The leaves are turning, the nights are getting longer, and the season’s gone spooky. So, we asked our staff members what creepy cinema always gets them… in the spirit (cue ghostly wailing). Here’s what they said:
Christian (Producer) said 2018’s Hereditary is one of his most-watched films during the Halloween season, adding, “It really shook me to my core.”
Julian (Producer) recommends all the Bob’s Burgers Halloween episodes, so you can “laugh at the ‘Dragon with girl tattoo’ and ‘Nun of your business’ jokes” along with him.
Megan (Judge John Hodgman’s Social Media Manager) on 1992’s Ghostwatch: “It pretends to be a news broadcast on Halloween that investigates a haunting that turns out to be real. … The commercials are so dead-on in tone, and it’s also quite funny. It’s a real fun, surprising Halloween watch.”
Marissa (Producer) recommends her annual rewatch tradition: the Dolly Parton classic, Rhinestone! While, decidedly non-spooky, she says, “it is a movie about a New York cabbie attempting to ‘put on the costume’ of a country singer. It just feels like a silly costume party of a movie.”
Ashe (Marketing Associate): “2026 was an amazing year for horror. Top of that list? They Will Kill You. You like creepy cults? Gorgeously choreographed fight scenes? Absurd levels of gore? “Final girl” types who kick ass from start to finish? Yeah, you’ll love this.”
Valerie hosts an Over the Garden Wall party every year with mulled wine, a hearty homemade stew, and rustic bread. – “I crank the AC and turn the lights down low, because between LA and Phoenix, I never get to feel Autumn Cozy unless I go very far out of my way for it.” Stacey, our Director of Biz Ops agrees: “It’s so autumnal and weird and perfect.” (And it’s in Ashe‘s annual rewatch list too, for its comfy-creepy vibes!)
What are your favorites? Tell us @maximumfun.org on BlueSky!
We’ll be back with a roundup of the Halloween MaxFun eps that come out this year, but this should tide you over til then.