list of five movies you may not have seen (or heard of) that are great watches for the Halloween season. For those of you who aren’t fans of scary movies, you will find some good options on this list. Without further ado, here are the five movies you should watch for Halloween this year.
What We Do in the Shadows (R):
What We Do in the Shadows is one of my favorite comedies regardless of the time of year. The movie is a mockumentary (presented like a documentary but fictionalized) that follows a group of vampires all living together in a flat in New Zealand. The movie is directed by and stars Academy Award winner Taika Waititi, who you may better know as the director of Thor: Ragnarok and JoJo Rabbit. This group of vampires deal with typical roommate issues such as doing the dishes, cleaning the house, removing the bodies of their victims and battling the their arch rival werewolf gang in town. You know the usual. The movie pokes fun at every vampire trope in the book and is what jumped started Waititi’s career to where it is today. The movie even spawned a spin-off show on FX (which I would also recommend). What could be more Halloween than vampires? Make it a comedy and you’ve got a great movie to watch this Halloween. Just remember “werewolves not swearwolves.”
The Guest (R):
The Guest is a hidden gem of a movie. It is a small mystery/thriller that garnered good reviews but never reached a big audience. The movie revolves around a man (Dan Stevens) showing up to a families home claiming to be a friend of their son who was killed in action. But as things unfold, it is clear he may not be exactly who he says he is. The mystery and tension the movie builds will keep you engaged throughout. Dan Stevens, who you may know from Downton Abbey or from playing the Beast in Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, sells this role well. You know not to trust him and yet he comes across as very likable. You may be wondering where the Halloween tie comes in. The movie does take place around Halloween and the final act takes place in a haunted house at the local high school gym. The Guest is an engaging thriller that will mix up your typical Halloween movie watching.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (TV-G):
With the first two movies on the list being rated R, I had to mix in one that the whole family could enjoy. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is one of those movies I grew up watching as a kid. It is classic Scooby-Doo which is always fun to watch especially around Halloween. In this adventure, Scooby and the gang find themselves on a small island (I’d say somewhere in Louisiana) and it isn’t long before the full moon starts to bring out zombie pirates. Scooby-Doo, a haunted island, pirates and zombies all make a fun time for everyone on Halloween.
Hush (R):
Hush is more of a classic horror/thriller movie for Halloween. The movie is centered around a deaf writer who lives alone in an isolated cabin in the woods. When a masked intruder shows up at her house, she enters in a fight for her life. The movie does very inventive things to show what it would be like in this situation without the ability to hear. The movie is directed by Mike Flanagan who is behind both The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor which may grab your attention. Check out Hush if you are looking for a unique horror movie to watch this spooky season.
Attack the Block (R):
Let’s mix in an action/sci-fi movie as we wrap up this list. Attack the Block follows a group of inner-city kids from London who have to battle off an alien invasion. The movie is a ton of fun and if you like Edgar Wright movies like Shaun of the Dead you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this one. The movie stars John Boyega before he landed the role of Finn in Star Wars. There is plenty of action in the movie and the dynamic with the group of kids is always entertaining. Watching a bunch of kids fend off an alien invasion in the heart of London is great way to celebrate Halloween.