With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, many folks will understandably be preferring their couches to costume parties. But not leaving the house doesn’t have to put a damper on the holiday! Movies are a tried-and-true “night in” option, and Halloween offers tons of creepy classics from which to choose.
While live action horror is the obvious choice, there are more than enough animated options to go around for everyone’s favorite freaky holiday. If TV specials are your thing, Halloween’s cartoon options are bound to amaze. However, if you prefer to stick to movies for movie night, a spooky stop motion flick is where it’s at.
An undeniably beautiful form of animation, stop motion has long been employed to provide otherworldly effects in film. As early as 1907, stop motion was used to spook and amaze audiences, like in J. Stewart Blackton’s film The Haunted Hotel. More recent applications have included gorgeous sequences in movies like The Little Prince, full films like Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, unnerving music videos from such artists as Yeasayer and Tool, Adult Swim’s consistently bizarre Seth Green vehicle Robot Chicken, and even elaborate pumpkin-based animations — not to mention the popular Wallace & Gromit series of short films.
Animated British icons aside — except for its Halloweeny feature film, Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Wallace & Gromit is mostly sweet and light — there’s something slightly unnerving about stop motion that lends itself particularly well to horror, dark fantasy, and other sinister genres. (Gravity Falls made sure to point it out.) Perhaps it’s the obsessive nature required to make stop motion, or maybe it’s the way that the end result can end up looking twitchy and unnatural. But regardless of reason, a whole slew of movies produced with stop motion tend to be perfect for Halloween. Whether it’s a claymation classic, or an avant-garde masterpiece, you’re sure to find something perfect for whatever kind of night you’ve got planned for All Hallow’s Eve.
If you’re watching with a more grown-up crowd, Mary and Max is an ideal pick. The blend of humor, drama, heartfelt emotions, and dark realism makes for perfect viewing on Halloween—or any night, really. For more artsy groups, Blood Tea and Red String is a disturbing masterpiece that’s sure to delight. Anomalisa is perfect for stop motion skeptics, or if you’re in the mood for an existential crisis with just a touch of fantasy rather than a full-on scare-fest.
Seeking something more family-friendly, or just feel like going all-out with the holiday theme? You can’t go wrong with classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, both of which were directed by the incredible Henry Selick. Each is scary without veering into trauma-inducing territory, and each is entertaining enough to appease younger viewers and adults alike.
Feeling romantic? Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride is a heartfelt ode to true love, starring the eccentric director’s favorite actors, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter. The sweet storyline plays a bit fast and loose with the concept of “till death do us part,” but also explores grief, acceptance, and the beauty of life. It’s also one of the first stop motion films to be digitally captured.
Finally, if you’re just looking for a laugh, Frankenweenie and Laika Studio’s Paranorman are hilarious Halloween treats. Frankenweenie is actually a remake of Burton’s 1984 live-action film, while Paranorman was the first stop motion film to utilize 3D printing in its production.
Whatever you end up choosing, these stop motion selections are sure to enhance your holiday. From artfully disturbing to cute and funny, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So plop down on the couch between trick-or-treaters, and marvel at elaborate tricks used to make these animated treats this Halloween!
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