By: Claire Layton
Halloween is the perfect time to break out spooky movies, but it only happens once a year. With so many entertainment options it might seem impossible to choose how to best spend your time. Here are a few Halloween movie recommendations from Honors students to help you get started this October.
“Coraline”
Genre: Animation, Fantasy
Rating: PG
“I read the book as a kid, and I watch it all the time. I have so much respect for the people who made it.” -Jarrett Hill
Based off the best-selling children’s book by Neil Gaiman, “Coraline” tells the story of a young girl named Coraline Jones who steps into an alternate universe that appears to resemble her old life, but it appears better in many ways. As she learns more about the other world she realizes the alternative version of her mother plans to trap her there forever, and Coraline must escape the dark alternative world to make it back to her family. “Coraline” is a must-see for fans of stop motion animation.
“It” (2017)
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama
Rating: R
“‘It’ was the scariest movie I’ve ever seen.” – James Boultinghouse
Released in theaters earlier this month, “It” has turned out to be one of the most popular movies of the year. The film’s memorable villain, the demonic shapeshifting clown Pennywise, has already been turned into a popular meme and been spoofed on SNL. “It” is full of evil forces of both everyday and supernatural varieties, and it follows a group of bullied kids who must work together to survive the horrors Pennywise constructs based off of his victim’s worst nightmares.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Rating: NR, but good for all ages
“‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ is my favorite Halloween movie because it reminds me of my childhood.” -Lauren Payne
The classic Peanuts film from 1966 is beloved by all ages. Charlie Brown and his friends were a staple of most American childhoods, and the Halloween special is no exception. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” serves as a great alternative to the scary side of Halloween. Highlights of the beloved tale include Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, the gang trick-or-treating and Linus awaiting the arrival of The Great Pumpkin.
“Zombeavers”
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Rating: R
“‘Zombeavers’ because it is one of the scariest movies I’ve ever seen. The characters and plot are just great.” -Molly Militello
“Zombeavers” is a spoof horror flick that’s perfect if you want to laugh at over-the-top gore and horror movie cliches. The film follows a group of teens that are attacked by a swarm of zombie beavers while vacationing at a riverside cottage.
“Saw”
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Rating: R
“It’s important that you watch all seven movies. It’s really just one long movie because the plots are all intertwined.” -Jacob Hornfeldt
The “Saw” franchise has become synonymous with horror, and the film series is a must-see for any horror junkie.. The eighth installment, “Jigsaw,” was released in theaters on October 27. Both gruesomely gory and psychologically twisted, “Saw” is not for the faint of heart.
UF PRISM 