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Can you believe Halloween is almost here? With just over a week until the spookiest night of the year, it's officially crunch time for anyone looking to make the most of spooky season. But here's the thing: not everyone has the same appetite for scares. Some love a good old-fashioned horror movie, while others would rather watch something that won't have them sleeping with the lights on.
Whatever your tolerance for terror, we've got you covered! Keep reading to discover six scary and not-so-scary movies, shows, and books to help get you into the Halloween spirit. So grab your favorite Halloween candy, get comfortable, and prepare for a spooky good time!
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Not-So-Scary Halloween Fun
Not a fan of jump scares and sleepless nights? No problem! These Halloween classics are packed with supernatural fun, plenty of laughs, and just the right amount of spooky.
Death Becomes Her
Streaming on Prime Video
Two bitter rivals discover a magical potion that promises eternal youth, but quickly learn that immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be. Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis star in Robert Zemeckis's cult classic, a darkly funny satire of vanity and aging that's perfect for Halloween without being genuinely scary.
Hocus Pocus
Streaming on Disney+
When three wicked witches are accidentally resurrected in modern-day (1993) Salem, they become determined to reclaim their youth by stealing the lives of children. Luckily, a group of resourceful kids has other plans. This campy Disney favorite starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy is practically required Halloween viewing.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Harbor View Hotel
The Vibe: Martha’s Vineyard’s waterfront anchor
The Location: Edgartown, MA
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Harbor View Hotel has been perched above Edgartown Harbor since 1891, when Martha’s Vineyard was just beginning its transformation from a whaling port into New England’s summer obsession. The 117-room property spans four distinct accommodations, from the Historic Building’s lighthouse-view rooms with walk-in showers and mahogany furnishings to The Roxana, where sliding glass doors open onto private balconies with views of the gardens and pool. Bettini Restaurant brings island-to-table cuisine in a setting that feels like the island at its best, while Roxy Pool Bar is where lobster rolls and fire pits tend to make evenings go long.
Halloween Reads for the Brave & the Timid
Prefer to spend spooky season curled up with a good book? Whether you're craving a chilling page-turner or a cozy escape, these reads have you covered.
The Exorcist
by William Peter Blatty
When a young girl begins exhibiting increasingly disturbing behavior, her desperate mother turns to two priests who suspect something demonic is at work. William Peter Blatty's iconic novel inspired one of the most terrifying horror films ever made, and the original story is every bit as unsettling. With the next addition to the franchise, The Exorcist: Martyrs, recently announced, now’s the perfect time to dive in.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
by Sangu Mandanna
A lonely witch is invited to a mysterious countryside home to teach three young witches how to control their magic, but keeping their powers secret proves easier said than done. Sangu Mandanna's charming fantasy is the perfect cozy Halloween read for anyone who'd rather be enchanted than terrified.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
The Manhattan Club
The Vibe: Your Midtown address
The Location: New York, NY
Instaworthy Activities:
The Manhattan Club sits in the cultural heart of Midtown, steps from Carnegie Hall, Radio City, Central Park, and the Theater District—and unlike most hotels in its radius, every room is a suite. Options run from compact studios with kitchenettes to two-bedroom suites topping 1,300 square feet, several with private balconies overlooking the skyline. Penthouse suites add high ceilings, oversized windows, and seasonal access to the property’s outdoor terraces. It’s a proper New York stay that makes you feel like you’re living in the city, not just passing through it.
For the Fearless
Not afraid of a little nightmare fuel? These two modern horror classics aren't for the faint of heart.
Hereditary
Streaming on Hulu & Disney+
After the death of their secretive grandmother, a grieving family begins uncovering horrifying secrets about their ancestry. Toni Collette delivers a powerhouse performance in Ari Aster’s acclaimed directorial debut, a deeply disturbing psychological horror film that builds an almost unbearable sense of dread.
Sinister
Streaming on Hulu & Disney+
A struggling true-crime writer (Ethan Hawke) discovers a box of disturbing home movies in his new house, unknowingly putting his family in grave danger. With its nightmarish imagery and bone-chilling atmosphere, it's guaranteed to make your skin crawl. Watch at your own risk.
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