Grab a security blanket and stock up on snacks. It’s a fearsome film fest for your bravest movie buffs.
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If you ask me, the best parts about Halloween are the never-ending candy stash and the excuse to scare yourself silly watching implausible movies about serial killers who like to play hockey, washed up writers who go insane in old hotels and creepy clowns who enjoy sewer systems and balloons.
Luckily, these movies are much less nightmare-inducing when watched with groups of friends who ensure you see the ridiculousness of being afraid one of your kids’ dolls has been possessed. And if that still sounds scary, there’s always Hocus Pocus, where the only legitimately scary thing is Bette Midler’s fake teeth.
Here are our best ideas for setting up an instant scary movie night.
Think comfy, cozy and dark for this rendezvous. Draw the blinds, dim the lights and turn on some creepy black candle lanterns. You can expand your living room seating area by spreading out cushions and blankets on the floor, even picking up a few throw pillows for your spooked-out guests to hide behind. This movie marquee sign would be fun to welcome guests or give them a head’s up of what movie you’re showing.
Make an at-home theater by aiming a mini projector at a blank wall or white sheet. (You can get a projector get a projector on Amazon for less than $100, or rent one at your local party supply store.) Use a Bluetooth speaker to project the sound more clearly.
Create a candy bar as spooky as your movie. Favorites like Milk Duds, black licorice, Junior Mints, Whoppers, Hot Tamales and Swedish Fish make a moody scene—and are tasty mixed in popcorn. Or go savory with your popcorn mix-ins: Flavor popcorn with black salt for a dark twist. Or make your own Garlicky Popcorn Salt. Just combine 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt. Load it into a shaker for easy application.
Make a Soundtrack
Before and after the movie, consider a mix of horror movie theme songs in the background (instrumentals that are readily recognizable from movies like The Exorcist and The Shining) that will adequately creep people out. Here, we’ve made a custom Spotify playlist for you.
Pick a Flick
Not sure what to show? We’ve got you covered. For adults only, consider one or more of these movies that aren’t for the faint of heart:
Dracula
Friday the 13th
Halloween
Nightmare on Elm Street
Poltergeist
The Ring
The Shining
If you’re going more family-friendly, or want to give kids their own viewing party in another room, choose something with just a touch of the fright like:
Beetlejuice
Casper
Coraline
Ghostbusters
Hocus Pocus
Hotel Transylvania
Monster House
Send Guests Home in Style
taste of home
After screaming the night away, guests will appreciate a calming parting gift. Wrap mini flashlights, individual packets of chamomile tea and small roller bottles of calming lavender oil in black tulle and hand them out as guests go. Make sure to wish them sweet dreams on their way out into the night.
Recipes Inspired by Scary Movies
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Yankee Red Flannel HashHash is a classic diner dish. With potatoes and pastrami, this one's easy to make at home. The beets give it fabulous color and flavor. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
Java Cream PuffsThese fun and fancy goodies have chopped pecans in the puffs and mouthwatering mocha cream filling. Guests will be impressed. —Iola Egle, Bella Vista, Arkansas
Cranberry Ambrosia SaladMy paternal grandmother used to make this for Christmas dinner. I'm not sure how many batches she made since there were nearly 50 aunts, uncles and cousins in our family. I still make the recipe in memory of her, and it's still as good as I remember. —Janet Hurley, Shell Rock, Iowa
Pigs in a PoolMy kids love sausages and pancakes but making them during the week was out of the question. I bought the frozen variety on a stick but wasn't keen on the calories, additives or price. This version of pigs-in-a-blanket is a tasty, thrifty alternative. —Lisa Dodd, Greenville, South Carolina
Ginger-Kale SmoothiesSince I started making this green smoothie recipe for breakfast every day, I honestly feel better! Substitute any fruit and juice you like to make this recipe your own healthy blend.—Linda Green, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii
Pumpkin Spice MuffinsNothing beats these quick muffins for irresistible, homemade pumpkin pie flavor. Serve them with any meal or as a satisfying snack. —Michel Karkula, Chandler, Arizona
Pizza RingMom made a ring with chicken and broccoli one night. I said I’d rather have pizza. That’s how this recipe was born! —Tricia Richardson, Springdale, Arkansas
Mexican Shrimp CocktailIt's up to you how to enjoy this cocktail—eat it with a spoon as a chilled soup, or use tortilla chips or crackers for scooping. —Erin Moreno, Arcadia, Wisconsin
Semisweet Chocolate MousseA friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
Caramel-Pecan Monkey BreadThe kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Bloody MaryHorseradish makes this the best Bloody Mary recipe we've tasted. Without the horseradish, you'll have a more traditional Bloody Mary, and without the alcohol, you'll have a Virgin Mary. Serve with a stalk of celery, dill pickle spear or olives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cookout Caramel S'moresThese classic treats make a fabulous finish to an informal meal. Toasting the marshmallows extends our after-dinner time together, giving us something fun to do as a family. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
Roasted Chicken with RosemaryHerbs, garlic and butter give this hearty meal in one a classic flavor. It's a lot like pot roast, except it uses chicken instead of beef. —Isabel Zienkosky, Salt Lake City, Utah
Layered Salad for a CrowdThis salad is a favorite of my three sons. I took it to a luncheon honoring our school district’s food service manager, and she asked for the recipe. I like to make the dressing the day before so the flavors blend together. —Linda Ashley, Leesburg, Georgia
CokeCola CakeWe live in Coca-Cola country, where everyone loves a chocolaty, moist sheet cake made with the iconic soft drink. Our rich version does the tradition proud. —Heidi Jobe, Carrollton, Georgia
Appalachian CornbreadOn this westernmost ridge of the Appalachians, we get abundant rain and sunshine, which allows our children to grow a super sweet corn crop. With staggered plantings, there is enough to eat from mid-July through August, plus plenty to freeze for the long winter. This cornbread is just one way we use some of the bounty! —Anne Wiehler, Farmington, Pennsylvania
Three Bean CasseroleMy husband and I are retired farmers. Our main crop was wheat, and we began growing beans when our son joined the operation. When our church cookbook was revised a couple years ago, this recipe was included among the favorites. —Georgia Hennings, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Spider CupcakesSpooky Spider Cupcakes are creepy—and easy! Make a chocolate cupcake into a spider by adding a half-marshmallow "body" under the frosting, licorice legs and mini M&M eyes. Add chocolate sprinkles for a "hairy" effect. —Darla Wester, Meriden, Iowa
Amanda Kippert has been an award-winning freelance journalist for nearly two decades. She is based in Tucson, Arizona and specializes in food, health, fitness, parenting and humor, as well as social issues. She is the content editor of the domestic violence nonprofit DomesticShelters.org.
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Updated: Nov. 30, 2022
