10 Underrated Movies You Should Watch for Spooktober

 

 

     It's about the time again witches and ghouls! You will see tons of lists of the "essential" Halloween movies. They usually have the same entries, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween, Hocus Pocus and other traditionally great horror or slasher films. What I'm here to tell you about are some movies you may not have seen that are either creepy, crawly, or just a lot of spooky fun. Without further ado, here are ten films from various periods of cinema that you should check out.

1. Freaks (1932)

     At the height of horror in the 1930s and 1940s, Universal ruled the monster pic genre. With entries such as Tod Browning's Dracula and James Whale's Frankenstein, the genre was monumentally successful. These films were also the closest thing to a cinematic universe as that era had. The outlier in these films was the previously mentioned Browning's Freaks. Freaks is one of those movies that maintain insanely insulting while also being incredibly progressive. Using real life "freaks" for the movie, Browning adds a certain level of horror and disgust that is unmatched. If you enjoyed American Horror Story: Freak Show, be sure to check out its most obvious inspiration.

2. The Night of the Hunter (1955)

     Charles Laughton was one of the best actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was no surprise that he became a director, but it is a shock that he only made one movie. The Night of the Hunter is his story of a murderous preacher played by Robert Mitchum. He marries a young widow to reach her children, who may or may not know where a huge fortune is hidden. Mitchum is truly sinister in this role especially with how conniving he is against these poor children. Even though it is over 60 years old, this modern horror tale still is able to send a chill down your spine. 

3. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

     There's something so unsettling about horror taking place within a family. Maybe it's that we find it so plausible. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane is the story of two sisters who were both stars of Hollywood. A mysterious accident leaves one a paraplegic (Joan Crawford) Her only hope is her deranged and cruel sister played by Bette Davis. I thing it truly helps the chemistry that Davis and Crawford truly hated each other. This classic of course inspired the modern series Feud: Bette and Joan, which is a must watch.

4. Young Frankenstein (1974)

  

     As previously mentioned, Universal monster movies were some of the first horror movies. The genre had been long dead by the 1970s, and called down to the B-picture genre. Give it to comedy genius Mel Brooks to spoof the genre perfectly. In fact, the movie used some of the original sets from the original Frankenstein (1931). Using his frequent collaborators such a s Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman, Brooks creates a hilarious spoof.  

5. Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

     Rock and horror, what more could you ask for? Brian de Palma made the  Halloween favorite Carrie, but this is one of his underrated masterpieces. A little bit Faust and a little bit Phantom of the Opera, Phantom of the Paradise is a campy, rock opera that has all the bloodshed and rock and roll you need, while being a brilliant satire of the music industry.  

6. From Dusk till Dawn (1996)

     Tarantino had to write the script for From Dusk till Dawn as a favor to a makeup artist who had the idea. It is about two hit men brothers who encounter a preacher on their way to escape to Mexico. I seriously start every Halloween with this movie. It is best viewed without reading into it and no explanation. Seriously, the initial shock of people not knowing what this movie about is my favorite part of watching it.  Be sure and check it out!

 7. Scooby Doo on Zombie Island (1998)

     This is a seminal childhood favorite for me. This movie was far too scary to be a kids film that regularly played on Cartoon network, but clearly Hanna-Barbera didn't care at all. As a children's movie, it has an interesting storyline, killer plot twists, and a badass soundtrack. I never finish Halloween without watching Scooby Doo on Zombie Island.

8. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

     Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have made several gruesome and grotesque feature films. Sweeney Todd and Corpse Bride are also favorites of mine, but Sleepy Hollow absolutely takes the cake. Much darker than Disney's take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Burton crafts a steampunk murder mystery with Depp starring as Ichabod Crane. Campy, suspenseful, and spooky, Sleepy Hollow is sure to make your Halloween fun! 

9. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

      While there are lots of fun movies on this list, this is one of the darkest films I have ever seen. We Need to Talk About Kevin is a film about the formation of a sociopath, through the eyes of his mother. It is truly one of the most haunting and unsettling films I've ever viewed. Tilda Swinton and Ezra Miller dazzle in this gruesome and disturbing film that is a much watch for murder mystery fans. 

10. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

     Finally ending the list with a bang is What We Do in the Shadows. The seminal mockumentary that sparked the FX series is a much watch for vampire vans. Creepy, cunning, and hilarious, Taika Waititi's horror-comedy indie is part of the reason the filmmaker has been trusted with a Marvel film, and an upcoming Star Wars film. 

     That does it folks! Have a wonderful and safe Halloween!