Axe murderers, demonic figures, and crazy killer orphans are not uncommon themes found in Halloween movies.
Countless nights of waiting to use the bathroom, in fear of Freddy Krueger attacking while on the toilet, stick out as genuine fear. Some cower to human evils while others are haunted by more supernatural elements. After decades of horror movies that have caused millions of viewers to shriek and scream, The Collegian has selected the top five movies for the Halloween season.
“Nightmare Before Christmas”
Practically everyone has seen Tim Burton’s animated story of Jack Skellington and his morbidly humorous antics. In Halloweentown, it is constantly time for spooky pranks and ghoulish dressing up. Jack grows tired of the same theme and ventures into Christmastown, where he discovers an amazing world that he wants to bring back to Halloweentown. He decides to take over as Santa and institues his own version of Christmas.
This is an awesome film for kids and adults alike, and has gained new life in cinema as a cult classic. The movie isn’t scary when compared to some other classics, but it has a dark feeling to it that may disturb some viewers.
“Nightmare On Elm Street”
Wes Craven’s a “Nightmare on Elm Street” follows the killer, Freddy Krueger, who haunts teenagers while they sleep.
After being acquitted by a judge, Krueger is burned alive in his house by the neighborhood families.
Krueger seeks revenge on the teens by attacking them in their dreams. The teens’ fight to stay awake and out of harms way but can’t overcome their need to sleep. Krueger picks off the children one by one with his bladed glove in ridiculously gory ways.
“Nightmare on Elm Street” is a great Halloween movie because of its strange imagery and disturbing concept. If you can handle blood and guts, then it’s very entertaining.
“The Blair Witch Project”
What’s worse than running through the woods while being chased by a menacing witch in the middle of night? Watching it all on a handheld camera.
“The Blair Witch Project” is famous for its low budget qualities and shaky footage. It immerses viewers into a story of three students researching the Blair Witch. The students begin by having a relaxed camping trip, until strange events occur that threaten their livelihood. Weird objects are left at their campsites over the next several days.
Like any other horror movie, the students experience car failure, disappear and human body parts are found.
Overall, with the right atmosphere and crowd, “The Blair Witch Project” can be a really scary movie.
“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”
The first installment in the six movie series begins with a psychotic killer known as “Leatherface” terrorizing young people in a rural Texas town.
The original film begins with a small group of adults investigating a gravesite. The group ends up picking up a hitchhiker. The hitchhiker slashes himself and gets kicked from the groups van. While looking for gas, the group stumbles upon an old house full of an insane family that includes Leatherface.
Leatherface wields his chainsaw and stalks the teens through every area of the house. The film ends with the female lead, Sally (Marilyn Burns), breaking free from an unsettling dinner with the family and hitching a ride as Leatherface twirls his chainsaw in frustration.
Although disturbing and censored in some areas of the globe, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” sits as the ideal in the slasher genre in American cinema.
If people being trapped in a creepy plantation setting with a cannibalistic killer on the hunt sounds like a good time, then this movie is for you.
“The Exorcist”
Despite the fact that “The Exorcist” is almost 30 years old, it’s still disturbing.
The movie revolves around Regan (Linda Blair), a young girl who uses a Ouija board and invites a demonic spirit into her body. Regan becomes inexplicably violent toward everyone she comes in contact with. Doctors try to explain the phenomenon but have no answers.
Eventually, Regan’s mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks out the help of a powerful priest by the name of Father Merrin (Max von Sydow). Father Merrin arrives at the home and witnesses the horrifying demonic possession.
The scene in which Regan’s demon possessed head spins in a complete circle is well-known in film history. Other scenes include Regan climbing on walls and roaring in a demonic tone leaving an extremely unnerving feeling for viewers.
The low budget footage and the originality of the film give “The Exorcist” an extremely eerie feel.