Entertainment Desk:

Halloween is celebrated each year on 31 October. To celebrate the day, some may be planning the ultimate Halloween costume, others prepare for spooky season by watching as many of the best Halloween movies as possible. With that in mind, here’s a list of some best Halloween movies to watch.

HALLOWEEN (1978)

The title says it all; this is by far the best movie to watch today. Watching silent, masked killer Michael Myers slash his victims to shreds while they’re dressed in costumes and trick-or-treating feels extra creepy on Halloween itself. John Carpenter created an instant classic that is terrifying year-round, but especially during spooky season. The “Halloween” franchise has withstood the test of time (and countless imitations), spawning more than 10 sequels, remakes and revivals, but the original still holds the creepy crown.

SWEENEY TODD (2007)

A film adaptation of the hit Stephen Sondheim musical, folks attend the tale of a long-lost barber who finds himself back in London. There, he seeks revenge on a judge who wrongfully exiled him in order to lay claim to his wife. The film stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Jamie Campbell Bower and others.

TRICK ‘R TREAT (2007)

Anthology films tend to be a mixed bag, but this clever combo from writer-director Michael Dougherty features four very wicked and genuinely unsettling stories. The classics are covered, from poisoned candy to werewolves, while also introducing new lore with the character of Sam – a demon with a burlap mask hiding a skull-pumpkin hybrid head. The tales unfold in a non-linear but overlapping style that adds to the tension without distraction. Most of all, it’s the stellar cast – from Oscar-winner Anna Paquin to character greats Brian Cox and Dylan Baker – that elevate the Halloween tales.

THE VAMPIRE’S ASSISTANT (2009)

Darren is a typical teenager, looking for more out of his life than living in a sleepy town. When a freakshow circus makes its way to his area, he discovers the ringleader is none other than a vampire. This leads Darren to want to join the traveling spectacle, but it comes with a devastating price. The film stars Chris Massoglia, John C. Reilly, and Salma Hayek in the key roles.

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S (2023)

This is a 2023 American supernatural horror film based on the video game series of the same name created by Scott Cawthon. In the story, when a troubled security guard is in need of a job, he woefully finds himself working at an abandoned pizzeria. He discovers the mascots floating around are not only alive, but they are possessed by children who disappeared while eating at the restaurant.