October calls for cozy sweaters, spooky decorations, and Halloween movies.

Whether you're a horror-lover, into ghosts, or just want to soak up the magic of the season, there's a movie for everybody. Here are our favourite films to watch leading up to Halloween.

1. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966)

 

Amazon

This classic Peanuts special follows sweet Linus, who is determined to prove to the rest of the gang that the Great Pumpkin exists. This cartoon is fun for the whole family.

Watch on Apple TV+

2. Ghostbusters (1984 & 1989)

Amazon

Who you gonna call? The Ghostbusters are put to work catching ghosts, ghouls, and monsters in these funny 90s classics.

Watch on Crave

3. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Amazon

Can you get any more Halloween than witch-sisters Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy trying to curse an entire town? For more Hocus Pocus, don't miss out on the second instalment of the story released in 2023.

Watch on Disney +

4. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Amazon

Join Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's Pumpkin King, on his journey to becoming Santa Claus after discovering Christmas. This beloved film has all the quirks that you would expect from a Tim Burton production.

Watch on Disney +

5. Beetlejuice (1988)

Amazon

Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O'Hara shine in this hilarious battle between a young family, a newlywed couple haunting their house, and a whacky ghost. 

Watch on Crave & Apple TV+

6. Halloween (1978)

Amazon

Looking for a fright this spooky season? In this 1978 favourite, Michael Myers returns to his hometown on Halloween 15 years after murdering his sister.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

7. Scream (1996)

Amazon

Scream is a cult classic for a reason. Watch as the mysterious Ghostface hunts a group of teenagers in the small town of Woodsboro. There are seven movies in this series (plus a TV show), so there's no shortage of Scream content for your viewing pleasure!

Watch on Netflix & Amazon Prime Video

8. Practical Magic (1998)

Amazon

This nostalgic 90s film has had a resurgence in popularity over the last few years, and for good reason! After the death of Gillian Owens' (Nicole Kidman) boyfriend, her and her sister Sally (Sandra Bullock) attempt to lean into their magical roots and bring him back to life.

Watch on Crave & Apple TV

9. The Addams Family (1991)

Amazon

This spooky (but not scary!) Halloween movie is a perfect choice for family movie night. Follow the bizarre Addams family as a stranger, who claims to be a long-lost relative, attempts to take their home and fortune.

Watch on Netflix

10. Carrie (1976)

Amazon

If you thought your high school experience was bad, you have to see this movie. After getting tricked by the popular kids into an humiliating scheme, Carrie takes revenge on her classmates.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

11. Haunted Mansion (2023)

Amazon

There's something lurking in this haunted mansion... Based on the original 2003 hit with Eddie Murphy, this kid-friendly movie is funny, spooky, and even has a Disney ride based off of it!

Watch on Disney +

12. The Exorcist (1973)

Amazon

One of the highest-grossing horror films ever, The Exorcist is often called the scariest movie of all time. In this unnerving classic, when a young girl starts acting odd, a local priest believes she might be possessed by the devil and sets out to perform an exorcism.

Watch on Crave

13. Halloweentown (1998 & 2001)

Amazon

In a magical parallel universe is a town where it's always Halloween. This cute Disney movie follows Marnie, a young witch, as she learns about her magical family line and saves Halloweentown from disaster.

Watch on Disney +

Recommended

How to create the best movie nights at home

By: Canadian Living

The holidays are the perfect time for a cozy get-together with family and friends. And there’s no better way to make memories than with an at-home cinema experience. Elevate the experience with the right tech, great show picks, and yummy snacks and drinks — and make it a night to remember.

Read More

Recommended

The 7 Most Haunted Hotels In Canada

By: Sara Romano

Spooky season calls for ghost stories—and some of Canada’s most famous hotels are chock full of them.

Read More