Every year on december 24th and 25th family and friends gather around to celebrate the joyous holiday of christmas. And every year we all tend to make a little too much food, who am i kidding we all make way too much food here are some fun ways to deal with your leftovers!!
Turkey, turkey, turkey what to do with you? oh wait I know Turkey Soup: Simmer leftover turkey bones with vegetables and spices to make a hearty soup that everyone will die for!
I always crave a nice christmas casserole dont you? Casserole: Combine leftover turkey or ham with stuffing, vegetables, and gravy for a comforting casserole that will cure the craving in no time.
feeling snacky… you guessed it here is a nice sandwich to tide you over! Sandwiches: Make festive sandwiches using turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, or ham and cheese with a touch of mustard.
What does a pie say after a huge feast? that was filling !! Shepherd’s Pie: Layer leftover meat with veggies and mashed potatoes for a comforting shepherd’s pie.
feeling green? try this Salad: Create a festive salad with leftover turkey or ham, mixed greens, nuts, and a tangy dressing.
and next on the menu we have something special Stuffed Peppers: Fill bell peppers with a mix of rice, meat, and spices for a new and healthy dish.
last but most definitely not least we have the one and only Dessert Remix: Turn leftover desserts into trifle by layering pieces with whipped cream and fruit for a festive treat.
And there you have it! With these seven clever ways to repurpose your Christmas leftovers, Just remember: if your fridge starts looking like a Tetris game gone wrong, it might be time to stop pretending you’re a gourmet chef and and just make a “mystery” casserole. happy eating!
Graduating from high school is a significant milestone, but the transition to college can feel overwhelming. More students are considering a gap year—an intentional break from formal education before diving into college or a career. Here are some compelling reasons why a gap year can be a transformative experience.
1. Personal Growth and Independence
A gap year provides a unique opportunity for students to develop crucial life skills. Traveling, volunteering, or working can foster independence, resilience, and self-confidence. These experiences often challenge students to step out of their comfort zones, leading to personal growth that enriches their future academic and career pursuits.
2. Exploration of Interests
Many students enter college unsure of their academic direction. A gap year allows them to explore different fields and interests without the pressure of immediate academic commitments. Whether through internships, travel, or self-directed projects, students can discover passions that may influence their college major or career path.
3. Cultural Exposure and Global Awareness
Traveling during a gap year exposes students to new cultures and perspectives. This exposure cultivates empathy and global awareness, essential traits in today’s interconnected world. Understanding diverse viewpoints can enhance a student’s college experience and future professional interactions.
4. Academic Readiness
Taking time off can help students recharge and refocus. After years of rigorous study, a break can alleviate burnout and renew enthusiasm for learning. Many students return to academics more motivated and better prepared to tackle college challenges.
5. Building a Stronger Resume
In a competitive job market, unique experiences can set a candidate apart. Whether through travel, volunteering, or internships, gap year activities can enhance a resume, showcasing skills like adaptability, communication, and problem-solving.
A gap year is more than just a break; it’s an opportunity for growth, exploration, and preparation for the future. For students looking to enhance their personal and academic lives, taking a year off after high school can be a valuable investment. With careful planning and an open mind, a gap year can lead to unforgettable experiences and a clearer sense of purpose as they move forward.
If you’re considering adding a furry member to your family for the first time, the Australian Shepherds might just be your perfect match. With their boundless energy, intelligence, and loyalty, these dogs bring a unique combination of qualities that make them an ideal choice for first-time dog owners. Here’s why.
1. Intelligent and Eager to Learn
Australian Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence. They thrive on mental stimulation and enjoy learning new commands and tricks. This eagerness to please makes them relatively easy to train, which is a huge advantage for first-time dog owners. With consistent positive reinforcement, you’ll find that your Aussie picks up new skills quickly, setting the foundation for a well-behaved companion.
2. Affectionate and Loyal Companions
Aussies are known for their strong bonds with their families. They are affectionate and love to be involved in daily activities, making them excellent companions. Their loyalty means they will stick by your side, offering comfort and companionship, which can be especially rewarding for new pet owners.
3. Adaptable to Different Lifestyles
While Australian Shepherds are energetic and require regular exercise, they can adapt well to various living situations. Whether you have a spacious backyard or live in a smaller apartment, as long as you provide daily walks and playtime, your Aussie will thrive. They are also great for active families or individuals who enjoy outdoor adventures, making them versatile companions.
4. Great with Families and Kids
Aussies are typically friendly and sociable dogs, making them excellent choices for families with children. They have a playful demeanor and can keep up with energetic kids. With proper socialization from an early age, they can develop into gentle and caring pets who enjoy being around people of all ages.
5. A Natural Worker
Originally bred for herding, Australian Shepherds are natural workers who love to have a job to do. This drive for activity can be a great motivator for new dog owners to establish a routine that includes regular training, exercise, and play. Engaging in activities like agility training, obedience classes, or even dog sports can deepen the bond between you and your Aussie, while also keeping them mentally and physically stimulated.
6. Minimal Grooming Needs
One of the concerns for first-time dog owners is grooming. While Australian Shepherds do have a medium-length double coat, their grooming needs are relatively manageable. Regular brushing a few times a week helps reduce shedding and keeps their coat healthy. Bathing is only necessary when they get particularly dirty, making upkeep easier for busy first-time owners.
7. Vibrant and Fun-Loving Personality
Aussies are full of personality! Their playful nature and zest for life can bring joy and laughter to any home. Whether they’re chasing a frisbee, playing with toys, or just being goofy, their antics are sure to keep you entertained. This vibrant spirit can help alleviate the stress of first-time dog ownership and make the experience truly enjoyable.
Australian Shepherds offer a wonderful blend of intelligence, loyalty, and adaptability that makes them an excellent choice for first-time dog owners. Their affectionate nature, coupled with their eagerness to learn and play, can create a fulfilling and joyful experience for you and your new furry friend. If you’re ready to embrace the adventure of dog ownership, an Aussie might just be the perfect companion to help you along the way!
we are now heading into spooky season and all you can think about are what movies you are gonna watch will here is the top Halloween movies for you to watch this year!
10
The Karate Kid (1984)
Even though it isn’t a traditional Halloween movie, the ’80s classic still scratches that nostalgic itch to sit around the couch with a bowl of popcorn (or candy) and hang in suspense as Daniel LaRusso squares up against Johnny Lawrence. And, hey, a pivotal scene does take place on Halloween! The full-body skeleton costumes that Johnny and his karate cronies wear are so iconic that the “Cobra Kai” sequel series had to recreate them. A good Halloween movie is all about gasping in horror at what terror comes next; “Karate Kid’s” suspenseful final tournament, where Daniel beats the odds and every opponent standing in his way, certainly fits the bill. — J.M.
21
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Photo : CBS Films / Everett Collection
André Øvredal’s spooky adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’s beloved children’s book series begins on a fateful Halloween night in 1968 when three friends discover a cursed storybook. The days that follow are filled with terror as the children are haunted by stories that magically appear in the pages, with tales about a murderous scarecrow and a festering spider bite that erupts to unleash an army of creepy crawlers. Any horror fan wondering if adapting a children’s book series could pay off with actual thrills for adults gets their answer. The film has jump scares for kids and an atmospheric, surprisingly mature chill for older audiences. With Guillermo del Toro attached as a producer, the film is also home to a handful of horrifying monsters brought to life with practical effects. Just the sight of the Pale Lady and her clay-like flesh is terrifying. — Z.S.
Griffin Dunne’s 1998 treasure is as intrinsic to Halloween as golden leaves and cider donuts. The film is centered around the Owens clan, a family of witches blessed with the gift of magic but cursed by their matriarch. Unfortunately for the Owens women, any man who dared to love them was doomed to die. Naturally, this made things difficult for future generations. Cut to the modern-day duo of sisters played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. Just about everything in this film is picture-perfect — from Alan Silverstri’s score to the spooky-old Owens house to the big book of spells the girls cobble their perfect partner from. But what really makes the film special is the mystical worldbuilding. The movie is laced with spiritual idioms and sayings (“Broom fell… company’s coming”) that make audiences feel like they’re right in the thick of it. — M.W.
One of the best-known feminist horror movies, the Canadian fright-fest revolves around a late-blooming teenage sisters Ginger and Brigitte, who decide to take revenge on one of the popular girls. But when one of them is attacked by a wild animal after she has her first period, she grows hair in strange places and discovers an alarming taste for boys and blood. As the gore starts to ratchet up, a drug dealer’s Halloween party provides a convenient cover for Ginger’s transformation into a bloodthirsty werewolf. The analogy to puberty is startlingly effective in this low-budget but skillfully executed lycanthrope story that puts a whole new spin on a familiar teen angst story. — P.S.
18
Night of the Demons (1988)
Photo : International Film Marketing
Ushering audiences into the seasonal spirit with a kitschy animated opening, “Night of the Demons” is chock-full of costumes, pumpkins and frights. A Halloween party at a funeral parlor goes haywire once a séance conjures supernatural spookies, leaving the teens in attendance scrambling to escape. Retro in ways both fantastic (The dialogue! The costumes! The stock characters!) and horribly dated (seriously, has a film ever been more lecherous anytime a young woman comes onscreen?), “Demons” is a perfect representation of ‘80s horror that somehow hasn’t developed the following it deserves. — W.E.
This indelible slice of cheese is a love letter to hard rock, as a high schooler teams up with the ghost of a metal singer to take on bullies. Sammi Curr, a teased-hair headbanger who looks like Gene Simmons put his finger into an electrical socket, is portrayed perfectly by Tony Fields as a mix of spooky and campy in a scenery-chewing turn. The soundtrack, special effects and acting are all catnip for horror fans who love the ’80s. With a Halloween party finale that evokes “Carrie,” there’s plenty of seasonal spirit. It’s a shame that Sammi Curr didn’t launch a Freddy Krueger-esque franchise. Bonus points for a great Ozzy Osbourne cameo as a televangelist. — W.E.
16
Scream VI (2023)
Photo : Paramount Pictures
The Carpenter sisters (and their masked stalker) move to New York, a city so big that, according to the movie’s tagline, “no one hears you scream.” There, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) link up with “Scream” vets Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) to untangle the menacing Manhattan mystery and defeat Ghostface(s?). The bustling Big Apple serves as a refreshing backdrop for the “Scream” franchise and adds new thrills, like the franchise villain blending in on a crowded subway car full of people dressed in Halloween costumes, including a couple of Ghostfaces. The sixth “Scream” will change the way you view the spooky holiday in the big city. — E.S.
A surprisingly scary kids’ comedy, Jim Varney’s fourth film as Ernest P. Worrell finds the local yokel trying to protect area kids from an evil troll accidentally let loose on Halloween night. The creature design is adequately wet and putrid for preteens who love it when things get gross and Varney’s physical humor plays to the rafters. The plot machinations owe plenty to the “Leprechaun” series, but it has a light touch and decidedly wacky tone. Come for the schoolyard one-liners (“How ’bout a bumper sandwich, Boogerlips?”), stay for the wild performance from Eartha Kitt as the flamethrower-wielding Old Lady Hackmore. — W.E.
14
Terrifier 2 (2022)
Photo : Courtesy Everett Collection
Damien Leone’s demented feature plays like he equivalent of making a Halloween costume out of spare parts but winning the Halloween costume contest anyway. The low-budget slasher was made for $250,000 and became such a viral sensation due to its unrelenting gore (reports surfaced of moviegoers fainting, vomiting and growing ill during screenings) that it grossed $15.4 million. And just like that, a new slasher icon was born. That would be Art the Clown, who sets out to kill a teenage girl and her younger brother over one long and horrifying Halloween night. Even without all the disgusting kills shown in graphic detail (and there are plenty, from acid being thrown in faces to limbs being dismembered), the mere sight of Art is enough to inspire weeks of nightmares. He wears a jester costume with pom-pom buttons and a white bald harlequin head cover, plus licorice-black teeth frozen into a grin. The only time he is happy is when he’s soaked in blood. And the blood never stops flowing in this in this sadistic two-hou-plus shock fest. — Z.S.
This sweet film centers its biggest reveal around a tween Halloween party. A father and daughter (played by Bill Pullman and Christina Ricci) move into a haunted mansion to rid the pad of its poltergeist tenants (Casper and his three uncles, the Ghostly Trio). After lots of spirited capers and calamities, the true story behind Casper the friendly ghost is revealed. But the record scratch moment is truly when Casper is transformed into a human boy in the form of 90’s Tiger Beat sensation, Devon Sawa. The new boy surprises Ricci at the party and whisks her into the air for a floating dance that ends with a kiss as the human boy then returns to his original ghostly shape. It’s charming, it’s innocent and his presence scares all the other kids away. — M.W.
Devon Sawa plays a stoner teen whose hand has a murderous mind of its own in this late ‘90s cult classic. A bloody, twisted take on high school movies, Anton just wants to focus on hanging out with his loser buddies (Seth Green and Elden Henson) and getting with his dream girl (Jessica Alba). But, like Ash in “Evil Dead II,” his deadly hand is acting independently. With bizarre set pieces featuring druids, bongs, body horror and plenty of outrageous violence, “Idle Hands” is so creative and ambitious that it’s no wonder that it bombed, only to gain a loyal audience on VHS. The film’s highlight? A climactic Halloween dance that is so ‘90s the chaos begins when the lead singer of The Offspring is scalped by Anton’s then-disembodied hand. — W.E.
Tim Burton’s macabre adaptation of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is an under-appreciated Halloween movie. Starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the gothic supernatural horror film follows police constable Ichabod Crane (Depp) as he investigates a series of murders by the legendary apparition known as the Headless Horseman. While the film is not explicitly related to Halloween, it captures the spirit of the holiday through its eerie, decaying atmosphere and focus on urban legends. Burton’s reimagined (and bloodier) take on Irving’s classic tale combines horror, fantasy and romance into a truly haunting and suspenseful murder mystery. —M.Z.
Even though it isn’t a traditional Halloween movie, the ’80s classic still scratches that nostalgic itch to sit around the couch with a bowl of popcorn (or candy) and hang in suspense as Daniel LaRusso squares up against Johnny Lawrence. And, hey, a pivotal scene does take place on Halloween! The full-body skeleton costumes that Johnny and his karate cronies wear are so iconic that the “Cobra Kai” sequel series had to recreate them. A good Halloween movie is all about gasping in horror at what terror comes next; “Karate Kid’s” suspenseful final tournament, where Daniel beats the odds and every opponent standing in his way, certainly fits the bill. — J.M.
9
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Four young people spend Halloween searching for the legendary roadside attraction Dr. Satan in Rob Zombie’s feature debut — and boy, do they find him. Setting the tone for his entire career, Zombie’s spin on backwoods horror like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is gruesome, dirty and captivating. With a great cast portraying both normal people (Rainn Wilson, Walton Goggins, Tom Towles) and murderous freakshows (Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie), there’s real heart and menace in between the buckets of blood. Add inventive camerawork and sound design and, although Zombie would dilute his style by going to this well too many times, his first full-length feature is a low-budget classic. — W.E.
21
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Photo : CBS Films / Everett Collection
André Øvredal’s spooky adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’s beloved children’s book series begins on a fateful Halloween night in 1968 when three friends discover a cursed storybook. The days that follow are filled with terror as the children are haunted by stories that magically appear in the pages, with tales about a murderous scarecrow and a festering spider bite that erupts to unleash an army of creepy crawlers. Any horror fan wondering if adapting a children’s book series could pay off with actual thrills for adults gets their answer. The film has jump scares for kids and an atmospheric, surprisingly mature chill for older audiences. With Guillermo del Toro attached as a producer, the film is also home to a handful of horrifying monsters brought to life with practical effects. Just the sight of the Pale Lady and her clay-like flesh is terrifying. — Z.S.
Griffin Dunne’s 1998 treasure is as intrinsic to Halloween as golden leaves and cider donuts. The film is centered around the Owens clan, a family of witches blessed with the gift of magic but cursed by their matriarch. Unfortunately for the Owens women, any man who dared to love them was doomed to die. Naturally, this made things difficult for future generations. Cut to the modern-day duo of sisters played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. Just about everything in this film is picture-perfect — from Alan Silverstri’s score to the spooky-old Owens house to the big book of spells the girls cobble their perfect partner from. But what really makes the film special is the mystical worldbuilding. The movie is laced with spiritual idioms and sayings (“Broom fell… company’s coming”) that make audiences feel like they’re right in the thick of it. — M.W.
One of the best-known feminist horror movies, the Canadian fright-fest revolves around a late-blooming teenage sisters Ginger and Brigitte, who decide to take revenge on one of the popular girls. But when one of them is attacked by a wild animal after she has her first period, she grows hair in strange places and discovers an alarming taste for boys and blood. As the gore starts to ratchet up, a drug dealer’s Halloween party provides a convenient cover for Ginger’s transformation into a bloodthirsty werewolf. The analogy to puberty is startlingly effective in this low-budget but skillfully executed lycanthrope story that puts a whole new spin on a familiar teen angst story. — P.S.
18
Night of the Demons (1988)
Photo : International Film Marketing
Ushering audiences into the seasonal spirit with a kitschy animated opening, “Night of the Demons” is chock-full of costumes, pumpkins and frights. A Halloween party at a funeral parlor goes haywire once a séance conjures supernatural spookies, leaving the teens in attendance scrambling to escape. Retro in ways both fantastic (The dialogue! The costumes! The stock characters!) and horribly dated (seriously, has a film ever been more lecherous anytime a young woman comes onscreen?), “Demons” is a perfect representation of ‘80s horror that somehow hasn’t developed the following it deserves. — W.E.
This indelible slice of cheese is a love letter to hard rock, as a high schooler teams up with the ghost of a metal singer to take on bullies. Sammi Curr, a teased-hair headbanger who looks like Gene Simmons put his finger into an electrical socket, is portrayed perfectly by Tony Fields as a mix of spooky and campy in a scenery-chewing turn. The soundtrack, special effects and acting are all catnip for horror fans who love the ’80s. With a Halloween party finale that evokes “Carrie,” there’s plenty of seasonal spirit. It’s a shame that Sammi Curr didn’t launch a Freddy Krueger-esque franchise. Bonus points for a great Ozzy Osbourne cameo as a televangelist. — W.E.
16
Scream VI (2023)
Photo : Paramount Pictures
The Carpenter sisters (and their masked stalker) move to New York, a city so big that, according to the movie’s tagline, “no one hears you scream.” There, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) link up with “Scream” vets Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) to untangle the menacing Manhattan mystery and defeat Ghostface(s?). The bustling Big Apple serves as a refreshing backdrop for the “Scream” franchise and adds new thrills, like the franchise villain blending in on a crowded subway car full of people dressed in Halloween costumes, including a couple of Ghostfaces. The sixth “Scream” will change the way you view the spooky holiday in the big city. — E.S.
A surprisingly scary kids’ comedy, Jim Varney’s fourth film as Ernest P. Worrell finds the local yokel trying to protect area kids from an evil troll accidentally let loose on Halloween night. The creature design is adequately wet and putrid for preteens who love it when things get gross and Varney’s physical humor plays to the rafters. The plot machinations owe plenty to the “Leprechaun” series, but it has a light touch and decidedly wacky tone. Come for the schoolyard one-liners (“How ’bout a bumper sandwich, Boogerlips?”), stay for the wild performance from Eartha Kitt as the flamethrower-wielding Old Lady Hackmore. — W.E.
14
Terrifier 2 (2022)
Photo : Courtesy Everett Collection
Damien Leone’s demented feature plays like he equivalent of making a Halloween costume out of spare parts but winning the Halloween costume contest anyway. The low-budget slasher was made for $250,000 and became such a viral sensation due to its unrelenting gore (reports surfaced of moviegoers fainting, vomiting and growing ill during screenings) that it grossed $15.4 million. And just like that, a new slasher icon was born. That would be Art the Clown, who sets out to kill a teenage girl and her younger brother over one long and horrifying Halloween night. Even without all the disgusting kills shown in graphic detail (and there are plenty, from acid being thrown in faces to limbs being dismembered), the mere sight of Art is enough to inspire weeks of nightmares. He wears a jester costume with pom-pom buttons and a white bald harlequin head cover, plus licorice-black teeth frozen into a grin. The only time he is happy is when he’s soaked in blood. And the blood never stops flowing in this in this sadistic two-hou-plus shock fest. — Z.S.
This sweet film centers its biggest reveal around a tween Halloween party. A father and daughter (played by Bill Pullman and Christina Ricci) move into a haunted mansion to rid the pad of its poltergeist tenants (Casper and his three uncles, the Ghostly Trio). After lots of spirited capers and calamities, the true story behind Casper the friendly ghost is revealed. But the record scratch moment is truly when Casper is transformed into a human boy in the form of 90’s Tiger Beat sensation, Devon Sawa. The new boy surprises Ricci at the party and whisks her into the air for a floating dance that ends with a kiss as the human boy then returns to his original ghostly shape. It’s charming, it’s innocent and his presence scares all the other kids away. — M.W.
Devon Sawa plays a stoner teen whose hand has a murderous mind of its own in this late ‘90s cult classic. A bloody, twisted take on high school movies, Anton just wants to focus on hanging out with his loser buddies (Seth Green and Elden Henson) and getting with his dream girl (Jessica Alba). But, like Ash in “Evil Dead II,” his deadly hand is acting independently. With bizarre set pieces featuring druids, bongs, body horror and plenty of outrageous violence, “Idle Hands” is so creative and ambitious that it’s no wonder that it bombed, only to gain a loyal audience on VHS. The film’s highlight? A climactic Halloween dance that is so ‘90s the chaos begins when the lead singer of The Offspring is scalped by Anton’s then-disembodied hand. — W.E.
Tim Burton’s macabre adaptation of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is an under-appreciated Halloween movie. Starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the gothic supernatural horror film follows police constable Ichabod Crane (Depp) as he investigates a series of murders by the legendary apparition known as the Headless Horseman. While the film is not explicitly related to Halloween, it captures the spirit of the holiday through its eerie, decaying atmosphere and focus on urban legends. Burton’s reimagined (and bloodier) take on Irving’s classic tale combines horror, fantasy and romance into a truly haunting and suspenseful murder mystery. —M.Z.
Even though it isn’t a traditional Halloween movie, the ’80s classic still scratches that nostalgic itch to sit around the couch with a bowl of popcorn (or candy) and hang in suspense as Daniel LaRusso squares up against Johnny Lawrence. And, hey, a pivotal scene does take place on Halloween! The full-body skeleton costumes that Johnny and his karate cronies wear are so iconic that the “Cobra Kai” sequel series had to recreate them. A good Halloween movie is all about gasping in horror at what terror comes next; “Karate Kid’s” suspenseful final tournament, where Daniel beats the odds and every opponent standing in his way, certainly fits the bill. — J.M.
9
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Photo : Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Four young people spend Halloween searching for the legendary roadside attraction Dr. Satan in Rob Zombie’s feature debut — and boy, do they find him. Setting the tone for his entire career, Zombie’s spin on backwoods horror like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is gruesome, dirty and captivating. With a great cast portraying both normal people (Rainn Wilson, Walton Goggins, Tom Towles) and murderous freakshows (Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie), there’s real heart and menace in between the buckets of blood. Add inventive camerawork and sound design and, although Zombie would dilute his style by going to this well too many times, his first full-length feature is a low-budget classic. — W.E.
8
Donnie Darko (2001)
At the beginning of Richard Kelly’s 2001 indie sci-fi thriller, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) sleepwalks out of his house and meets a terrifying figure in a rabbit costume, who tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds — on Halloween. The rest of the film unfurls like a demented trip into Donnie’s troubled psyche as he experiences hallucinations of the monstrous bunny figure, who convinces him to do mysterious things while sleepwalking. It’s a time-traveling spin made even spookier by a goth rock soundtrack and Gary Jules’ eerie cover of “Mad World.” Plus, Donnie’s low-key skeleton get-up, as well as the masked Frank, have become cult-favorite Halloween costumes. — E.S.
7
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
The Steven Spielberg film that sparked the perfect “minimum effort” Halloween costume for generations. All you need is a little red hoodie, a bike and a white sheet and presto, you’re the delightful boy Elliott (Henry Thomas) and his new friend E.T., the mysterious shaved-sloth looking alien who was stranded on Earth after a cosmic crew neglected to pick up their cutest member. After the sun sets on the children darting in and out of the homes looking for candy, Elliot and his crew have a much larger task at hand — help E.T. phone home. A later autumnal evening climaxes in a cinematic bike ride into the sky, where E.T. uses his powers of telekinesis to fly Elliot up into the twilight. The shot is so iconic it would later become the logo for Amblin Entertainment, Spielberg’s production company. — M.W.
21
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Photo : CBS Films / Everett Collection
André Øvredal’s spooky adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’s beloved children’s book series begins on a fateful Halloween night in 1968 when three friends discover a cursed storybook. The days that follow are filled with terror as the children are haunted by stories that magically appear in the pages, with tales about a murderous scarecrow and a festering spider bite that erupts to unleash an army of creepy crawlers. Any horror fan wondering if adapting a children’s book series could pay off with actual thrills for adults gets their answer. The film has jump scares for kids and an atmospheric, surprisingly mature chill for older audiences. With Guillermo del Toro attached as a producer, the film is also home to a handful of horrifying monsters brought to life with practical effects. Just the sight of the Pale Lady and her clay-like flesh is terrifying. — Z.S.
Griffin Dunne’s 1998 treasure is as intrinsic to Halloween as golden leaves and cider donuts. The film is centered around the Owens clan, a family of witches blessed with the gift of magic but cursed by their matriarch. Unfortunately for the Owens women, any man who dared to love them was doomed to die. Naturally, this made things difficult for future generations. Cut to the modern-day duo of sisters played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. Just about everything in this film is picture-perfect — from Alan Silverstri’s score to the spooky-old Owens house to the big book of spells the girls cobble their perfect partner from. But what really makes the film special is the mystical worldbuilding. The movie is laced with spiritual idioms and sayings (“Broom fell… company’s coming”) that make audiences feel like they’re right in the thick of it. — M.W.
One of the best-known feminist horror movies, the Canadian fright-fest revolves around a late-blooming teenage sisters Ginger and Brigitte, who decide to take revenge on one of the popular girls. But when one of them is attacked by a wild animal after she has her first period, she grows hair in strange places and discovers an alarming taste for boys and blood. As the gore starts to ratchet up, a drug dealer’s Halloween party provides a convenient cover for Ginger’s transformation into a bloodthirsty werewolf. The analogy to puberty is startlingly effective in this low-budget but skillfully executed lycanthrope story that puts a whole new spin on a familiar teen angst story. — P.S.
18
Night of the Demons (1988)
Photo : International Film Marketing
Ushering audiences into the seasonal spirit with a kitschy animated opening, “Night of the Demons” is chock-full of costumes, pumpkins and frights. A Halloween party at a funeral parlor goes haywire once a séance conjures supernatural spookies, leaving the teens in attendance scrambling to escape. Retro in ways both fantastic (The dialogue! The costumes! The stock characters!) and horribly dated (seriously, has a film ever been more lecherous anytime a young woman comes onscreen?), “Demons” is a perfect representation of ‘80s horror that somehow hasn’t developed the following it deserves. — W.E.
This indelible slice of cheese is a love letter to hard rock, as a high schooler teams up with the ghost of a metal singer to take on bullies. Sammi Curr, a teased-hair headbanger who looks like Gene Simmons put his finger into an electrical socket, is portrayed perfectly by Tony Fields as a mix of spooky and campy in a scenery-chewing turn. The soundtrack, special effects and acting are all catnip for horror fans who love the ’80s. With a Halloween party finale that evokes “Carrie,” there’s plenty of seasonal spirit. It’s a shame that Sammi Curr didn’t launch a Freddy Krueger-esque franchise. Bonus points for a great Ozzy Osbourne cameo as a televangelist. — W.E.
16
Scream VI (2023)
Photo : Paramount Pictures
The Carpenter sisters (and their masked stalker) move to New York, a city so big that, according to the movie’s tagline, “no one hears you scream.” There, Sam (Melissa Barrera) and Tara (Jenna Ortega) link up with “Scream” vets Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Kirby Reed (Hayden Panettiere) to untangle the menacing Manhattan mystery and defeat Ghostface(s?). The bustling Big Apple serves as a refreshing backdrop for the “Scream” franchise and adds new thrills, like the franchise villain blending in on a crowded subway car full of people dressed in Halloween costumes, including a couple of Ghostfaces. The sixth “Scream” will change the way you view the spooky holiday in the big city. — E.S.
A surprisingly scary kids’ comedy, Jim Varney’s fourth film as Ernest P. Worrell finds the local yokel trying to protect area kids from an evil troll accidentally let loose on Halloween night. The creature design is adequately wet and putrid for preteens who love it when things get gross and Varney’s physical humor plays to the rafters. The plot machinations owe plenty to the “Leprechaun” series, but it has a light touch and decidedly wacky tone. Come for the schoolyard one-liners (“How ’bout a bumper sandwich, Boogerlips?”), stay for the wild performance from Eartha Kitt as the flamethrower-wielding Old Lady Hackmore. — W.E.
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Terrifier 2 (2022)
Photo : Courtesy Everett Collection
Damien Leone’s demented feature plays like he equivalent of making a Halloween costume out of spare parts but winning the Halloween costume contest anyway. The low-budget slasher was made for $250,000 and became such a viral sensation due to its unrelenting gore (reports surfaced of moviegoers fainting, vomiting and growing ill during screenings) that it grossed $15.4 million. And just like that, a new slasher icon was born. That would be Art the Clown, who sets out to kill a teenage girl and her younger brother over one long and horrifying Halloween night. Even without all the disgusting kills shown in graphic detail (and there are plenty, from acid being thrown in faces to limbs being dismembered), the mere sight of Art is enough to inspire weeks of nightmares. He wears a jester costume with pom-pom buttons and a white bald harlequin head cover, plus licorice-black teeth frozen into a grin. The only time he is happy is when he’s soaked in blood. And the blood never stops flowing in this in this sadistic two-hou-plus shock fest. — Z.S.
This sweet film centers its biggest reveal around a tween Halloween party. A father and daughter (played by Bill Pullman and Christina Ricci) move into a haunted mansion to rid the pad of its poltergeist tenants (Casper and his three uncles, the Ghostly Trio). After lots of spirited capers and calamities, the true story behind Casper the friendly ghost is revealed. But the record scratch moment is truly when Casper is transformed into a human boy in the form of 90’s Tiger Beat sensation, Devon Sawa. The new boy surprises Ricci at the party and whisks her into the air for a floating dance that ends with a kiss as the human boy then returns to his original ghostly shape. It’s charming, it’s innocent and his presence scares all the other kids away. — M.W.
Devon Sawa plays a stoner teen whose hand has a murderous mind of its own in this late ‘90s cult classic. A bloody, twisted take on high school movies, Anton just wants to focus on hanging out with his loser buddies (Seth Green and Elden Henson) and getting with his dream girl (Jessica Alba). But, like Ash in “Evil Dead II,” his deadly hand is acting independently. With bizarre set pieces featuring druids, bongs, body horror and plenty of outrageous violence, “Idle Hands” is so creative and ambitious that it’s no wonder that it bombed, only to gain a loyal audience on VHS. The film’s highlight? A climactic Halloween dance that is so ‘90s the chaos begins when the lead singer of The Offspring is scalped by Anton’s then-disembodied hand. — W.E.
Tim Burton’s macabre adaptation of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is an under-appreciated Halloween movie. Starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the gothic supernatural horror film follows police constable Ichabod Crane (Depp) as he investigates a series of murders by the legendary apparition known as the Headless Horseman. While the film is not explicitly related to Halloween, it captures the spirit of the holiday through its eerie, decaying atmosphere and focus on urban legends. Burton’s reimagined (and bloodier) take on Irving’s classic tale combines horror, fantasy and romance into a truly haunting and suspenseful murder mystery. —M.Z.
Even though it isn’t a traditional Halloween movie, the ’80s classic still scratches that nostalgic itch to sit around the couch with a bowl of popcorn (or candy) and hang in suspense as Daniel LaRusso squares up against Johnny Lawrence. And, hey, a pivotal scene does take place on Halloween! The full-body skeleton costumes that Johnny and his karate cronies wear are so iconic that the “Cobra Kai” sequel series had to recreate them. A good Halloween movie is all about gasping in horror at what terror comes next; “Karate Kid’s” suspenseful final tournament, where Daniel beats the odds and every opponent standing in his way, certainly fits the bill. — J.M.
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House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Photo : Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection
Four young people spend Halloween searching for the legendary roadside attraction Dr. Satan in Rob Zombie’s feature debut — and boy, do they find him. Setting the tone for his entire career, Zombie’s spin on backwoods horror like “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is gruesome, dirty and captivating. With a great cast portraying both normal people (Rainn Wilson, Walton Goggins, Tom Towles) and murderous freakshows (Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie), there’s real heart and menace in between the buckets of blood. Add inventive camerawork and sound design and, although Zombie would dilute his style by going to this well too many times, his first full-length feature is a low-budget classic. — W.E.
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Donnie Darko (2001)
Photo : Everett Collection
At the beginning of Richard Kelly’s 2001 indie sci-fi thriller, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) sleepwalks out of his house and meets a terrifying figure in a rabbit costume, who tells him the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds — on Halloween. The rest of the film unfurls like a demented trip into Donnie’s troubled psyche as he experiences hallucinations of the monstrous bunny figure, who convinces him to do mysterious things while sleepwalking. It’s a time-traveling spin made even spookier by a goth rock soundtrack and Gary Jules’ eerie cover of “Mad World.” Plus, Donnie’s low-key skeleton get-up, as well as the masked Frank, have become cult-favorite Halloween costumes. — E.S.
The Steven Spielberg film that sparked the perfect “minimum effort” Halloween costume for generations. All you need is a little red hoodie, a bike and a white sheet and presto, you’re the delightful boy Elliott (Henry Thomas) and his new friend E.T., the mysterious shaved-sloth looking alien who was stranded on Earth after a cosmic crew neglected to pick up their cutest member. After the sun sets on the children darting in and out of the homes looking for candy, Elliot and his crew have a much larger task at hand — help E.T. phone home. A later autumnal evening climaxes in a cinematic bike ride into the sky, where E.T. uses his powers of telekinesis to fly Elliot up into the twilight. The shot is so iconic it would later become the logo for Amblin Entertainment, Spielberg’s production company. — M.W.
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Pumpkinhead (1988)
Nothing says Halloween like a murderous pumpkin beast. A creature feature staple since its 1989 release, “Pumpkinhead” was directed by Hollywood legend Stan Winston, whose monster work is all over “Jurassic Park,” “The Terminator,” “Aliens” and a whole lot more. Lance Henriksen plays a father who loses his little son after a gaggle of teens mortally injure him with their motorbikes. Bereft with grief, he beseeches the local hillbilly witch to bring his precious child back. Alas, the witch cannot resurrect the dead but instead she offers Ed revenge in the form of one giant Pumpkinhead monster. The father agrees and the massive, wrinkled beast arises ready to do Ed’s murderous work. — M.W.