Halloween movie recommendations

The atmosphere in “Hocus Pocus” feels thick with mischief from the moment three 17-century witches, the Sanderson sisters, are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem. The sisters, hungry for eternal youth, plot to steal the life force of the town’s children by sunrise or risk being vanquished for good. You can almost smell the dampness of the cobbled streets of Salem as you watch Winifred lead her sisters through the candlelit town, the orange hues of Halloween enveloping every corner of the street. The film’s floating candles and mist-covered cemeteries give every essence of October 31, making it impossible not to feel excitement for the holiday season.

Set in a fog-laden victorian village, “Corpse Bride” follows Victor, a shy young man preparing to marry the reserved yet kind Victoria. Nervous about the arranged marriage, Victor practices his vows in the forest and accidentally proposes to Emily, a ghostly bride who tragically died on her wedding day. Pulled into the Land of the Dead, Victor is introduced to a world filled with lively skeletons and spirits, starkly contrasting the bleakness of his world above. It is a film that makes you smile, a tale of love and acceptance that lingers like a cool breeze on an autumn night.

“Coco” follows Miguel Rivera, a young boy whose dream of becoming a musician is setback by his family’s long-standing ban on music. On Dia de los Muertos, he accidentally finds himself in the Land of the Dead, a vibrant, colorful world where departed souls reunite with loved ones. With the help of a playful skeleton named Hector, Miguel sets out to find his idol, Miguel Ernesto de la Cruz, to understand his family’s past. The scent of sweet bread and incense fills the air as the Rivera family navigate the world of bright lights and spirits. The movie captures the beauty and traditions of Dia de los Muertos, with glowing marigold leaves, heartfelt music and a love that binds generations.

With the setting sun casting long shadows over the quiet streets, “The Witches of Coventry” brings a sense of nostalgia, magic and mystery. Twin sisters Alex and Camryn, separated at birth and raised in different worlds, reunite on their 21 birthday only to discover they possess magical powers. As they navigate their newfound bond and powers, they learn they are the key to saving the mystical kingdom of Coventry from an evil entity known as The Darkness. The playful banter between the sisters and the warmth of their growing bond add a sense of light-hearted fun with just the right touch of Halloween magic. 

Young Coraline Jones, feeling neglected by her busy parents after moving to a new house, discovers a secret door leading to the Other World– a place eerily similar to her own but seemingly more perfect. The Other World is lively, but she learns that her Other Mother, a sinister figure with buttons for eyes, has darker intentions. The once cozy dream turns ominous, the warmth feels suffocating and every creak and rustle causes hairs to rise on your neck. This film wraps you in its unsettling beauty, where the ordinary turns into a nightmare in the blink of an eye.