We’re officially in Halloweek, and I’m craving a reunion with my favorite ghoulish movies. I may not be hitting the streets to trick-or-treat anymore, but that’s not going to stop me from diving back into my favorite formative frights. Sure, some of these movies left me with a lifelong fear of attics and unfinished basements. But now? Rewatching them feels oddly… comforting. Call it nostalgia, call it something to unpack in therapy—but this time of year, those nostalgic scares get to masquerade as Halloween fun.
My scary-girl alter ego simply refuses to rest until I’ve heard Hannibal Lecter say, “Have the lambs stopped screaming?” or another rewatch of the wholesome childhood classic Casper. So, in honor of spooky season, I’ve queued up the ultimate throwback movie lineup for Halloween. Part Disney comfort flick, part scream-inducing classic, these movies will either make you afraid to turn the lights off or have you quoting your favorite witches at dinner. Read on for our list of nostalgic movies to rewatch this Halloween.
1. Beetlejuice
There’s a reason Beetlejuice costumes are instantly iconic for Halloween, and it starts with Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. Their performances—and perfectly twisted wardrobe choices—are creepy, campy, and utterly unforgettable. Beetlejuice hits that Halloween nostalgia sweet spot every year, and there’s no better time to revisit those black-and-white stripes and ghoulish antics than October. If you’re ready to say his name twice, you can also follow it up with a screening of the 2024 sequel starring Jenna Ortega: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
2. Twitches
Twitches is the ultimate spellbinding thrill that kept me up past 8 p.m. as a kid—and now, 20 years later, it’s practically begging for it to be your next Halloween girls’ night feature. In case you need a refresher: The plot follows two twin sisters (Tia and Tamera Mowry) who are reunited on their 21st birthday, and must save their kingdom from an ancient, evil darkness. This witchy rewatch also pairs perfectly with spooky gossip and festive Trader Joe’s snacks on Halloween night.
3. The Silence of the Lambs
The more I sit on it, this might be one of my favorite horror movies of all time—and its masterful suspense feels even sharper this time of year. It’s the perfect spooky rewatch for Halloween if you want something to make you pull your blanket over your eyes as Hannibal Lecter haunts your night all over again. I hadn’t seen this one in a while, but rewatching it in the presence of lanterns and ghost decor recently made it feel just as terrifying as the first time.
4. Death Becomes Her
If you want something sharp and darkly comedic, with just a touch of campy fantasy, Death Becomes Her is the perfect satire to scratch that Halloween itch. Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis deliver some iconic performances in this one, all wrapped in playful visual effects that were way ahead of their time (they even snagged an Academy Award for it in 1993). Sure, it’s a little dated now, but revisiting its over-the-top visual magic is part of the nostalgic fun. It’s like traveling back to a time when movie magic felt a little more theatrical, bold, and entertainingly clunky.
5. The Sixth Sense
I’m always a sucker for a scary movie that also takes me on an emotional rollercoaster. The Sixth Sense delivers on both. With an eerie cinematic atmosphere that’s ultra-immersive, it’s perfect for a Halloween nostalgia night. It’s scary, but not nightmare-inducing, and features one of the most iconic plot twists in cinema history. It’s a movie that deserves a rewatch every October for me, thanks to its mix of chills and iconic Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment performances.
6. Casper
While Casper may technically be a children’s movie, it still manages to be one of my favorite Halloween watches—even as an adult. It’s the perfect nostalgic watch for when you want to lean into the “spook” part of spooky season without wrecking your sleep schedule with nightmares. I mean, what better way to get into the spirit than befriending an adorable, lonely ghost?
7. Hocus Pocus
It was only a matter of time before this cinema classic made its way onto the list. Because if we’re making a Halloween movie list and not putting Hocus Pocus on here, why are we even doing it? If classic horror films aren’t your movies of choice, a trio of witty witches on a hilarious quest for immortality might be more your speed. It’s perfect to watch all fall long, but Halloween night makes the ideal excuse to revisit the Sanderson sisters.
8. Practical Magic
Ever since I caught wind that they were making a sequel to this movie (which we will unfortunately have to wait until 2026 to see), rewatching the original Practical Magic just feels extra cozy and fun. Starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, this classic is full of witchy energy and fall aesthetics. In case you don’t know the tale, the story follows two witches born into a magical family who actively avoid using their witchcraft. That is, until one of their boyfriends unexpectedly dies, and they must figure out how to revive him.
9. Jennifer’s Body
Jennifer’s Body practically invented the modern revenge fantasy. Your streaming algorithm can’t fight it—this movie is everywhere in October—and for good reason. The movie is packed with soul-snatching one-liners, comedic moments, and queer horror vibes that celebrate femininity in the most iconic ways possible. I also love the comeback story of this one after that painfully misguided marketing rollout in 2009. Jennifer’s Body is finally getting its pop-culture praise, and watching it on Halloween has become a timeless decision.
10. Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow feels like the cinematic equivalent of wandering through a haunted forest dressed in couture. It’s pure gothic-chic, and the perfect rewatch for Halloween, because it truly has something for every kind of movie lover. There’s dark romance, even darker mysteries, and drops of comedic relief to tie it all together. The plot follows Constable Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp), who is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a trail of decapitated heads left by the Headless Horseman (Christopher Walken).
11. Halloween
Halloween night doesn’t feel complete without watching Jamie Lee Curtis running from a killer on the loose. If you’re planning a Halloween movie marathon, this one definitely deserves a spot alongside other Jamie Lee Curtis spooks. Michael Myers, who escaped prison after being locked away for 15 years for murdering his sister, heads back to his hometown in Illinois in search of his next victims. Whenever I think of slasher classics, this ’80s movie is one that immediately comes to mind—and it’s the perfect fix for a Halloween rewatch.
12. Ghostbusters
Not only should the Ghostbusters theme song be on repeat for your Halloween playlist, but the movie should also absolutely have a spot on your watchlist. While the effects look far less realistic than you remember from childhood, the movie still completely holds up all these years later. I mean, there’s a reason people are still rocking Ghostbusters costumes every year.
13. The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s not my fault, Tim Burton has his master’s in spook. Thus, I have no choice but to include The Nightmare Before Christmas. While it’s not super scary, it’s still full of entertaining Halloween-themed characters, settings, and captivating visuals. If you’re in the mood for some heartfelt spooks, this movie is definitely for you.
Madigan Will, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content for every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she enjoys utilizing her big sister persona to connect and inspire readers—helping them discover new ways to maximize their everyday.
