Everyone has a few comfort movies that they can watch all the time, any time. I am no different, having a few picks that may not be the best or scariest or most thought-provoking or what have you. These are movies that will always share a special place in my heart; read this list and find out why.
Halloween (1978)
There’s no denying Halloween is a classic — not just for horror movies, but for cinema in general! Michael Myers terrorizes his childhood town of Haddonfield, setting his sights on teenage Laurie and the two kids she’s babysitting.
Halloween is such an easy movie to watch. It has scares (but not too much). The story is easy to understand. The score is menacing. It’s entertaining and most of all rewatchable. I could watch Halloween any time, any where; I even have it on for background noise sometimes. It’s a classic for all of these reasons, and one that instantly puts me in a good mood.
The Lords of Salem (2012)
Rob Zombie is not everyone’s cup of tea. I sorta like his 1000 Corpses series, his Halloweens don’t even make the list for me… But this here is a masterpiece! Salem radio DJ Heidi Hawthorne is growing ever more troubled as her life spirals out of control, all at the behest of three witches taking revenge for the trials that occurred in the 1600s.
I wish I had not waited so long to finally watch this, because when I did so, I was imagining how amazing it would have been to see when it was in theaters. Set in Salem, Lords is a beautifully sinister place of evil. Naked witches, demonic imagery, and a tune that even the most anti-rock person can appreciate. This movie never fails to put me in the fall mood, and is one that I find myself reaching for often. Read my full review here.
Hubie Halloween (2020)
When I saw the trailer for Hubie Halloween, I didn’t think it would become one of my favorite movies, let alone a Halloween tradition. I’m not the biggest Adam Sandler fan, but this film really changed my mind on him. Here, we follow Hubie Dubois — misunderstood Halloween lover — as he solves the mystery of disappearances around town.
Hubie Halloween isn’t just a fun Halloween film. Released in October 2020, this came at a time when Covid-19 was killing hundreds — if not thousands — of people daily. There was no vaccine. Stores and restaurants were shut down and people were told to work from home (or were unfortunate enough to be forced to face the virus by coming in). I had just given birth. It was very a scary time. But Hubie Halloween was a small safe space where I could feel normal and happy. It was my son’s first Halloween/horror movie too — though he likely won’t remember, only being a week old. It’s heartwarming with loveable characters and an awesome message. This movie signified hope for me during a difficult time.
All Hallows Eve (2013)
An anthology, All Hallows Eve looks at four stories of terrible things happening on Halloween night, all including a mysterious black and white clown.
I bought this DVD at a Walmart while I was in college; I saw the cover art and thought it might be a cheap thrill. What I found was that this was anything but — Halloween had turned evil again! A murderous clown was utterly destroying people’s lives with the most lack of decorum I have ever seen. I was not expecting to be so grossed out and mesmerized at the same time. That last segment is just something else entirely!
Terrifier (2016)
On the same note as All Hallows Eve, I think I have become obsessed with Art the Clown because Terrifier is in my constant horror rotation. With every new Damien Leone movie, I grow more and more attached to this sadistic killer clown (or mime… or demon… I don’t even know at this point). Here, our beloved clown has the spotlight when he sees two women he fancies late one Halloween evening.
If you thought All Hallows Eve had a fucked up end sequence, there are multiple in Terrifier. I love the rawness and the characters. I love the setting, as well as the place and time. I love Art! But mostly, I love the look of the movie. It is considered indie/low-budget and just has that look about it — nothing too flashy or fancy. Plus, the gore is unbelievable. Terrifier brings me back to my college days where I had no real responsibilities and all the time in the world. All the time for movies like this.
I love horror, clearly. But the horror isn’t always what keeps movies on my every expanding favorites list. It could be a time and place I associate with watching it, or a smell or person. The point is that these movies mean something to me. They are comfort. They are home.
What are your favorite comfort horror films? Let us know in the comments!
