If you’re looking for movies, TV shows, books, or any media to enhance your Halloween season, this article is for you.

The general recommendations of media you have either heard of or seen before.

Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus is an essential Halloween movie about three witch sisters who get brought back on Halloween night and run amuck in Salem, Mass. The three main characters of the Sanderson sisters are portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy. Hocus Pocus is available on Disney Plus and Amazon for $3.99. 

The Haunting of Hill House

The Haunting of Hill House is a Netflix Original Limited Series about a family who grew up in a haunted house years later and have to confront the ghosts of their pasts starring Victoria Pedretti and Kate Segal. The Haunting of Hill House is available on Netflix.

My Favorite Murder

My Favorite Murder is a true crime podcast in which hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark dissect and discuss many popular true crime stories. A great starting point for

 the podcast is the 75th episode titled “Breakfast Wine” in which the two discuss the 1979

 Mainline Murders. My Favorite Murder is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, and Wondery.

Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal Documentary

Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal is a Netflix Original Documentary about an insane family drenched in white privilege who kill each other and others, deny everything and eventually face legal retribution. Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal is available on Netflix. 

Halloween (1978)

John Carpenter’s classic Halloween is the story of Micheal Meyers; on Halloween night in 1963, he murders his older sister Judith. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison and set free in Haddonfield, Illinois, on Halloween night, 1978. Halloween (1978) stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence. Halloween is available on most platforms and costs around $4 to rent.

Scream (1996)

Scream is another classic horror movie with a beautiful mix of whodunnit and slasher that makes you unable to look away from its runtime. Scream stars Drew Barrymore, Mathew Lillard, and Neve Campbell. Scream is available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Max.

The Conjuring Trilogy

The Conjuring Trilogy is a James Wan-directed collection of films chronicling the demonic investigations by Ed and Lorraine Warren from possession to hauntings. This trilogy has resulted in 5 spin-off movies and an eight-movie universe. Ed and Loraine Warren are played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. All of the conjuring movies are available on Max. 

Coraline

Coraline is a stop-motion animation feature about a girl who resents her family, and when she finds an odd tunnel in her house, she finds a supposed better version of her family. Coraline stars Dakota Fanning and Keith David and is available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Max.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghostbusters is a 1984 comedy about three scientists who band together to stop an ancient demon when a string of unusual spectral encounters occur in New York City. Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and Sigourney Weaver and is available on Hulu and Peacock.

Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice is a Tim Burton horror comedy about a couple who die in a car accident and try to haunt the new homeowners and are approached by a being that offers to “help” them. Beetlejuice stars Micheal Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Alec Baldwin and is available on Amazon Prime and Max.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is an animated short based on the Charles Shultz children’s book of the same name about the characters of the Peanuts comic celebrate Halloween and is available on Apple TV+.

Fear Street Trilogy

Fear Street is a trilogy of Netflix Original Movies loosely based on the R.L. Stine book series of the same name. The trilogy of films follows one continuous story told in three different time periods with three different horror genres. The Fear Street Trilogy is exclusively on Netflix and stars Kiana Madeira, Emily Rudd, and Sadie Sink.

Trick r’ Treat

Trick ‘r Treat is an anthology-style horror film focusing on isolated events unfolding in one town on Halloween night. Trick ‘r Treat stars Quinn Lord, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox and is available on Amazon Prime and Max.

Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein is a Mel Brooks comedy retelling the classic Mary Shelley story of Frankenstein but with a more satirical and absurdist twist. Young Frankenstein stars Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, and Mel Brooks and is available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Max.

The more obscure recommendations.

Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace is a 1944 dark comedy about newlyweds returning home after a Halloween wedding to find their family in-laws are crazier than they thought. Arsenic and Old Lace stars Cary Grant, Peter Lorre, and Jean Adair and is available on Hulu.

The Evil Dead

The Evil Dead is a Sam Rami horror movie in which four friends travel to a cabin in the woods and fight against an infinite horde of the undead. The Evil Dead stars Bruce Campbell and is available on AMC+.

The Lady In White

Lady in White is a 1988 horror/fantasy film about a young boy locked in a closet after school as a Halloween prank in which he is approached by a spirit that helps him uncover their and nine other children’s murders before he is next. Lady in White stars Lukas Hass and is available on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree is a TV movie adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s 1972 novel of the same name in which a group of trick-or-treating children learn about the origins of their costumes and the origin of Halloween. The Halloween Tree stars Ray Bradbury and Leonard Nimoy and is available on Amazon for $2.99.

H.P. Lovecraft’s The Statement of Randolph Carter

The Statement of Randolph Carter is a short story in the form of a court hearing in which a man chronicles an encounter with an otherworldly creature. The Statement of Randolph Carter audiobook is available on YouTube. https://youtu.be/qrNiIw_iDTc?si=1Q-sgM77l3QPFQpY