Halloween: What to Watch (or TiVo)
Thanks to the World Series, The Simpsons’ “Treehouse of Horror” aired two weeks ago (catch the rerun on Nov. 8 or watch it here), but there are still plenty of spooky specials and plain ol’ scary movies to watch on Halloween -- or TiVo and watch the day after. Below is just about everything Halloween-related being thrown at us on Oct. 31.
Halloween -- 12 p.m. ET on AMC
It’s almost as much of a Halloween tradition as candy, and year after year, much like those miniature Snickers bars, you know you shouldn’t -- but it’s totally irresistible. John Carpenter’s game-changing slasher masterpiece is a must-see-again, even if only to compare it to the countless sequels it begat (airing on FX all day) and Rob Zombie’s incredibly hollow, indulgent “reimagination” (airing at 9 p.m. ET on TMC).
THE REST (in order of start time) ...
Ghost Hunters Marathon -- 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET on Syfy
This somewhat forgotten, self-explanatorily-titled series is probably in line for a boost thanks to Paranormal Activity, and the timing couldn’t be better, with Ghost Hunters running its annual Halloween marathon. It can catch curious viewers up and get them ready for the main event: Ghost Hunters Halloween Live (more on that later).
Edward Scissorhands -- 1:30 p.m. ET on ABC Family
Tim Burton’s most inventive concoction -- as well as the start of his prolific movie relationship with Johnny Depp -- kicks off a mini-marathon of his early-career blockbusters (Batman and Batman Returns immediately follow Scissorhands on the same channel). None of which is scary per se, but they’ll get the Halloween spirit going.
Shaun of the Dead -- 3 p.m. ET on Comedy Central
If you watch just one thing on Halloween, well, make it Halloween. But if time permits, watch -- or re-watch -- this genre-bending zom-com from Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg. Its replay value is genuinely up there with that of Halloween.
Inside Haunted Hollywood -- 3 p.m. ET on HGTV (R)
Nothing we haven’t seen before, but still fascinating: HGTV gives us a tour of horror-film locations like the Psycho house, the Shining hotel, the Dawn of the Dead Monroeville Mall, and the granddaddy of ‘em all, the Exorcist house -- which, all kidding aside, is nightmare-inducing even from the sight of the exterior stairs that lead up to the house!
Final Destination -- 4:35 p.m. ET on Encore
Oscar-worthy? Not quite, but still a scary-fun flick about Death as the bogeyman -- you know, before the FD franchise devolved into ... whatever it currently is. Doesn’t exactly make for a good Halloween costume, though.
Ghost -- 5 p.m. ET on WE (Re-Airs at 10)
Still missing Patrick Swayze? Thirsting for a more romantic Halloween? Turn back the clock to 1990 for this tearjerker. It’s kinda spooky ... ish.
Ghost Adventures LIVE! -- 5 p.m. ET on Travel
Just how much do you love ghosts? If you answered “Enough to spend seven whole hours in front of the TV in hopes of seeing the Ghost Adventures crew summon the undead spirits that supposedly exist in West Virginia's Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum,” well then here you go!
Night of the Living Dead -- 6 p.m. ET on AMC (Re-Airs at 8:15, 10:30 & 12:45)
It loses points for not boasting the kind of title power that the aforementioned Halloween has on Oct. 31, but otherwise, there’s just as much luster on George Romero’s celebrated horror masterpiece as there is on John Carpenter’s. You have four chances to watch!
20 Most Horrifying Hollywood Murders -- 6 p.m. ET on E! (R)
The notorious murders of Nicole Simpson, Sharon Tate, Biggie Smalls and others are examined. It’s about as “Halloween” as E! goes.
Twilight Zone: The Movie -- 6:15 p.m. ET on Encore
Steven Spielberg, as director of “Segment 2,” reminds us that he’s a sci-fi geek at heart. And oh, yeah, there are three other segments in this oft-forgotten homage to Rod Serling’s beloved ‘50s/‘60s series.
Ghost Hunters Halloween Live -- 7 p.m. ET on Syfy
Behold, Halloween’s biggest TV offering (aside from all the movies) -- not to be confused with its Travel Channel cousin Ghost Adventures Live, which is seven hours long to Hunters’ mere six. During those six hours, the TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) team will troll for ghosts at the uber-haunted Essex County Sanitarium -- and they invite you to help (via Internet, don’t get too excited). Also during those six hours are the show’s “scariest episodes.” In other words, non-GH enthusiasts can probably skip it.
Carrie -- 8 p.m. ET on Encore
Coming in at third on the “Best Films to Watch on Halloween” list -- behind Halloween and Night of the Living Dead -- is this Brian De Palma-directed, Sissy Spacek-starring, Stephen King-originated scream fest. Oddly enough, it’s not even the best King adaptation airing tonight. That title belongs to [scroll down to the last movie on our list] ...
Scream -- 9:40 p.m. ET on Encore
What would Halloween be without a Wes Craven movie? You may be longing instead for Freddy Krueger on a night like tonight, but let’s not forget that Scream has a Halloween tie-in (as in the Halloween-costume-wearing serial killer).
The Real Wolfman -- 10 p.m. ET on History (R)
It might not provide the kind of thrills you’re jonesing for by this time of the night, but think of it as a primer for Benicio Del Toro’s Wolfman -- because that movie might actually be released some day.
Hellraiser -- 11:35 p.m. ET on Encore
True-blue (and very red) horror from author-turned-director Clive Barker, featuring the most iconic villain this side of Elm Street: Pinhead.
The Shining -- 2 a.m. ET on AMC
Wanna commit suicide for a Halloween nightcap? In all seriousness, if you can end your night by watching probably the second scariest movie of all time (behind The Exorcist) -- when the night turns into morning, no less, which is the freakiest, most still part! -- then you have our utmost respect, even if not our full blessing. That’s right, it’s not totally advised to watch The Shining at this hour. The “stay up all night watching scary movies on Halloween” expression/tradition simply doesn’t apply to horror movies of this caliber! Do yourself a favor: TiVo it and watch the day after, when there’s light to be found.