Shutterstock / Okrasiuk©It’s approaching Hallowe’en and that means the opportunity to prepare lots of snacks, an enormous mug of hot chocolate and settle down to watch some fabulously spooky films!
Draw the curtains, grab a cushion to hide behind and enjoy!
1. The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1939)
There are a number of TV and film adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel to choose from, but the 1939 version starring Basil Rathbone is surely the best. Ably accompanied by Nigel Bruce as Doctor Watson, this classic version sees our sleuths receive a visit from Dr James Mortimer, who wishes to consult them before the arrival of Sir Henry Baskerville, the last of the Baskervilles, heir to the Baskerville estate in Devonshire.
Dr Mortimer is anxious about letting Sir Henry go to Baskerville Hall, owing to a supposed family curse. He tells Holmes and Watson the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles, a demonic dog that first killed Sir Hugo Baskerville several hundred years ago and is believed to kill all Baskervilles in the region of Devonshire. A classic!
2. Ghost (1990)
A slight change of pace here. Romantic, tragic and spooky all at once, so if you fancy a few tears and giggles along the way, this is for you. The much-missed Patrick Swayze plays Sam who doesn’t survive a mugging and finds himself coming back to protect his partner played by Demi Moore. It also stars Whoopi Goldberg who provides a brilliant comic turn.
3. The Woman In Black (2012)
This adaptation of the Susan Hill novel saw Daniel Radcliffe in a very different role to Harry Potter. The plot, set in early 20th-century England, follows a young recently widowed lawyer who travels to a remote village where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorising the locals. Filled with creepiness and the occasional jump scare, it’s one to watch from behind a cushion.
4. What Lies Beneath (2000)
This film sees Hollywood A-listers Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer living in a beautiful lakeside house in Vermont. There’s a definite strain in their marriage though, and when mysterious things start happening around the house, Claire (Pfeiffer) starts to unravel a dark mystery involving the disappearance of a young student. You may want to sleep with the light on!
5. The Others (2001)
What could possibly be creepy about an old house, a mother and her two children who are allergic to sunlight? Rather a lot! Nicole Kidman stars in this classy and creepy film that has twists and turns along the way. Set just after WW2, the family and servants are very much cut off from everyone else. There can’t be any other people in the house? Can there?
If you’re more of a book person than spooky films, check out our spooky book recommendations too!
Tracey Steel Having worked on a number of magazines over the years, I have found my perfect place on the “Friend” as I’m obsessed with reading and never go anywhere without a book! I read all of our stories with a mug of tea close by and usually a bit of strong cheese too!
