Scary (and silly) shows to watch over Halloween.
10 (plus) shows to watch over Halloween, from scary to silly
So, this year hasn’t been scary enough? Now you’re hankering for some spooky visual treats to spice up the Halloween weekend? Fortunately, the TV networks and streaming platforms have got you covered — offering plenty of creepy (and occasionally kooky) movies, series and specials to give you some shivery thrills.
What follows are 10 offerings that just might take your mind off the current frights of the real world. The list is pegged to programing that will either debut over the Halloween weekend, or became available to stream in recent days and weeks.
Now go light up your jack- o’-lantern, toss together some snacks, wrap yourself in a comfy blanket and have at it.
‘The Witches’
THE SKINNY >> Oscar winners Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer headline director Robert Zemeckis’ visually dazzling adaptation of the Roald Dahl fantasy-adventure that also inspired the 1990 Anjelica Huston movie.
Hathaway chews up scenery as the Grand High Witch who, along with her army of followers, invades a lavish seaside resort. There, they hatch a diabolical plan to turn the world’s children into mice. It’s up to a brave young boy (Jahzir Kadeem) and his grandmother (Spencer) to stop her.
Packed with humor, heart and some mild horror, “The Witches” promises to cast a powerful, familyfriendly spell.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> Available now on HBO Max.
‘Rebecca’
THE SKINNY >> Are fans of Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 gothic thriller and Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1940 Oscar-winning film ready to dream of Manderley again?
In director Ben Wheatley’s remake, Lily James plays the newly married young woman who moves to her husband’s sprawling estate on a windswept English coast, where she finds herself haunted by the recently deceased title character.
Helping to keep Rebecca’s spirit alive is Manderley’s sinister housekeeper Mrs. Danvers (Kristin Scott Thomas), who delivers the appropriate chills.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> Available now on Netflix.
‘Monsterland’
THE SKINNY >> You might want to keep the lights on while watching this dark and disturbing eightepisode anthology series. Based on a collection of short stories from Nathan Ballingrud’s “North American Lake Monsters,” it sets each episode in a different city, focusing on lost and broken people who are driven to acts of desperation as they struggle through hellish circumstances.
Along the way, they encounter creepy demons, fallen angels and other supernatural beasts. The quality of the episodes varies, but the performances are impressive across the board.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> Available now on Hulu.
‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’
THE SKINNY >> The second entry in Mike Flanagan’s “The Haunting” anthology series, this nightmarish 1980s-set tale begins in the wake of an au pair’s tragic death. Seeking someone to care for his orphaned niece and nephew, a wealthy businessman ( Henry Thomas) hires a young American nanny ( Victoria Pedretti) to come work at the family’s stunning country estate in England.
Of course, all is not as it seems at the manor, where ghosts roam the premises and centuries of dark secrets are rooted.
The series is loosely based on Henry James’ 1898 novella “The Turn of the Screw.”
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> Available now on Netflix.
‘Bad Hair’
THE SKINNY >> Ever feel like your hair has become uncontrollable and taken on a life of its own? Now imagine that dilemma pushed to the extreme.
Set in 1989 Los Angeles, this gleefully macabre satire follows an ambitious young Black woman named Anna (Elle Lorraine) who gets a weave in order to stand out in the image- obsessed world of music-video television. But she pays a terrible toll when her slithery new ’do goes psycho.
Laverne Cox, James Van Der Beek, Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood also star.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> Available now on Hulu.
‘Hubie Halloween’
THE SKINNY >> Perhaps your idea of fright-night pleasure involves more laughs than shrieks. This Adam Sandler film might be the comedic candy corn you crave.
Sandler stars as Hubie Dubois, a hapless resident of Salem, Massachusetts ( yes, the witchy locale), who spends every Halloween trying to make sure his fellow citizens celebrate safely. But this year, things get complicated when an escaped criminal and a mysterious new neighbor put him on high alert.
The cast features several familiar faces, including Kevin James, Maya Rudolph, Julie Bowen, Ray Liotta and Steve Buscemi. WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> Available now on Netflix.
‘The 13 Scariest Movies of All Time’
THE SKINNY >> What makes a scary movie scary? Is it the amount of blood spilled? The body count? The monstrous villains? It can be so subjective.
In this special that first aired last year, Dean Cain counts down the films that some fans and experts believe provoke the most screams and shivers. Compare their list to yours and let the debate begin.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> 8 p.m. Friday, The CW.
‘The Osbournes: Night of Terror’
THE SKINNY >> The so-called First Family of Darkness — Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly — become ghostbusters as they go on their first paranormal investigation together for a two-hour special.
Their target? Heritage Square, a collection of historical structures in Los Angeles that are allegedly haunted. As Jack and Kelly go deep into the night to investigate any hint of spirit activity, Ozzy and Sharon monitor the action from base camp.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> 9 p.m. Friday, Travel Channel.
‘Exhumed: A History of Zombies’
THE SKINNY >> Why are we so fas
cinated by those gruesome creatures featured in “The Walking Dead” and George A. Romero flicks?
This hourlong special examines how zombie folklore arose long before it became mainstream and how the depiction of animated corpses has changed over time to reflect our history, our shifting political beliefs and our deepest anxieties. It’s hosted by Dr. Emily Zarka, a self- described “monster expert.” WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> 10 p.m. Friday, PBS (check your local listings)
‘Supernatural’ marathon
THE SKINNY >> Fans of “Supernatural” are totally bummed that the series will soon conclude its 15-season run on The CW. But at least they can spend some bonus time with Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) during a 10-episode “Supernatural” marathon.
The binge, which features entries from six different seasons, begins and ends with episodes from Season 4 — “Monster Movie” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Sam Winchester,” respectively.
WHERE YOU’LL FIND IT >> 2 a.mnoon Saturday, TNT
Bonus suggestions
Here are five more options, in case you have a horror sweet tooth.
“CADAVER” >> Don’t let the subtitles scare you off. This Norwegian psychological thriller, set in the aftermath of a nuclear disaster, is bone- chillingly eerie. ( Netflix)
“BOOKS OF BLOOD” >> A new horror film adaptation inspired by Clive Barker’s short-story collection. It’s tied to three loosely connected stories each designed to haunt your dreams. (Hulu)
“THE SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR” COLLECTION >> Kang and Kodos must be thrilled. Thirty of “The Simpsons” annual Halloween-themed episodes are finally available to stream in one place. (Disney+)
“TRUTH SEEKERS” >> In this supernatural comedy, a group of ghosthunting pals stumble across a terrifying conspiracy that could doom the world. (Available Friday, Amazon Prime)
“THE MUNSTERS” MARATHON >> Spend 11 fun-filled hours with Herman and his family at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. (9 a.m. Saturday, Cozi TV).