With Halloween just one day away, it is the perfect time to get into the spooky spirit with a scary movie. Whether viewers prefer thrillers, psychological horror, or horror comedies, there is a wide selection of movies to choose from.
There are two popular ways to watch scary movies: heading to the movie theater or grabbing a blanket and watching from the comfort of home. Theaters create a spooky atmosphere with a large screen and dark room, making jump scares feel more realistic. However, staying home allows viewers to watch multiple movies back-to-back in a comfortable setting.
For senior Aiden McCullough, watching scary movies or visiting a haunted house is a fun way to enjoy the season. When asked how he prefers to watch scary movies, McCullough expressed, “I would much rather go to the movie theater, I feel like the jump scares feel real when I am actually there.”
For those who prefer watching at home, there are plenty of horror movies to choose from, including Halloween, Trick ‘r Treat, The Exorcist and The Shining. Movie marathons are another way to celebrate the season. The Halloween franchise, for example, includes 13 films.
McCullough also shared his favorite horror movies.
“My top 3 favorite scary movies are, Signs, Halloween (any of them), and It,” he said. “Halloween is probably my favorite, I’ve always been a huge fan of Michael Myers.”
Watching scary movies with friends can also be a fun fall activity, bringing together plenty of scares and laughter. It is a way for students to spend time together without leaving campus, whether they gather in a dorm room or plan a movie marathon.
However, horror movies are not for everyone. Sophomore Megan Willson explained why she prefers to avoid them.
“I don’t like scary movies because I get nightmares and quite literally everything scares me,” she explained.
Even for those who would rather skip the jump scares and gore, there are plenty of ways to get into the Halloween spirit. Decorating, carving pumpkins, and dressing up are all festive options. Students can also enjoy Halloween-themed movies that are not centered on horror, including Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, E.T., and Casper.
With Halloween arriving tomorrow, students still have time to plan a spooky movie marathon. Whether they prefer terrifying horror films or a cozy, family-friendly favorite, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the season.
Photo by: MaK Wilkerson