A scene from Netflix’s 'Sing: Thriller,' one of the streaming service’s many Halloween offerings. Courtesy photo/Netflix

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

 

Today is officially Halloween, the spookiest day of the calendar year, and throughout the month, I’ve been getting myself in the spooky mood with various movies and specials.

If you happen to be staying in tonight, or if you’re looking for something to watch after getting home from trick-or-treating, here are some spooktacular suggestions for you:

“The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist” (Netflix)

Released on Netflix earlier this month, this special follows The Bad Guys as their Halloween heist turns into a night of terror when they come across a supernatural enemy who gives them a taste of their own medicine. The voicework from the cast is very well done, and everyone will be guaranteed a few laughs because the chemistry and comedic timing from everyone is absolutely phenomenal. The animation is solid throughout, with some minor callbacks to other horror media, and the musical score throughout also helps set the mood. The special’s runtime is about 25 minutes, so if you’re looking for something to watch with the kiddos to conclude your Halloween festivities, this is a good one to cue up.

 

“Don’t Move” (Netflix)

Released on Netflix last week, this movie follows Iris (Kelsey Asbille), a grieving woman who must run, fight and hide before her body completely shuts down after being injected with a paralytic by a serial killer (Finn Wittrock). At just a little more than 90 minutes, it’s pretty fast-paced, and the performances from the two leads were pretty solid. Finn Wittrock especially does a good job in his role and is able to be charming one second and completely threatening the next. There are some of the usual horror/abduction movie tropes involved, and there were admittedly a couple facepalm moments (at least, from me), but if you’re looking for a horror movie of this vein, it’s a good one to cue up. 

 

“Sing: Thriller” (Netflix)

Released on Netflix earlier this month, this animated short follows Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) as he dreams up a star-studded spectacle set to Michael Jackson's hit song "Thriller" featuring his friends from the "Sing" films. The animation is wonderful, and the voice cast (which features Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton and Tori Kelly, among others) seemed to have a great time covering such a hit Halloween song. The runtime is less than 15 minutes, so if you’re looking for something quick to get the kiddos in the proper trick-or-treating mood (or ready for bed), this would be a good one to cue up.

 

“Psycho” (Netflix)

Going back in the horror cinematic rolodex to 1960, “Psycho” follows on-the-run embezzler Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) as she takes refuge at a secluded California and encounters shy proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) and its aftermath. The acting from everyone in the cast is solid (particularly Anthony Perkins, especially in the ending scene), the mood is tense throughout (in great part thanks to the very memorable musical score), and it’s just an overall good watch. It’s one of the few “classic” horror movies I’ve watched in my life I’ve actually enjoyed, and after the first time I watched it a few years ago, I remember thinking “Okay, I TOTALLY get the hype.” If you’re looking for something more old school to get yourself in the Halloween spirit, Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece “Psycho” is definitely one to cue up while it’s on Netflix.

 

“Toy Story of Terror” (Disney+)

Going back more to the family-friendly side of Halloween, this 2013 special takes place after the events of “Toy Story 3” follows the toys on a road trip, when a flat tire leads the toys’ new owner, Bonnie, and her mother to spend the night in a roadside motel. After Mr. Potato Head goes missing, the others begin to search for him find themselves caught up in a mysterious sequence of events that leads them to a big conspiracy. The voice work from everyone is very well done (particularly from Joan Cusack as cowgirl doll Jessie), there are enough laughs and lighter moments to keep viewers satisfied, and the musical score from Michael Giacchino also helps keep the tension going. This is a more recent discovery for me and after I finished it, I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to finally watch it. If you’re a fan of any of the “Toy Story” franchise, this is a good one to cue up.

 

“Midnight Mass” (Netflix)

I’ve reviewed a couple other Mike Flanagan shows before, and while this one is from 2021, it’s a relatively new discovery for me. The miniseries centers on a devout and impoverished island community that experiences supernatural events after the arrival of a mysterious new priest. Like Flanagan’s other shows, this one takes more of a slow-burn approach with its story, so you have to be patient while watching it in order to fully take in the story, but for me, it ended up being well worth it in the end, even if there were some minor heartbreaks along the way. If you’re a fan of any of Flanagan’s other work, this is definitely one you should check out on Netflix.

Those are just a few recommendations I have, if there are any Halloween-themed movies or shows you think would be good, I’d love to know about them.

Happy Halloween!

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