For many people, October is a time to watch films about witches, wizards and other characters with quirky powers. Watching these movies is a celebrated Halloween tradition, so sit back, grab some bags of candy — but save some for the trick-or-treaters — and immerse yourself in the magic of these enchanting movies.
“Hocus Pocus”
Whether you’re 5 or 25, this 1993 classic has the perfect amount of suspense, romance and humor. Max and his younger sister Dani move to Salem, Mass. and accidentally resurrect three sisters, who also happen to be witches, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. Dani, along with Max and his crush, Allison, must stop the witches before they capture all the trick-or-treaters in town and use them for a spell.
“Matilda”
Mara Wilson plays Matilda, a bright girl in elementary school who loves learning. Her adoptive parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, played by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, treat her as an outcast because they hate her obsession with books. After begging them to let her attend school, she enrolls at Crunchem Hall, led by the intimidating, vindictive Principle Trunchbull, played by German actress Pam Ferris. Trunchbull hates children, even forceing one student to eat an entire chocolate cake. Matilda soon discovers that she has telekinetic powers and uses them against Trunchbull in this 1996 fantasy film.
“A Simple Wish”
A year after “Matilda,” Wilson starred as Anabel, a young girl who wishes that her father will land the lead role in a Broadway show so he can leave his job as a horse and carriage driver in New York City. Anabel’s male fairy godmother, Murray, played by Martin Short, try to grant her wish, but his wand is broken and trouble ensues.
“Teen Witch”
Robyn Lively stars in 1989’s “Teen Witch” as Louise Miller, an unpopular girl who wishes the popular guy in school, Brad Powell, will notice her. The night of her 16th birthday, Louise discovers that she is from a lineage of witches and meets Madame Serena, who teaches her how to use her powers. She begins using them to gain popularity and Brad’s attention.
“Casper”
Dr. James Harvey, played by Bill Pullman, and daughter Kat Harvey, played by Christina Ricci, move into an old mansion. Carrigan Crittenden, the mansion’s owner, hires Harvey to get rid of the ghosts living in it to find a hidden fortune. Kat meets Casper, “the friendly ghost” and they become unexpected friends, much to the annoyance of Casper’s hilariously mean ghost uncles.
“Halloweentown”
Disney Channel premiered “Halloweentown” in 1998, a memorable film about a family with magic powers. Aggie Cromwell, played by Debbie Reynolds, tells her granddaughter Marnie Piper to train her magical powers before her 13th birthday. Since Aggie lives in Halloweentown, filled with people and creatures that have powers, Marnie sneaks onto the bus that flies there to start training without her mother’s permission. The movie is followed by
“Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge”, “Halloweentown High” and “Return to Halloweentown.”
“Beetlejuice”
Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis star as Adam and Barbara Maitland, a ghost couple who want to get rid of the owners of their former house by haunting them. With the help of Beetlejuice, an exorcist, played by Michael Keaton, this 1998 dark comedy directed by Tim Burton is still a classic.
“Ghostbusters”
Former college professors and scientists become crime-fighting ghost hunters after losing their jobs in this hit film from 1984. Bill Murray plays Dr. Peter Venkman, Dan Aykroyd plays Dr. Raymond Stantz, Harold Ramis plays Dr. Raymond Stantz and Ernie Hudson plays Winston Zeddmore. They must work together to stop the ghosts from destroying New York City and, along the way, they accidentally become celebrities.
Other not-so-scary movies to check out
“The Nightmare before Christmas”
“Frankenweenie”
“Monster House”
“Coraline”
“Young Frankenstein”
“Arsenic and Old Lace”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
“The Addams Family”
“Hotel Transylvania”
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
