Our Film and Song Recommendations, Your Spooky Season

Nothing says spooky season like cold, dark evenings, horror films, and Halloween costumes. Whether it’s for a cosy night in, a party, or pumpkin carving, the perfect choice of film or song can set the scene for a great night. Here are a few of the Sonic Hub team’s favourites to get you in the mood for this Halloween!

Spooky Tunes

Arguably the most famous song associated with Halloween, Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ seems to feature on everybody’s Halloween playlist. And of course, we cannot mention ‘Thriller’ without mentioning the music video. Featuring zombies, werewolves, and incredible choreography, it has become an iconic image for fans and Halloween enthusiasts, even being inducted into the US National Film Registry in 2009 for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

Another common Halloween song that is a staple on many spooky playlists is Rockwell’s ‘Somebody’s Watching Me’. Although not explicitly Halloween-related, this song from 1983 has made its way to become a true October classic. Similarly to ‘Thriller’, with its spooky music video featuring a cemetery, blood, and the supernatural, it is certainly not getting replaced in party playlists anytime soon.

Keeping up with the classics, our next pick is ‘Monster Mash’ by Bobby “Borris” Pickett. Well-known to all ages, this song features creepy sound effects and a catchy chorus. With many different versions of dances to go alongside it, it’s no wonder that it always works its charm at any Halloween gathering. 

To close our musical picks with a slightly more niche option, horror fans may recognise ‘Red Right Hand’ by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. This song perfectly sets the creepy, off-putting, and very Halloween-esque vibe needed for spooky season, and it is no wonder that it has grown in popularity after being used in 5 out of the (at time of publication) 6 Scream franchise. 

Spooky Screentime 

Halloween is the season of horror films, as well as the season of Halloween-themed episodes on TV. From Warner Bros to Disney, there’s something for everyone, and here are our top picks for you to watch this year.

The obvious first option to name when talking about Halloween season is the film ‘Halloween’ itself. Released in 1978, it is the first film in a 13-film franchise, and it is considered a horror classic. Set on Halloween night, there is truly no better option for horror fanatics to watch. However, please do be aware of the trigger warnings and R age rating of the film before watching!

Our next pick is the all-time classic ‘Hocus Pocus’. Released in 1993 and now with its own sequel, this Disney classic has become a family favourite. Based around and on Halloween, this film contains laughs, lots of tricks, and some great covers of classic spooky songs, including ‘I Put A Spell On You’ originally by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

Our penultimate pick comes from the well-loved franchise, Scooby Doo. ‘Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost’ is an animated film from 1999, following the adventures of the Mystery Inc. gang. With extra supernatural additions, including beloved characters like The Hex Girls, this film is truly a classic, no matter your age, perfectly blending spooky elements with a classic and beloved movie series.

To stir up a bit of controversy, our final film pick is ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’. This 1993 Disney classic has long sparked debate over whether it’s truly a Halloween or a Christmas film. For our part, and since most of the story unfolds in a place called Halloween Town, we’re settling the debate: ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is, indeed, a Halloween film. Featuring an incredible soundtrack and amazing stop-motion characters, if you haven’t yet watched this, now’s the time!

Happy Halloween from all of us here at Sonic Hub!

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