Halloween is the perfect time of year to explore your darker side through cinema and, while it's peak season for new horror films to get their theatrical release, it's also an opportunity to revisit old favorites on the silver screen. Here are some classic Halloween-appropriate films you can spook-out over:
Night of the Living Dead (7 p.m. Oct. 25; Springdale 18: Cinema de Lux) — This is the godfather of all modern zombie films. A group of strangers is forced to band together to survive an inexplicable zombie plague that's turned their neighbors into cannibalistic ghouls. Still chilling to this day, this black-and-white film is a thoughtful reflection of race relations in 1960s America.
Hocus Pocus (Various showtimes, Oct. 26-31; AMC Theaters) — Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this family-friendly film featuring three aloof witches delights trick or treaters of all ages with its slapstick humor and dark undertones.
The Exorcist (7 p.m. Oct. 31; Esquire Theatre) — Often regarded as the scariest movie ever filmed, this iconic film is universally recognized for its shocking imagery, visceral dialogue and chilling exploration of potential evil that can reside in a seemingly innocent child.
Cincinnati World Cinema is also presenting their “alt” Scary Movie Marathon on Oct. 27, which features more modern films: The Witch, Hereditary and Only Lovers Left Alive. To read a full lowdown, peep our story here. For tickets and showtimes, visit cincyworldcinema.org/ScaryMovieFest.php.
