what i've been watching lately (spooky season edition)

Halloween is almost here...which means seasonal favourites and horror movies have been in heavy rotation lately. Whether you are planning to host or attend a Halloween party this year, hand out candy, or turn off all the lights and wait for November to arrive, there are plenty of opportunities to watch something themed. Looking for something family friendly? Check out a few streaming options here. Prefer something scary or even a little bizarre? Check out a few suggestions here. Or if you are curious about what I have been watching so far this holiday, keep reading for some spooky season recommendations.

This spooky season, there have been all sorts of movies and television shows to enjoy. Some have been fun favourites and some have been new-to-me. I like to mix it up each Halloween and sprinkle in a little unfamiliar with the familiar. 

The Stand. Though I have read some Stephen King books in my time, The Stand was not one that managed to make it to my bookshelf. Despite this, I eagerly purchased The Stand miniseries at my local entertainment store. It is no secret that I support Amber Heard and was horrified to watch society participate in a smear campaign funded by her abuser (who was found to have abused her on at least 12 different occasions in a ruling upheld on appeal). At first, my support was simply because it was the right thing to do. But at a certain point, I decided to work my way through her filmography. I am still doing this and continue to add to my movie and television collection bit by bit. The Stand was one that I purchased many months back, but decided to wait until October to watch in full. It was really well done and had a solid cast. The characters were compelling and there was lots of tension and terror to be found. This is one miniseries that will be rewatched every spooky season in future.

Everything Addams Family. I don't know what it is about the Addams Family, but it is so nostalgic for me. This spooky season, there was an awful lot of time spent watching these iconic characters in a variety of forms. Of course, I watched the 90s versions of the movies (my favourites), but I also watched the more recent cartoon movies (those have a different vibe, but are still fun), the old black and white Addams Family show, and even some of The New Addams Family. The latter is one that I watched when I was a kid, so even though it isn't the greatest, there is still a nice cozy quality about it. There is something special about this fictional family...especially at this time of year. It just wouldn't be Halloween without the Addams Family.

All the Halloweentown Movies. My obsession with the Halloweentown movies goes back a long time. I remember watching them on Family Channel every Halloween and wishing that such a place really existed. I have all four movies on DVD now and love to rewatch them each season. (The movies are also on Disney+ if you are more of a streaming kind of person.) All of the movies are fantastic, but the third one has a special place in my heart. This year, I made sure to watch the fourth Halloweentown movie, Return to Halloweentown. This is one that I often skip, because Disney changed the actress for Marnie and it just does not feel the same. It is a good movie in general, but Kimberly J. Brown is Marnie Cromwell. Always and forever! 

Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker. Confession: I have watched a lot of random horror movies on free streaming services this year. I love a random 70s, 80s, or 90s, horror film with a low budget and a dream. Sometimes, the movies are terrible and sometimes the movies are so terrible that they veer back into good. This year, I watched the Puppet Master, The Slumber Party Massacre, Chopping Mall, and a handful of others. I also decided to blend Christmas and Halloween together with the movie, Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker. Despite not having seen any of the other movies in this series, The Toy Maker had a decent premise and Mickey Rooney. The movie was so bad it was good. Despite the sheer ridiculousness of watching toys attack unsuspecting people over and over, it was a good watch and certainly had lots of twists and turns. 

In addition to all of the movies, miniseries, and television shows listed above, there were lots of other favourites that I watched this spooky season. Some examples? The I Know What You Did Last Summer movies, Casper, the Blair Witch Project, all the Chucky movies, and Halloween 4 and 5. It has been fun embracing the chills and thrills that are associated with this time.

What have you been watching lately? Be sure to share your favourite Halloween movies in the comment section below!