While the main draw of Halloween is easily the candy (who doesn’t love a holiday dedicated to sweets?), watching scary movies is a close second. From scare-you-out-of-your-seat classics to family-friendly varieties for the kiddos, these frightening flicks are essential to a horror movie marathon (just add popcorn).

Hocus Pocus. Between Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker, this movie is a Halloween classic that NEVER gets old.

A Nightmare on Elm Street. If you weren’t an insomniac before, you will be after watching this movie. “One, two, Freddy’s coming for you…”

The Witches. This Jim Henson production (yes, you read that right) teeters on scary-movie territory, so it’s perfect for not-quite-ready-for-horror-flicks kids.

BeetleJuice. Full of wit, whimsy, and sometimes creepy moments, this cinematic masterpiece shows why Tim Burton is the king of the strange and unusual.

The Shining. This iconic Stephen King–inspired thriller haunts you long after you hit the stop button. Spooky fact: Jack Nicholson’s famous “Heeeere’s Johnny” line was actually ad-libbed.

Ghostbusters. Because every thrill-fest needs a side-splittingly funny break.

Poltergeist. The fact that this 80s film franchise is said to be cursed (due to premature deaths among the cast and crew) just makes it that much more scary.

The Exorcist. Simply the kind of movie where you spend half the time under a blanket.

Casper. When it comes to a family fright fest, this ghost story should be at the top of your list.

Friday the 13th. Hockey fans beware: watch this movie, and you’ll never look at a hockey mask the same way again.

Sleepy Hollow. Two words: Johnny Depp.

Halloween. The movie that launched Jamie Lee Curtis’s career may not be the first slasher movie, but it’s definitely one of the best.

Psycho. Because no scary movie marathon is complete without a little Alfred Hitchcock.

By Keriann Coffey, Associate Blog Editor

What movies make your Halloween hit list? Share them in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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