6 underrated Halloween movies to seek out this year

We've come to anticipate the usual suspects showing up on the annual Halloween movie rec lists, films like Hocus Pocus, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, etc. And all of those movies deserve to be mentioned! They're classics.

But what if you want something a little different this Halloween? Below we've listed a few movies that often get forgotten about at this time of year, despite the fact that they definitely qualify as fitting for a spooky season watch.

1. Something Wicked This Way Comes

Based on Ray Bradbury's novel of the same name, Something Wicked This Way Comes is the ideal spooky, cozy viewing for October. Set during Halloween time, the story centers on teenage best friends Will and Jim who attend a mysterious carnival that appears in town, hosted by the sinister Mr. Dark.

The boys soon discover that the circus people are giving the townsfolk surprising offers, but as is often the case with wish fulfillment stories, these "deals" always have a catch. I admit, though, that you're going to have a hard time finding this movie. It's not available to stream, but I did pick up a DVD copy for cheap on Amazon a couple of years ago.

2. Death Becomes Her (Peacock, Tubi)

Death Becomes Her has popped up in conversation multiple times throughout the year due to Sabrina Carpenter referencing the film in her "Taste" music video and Coralie Fargeat's body horror movie The Substance drawing some favorable comparisons to the surreal Robert Zemeckis-directed film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. If you've never seen Death Becomes Her then you're in for a treat.

3. A Cinderella Story (VOD)

Hear me out. Even though A Cinderella Story (the original 2004 movie with Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray) is by no means a scary film, it still has a huge segment that takes place during a Halloween masquerade party, complete with a costume-trying montage and the start of a silly-yet-adorable rom-com story. I love seeing Halloween parties depicted in movies, and so you could throw in Mean Girls and make it a double-feature night if you're interested in some decor or costuming ideas without the scares!

4. Night of the Demons (Peacock, Tubi, Shudder, Prime Video)

Speaking of horror movies and Halloween parties, this 1988 cult classic from Kevin S. Tenney is a great choice for Halloween night (or to run in the background during a get-together). It centers on teenagers throwing a party in a creepy old funeral parlor, and as one might expect, things soon take a terrifying turn. There are also two sequels and a remake if you get really invested and want to keep the story going.

5. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (VOD)

Steven Spielberg's endearing sci-fi film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has easily stood the test of time and become a classic, one that has been incredibly influential (just look at Stranger Things) and beloved by many. Halloween is a great time for parents to show this movie to their kids for the first time, since many seem to forget that the kids do use Halloween as a plot point in the story! And I remember the first time I watched it as a kid, it scared me, so the film still holds up.

6. Ginger Snaps (Peacock, Shudder)

For some of us, Ginger Snaps is a genuine classic. I think a lot of people would agree, though for whatever reason this movie still gets left off many "best of" lists. I digress. If you're into female-led horror movies and werewolves, then look no further. Bonus because this one features Halloween in the film and it was basically the blueprint for Jennifer's Body.