Between 1980 and 1996, the millennial generation was shown a host of fantastic films that helped sculpt their personalities for years after. This is best exemplified through films during the holiday seasons like Halloween. During this time, a host of Halloween-themed films graced the large and small screen and spanned multiple genres from terrifying to hilarious.
This list offers millennial audiences -- and fans of all ages -- a small collection of Halloween-themed films from that era. Rest assured, there is something for everyone, whether they're looking for scary or family-friendly. Nevertheless, with the Halloween season here, now is a great time to check out some nostalgic millennial offerings.
1993's Hocus Pocus is a Halloween film from Walt Disney Studios that existed when the company dabbled more in live-action films just as much as animation. The film follows a young man named Max, his classmate and his sister going to the cottage rumored to be the home of three witches known as the Sanderson sisters. Far from superstitious, Max ignores the warnings and lights a black flame candle that reawakens the sisters. Now they have to reverse their mistake before the witches consume the souls of all of the children in the small town on Halloween night.
Beetlejuice was Tim Burton's second film and embraced the humor in the macabre in a way no other movie before it had ever done. The movie follows a recently deceased couple, the Maitlands, who learns that the afterlife is more like a business involving paperwork, appeals and bureaucratic systems. But when another family moves into their house, they can't stand it, and the Maitlands seek a shortcut with the bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice. At first, everything seems to work out okay, but Beetlejuice quickly turns out to be more trouble than he's worth as he becomes more and more mischievous. The film keeps the terror low and the humor high and is a great Halloween addition.
The Disney Channel original movie, Halloweentown, helped kickstart the channel's now-iconic roster of early '90s films. The movie follows a trio of siblings as they follow their grandmother Aggie, who is secretly a witch, into the world of Halloweentown. There, every day is fall, and the spooks and specters live lives as they greet one another rather than scare them. The movie embraces the classic film roots of the holiday while also capturing the essence of why Halloween and the fall season are beloved by so many. Viewers will undoubtedly find a crispness in the air after watching Halloweentown.
The Craft is a 1996 supernatural film about a group of high schoolers who become a small coven of witches. At first, it seems like harmless fun, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear that one of them is slowly becoming obsessed with the power she's obtained. Quickly, the spells they cast begin to backfire, and one of their own carelessly abuses her abilities until she becomes a danger to others around her. The Craft is the perfect witch story to watch around Halloween and has a style all its own that firmly plants it as a millennial Halloween staple.
The Addams Family helped bring the iconic Addams clan to a new generation thanks to its hilarious dark humor and stellar acting from the entire cast. The film reunites audiences with the family as they come face to face with their long-lost family member, Fester. However, things with Fester aren't as they seem, and his brother Gomez questions whether or not the man before him is genuinely his sibling. The film perfectly shows the importance of families sticking together and having faith even in the most challenging times. To put a cherry on top, The Addams Family ends with the family celebrating Halloween in their own creepy and kooky way.
Based on the comic by James O'Barr, The Crow follows a man named Eric Draven, who resurrects a year later for revenge after he and his girlfriend are killed on Halloween. The film uses the holiday as a backdrop to show how grief can affect a person and how love still comes out on top, even through all of the heartache. The Crow is beautifully styled to mirror the grim tone, and the late Brandon Lee perfectly adapts Eric Draven. Halloween fans that are looking for something out of the ordinary should check this film out.
Halloween II brings back the pale-faced killer, Michael Myers, to complete his night of terror. Following the first film's events, Michael survives being gunned down by Dr. Loomis. Meanwhile, his potential victim, Laurie Strode, recuperates at the nearby hospital. However, an unknown factor draws Michael to Laurie as he brings his mayhem to the hospital, setting a climactic showdown between Laurie, Loomis and Michael. The film picks up right where the original left off and maintains the series atmosphere. Halloween II also marks the last time fans see Michael before his reappearance in 1988.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch takes a massive departure from what came before. In reality, the film was meant to be the start of a Halloween anthology film series where each movie told a holiday-themed story. This new entry follows a man named Daniel as he uncovers a mystery surrounding the Silver Shamrock Halloween masks. He quickly realizes that the masks will kill wearers who watch a commercial set up by the company. To stop a nationwide genocide, he learns that the rabbit hole goes even deeper as the story takes an eerie supernatural turn. The film is considered a black sheep in the Halloween franchise but offers something fresh that fans are sure to love during the Halloween season.
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