by Ashlee Marquez and Jamilla Vidanes


As the Halloween season approaches, many of us prepare for the spooky holiday in different ways; either through costumes, candies, decorations, or even things to watch – all ages can celebrate Halloween! It brings artistry and gives an opportunity to everyone to dress up as whoever or whatever they want. Whether it be a ghost, a zombie, or even a unicorn, Halloween lets our imaginations run wild! It also lets both the kids and the adults spend time with their loved ones, regardless if it’s movie night, a party, or even a night to trick or treating. This article presents five movies and five shows to watch for Halloween, and why it gives the seasonal goosebumps!


Photo Courtesy of Wallpaper Abyss, The Scream, and The Insidious

Insidious (2010) 

Directed by James Wan, the movie revolves around two parents, namely Josh and Renei, taking drastic measures when they discover that their new home is haunted and that an entirely different entity is possessing their comatose son. This movie is the first among the Insidious series, which has a total of four movies, and each of them revolves around a different story – that all the more connects to the main character Elise (Lin Shaye). She is a psychic that tries to help people to her best capabilities. How exactly does she appear and help people in all of the Insidious movies? Find out by watching it, silly! 


Last Night in Soho (2021)

Starring Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Matt Smith, the story dwells over an aspiring fashion designer who had strangely entered the 1960s – where she encounters a dazzling, wannabe singer. However, things are not what they seem to be, as it isn’t full of glamor and dreams as she once initially thought. The film was directed by Edgar Wright and was written alongside Krysty Wilson-Cairns for its screenplay. Pay close attention though as this isn’t your typical horror movie, while it may look pleasing to the eyes, thread carefully for the most unexpected scenes. So what do you say, folks? Give this film a try! 


Ring (1998) 

Known to be the highest movie budget in Japan, it was adapted from the novel Ring by Koji Suzuki. The movie starts with two teenage girls who are discussing (or exchanging words) a curse that kills its viewer after seven days. It then shifts to a TV reporter and a single mother named Reiko (Nanako Matsushima) that investigates the deaths and the nature of the curse. This movie indeed is one of the classics that even our older folks might have watched back in their days, do watch with caution as it might give you nightmares, kidding! Or are we? 


Forgotten (2017) 

Jin-Seok (Kang Ha-neul) moves into a new home with his older brother, Yoo-Seok (Kim Moo-Yul) – along with their parents. One night, Jin-Seok saw his older brother being thrown into a van and after 19 days, Yoo-Seok surprisingly came back. Unfortunately, he doesn’t remember anything during his disappearance. Jin-Seok then investigates his brother and the truth behind the kidnapping incident. This Korean film is directed and written by Hang-jun Jang, a one-of-a-kind film, that’s what it is!


Scream (1996)

A film that was set around September 25-28, where a year after her mother died, Sidney (Neve Campbell) and her friends are being patronized by a new killer in town by using horror films as a method of killing, will they solve the mastermind behind the killings or will killer take the lead and wipe them out? This film has certainly changed horror films and brought them to a new light. Scream also has multiple movies; it currently has five and has won many awards and nominations. Truly a daring and scary franchise if you ask us. 


Paranoia Agent (an Animated Series, 2004)

Hidden under a baseball cap and gliding with golden roller skates — this unidentified young boy turns out to be Tokyo's next menacing, serial assailant. With truly different people from various backgrounds, they've all been targeted by this mystery man, whom police investigation had to connect where they met in the middle of this cryptic and vile phenomenon. This anime series will surely get you looking behind your head as a memory of Shounen Bat’s signature whack in the head this Halloween season!


Happiness (2021)

Imagine finally settling into your ideal apartment with your special someone, then suddenly, you've been sealed off inside your complex with an infectious disease, turning into a full-blooded apocalypse. Can't? Well, this series will surely get your nerves wracking and blood boiling as you witness Officer Yoon Sae Bom (Han Hyo Joo), and Detective Jung Yi Hyun (Park Hyung Sik) try to survive these spooky creatures, along with their distrustful neighbors. Certainly, Halloween isn't complete without the classic zombies!


A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017)

What about for those who can't handle such frights, or maybe a family-friendly, binge-watch-worthy series this Halloween season? Fret not! This show is a Netflix adaptation of the novel series written by American author Lemony Snicket. It revolves around the seemingly never-ending tragic and unfortunate lives of the Baudelaire orphans whose parents perished in a fire and dwelled with unreliable (and potentially murderous) adults as they tried to unveil their family secrets. With any of your beloved ones, the undertakings of these charming and bright kids can surely make your Halloween chilling and stirring! 


Alice in Borderland (2020)

Netflix strikes again, now with a live adaptation of a manga series with the same title, written and illustrated by Haro Aso, and soon to come back with another season. At that, a group of friends, starring Kento Yamazaki as Arisu, gets transported to a twisted, alternate-reality world where each must play brutal life-and-death games to gain ‘visas’, allowing you to survive longer in their dystopian society. You could relate it to the classic children’s book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Caroll, but of course, with a thrilling and abominable twist, perfect to keep your sweats and brain functioning!


Another (an Animated Series, 2012)

This anime series centers around class 3-3 with transfer student Kouichi Sakakibara befriending Mei Misaki and her mysterious nature, the classmate everyone told him to avoid because of an assumed connection to the bloody tragedy that once occurred years before in class 3-3. Uncovering each eerie truth, they met such tragedies, including blood bathing their hands. This anime is definitely a must-watch for all anime fans, and P.S. Don’t forget to watch your step when walking down the stairs!