Halloween-Horror-Spooky Movies Watched This Season

 I do enjoy this time of the year.  I watch as many of these movies and/or series as I can.  Some were watched throughout the year.  It had been some time since I last watched Skeleton Key starring Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands and Peter Sarsgaard.  Lots of suspense and it just keeps the creepy vibe going.  I really like twist at the end.  This is a movie you enjoy watching a second time knowing the end because you see it with such a different eye.

Plenty of good movies on the list below and a few that I will never see again.  Movies marked with an "*" are movies I watched for the first time.  Amongst the first-time watches, Sinners was my favorite.  Have a great, safe and fun Halloween!

Scream 7

Sinners*

Legend of Boggy Creek

Friday the 13th 2

Friday the 13th 3

Marvel Zombies*

MaXXXine*

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)*

V/H/S*

Skeleton Key

The Fog

The Village

Scream 7

Scream 7:  I'm a big fan of the Scream franchise and really enjoyed this one.  Neve Campbell and Courtney Cox are back and take on big roles in the movie.  In ways it felt more like the original than some of the others but that isn't a knock on the other movies in the franchise.  Bottom line is I enjoyed this movie.  It'll has twists and turns which played into many of the rumors leading into the movie's release.  I really liked Isabel May's part in the movie as well.  I say give this one a watch.

MaXXXine (2024)

MaXXXine is the final film in the trilogy that included X and Pearl.  All three are different types of movies.  X with its classic 70s slasher vibe, Pearl with its suspense and character development while MaXXXine takes us to the glam of 1980s Hollywood while building up the anticipation.  I thought I saw where MaXXXine might take us but I was wrong.  I liked the suspense and the story.  The last 30 minutes or so felt like a bit of a letdown.  After Pearl I expected something different as the movie built to a climax.  Don't take that too negatively.  Just my expectations as I watched.  I recommend all three movies in the trilogy.  X was my favorite with Pearl right behind it.  And Kevin Bacon plays a prominent role in the movie.

The Legend of Boggy Creek

 The Legend of Boggy Creek is one that I'll always remember from my childhood.  It was released in 1972 but I'm sure I watched in the mid '70s on KTLA.  And man, it scared me.  I was under 10 so that makes sense.  This watch was personal wanting to revisit a movie that made a big impression on me.  As an adult, is it that scary?  No.  But it was a fun walk back through time.

The movie itself centers around a bigfoot esque creature that terrorizes locals in Arkansas.  The movie shows both encounters with the "Fouke monster" as well as "eyewitness" interviews similar to a docudrama.  I did like some of the low-budget cinematography and how they built the story up.  I'm not saying I recommend this one, but I did want to put it out there for my nostalgia if nothing else.

V/H/S

V/H/S is a 2012 horror movie that follows men who are paid to retrieve/steal a VHS tape.  While doing that they view some of the tapes which show gruesome tales unfold.  All the while they are in their own horror movie unbeknownst to them.  V/H/S is alright.  The shaky camera was a bit shaky at times, but the stories were fine though I would have appreciated a more creepy vibe at times.  There are 9 movies in the V/H/S lineage including a new 2026 release (V/H/S/Mixtape).  I didn't see enough in V/H/S to make me want to watch more of this series this year but I can see myself watching the subsequent movies over the years.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)

IKWYDLS:   I'm always in the mood for an old school slasher film.  I liked the original from 1997, and I didn't remember this one coming out.  It follows new characters dealing with a killer similar to what we've seen before in this series.  We also have returning characters from the original.  Overall, it's okay but it didn't really hit for me.  I just couldn't get invested in the characters and it felt too similar to the original at different points.  It's a shame.  There are some good pieces and parts here but overall, not a movie I really enjoyed.

Friday the 13th: Part 2

Friday the 13th Part 2 is one I'm not 100% sure I'd ever seen before.  One night I was in the mood for an old school slasher and this one popped up.  So why not.  It does stay somewhat true to the same feel as the first one.  Is it as good?  No, but it was an easy watch and scratched the itch for some fun horror from that era.  Not gonna say "recommend" but if this genre is your thing it may work for you.

Sinners

 Sinners: I was a bit late watching this one but really glad I did.  It's a movie that really sets things up.  So much so that at some point I was swondering if it was a horror movie.  A horror movie it is and it is a good one.  Michael B. Jordan does a great job as the lead and there's plenty of good supporting actors and actresses who make this one a good movie.  As you can tell I recommend you add this one to your spooky season watching list.

The Odyssey

 The Odyssey:  I was looking forward to this one and was able to see it in the theater while on vacation.  I enjoyed this movie.  Done well all around and the cinematography was great.  Did it have to be 3 hours?  Probably not but it went by pretty quick.  The casting, story, visuals were good.  I suggest this movie when you get the chance.

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One Part Two Part Three

 I received this trilogy on blu-ray for Christmas last year.  Part one, part two and part three details are at those links.  The 1985 comic story arc was huge back in the day with 12 issues in the main storyline and crossed over in many other comics.  There's a lot going on in this trilogy.  I haven't read any of this story since '85 so I really had no real memory of the details.  I like that there are so many characters from the DC universe.  Always fun to see those heroes you enjoyed.  It also means there is only so much screen time for many of them.  As it expected the big three, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, all have ample screen time but there are many other characters who actually star here.

The BLUF is heroes meet a cosmic threat that poses a risk to all the different earths that exists.  And there are a lot.  That's cool too.  We get to see different takes on our heroes and some of our favorite takes from DC are shown on their own earths - Super Friends, Animated Batman and more.  I loved that.  

In the end there are some surprises, fun interactions, and serious moments.  I don't think young fans would enjoy this one as much as I'd want.  It's a complicated story and they might not get what's going on and be confused by multiples of heroes.  I know I was confused at times.  Overall, it's a good trilogy.  I enjoyed some parts more than others but that's not surprise.  Not sure if I should have gone back to read the Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi series before watching this take.  Might have helped.  Next up on my watch list is The Penguin season 1.

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Ford v Ferrari:  The BLUF is Ford wants to take down Ferrari in the prestigious race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  With NASCAR taking a break last weekend, pop and I watched this one.  I'd seen probably 75% of the movie in bits and pieces and figured we'd both like it.  And we did.  Really good story.  Matt Damon and Christian Bale do a great job.  Hard not to enjoy this movie.  You don't have to be a racing guy or even a car guy.  I think most will find it easy to enjoy.  

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (NO SPOILERS)

 My son, grandsons and I saw Spider-Man: Brand New Day on Thursday and we enjoyed.  It is probably not the Spider-Man movie we're used to.  It feels more grounded and story driven.  The youngest son said it needed more action and for a 9-year-old I get it.  There is action though.  Again, how it plays into the story might make it different from what we've seen before.  Good movie and one of our favorites in the Tom Holland era.

Masters of the Universe (2026)

 When the trailer for Masters of the Universe came out, I was excited.  Overall a good movie.  They lean into this having an '80s feel and the humor.  I've watched more of the current Master of the Universe animated offerings in the franchise.  Wasn't a big fan when I was younger.  I go back and forth from wanting this to be a more serious adaptation in tone as opposed an action comedy or just enjoying it for what it is.  As is, it is good.  I won't say great.  I like some of the visuals and the way the characters look, especially Skeletor.  Not sure if there'll be a sequel but I'm glad I watched this one after being told by a few folks to watch it.  It's on Amazon Prime Video right now for subscribers.  It may be on other platforms but I'm not sure.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu Movie (No Spoilers)

The Mandalorian and Grogu movie is good and I enjoyed it more than I expected.  I thought they did well adapting it to the big screen and it felt like a Star Wars movie while keeping the feel of the series.  A ton of action in the movie too.  As a Star Wars fan, I'm guarded going into movies now and this one coming from the television series gave me more pause.  But it was just fun.  The grandsons really enjoyed it and they are the toughest critics.  

Nuremberg

Nuremberg:  Really enjoyed Nuremberg which centers around the Germans on trial after World War II.  Specifically Hermann Göring who is played very well by Russell Crowe.  Also really good is Rami Malek who plays the psychiatrist (Douglass Kelley) who looks over the prisoner's well-being.  Michael Shannon also plays the lead US prosecutor and Lee Woodall plays Sergeant Howie Triest, an American soldier who is also German and the interpreter.  I point them all out as they are the focus of the film and all make it as good as it is.  There's a ton of information on the Nuremberg trials but this movie concentrates on a specific piece of the trials highlighted by the interactions of Göring and Kelley.  The movie is 2 1/2 hours long but both pop and I were very surprised at that as you never notice the length.  It jumps right into the story and even with the tough topics brought up it is as easy watch.  We are military history fans so it might be easier for us than others, but again this really is a good movie.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

 Super Mario Galaxy:  I took the grandsons to this one last night and we enjoyed.  Plenty of action, fun and a good story.  I think this is better than the original that came out in 2023.  We also enjoyed that one.  This one did almost $60M over the first two days so it seems like this will be another big movie.  Again, it's fun and that's all we could ask for.

GOAT

GOAT:   Me and the grandsons watched this one this week in the theater.  We really enjoyed it.  The movies centers around a goat named Will.  He gets a chance to play roarball which is their version of basketball in this world filled with animals.  Since he's a "small" it's a very big deal as he joins the local professional team (Thorns).  It was just fun.  I liked the characters and it was paced well.  The movie has done over $140M worldwide so it must be doing something right.  Steph Curry was part of the movie development, is a producer, and also voices Lenny the Giraffe.

2025 Christmas Goodies

 The family really outdid themselves this year.  I'm truly blessed.  I added a new Star Wars steelbook to the collection - Rise of Skywalker.  I almost have all the Star Wars steelbook movie releases.  The Penguin will be a fun watch.  I don't have an HBO Max subscription so I need it in physical form.  The animated Crisis on Infinite Earths trilogy rounded out my movies.  Three books - The Boys (Ron and Clint Howard), Can You Dig It? and the Dr. J autobiography - are all books I'm excited to read. A Mould King Firebird model.  A Hot Topic gift card which will probably that into a The Lost Boys shirt.   Speaking of, I also got cool AC/DC shirt.  And some baseball and basketball cards.  Again, I'm so blessed and thankful. Santa was good to me.

Halloween-Horror-Spooky Movies Watched This October

 Great time of the year for me as I love spooky movies and all that goes with Halloween.  I seek out favorites, classics and new movies.  I got plenty of movie watching in this year which isn't always easy with all the sports going on.  I always seek out classics I love like Halloween, Universal Monsters, Jeepers Creepers, and Sleepy Hollow.  Amongst movies I'd never seen before, my favorites were Pearl and The Black Phone.  Some of the other new movies on the list were some stinkers but it's fun trying to find a hidden gem.  Movies marked with an "*" are movies I watched for the first time.  I hope you have a fun and safe Halloween!

Halloween (1978)

Dracula (1931)

Frankenstein (1931)

The Wolf Man (1941)

Beetleguice Beetleguice*

Slender Man*

The Black Phone*

Pearl*

The Jester*

The Babysitter

Jeepers Creepers

Jeepers Creepers: Reborn*

Butterfly Kisses*

Fear Street Anthology*

Fear Street: Prom Night*

Sleepy Hollow

Fear Street: Prom Queen

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

 

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice came out last year and I finally got around to watching it.  I liked it.  As much as the orginal?  No.  But this one was entertaining.  It did a good job bringing back original characters while adding new ones including Astrid, Lydia's daughter, played by Jenna Ortega.  I won't over analyze this one.  I'll just say I liked it.  Happy Halloween!