The movie Coraline is an animated dark fantasy stop-motion animated film, which came out in 2009. The movie’s premise revolves around a young girl named Coraline, who is eleven years old and just moved into her new house during the summer.  It was revealed early on in the movie how adventurous and brave Coraline was, but when she moved to her new home, she became bored.  After many bland and beige experiences in her new house with her boring parents, she discovers a small, spooky door that leads to a different world.  In this world, everything was exciting in Coraline’s eyes, and she got everything she had ever asked for; but something was off. Soon after discovering this new world, her neighbors began to act extremely eerie towards her, and her parents in the other world began to scare Coraline.   “It is certainly exciting, but rather than race through ever noisier set pieces toward a hectic climax in the manner of so much animation aimed at kids, “Coraline” lingers in an atmosphere that is creepy, wonderfully strange, and full of feeling,” (A.O. Scott, NYT). When watching this movie, many emotions will be felt throughout the film, due to the brilliant filming and directing techniques, and the overall storyline. Coraline is a very exciting and creepy animated movie and the perfect one to watch during the spooky season.  This movie consists of many jump scares, twists, and turns, and allows the viewers to sit on the edge of their seats while watching this film.  When thinking about the Halloween season, many tend to think of horror movies with ghosts, screams, and murders, but even though this movie does not fit under the horror category, it can be interpreted as a scary movie when breaking down the overall plot.  This movie is made for both children and adults to watch and would be the perfect spooky movie to watch on a brisk October night while sipping apple cider.

“Scream” (1996) is a staple film in the horror genre, with suspense, mystery, and dark humor. Directed by Wes Craven, it follows a group of high school friends who find themselves targeted by a masked serial killer. As they face danger, they also acknowledge the rules of stereotypical horror movies, creating a self-aware and unique plot. This sets it apart from typical slasher films. With strong characters and clever dialogue, “Scream” includes themes of trauma and survival, creating an eerie feeling that resonates with you even after the credits roll. Fans of traditional spooky movies like “Halloween” or “Nightmare on Elm Street” love the classic horror feel of “Scream”. Those who don’t appreciate gritty horror will also enjoy this movie due to its thriller nature.

Looking for a movie that will make you cozy up on a chilly October evening? Something not too scary but will still give you a spook? The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect movie to enjoy with friends and family during the spooky season. Many people struggle to find Halloween movies that are tame enough for your little siblings but eerie enough to set the Halloween mood. This movie brings forth a stunning scene of cool autumn colors and chilling vibes. The animation is beautiful enough to take one’s breath away, yet it isn’t what makes the movie amazing. The catchy songs will have you singing for days after watching and the story will have you gripping your seat. Director Tim Burton is known for his unique and creative style within the world of film and animation. If you’re a fan of Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, or any other Tim Burton films, you’re sure to enjoy this Halloween classic. To find out more, take a look at Roger Ebert’s review.

Smile is a heart pounding thriller that grips you from the start and never lets you go. When psychiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter witnesses a horrifying death of her patient, she is plunged into a relentless curse that haunts her with the infamous, skin-crawling smiles on the faces of every stranger she encounters. The nightmare of hallucination and death forces Cotter to explore her own past trauma to find the end to the curse; an exciting story that will keep watchers on the edge of their seat. With disturbing visuals, unnerving sound design, and a story that taps into deep emotional and psychological terror, Smile pulls you in from the first eerie grin to the shocking finale.