By: Joseph Gigliotti 

     Halloween is a time for spooky decorations, costumes, trick or treating, and a marathon of spooky movies. The tradition of watching Halloween movies brings people together, and fall is the perfect time for a movie marathon. The suspense and atmosphere the movies bring are unique to the season, which is why scary movies often take place during the fall. From classic horror to friendly adventures, Halloween movies can be a haunting task. 

     When it comes to rating Halloween movies, several factors must be included. These factors include the film’s fear level, storyline, characters’ actions, special effects, and overall tone. My personal favorite Halloween movie is Hubie Halloween. It stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Julie Bowen, and many other well-known actors. The plot involves Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler) spending every Halloween making sure the community of his hometown, Salem, celebrates and stays safe. But this year, an escaped criminal, and a mysterious new neighbor keep Hubie on high alert. 

     The main goal of a Halloween movie is to scare and entertain the audience. The effectiveness of jump scares and effects are crucial in determining the movie’s fear factor. The storyline should have a clear beginning, middle, and end, with a lot of suspense. The characters should be relatable and have clear motivations for what they want to accomplish during the movie. The impression a movie makes towards its audience shows its effectiveness whether it’s good or bad movie.  

     A couple of EHS students were interviewed to gather more information on Halloween movies. The Squire interviewed Conner Briggs and asked him if he likes classic or modern Halloween movies. He responded, saying, “Classic, I’m a really big fan of Hocus Pocus and the Conjuring.” Connor went on to explain what he feels makes a movie scary, “The setting if it’s at night then it’s scary cause I’m afraid of the dark.” Halloween movies are known for dark settings, making the movie have suspense. The Squire also interviewed Aiden Heubach and asked him: If he made a Halloween movie, what would the plot be? He responded by saying, “Teenagers spend Halloween night in an abandoned mansion and must confront a spirit and uncover its history to survive.” According to “Parade.com” the top three Halloween movies are, Halloween, Hocus Pocus, and Frankenstein. 

     In conclusion, it is important to consider all the factors when rating Halloween movies. The quality of the acting and the plot make a great Halloween movie. Ultimately, the best Halloween movies are those that leave a great impression and an unforgettable experience.