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Movies and snacks perfect for a Halloween night in

ILLUSTRATION: CASEY WOOD ’23/THE HAWK

Halloween is approaching amidst the pandemic, like a scary movie. We are still in quarantine, wearing masks (but not for costumes) and trying to escape this nightmare. Although Halloween may not be like prior years, movies and snacks are still a great way to get into the spooky season spirit. 

Below is a list of movies paired with snacks to watch and eat with roommates. So.  sit back, relax and get ready to be spooked.  

“Halloweentown” (1998)

“Halloweentown” is a classic Disney throwback about a family of witches and is the perfect nostalgic movie to get into the Halloween spirit. Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) and her siblings, Dylan (Joey Zimmerman) and Sophie (Emily Roeske), follow their witch grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) back to the magical Halloweentown, a place where supernatural beings can live a normal life. It is Marnie’s 13th birthday, and trouble begins when she finds out she is a witch and that her family is involved in a battle with the evil forces that will take over the world if she and her siblings don’t stop it. 

Cookie witch hats are the perfect treat to go along with this movie. After baking chocolate cookies, add a Hershey’s Kiss to the top, imitating a witches hat. 

Available to stream on Disney+

“The Addams Family” (1991) 

This movie brings all of your favorite characters from the classic TV series. Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) shows up at the Addams’ home and claims to be the brother of Gomez Addams (Raul Julia) despite losing his memory. The Addams’ children, Wednesday (Christina Ricci) and Pugsley (Jimmy Workman), excitedly get into mischief with the arrival of their lost uncle, but their mother, Morticia (Anjelica Huston) begins to suspect Fester is a fraud since he can’t recall anything from his life. This lighthearted comedy is the perfect amount of dark and funny.  

Inspired by the hand in the movie, Thing T. Thing, breadstick fingers are the perfect snack to share with roommates and are easy to make. Use raisins, pine nuts, and pumpkin seeds as decorations on the breadsticks to imitate fingers.   

Available to stream on Netflix

“Hocus Pocus” (1993)

Three hundred years ago, the Sanderson sisters, Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), were executed in Salem, Massachusetts for practicing witchcraft. On Halloween night of 1993, young Max Dennison (Omri Katz), in an attempt to impress a potential girlfriend, lights the forbidden black flame candle that is said to break the curse and bring the witches back. The night that follows is one of fun, magic and horror as the witches race against the sunrise in the pursuit of the children’s souls to secure their existence.

Spooky rice krispies dipped in chocolate and decorated with a candy eyeball pair well with watching “Hocus Pocus.”

Available to stream on Disney+

“Scream” (1996) 

“Scream” will leave you screaming. Watch this movie to experience thrills and get in the Halloween spirit. A year after her mother’s death, Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends start experiencing strange phone calls. The calls are from a serial killer dressed in a mask and  long black robe. News reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) and Deputy Dewey (David Arquette) investigate to try to find out who the killer is. 

On the more savory side, enjoy pumpkin stuffed peppers while screaming to “Scream.” 

Available to stream on Hulu 

“Edward Scissorhands” (1990) 

This Tim Burton film is beautifully dark and is perfect for a Halloween movie night. Peg (Dianne Wiest) stumbles upon a mad scientist’s failed experiment, Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp), and takes him into her home. The nosy neighborhood housewives take an interest in him until it turns sour. Edward learns human emotions like love, rage and sadness, but ultimately must go back to his own castle and isolate for his own sake. 

A Halloween inspired charcuterie board with various sour candies and orange cookies will bring deliciously scary vibes.

Available to stream on Starz 

“Halloween” (1978)

This is the perfect scary movie to keep you up at night. Six-year-old Michael Myers (Nick Castle) stabbed his older sister Judith to death and was institutionalized. On the night before Halloween, Myers escapes 15 years later and goes back to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. On Halloween day, he stalks a high school student, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), who notices and tells her friends Annie Brackett (Nancy Kyes) and Lynda Van der Klok (PJ Soles), who dismiss her concerns. Myers’ psychologist, Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasence) tries to stop his rampage before it’s too late.  

Are you carving a pumpkin for Halloween? Take the leftover seeds, roast them and sprinkle white cheddar powder on top to make a pumpkin seed dish to enjoy while watching Michael Myers on screen. 

Available to stream on Prime Video

About the author

Nenagh Sheehan