As the leaves rustle in eerie whispers and the moon casts its spellbinding glow, the approach to Halloween beckons us into a world where the mystical and the macabre dance hand in hand. Just as a coven gathers to conjure the mystic energies of the universe, we gather here to celebrate the cinematic enchantments that will send shivers down your spine and awaken your inner thrill-seeker. Halloween is a time when the veil between the living and the departed is at its thinnest, and what better way to embrace this spectral season than by delving into movies that embody the spirit of the supernatural?

So, dear readers, prepare your cauldrons of popcorn, dim the lights, and summon your bravest spirit as we embark on this cinematic journey into the heart of Halloween. They have some of our favorite spooky elements — be they witches, vampires, haunted houses, ghosts or mythical beasts — which is another reason why you’ll want to reach for these every October. As we continue to explore the mystical and the magical, these films will serve as a bewitching bridge between our previous odyssey and the spectral season ahead.

1. Practical Magic (1998)

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman weave a bewitching tale as two sisters with supernatural powers. They grapple with love, grief, and the mysterious forces of the craft as they attempt to resurrect a lost love.

2. American Werewolf in London (1981)

Jonathan Landis’s horror-comedy masterpiece, featuring the groundbreaking makeup artistry of Rick Baker, tells the tale of a man’s terrifying transformation into a werewolf after a fateful encounter on the moors.

Jonathan Landis’ horror-comedy masterpiece showcases the first-ever Academy Award-winning makeup transformation by the legendary Rick Baker. Follow the harrowing journey of a man cursed to transform into a werewolf, where the moonlit streets of London become the backdrop for his gruesome metamorphosis.

3. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

Immerse yourself in Guillermo del Toro’s hauntingly beautiful fantasy world, where a young girl navigates the horrors of post-Civil War Spain and encounters mystical creatures in a labyrinthine garden

4. The Love Witch (2016)

Step into the 1960s with this satirical delight that follows Elaine, a captivating witch who employs her powers to ensnare the hearts of unsuspecting men.

5. Suspiria (2018)

Dakota Johnson stars in this chilling remake of the 1977 supernatural horror classic. Join her as she uncovers the sinister secrets lurking within a prestigious German dance company.

6. The Witch (2015)

Set in 1630s New England, this spine-tingling tale follows a family whose secluded farm becomes a breeding ground for fear and paranoia as they suspect their teenage daughter of witchcraft. It may not hit you with jump-scares, but it’ll get under your skin.

7. Hereditary (2018)

Prepare for a descent into psychological horror as a family grapples with increasingly malevolent forces after the death of their secretive grandmother. The darkest family secrets will be unearthed.

8. Sleepy Hallow (1999)

Loosely based on Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Tim Burton’s gothic romance transports you to the eerie world of Sleepy Hollow, where Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane investigates a headless horseman’s reign of terror. It has plenty of macabre touches, but also some silliness, too.

9. The Addams Family (1991)

Gomez, Morticia, and the entire Addams clan return in this delightfully spooky classic. Their unconventional antics are the perfect family-friendly Halloween fare. For a dose of macabre humor that’s family-friendly, revel in the quirky antics of the spooky Addams Family. I will also recommend Netflix’s, Wednesday (2022) if fancy a creepy, charming spin-off series.

10. Beetlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton’s zany tale of the afterlife features a mischievous spirit for hire, a couple of newlyweds, and plenty of ghostly mayhem. It’s an otherworldly comedy with a wicked sense of humor.

11. Hocus Pocus (1993)

No Halloween is complete without the Sanderson Sisters’ antics. Follow the hilarious and spooky escapades as a trio of kids attempts to thwart the witches’ diabolical plan.

12. Carrie (1976)

Brian De Palma’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is a haunting exploration of teenage angst and telekinetic powers. High school can be a nightmare, but for Carrie, it becomes a chilling reality.

13. The Craft (1996)

Teenage angst takes a dark turn as a new girl at school joins a coven of witches, setting off a chain of supernatural events. It’s a good one to watch with your BFFs (or frenemies).

14. Bewitched (2005)

Nora Ephron’s charming rom-com explores the chaos that unfolds when a mortal actor (Will Ferrell) unknowingly marries a real-life witch (Nicole Kidman) during a reboot of the classic sitcom “Bewitched.”

15. Midsommar (2019)

Venture into the Swedish countryside for a Midsummer festival like no other. What begins as a cultural experience turns into a waking nightmare of pagan rituals and psychological horror.

16. The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece of terror needs no introduction. And for a double dose of fright, don’t forget to check out “Doctor Sleep,” the sequel that delves deeper into the supernatural.

17. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Roman Polanski’s psychological thriller unfolds as a young woman becomes increasingly paranoid about the true nature of her pregnancy and her neighbors’ sinister intentions.

18. The Wicker Man (1973)

Prepare for a chilling journey to a remote Scottish island, where a police officer investigates a missing child and stumbles upon a pagan community’s disturbing rituals.

19. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

Step into the immortal world of vampires with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. This tale of bloodlust, immortality, and the quest for humanity is a Gothic masterpiece.

20. Casper (1995)

We round out our list with a friendly ghost. “Casper” is the perfect blend of heartwarming and spooky—a family-friendly choice for a Halloween movie night.

With these films, your Halloween season is destined to be a spine-tingling, enchanting journey into the unknown. Each title offers a unique blend of horror, suspense, and magic that’s perfect for celebrating the spookiest time of the year.