Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HALLOWEENTOWN — We’ve all seen these lists.
Every Halloween we get some catalog of either family favorites like “Hocus Pocus,” “Nightmare Before Christmas” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” or an article full of horror/slasher movies easily found under the “Horror” link of your streaming service of choice.
This Halloween, while readily admitting Jack and Sally will have plenty of screen time at our house, I thought we’d look at some movies not traditionally classified as Halloween films, or possibly, classics we often overlook.
All of these movies are streaming on either Netflix or Amazon Prime, and in case you’re missing a more traditional list, I’ve even attached a few classics at the end for your convenience.
Troll Hunter
Netflix, Amazon PrimeWhether this is the first time you’re hearing about the 2011 mockumentary or “Troll Hunter” is one of those movies you’ve passed by a thousand times on Netflix but never stopped to appreciate, Halloween might be the perfect time to give this found-footage Norwegian film a chance. If you can put your brain on the shelf, “Troll Hunter” might actually scare you. If you can’t, it’s still pretty funny.
“Troll Hunter” might also be the perfect movie to enjoy while passing out candy since its slow pace allows for getting up to answer the door now and again.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Netflix 1978, Prime 1956Depending on what service you stream with will dictate your “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” experience.
On Amazon Prime, you get the pod people who started it all. Ready to compliment anyone’s classic Halloween event, the original “Body Snatchers” is perfect for those of us who still enjoy listening to Orson Welles’ “War of the Worlds” and refuse to acknowledge “The Day the Earth Stood Still” was ever given a Keanu Reeves makeover.
On the other hand, Netflix subscribers get the 1978 update — a film often brought up during remakes-done-right conversations.
Either way, an evening with the “Body Snatchers” could be a great way to drift into the late hours of All Hallow’s Eve.
Young Sherlock Holmes
Netflix, Amazon PrimeI won’t lie to you, this isn’t a film that has aged well. However, there’s still a dark, brooding landscape here that could be a fun family watch as we get closer to Halloween. The Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus and Barry Levinson project enjoys a fun script and an under-appreciated score while asking the question: What was Sherlock Holmes like before he was Sherlock Holmes?
Don’t be overcritical and you’ll have a good time with this one. And who knows, maybe the little ones in your life will be able to enjoy it as much as their parents did when they were kids.
The Woman in Black
Amazon PrimeThis is a film that got mixed reviews, and even divided the crew of the Flix Junkies podcast. So while it’s probably safe to say not everyone who takes the time to watch “The Woman in Black” is going to love it, I whole heartedly recommend it for its Tim Burton color palette and rich, Edgar Alan Poe-inspired setting. There’s a pretty good chance you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy this one as a classic ghost story. But even if you find yourself bored with where the movie’s going, keep it playing in the background while you get ready for trick or treaters because it’s kind of a perfect Halloween screensaver for your TV.
Clue
Netflix, Amazon PrimeNo ghosts or goblins, but definitely … murder.
While “Clue” may not be a traditional Halloween movie, it definitely embraces the killer-on-the-lose-in-a-creepy mansion vibe so appropriate for the holiday.
Still funny, clever and a shining example of how to balance a great ensemble cast — if you can’t love “Clue” for its comedic craft, you may want to give it a watch for its many costume ideas.
Traditional Halloween Picks — Streaming
- Addams Family (Netflix)
- The Addams Family Values (Amazon Prime)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (Netflix)
- Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (Netflix)
- Nosferatu (Netflix, Amazon Prime)
- The Twilight Zone (Netflix, Amazon Prime)
- World War Z (Netflix, Amazon Prime)
- The Munsters (Netflix)
- Dreamworks Spooky Stories (Netflix)
- Dreamworks Spooky Stories: Volume 2 (Netflix)
- Scared Shrekless (Netflix)
Travis Poppleton has been covering movie news, film reviews and live events for Deseret News and KSL.com since 2010 and co-hosts the FlixJunkies podcast. You can contact him at tspoppleton@gmail.com.
