With Halloween right around the corner, there’s no better time to get into the spirit of the season than these movies that take place on Halloween night.
“Cowboy Bebop: The Movie” (2001)
Set in between events of the titular anime, the movie follows the Bebop crew as they take on a bounty for a terrorist looking to kill everyone on Mars on Halloween if his demands aren’t met.
Not only does the movie show off Halloween’s seasonal elements, but it also results in something that directly ties to the plot and provides something for the characters to interact with.
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Anime fans can also attest to the quality of this movie in terms of its presentation and, most importantly, music, which exemplifies big-band swing and bebop-style jazz.
“Halloween III: Season of the Witch” (1982)
Despite being the third film in the series, “Season of the Witch” separates itself from Michael Myers by telling the story of a doctor uncovering an evil company’s plan to use trending Halloween masks to eliminate as many children as possible.
Taking place throughout the days leading up to Halloween, the film effortlessly captures the essence of the season, ranging from the obnoxious-themed commercials on TV to the sight of trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.
It is by no means a perfect film, but its deviation from what the previous films in the series were makes “Season of the Witch” a great horror film to enjoy.
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)
If there’s anything that director Steven Spielberg is wonderful at, it’s bringing a childlike nature to his work; “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” is no exception.
The film follows an alien stranded on Earth rescued by a young boy who befriends him and helps him find a way home.
In one of the film’s most iconic scenes, the characters use Halloween night to hide E.T. among other trick-or-treaters, showing off the community around the main characters celebrating the holiday.
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” still stands the test of time, and although it may not be a horror film, it will definitely have you reaching for your nearest box of tissues.
“Trick ‘r Treat” (2007)
This direct-to-DVD horror film not only takes place during Halloween, but it is a love letter to the holiday and the traditions often associated with it.
The movie intertwines five stories into one timeline, which surrounds the characters on Halloween.
What makes “Trick ‘r Treat” a great Halloween movie — aside from the nods to the holiday — is just how off-setting the film can get with its narratives, making this a chilling watch for the season.
Not to mention that it gave us Sam, one of the most unique and memorable horror movie mascots in recent years.
“The Batman” (2022)
The movie merely begins on Halloween night, but Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” immediately sets up its darker tone, introducing viewers to a severely crime-ridden Gotham City.
Unlike many of the Caped Crusader’s previous adaptations, “The Batman” likes to take a step back and show the audience a different look into the City of Gotham that hasn’t been explored before.
By doing this, Gotham City itself becomes full of life and unique character, even if it is nothing but shady business going on for Batman to put an end to.
“Halloween” (1978)
This list would not be complete without John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” which arguably single-handedly paved the way for other ’90s slashers like “Candyman” and “Scream.”
What makes “Halloween” so scary is how Carpenter turns something as mundane as a babysitter working on Halloween night into a nightmare with a stalking killer.
Unlike more outlandish horror movies like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” or “Evil Dead,” “Halloween” stands out as a real-life possibility, adding to its fear factor.
Killers like Freddy Krueger or Jason Voorhees are unrealistic from the get-go, but Michael Myers is just a man of pure evil.
