For some movie fans, holiday movies are a treat and a tradition to indulge in when the time comes. Throughout the years, classics have emerged, placing them permanently in the homes of people that want to stream or purchase them. The horror genre has been around forever, but there are specific movies that fans like to watch when Halloween rolls around.
There's something about re-watching favorites and getting into the Halloween spirit that attracts people and many also want to watch new films to add to the traditional collection. While there are hundreds of movies that could be classified as movies to watch around the Halloween holiday season, there are some that beat the rest. And although they aren't all overrated, there are some that maybe get more love than they should.
Overrated: The Blair Witch Project
Ahh, The Blair Witch Project; one of the first of its kind when it comes to shaky "found-footage" films and an almost nonexistent villain that never shows. In 1999, this film was scary because it was unlike anything fans have seen, but over the years, it's lost its charm, in ways.
Even the ratings have gone down over the years, which means other horror fans are catching the drift, too. Since there have been so many found footage films since the magic is wearing off and fans want more. The Blair Witch Project the first time was scary, but with time, not so much.
Underrated: The Craft
Since a television series is coming out as a remake, this film might get a little more love in 2020, but before that, it was virtually forgotten and underappreciated. The Craft came out in 1996 and had a stellar cast that included Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Rachel True. It's a true nostalgic 1990s movie about a newcomer named Sarah who attends a Catholic high school that falls in line with a trio of teens that practice witchcraft.
Sarah quickly discovers she has things in common with these girls, but after a while, she realizes they aren't as friendly as they appear to be. This film is perfect to watch around Halloween, as it offers hints of magic and is, at times, terrifying.
Overrated: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
If ever there was a classic Halloween movie, it was Halloween: H20: 20 Years Later, it's a little over-cooked.
Because this franchise fails to follow a solid story-line, the ultimate heroine, Laurie Strode, suddenly has a son that is the atypical bad boy that doesn't like to go to school. For being a classic, this film didn't do the franchise justice and many felt it was a little boring and forced.
Underrated: Terrifier
This one is for the clown fans out there. Terrifier is legitimately terrifying because it contains no-frills and ultimately has a simple storyline: a clown that doesn't talk, with an intent to wreak havoc on those around him, and little motive.
Art the Clown doesn't have any magical powers and isn't from an alternate universe, he's just a sadistic murderer that gets joy from causing people harm. With his creepy smile and slow movements, this one is bound to give the audience nightmares.
Overrated: Saw
Another once-beloved franchise that has since gone stale is Saw. Sure, the first movie was another film that was fresh to the horror genre, but the rest of the films that came after dulled its effectiveness. For a period of time, the "torture film" industry was alive and booming, but lately, fans want more substance than seeing people hacked to bits without so much of a storyline to follow.
It's another film that is good the first time it's watched but loses its shine after the second, third, and fourth time. One thing this franchise still has going for it is that the first film has one of the most iconic torture scenes in film history.
Underrated: Southbound
In recent years, anthology films and television shows have become popular. Chalk it up to short attention spans or troubles narrowing down one storyline, but this genre has been successful with the likes of Southbound.
This film is in its own unique lane and provides five interlocking tales of terror that follow the fate of weary travelers and the horror they experience on their adventures. Throughout the film, viewers get a sense of the characters' secrets and nightmares that interlock over one night.
Overrated: Paranormal Activity
Another "found footage" film that did incredibly well at the time was While the next two movies were among the highest-grossing films in the 2010s, because there have been so many found footage films since The Blair Witch Project, again, this franchise has lost its touch.
The demon-possession-of-a-random-house trope has been done over and over again, which means there are a ton of other movies out there with more substance and more jump-scares that are relevant to the era.
Underrated: The Houses That October Built
Horror films can easily cater to the Halloween holiday, but then there are horror films that specifically cater to the holiday, The Houses October Built being one of them. When five friends are on a road trip to seek out the best haunts, they quickly realize they are being stalked by a group of mysterious individuals.
This film is another great example that films don't have to be complicated and can remain simple to be scary. It also has hints of sci-fi, but not too much that it couldn't be a reality.
Overrated: Hocus Pocus
the film didn't make much sense.
While it's Practical Magic. Even though there are talks of a sequel and the film is considered a classic, this one doesn't deserve all the attention it gets.
Underrated: Hell House, LLC
Another film that portrays the haunted house genre well is Hell House LLC. Five years after a mysterious malfunction caused 15 people to lose their lives in a haunted house tour, a documentary crew goes back to the "crime scene" to find out what really happened. As they try to get the building up and running for another go at the haunt, strange occurrences start happening and they find themselves in the exact situation as the previous staff that perished.
This film has just the right amount of jump-scares and the use of the found footage angle is rather well-done despite the fact that it's been done over and over. The twist at the end is the ultimate nail in the so-called coffin.
