SPOOKY SUGGESTIONS 2026
‘Donnie Darko’
By Dan Lima
Staff Writer
It’s that time again. Everybody’s got their Halloween movie night plans ready to go. Some folks will want to play the good old ’80s slashers while others might want to rewatch the monster classics of the 1930s. Maybe this time, we could go for something modern instead (I mean, it’s from 2001 - that counts as modern. Right? Right??).
On the occasion of its 25th anniversary this week, I would like to revisit a movie many people still have in their minds, “Donnie Darko.” This psychological thriller is remembered for many reasons. Some remember it for its unique ideas and themes, others remember it for being campy and weird, others remember it just for Gary Jules’s rendition of “Mad World” by Tears For Fears, and others remember it for that super-creepy costume.
Set in October 1988, the movie follows Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular character: a sleepwalking, schizophrenic teenager plagued by visions of a macabre figure in a rabbit costume named Frank and his prophecy of the world ending in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. Under Frank’s influence, Darko sets out to commit acts of vandalism, including flooding and arson. Throughout the movie, more bizarre occurrences happen in his life involving a jet engine, an elderly lady, and time travel.
While big names like Drew Barrymore or Patrick Swayze show up on-screen, the film still maintains an indie-horror quality that is unique for its time. Despite its long development and poor box office showing, it has garnered a devoted fanbase throughout the years.
It may not fit the criteria entirely, but it still has the same charm of any other horror film. Whether you prefer the theatrical cut or the director’s cut, “Donnie Darko” remains a top-notch viewing for Halloween.
‘Scariest House in America’ Season Three
By Francisco Omar Fernandez Rodriguez
Associate Editor
House renovation shows have always been a staple in my household. My mom likes having them on in the background as she reads a book. Naturally, I ended up watching and liking them too.
But there’s one that keeps me both gasping from the fear and laughing from the absurdity of the buildings shown.
“Scariest House in America” is a spinoff series featuring Retta, the same host as “Ugliest House in America,” on HGTV.
The two shows follow a similar structure. Retta travels across the United States and tours ugly or scary houses. Each episode is based on one region and ends with one house in the region winning.
The final episode is always the actual renovation. One final house is chosen as the ugliest, or in our case scariest, house in America. Then it gets a complete makeover by HGTV designer Alison Victoria.
The first two seasons of scary houses were already fun to watch, and the latest season continues this. The main difference is that normally Retta tours three homes per region, but in this season she does four, totaling 20 houses.
These houses are full of ghost stories and deadly histories, from creepy dolls and horror stories to unexplained footprints and mysterious noises.
Sometimes the houses are literally in graveyards or used to be the town jail, with cells in the basement.
Plus, this season she also goes on a tour in what’s known as the “Scariest Hotel in America,” as a side stop.
If you’re not into horror but still want a Halloween-themed fun show to watch, “Scariest House in America” is a great and still kind of terrifying pick.
‘Alien’
By Jesse Burchill
Staff Writer
This 1979 sci-fi classic, directed by Ridley Scott, focuses on the crew of the commercial towing vessel Nostromo as they investigate a bizarre signal on a planet in the middle of nowhere. However, once they make contact with an extraterrestrial lifeform, things turn sharply downhill as the alien begins hunting down the crew aboard the ship.
The Nostromo’s crew all feel like real coworkers, friends, and employees of a space-based corporation - there’s a sense of camaraderie between the crew from their first scene together, and their conversations and arguments always feel natural, even in the sci-fi setting. The scenes of them working to stop the alien once it stows away are just as riveting as the actual scenes with the alien as things get worse, and their growing despair and conflict over how to proceed is palpable.
The Xenomorph in this movie doesn’t have all that much screentime in comparison to those in the sequels, appearing the most in the last 30 minutes, but that’s all it needs to build itself up as a nigh-unstoppable predator. Its lack of presence makes the scenes with it more frightening, and those without it are all the more tense for it.
Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley remains one of the greatest leads in the genre. She’s initially a supporting character in the ensemble cast, but steps up as leader as her crewmates are killed. Even then, she never feels invincible, and that makes the character even more compelling.
With engaging character dynamics, a persistent sense of dread, and Oscar-winning visuals from the first frame, “Alien” cements itself as a landmark in the history of sci-fi horror.
'IT' (2017)
By Cooper Davis
Staff Writer
By Audrey Rice
Staff Writer
“IT” is the perfect movie choice for horror fanatics as well as people looking for a good spook! Based on the award-winning novel by Stephen King, the 2017 version of “IT” is an exceptional movie for the spooky season, combining terrifying horror with a touch of ’80s nostalgia.
If you're looking for a not-so-scary movie and are not too afraid of clowns, look no further! As someone who does not like scary movies, it was the perfect balance of good storytelling and the occasional jumpscare.
At its core, “IT” follows a classic coming-of-age storyline, blending friendship and childhood struggles with elements of gore and supernatural horror. The story centers on Bill Denbrough, a young boy determined to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of his younger brother, Georgie. As Bill investigates, he joins forces with a group of friends who help him face the frightening events unfolding in their town.
This movie dives into many themes, some dark and some light, which gives the movie much more depth. The friendships between the main characters, their experiences growing up, and their efforts to confront their fears make the movie about more than just a terrifying clown. These elements help balance the frightening scenes with moments that viewers can connect with.
Overall, “IT” is a well-made film that offers something for both longtime horror fans and those who are new to the genre. Its combination of suspense, friendship, and coming-of-age storytelling makes it more than just another scary movie.
Whether you're a horror fanatic or someone who usually avoids the genre, “IT” might be the perfect movie to watch this Halloween, especially with a large group of friends!
But if you think you might get nightmares, make sure to watch “It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” before you fall asleep!
‘The Descent’
By Cole Johnson
Copy Editor
I don’t like jumpscares.
It’s not because they’re particularly frightening or unpleasant. I think it’s just a really lame device to instill fear that ends up being more distracting than engaging. If you set off a bomb in my face while I’m trying to follow a story, it doesn’t prove much beyond how little you respect my attention span.
That said, there is a movie whose usage of the technique I enjoy. “The Descent,” released in 2005, is one of disappointingly few horror movies to use the technique effectively - for the terrifying release of deliberately built tension.
The movie follows a group of girlfriends on a cave-diving expedition after the protagonist, Sarah Carter, loses her husband and child in a car crash. Unbeknownst to all but one member of the group, this cave system is uncharted, and the women quickly find themselves lost in an underground maze - but not alone.
For most people, the idea of spelunking is its own horror experience. Seeing the characters squeeze themselves through cramped underground passages in which they can barely turn their heads is enough to put viewers on edge. Add another entity to the equation, and the terror quickly compounds.
Unlike movies that artlessly throw a spotlight on an otherwise pitch-black scene, the lighting in the cave systems is as clever and atmospheric as it is unnerving. Scenes are pretty much exclusively made visible by the flashlights and flares of the cavers, further depriving the senses.
This limited visibility only heightens the dread of what the shadows hold. The suffocating experience beams itself from the screen directly into your brain, and it turns the first reveal of the antagonist into one of the best shots in horror history.
Don’t watch the sequel. It’s not canon.
‘Scream’
By Ollie Mainguy
Staff Writer
“Scream,” directed by Wes Craven, came out in 1996 and quickly became a horror classic. A movie that has wormed its way into the hearts of many is the perfect movie to put on while the leaves fall and your favorite spooky holiday rolls around.
What could have been easily made into a parody, a horror movie making fun of horror movies is now a cult classic loved by fans all around the world. Ghostface, the main antagonist, can be easily recognized in pop culture and is a popular costume year after year.
In my opinion, “Scream” is the perfect introduction to horror, because while it makes fun of itself in certain aspects, it’s still a slasher at heart. If you’re scared of watching horror movies, I’d recommend “Scream” 9 times out of 10. It can easily become a favorite when you look beyond the blood and gore - it’s only corn syrup, after all.
“What’s your favorite scary movie?” This quote is the most well known from the franchise, still an iconic line even today in my opinion.
Well, my favorite scary movie is “Scream,” and my hope is that it becomes a gateway to watching all other sorts of horror movies this Halloween season. The franchise itself could be better, but there are so many horror movies to explore, and “Scream” could be the start of that journey.
‘The Conjuring’
By Louie Ranieri
Staff Writer
“The Conjuring,” released in 2013, is a must watch for this time of year. This movie, along with the other movies in the Conjuring universe, are true stories based off of the investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
This is the first movie to start the Conjuring series, with the famous movie “Annabelle” to be released a year later in 2014.
The movie focuses on the experiences of the Perron family as they move into a farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island.
With five daughters, Roger and Carolyn Perron move in, and quickly learn about the house’s disturbing history, not knowing what waits for them inside.
All of the clocks in the home stop each morning at exactly 3:07 a.m. Later in the movie, Ed and Lorraine come in and uncover the significance of that time along with many other unusual things that happen throughout the movie.
A fun fact about this movie is that while recording the scene where Ed and Lorraine Warren lecture at a college in North Carolina, the real Lorraine Warren, who was 85 at the time, made a quick cameo in the front row of the lecture.
The director James Wan, (who Mrs. Warren had worked closely with to perfect some details) wanted this to honor her and pay tribute to her during her own life story instead of only being there to help guide the cast.
I think this is a smart and fabulous way to pay tribute to her. It also gives the audience an Easter egg to look for in the film!
It is definitely one of my all-time favorite movies! I highly suggest watching the movie, and if you're as invested as I am, do some research and read books on the truth behind the house we all know as The Conjuring House!
‘Misery’ - Stephen King
By Dylan Pichnarcik
Editor-in-Chief
There’s nothing better than reading a spooky novel during Halloween.
This All Hallows' Eve, curl up with “Misery” by Stephen King, a psychological thriller that will make you question ever driving alone through the woods.
King’s story follows a prolific romance writer, Paul Sheldon, who in the process of wrecking his car during a snowstorm, is taken in by a local nurse, Annie Wilkes.
Although Wilkes is a nurse, she's anything but a caretaker, trapping Sheldon in her home and keeping him ill, proclaiming she loves him and is his number one fan.
This novel will grab you and refuse to let you go until the very end.
The world of “Misery” is slow yet terrifying, causing readers to question what tricks Wilkes has up her sleeve.
“Misery” was later adapted into a film starring Kathy Bates and James Caan, and frankly, it’s not that good. Read the book and join the “movie hate club.”
While this isn’t King’s most fast-paced novel, the eerie energy surrounding Wilkes’ cabin will send a chill down any reader's spine. Your skin will crawl once you learn what hobbling is … but you’ll have to read it and find out!
