Have you ever watched a film and wondered who its audience was meant to be? I’ve often wondered this about certain films and compiled a small list of “other films” that are fun to watch for Halloween. They could be for kids or maybe they were meant for teens or adults. In the end, to each their own. I viewed all of these films as a child myself. I won’t go into much detail about why I question if the film is appropriate for kids, but I will give you a general idea.
The Goonies – Hands down this film is one of, if not my favourite film. A coming of age story that sees a group of kids who call themselves the “Goonies” are swept up in an adventure of a lifetime as they flee the Fratellis (a family of shady individuals who print counterfeit money and, you know, murder people) and end up in an underground journey of tracking infamous pirate One-Eyed Willy’s rumoured treasure. The pressure is on because if they don’t find something worth a lot of money Mikey’s family must give up their home. I first saw this film when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I was always thrilled when the familiar theme music began playing on the TV. As an adult I appreciate the nostalgic aspect, because growing up as a girly tomboy I could relate to having a group of rowdy, foul-mouthed boys as best friends. That said, this film starts off with the boys gluing a penis back onto a priceless statue Mikey’s mother loves after Chunk breaks it. It also features a character named Mouth who makes inappropriate jokes about drugs and sex.
Ghostbusters (1984) – Does the theme song automatically start thumping in your head like it does in mine? Like ‘The Goonies’ I saw this film when I was about 8 or 9 years old. The concept of ghosts is one I have a fascination and love for, so ghost-catchers?! Yes, please. I imagine this film is meant more-so for adults because of some of the themes explored in it, however, most people I have talked claimed to have first seen this film as children. The film was often featured on “kid” channels and because of its success a cartoon was made for it.
Monkeybone – A film meant for weirdos. This one is probably geared toward teens and adults, but I watched it when I was 11. I was 1. Obsessed with the limbo world Stu was stuck in during his coma and 2. Would laugh hysterically when cadaver Chris Kattan would start running around and chucking his integral organs at the doctors who were trying to harvest them. The film stars Brendan Fraser as Stu Miley – a cartoonist who invents a perverted and troublesome monkey named Monkeybone. The cartoon monkey is supposed to rocket Stu into stardom, until he lands in a coma and Monkeybone becomes his greatest nightmare by holding him back from waking up. Stu has to race for his life before they pull the plug. The film was a complete bomb in the box office, but I am here for it.
Little Monsters – Another film I obsessed over as a kid. The storyline follows a boy named Brian whose parents are on the verge of divorcing just as he discovers a hidden world of monsters under his bed. The monsters spend their time tormenting children by pulling pranks and then partying. Brian befriends a monster named Maurice who shows him their bizarre world. The only problem is, the longer Brian spends under the bed, the more he begins to turn into a monster himself, and the ruler of the monster world – and honestly downright terrifying – leader known as “Boy”, along with his henchman, Snik, don’t intend to let Brian off the hook. The film has some crude humour and pretty disgusting imagery when Boy’s true identity is revealed. On a sidenote the film stars both Fred and Ben Savage!
Edward Scissorhands – I can never decide which season to watch this one during. It mainly takes place in the summer, but the most iconic moments happen during Christmas and the entire concept is about a man with scissors for hands who had lived in isolation for a good portion of his life, which is altogether pretty Halloweeny. Like most films that I’ve seen Winona Ryder in, I wanted so much to be her character, Kim, and dance under ice shavings to Danny Elfman’s ‘Ice Dance’. Plus, Edward was just the kind of socially awkward weirdo I’d want to befriend.
Beetlejuice – Who has tried shouting “Beetlejuice!” three times aloud hoping the charismatic creep would show up? …Because I have! The Maitlands have just bit the big one and are trapped haunting their home when a new family moves in – ultimately annoying their pants off. Visiting a limbo world (have you caught onto my love of limbo yet?) staged like the world’s worst DMV they are made aware of Beetlejuice, a lunatic who claims he can exorcise the living. Of course, all havoc breaks loose once they summon him. Beetlejuice was like the right of passage Tim Burton film for me as a child and all those kinky jokes went right over my little head. This is a film I’ve seen so many times I’ve lost track and again, I so much wanted to be Winona Ryder’s character, Lydia Deetz.
The Monster Squad – ‘Rock Until You Drop’ has become one of my go-to Halloween jams in recent years, because I didn’t first see this film until my early twenties. I’ll be kicking myself for eternity that it took me so long to get to it. It’s basically ‘The Goonies’ at Halloween. Dracula returns and is looking for a mysterious amulet. He recruits a few of his spooky friends to help, but the ‘Monster Squad’ are not having any of it. The film doesn’t necessarily feel like it is meant for kids with a few gruesome scenes and adult humour. Either way, it you haven’t ever seen this one, get to it before you’re kicked in the nards like Wolfman.
Michael Jackson’s Ghosts – MJ had a love for horror. He also enjoyed films and acting, so this short film, written by none other than Stephen King himself, makes sense. The film plays out like an extended music video with several songs and dance sequences that all take place in a haunted house. It’s overly dramatic and a real thriller (do you see what a did there?) to watch. It sometimes airs on TV around Halloween each year, but if you can’t catch it there, YouTube has you covered:
There it is. That concludes my three lists of Halloween films. See:
21 Halloween Films: The Adult Addition
15 Family-Friendly Halloween Films
Did your favourite make one of the three lists? If you could only pick one film to watch for Halloween what would it be? Leave a comment below.