**Halloweentown**
Disney Channel’s 1998 instant classic “Halloweentown” might be _the_ throwback Halloween hit of the century. A staple of any fulfilled childhood, “Halloweentown” only becomes more charming each year. In this timeless tale of a young witch who discovers her family’s bewitching powers, Marnie finds herself faced with saving the entire realm of magical Halloween townies. The special effects are laughable, but “Halloweentown” induces a certain nostalgia that makes them decisively worth it.
**The Silence of the Lambs**
No horror list is complete without this 1991 psychological thriller. It follows a young FBI agent who seeks out the assistance of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter while he’s in prison in order to find another serial killer at large. Interviewing a psychotic, manipulative murderer takes a bit of an odd turn for this agent, and her life becomes intertwined with not only the current serial killer she’s pursuing, but also the one behind bars. This movie is perfect for those hardcore Halloween fans that don’t just want to be entertained, but mentally bothered.
**Cabin in the Woods**
If you’re not amused by creepy cartoons, “Cabin in the Woods” is the best thriller to watch. Although it’s definitely scary, it’s also pretty hilarious and wickedly smart. The plotline of five friends staying in a house in the middle of nowhere and accidentally awakening the dead is all good and fine, but “Cabin in the Woods” takes a completely unexpected route to its climax that will have you in psychological shambles.
**Frankenweenie**
Classified by IMDB as a horror/comedy, “Frankenweenie” encapsulates the frightening but lighthearted Halloween you always dreamt of as a kid: bringing your dead dog back to life via electric shock. Tim Burton’s dark cartoon is eerie without being terrifying. It’s a black-and-white animated homage to Mary Shelley’s classic “Frankenstein” as well as a fresh take on the Halloween movie trope.
**The Rocky Horror Picture Show**
A festive film is nothing without its dose of semi-nudity, sub-par musical numbers and one of the most impressive cult followings ever. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” created in 1975, remains one of the weirdest Halloween fetishes for good reason. The story of innocent Janet and handsome Brad, who become stranded at the residence of Dr. Frank N. Furter, is one that has stood the test of time. It combines low-budget horror with musical numbers, political incorrectness and a lot of sexuality. The result is staunchly entertaining. Plus, “Rocky Horror” gave us the Time Warp, and it’s impossible to imagine pop culture without that.
**Paranorman**
Yet another animated feature in the guise of a simple holiday film, “Paranorman” exceeds expectations. It’s witty, funny and heartwarming—but more than that, it’s not a regurgitation of Halloween stories as old as time. In “Paranorman,” a boy who is rejected by the human world communicates regularly with those in the afterlife. Incidentally, the fate of his town relies on him eventually. It’s light-hearted, smart and Halloween as heck.
**Hocus Pocus**
The holiday of Halloween owes so much of its glory to the bewitched Sanderson sisters, Winifred, Sarah and Mary. The witches arise from the dead when a virgin lights a candle and they immediately begin plotting to suck out the souls of Salem’s youth before sunrise. Trickery and spells ensue until the very end. Although the enchanted rarely reign victorious, the three vivacious witches have captivated audiences of all ages since 1994, and the Sanderson sisters are the true winners of Halloween.