Looking for some perfect spooky-season viewing? Whether you want laughs, scares, or just good old-fashioned Halloween vibes, these 10 classics are guaranteed to hit the spot. From witchy shenanigans to ghostly goofs, here’s a fun ranked list of cult favorites you might want to revisit or discover for the first time.
10. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Before Sarah Michelle Gellar slayed vampires on TV, there was the original 1992 movie and it’s very different. Joss Whedon famously hated this version, and you can see why. Buffy’s more ditsy, the fighting looks super staged, and Donald Sutherland plays her watcher instead of the beloved British Giles. Plus, they had a character named Pike without an "S". It’s campy and cheesy but oddly charming to watch how far the franchise came.
9. Teen Wolf (1985)
Michael J. Fox goes fully into werewolf puberty in this cult classic where turning into a monster actually makes you cool instead of an outcast. Scott Howard’s classmates embrace his transformation - imagine that in today’s influencer culture. He’d definitely be cashing in on brand deals and doing a Chicken Shop Date episode. This quirky movie flips the usual horror trope on its head with a lot of heart, humor and basketball.
8. Death Becomes Her (1992)
Back in the day, if you feared aging, you didn’t get Botox - you drank a mysterious potion from a spooky woman. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn’s rivalry over Bruce Willis turns immortality into a hilarious nightmare with body parts falling apart and eternal grudges. It’s like a darkly comic precursor to reality TV drama - think “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” meets the supernatural.
7. The Addams Family (1991)
If you loved the recent Wednesday series, this movie is a must-rewatch. Christina Ricci’s Wednesday Addams here isn’t quite as creepy as Jenna Ortega, but the film nails that spooky, kooky vibe. Plus, you get to see the ultimate couple goals in Gomez and Morticia’s bizarre but deeply loving relationship. Spoiler: you’ll start questioning if you’ll ever find someone who loves you that much.
6. The Witches (1990)
Want to scare your nieces and nephews before sending them home? The Witches is your go-to. The Grand High Witch’s creepy conference, Mr. Bean’s cameo, and some classic fat-phobic jokes about a child make it both terrifying and weirdly hilarious. The generational trauma passed down from Grandma to Grandson is both creepy and funny and we see some good old animal voiceover!
5. Casper (1995)
Rewatching Casper is a must and a the true test of adulthood when you suddenly find yourself crushing on the Dad. The CGI and practical effects hold up better than expected, and the haunted house vibe is part Home Alone, part paranormal fun. Just try to get past the “can I keep you?” line - it’s a bit creepy but classic Casper charm.
4. Scooby-Doo: The Movie (2002)
Imagine if someone rewrote "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" and threw in a talking dog. That’s live-action Scooby-Doo for you. Packed with 1990s teen royalty - Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Matthew Lillard (who was born for Shaggy) - this goofy, campy flick will make you wish you owned the Spooky Island disco ball.
3. Ghostbusters (1984)
The Ghostbusters theme song alone can get even the most boring person you know moving. There are countless spin-offs, but the original remains a classic. Plus, fun fact: the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was inspired by a real-life Columbia Pictures security guard. Plus Young Sheldon’s MeeMaw is in this and totally unrecognizable.
2. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Nothing screams ’90s Halloween like Hocus Pocus. Flying vacuum cleaners, black flame candles, and an undead Carrie Bradshaw make this a spooky sing-along classic. Bette Midler’s performance is iconic, and who can forget the unforgettable name Thackeray Binx? Trust me, Thackeray Binx is not a Salem resident but a current Etonian destined to be the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
1. Beetlejuice (1988)
The wild card of spooky classics, Beetlejuice feels like someone made a movie in their shed after winning the lottery and buying a lot of air dry clay. You get Baby Winona Ryder, Moira Rose vibes before Schitt’s Creek made it cool, and the mysterious profession of “bio-exorcist.” The creepy, spooky house alone is worth the watch, and you'll walk away thinking Alec Baldwin actually looks quite hot.
