13 Halloween Hidden Streaming Gems
We all have our favorite movies we come back to around the holidays. For Halloween, there are the standards. Your Nightmare Before Christmas, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Hocus Pocus or even Halloweentown. So this year I tried to think outside the box and see what is available on various streaming services that could become part of a new tradition, no matter what genre you’re into.
Netflix
iZombie
This one may take you longer than the thirteen nights of Halloween with 5 seasons available to stream, but it’s a solid combination of comedy and horror, which is a fine line to walk. I mean, it’s a CW show about a zombie played by Rose McIver who is a medical resident and helps police solve crimes. How is it not the perfect time of year for that kind of entertainment?
Hush
A friend introduced me to this movie, and while I’ll admit it is legitimately terrifying (but I am also a horror movie chicken), it’s also incredibly creative. The movie centers around a writer (who is deaf and mute) who goes out to a cabin in hopes of a retreat and some inspiration. Instead, one horrible evening, a man in a mask appears outside her window and we watch the story unfold in relatively real time - and often without the ability to hear as well.
Hulu
The Addams Family
Now, I’m already a fan of the 1991 film of this name, so I was hesitant to watch the newer, animated take on it. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised. It has a hell of a voice cast, including Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler and Allison Janney, and that isn’t even the whole list. It’s a cute, entertaining movie that could actually be a solid fit for the whole family.
Double Double Toil and Trouble
A friend and I revisited this Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen ‘90s throwback earlier this month and we’re utterly delighted. It’s pretty silly, but for the “period” costumes alone, it’s worth a watch. Without the nostalgia factor, it may not amuse newcomers to this cinematic masterpiece, but for anyone who lived through that decade, and doesn’t mind some absolutely batshit takes on witches, it could work just fine.
Parasite
If you’re somehow one of the people that never managed to see this movie when it was taking over award shows, there’s no time like the present. Don’t let the subtitles scare you away - language barrier or not, this is a psychological thriller unlike anything else I’ve ever seen before. It does get dark, and pretty brutal, so maybe keep the kiddos out of the room for this particular movie night.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Halloween Heist Episodes
This sitcom has quite a few fantastic moments, but it doesn’t get much better than the Halloween Heist episodes that show up every season. They’re insanely funny, and could probably be enjoyed out of context, but if you happen to have any pre-existing love for the 99, now’s the perfect time to revisit these episodes and laugh along - and occasionally going along with all the feels.
Prime
Young Frankenstein
This is actually a fun one for me because I’ve actually never seen it and have recently made plans to watch it virtually with one of my best friends this fall. This is perfect for people who want to err on the side of funny rather than frightening - and does it get much sillier than Mel Brooks? It may be dated, but I find it hard to believe it can’t get a laugh out of almost anyone.
Jennifer’s Body
Years ago, it seemed like everyone was on board the anti-Megan Fox train for some reason, but the world has come back around and has turned this horror film into a modern cult classic. Fox plays a cheerleader-turned-succubus who targets her male classmates to fulfill her thirst for blood. Some say this movie is brilliant, some say it turns the corner into so-bad-it’s-good, so keep an open mind.
Disney+
Coco
If you would rather celebrate El Día de Los Muertos instead of Halloween, Disney has you covered with this sweet, heartwarming and not-really-scary film. Whether you’re revisiting it or broadening your horizons and seeing it for the first time, Coco is a perfect addition to holiday traditions, and the songs won’t get out of your head anytime soon.
Frankenweenie
Poor Frankenweenie. Constantly overlooked when compared to Tim Burton’s other projects. But it’s a movie about a resurrected beloved dog - spooky AND sweet! And it comes with a fantastic voice cast, featuring Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder and Martin Short. Nightmare Before Christmas or Edward Scissorhands may be top picks, but don’t forget about this pup.
HBO Max
The Invisible Man
This movie flew under the wire due to its unfortunate release date right before COVID hit in March 2020, but it seems to have become a bit of a sleeper hit once it went to streaming. Elisabeth Moss stars in this horror film that embodies the idea of things not always being what they seem. It’s a psychological thriller, so probably not a fun flick for the whole family.
Cats
So hear me out here. This film is absolutely a horror film. I’m still having nightmares from my viewing in theaters almost two years ago. It’s full of cats….with human noses and hands. And I don’t want to encourage a drinking habit, but if you drink every time you’re baffled or terrified by this movie, you’ll have a Halloween you’ll never, or actually absolutely will, forget.
Freaky
My final suggestion is another COVID release that is just flat out entertainment. A serial killer and a teenager swap bodies, Freaky Friday style, and naturally, things get a bit crazy. There’s some scares and some laughs. It may not be the best film out there for a spooky evening, but it could be the perfect movie to put on the background while you’re spending All Hallow’s Eve with friends.
Do you have any traditions when it comes to spooky season media? Let me know in the comments!