Watch These 4 Movies For An Early Start To Spooky Season

As hard as it might be to admit, we’re only a few short weeks away from the end of summer and the start of autumn.

To some people, the breakneck speed summer has passed by might prove a bit heartbreaking. To others, the looming conclusion of August puts us all one step closer to the Halloween festivities, including Pumpkin Spice Lattes, limited-edition Halloween candy, and plenty of fittingly spooky movies and TV shows to watch for the holiday.

For those interested in kicking off their Spooky Season a tad early this year, here are some of our personal favorite Halloween movies to watch as we prepare for the arrival of fall.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

While there’s no shortage of fantastic family films to watch every time the jack-o-lanterns come out and the Spirit Halloween stores begin to rematerialize, one notable favorite we return to again and again is 1993’s cult classic, Hocus Pocus. One of the original Disney Channel movies of the early 1990s, Hocus Pocus has long since taken on an undying life of its own as a well-loved fantasy film, thanks in large part to its approachable story, agreeable performances, and surprisingly catchy musical dance numbers.

Beetlejuice (1988)

With all the talk surrounding Wednesday’s recent second season, it’s hard to think of a better time to revisit some of director Tim Burton’s previous films, including his 1988 breakout sensation, Beetlejuice. Led by a hilariously zany Michael Keaton in the title role, Beetlejuice is an extraordinary dark comedy that turns the traditional haunted house narrative upside down, packing in as many laugh-out-loud moments as it does occasionally creepy ones.

Friday the 13th (1980)

With August marking a halfway point of sorts between the dog days of summer and the peak period of autumn, viewers might want to think about watching a horror film set in the summer season. That being said, it’s difficult to think of a summer-themed horror film whose fame and popularity surpasses 1980’s Friday the 13th. Though perhaps not the best entry in the larger slasher genre, Friday the 13th nevertheless remains a pivotal cornerstone of contemporary horror, influencing countless similarly-veined scary movies that followed in its wake.

Halloween (1978)

More so than even the aforementioned Friday the 13th, it’s impossible to imagine what the current state of horror might be like without 1978’s Halloween. While perhaps ideally saved for October 31 itself, Halloween is one of those universally classic films perfect for any day of the week, terrifying viewers today just as it had upon its initial release nearly 50 years ago.