I like scary movies all year long, but there’s no denying their importance during Halloween time! They get us in the mood and may even give us an idea or two. For decorating or costumes, that is! Here are some of my favorite scary (and some not so scary) movies:

Halloween - R
Everyone knows the story of the guy in the white mask who walks around and stalks the babysitter but this is the quintessential Halloween movie. You can never go wrong with Halloween.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula - R
Dracula at its best; breathy dialogue, incredible sets, and moments of absolute horror.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad - G
A faithful retelling of Washington Irving's story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the first half of this Disney cartoon is set to a soundtrack by Bing Crosby. The other half, the story of that zany fellow, Mr. Toad from The Wind and The Willows isn't Halloween related, but is still a great cartoon in its own right.

An American Werewolf In London - R
While strolling along the English moors ones night, two back-packing friends are attacked by a creature and what follows is a frightening, yet darkly hilarious story written and directed by the amazing John Landis.

The Groovie Goolies - G
The Groovie Goolies, in case you sadly don't know, are Drac, Wolfy, and Frankie, who get up to all sorts of high jinks and also manage to have a rock and roll band on the side. It's a cartoon's answer to Laugh In, only with loveable and wacky monsters.

Mad Monster Party - G
Cartoon monsters again, this time by the fantastic team of Rankin and Bass, mostly known for their yearly Christmas specials. Dr. Frankenstein throws a huge monster convention to announce his plans to retire and hand the business over to his nephew, but all doesn't go exactly as planned. With voices by Phyllis Diller and Boris Karloff, old-school horror fans will love this.

Once Bitten - PG13
Yes, that is Jim Carrey, though I'm not positive he'll admit it. It's a silly little story of a high school kid getting seduced and bitten by a centuries old vampiress who needs "pure" blood to stay young looking. Though not exactly an Oscar contender, I really loved this movie growing up. Watch it for a young Jim Carrey, if nothing else.

The Nightmare Before Christmas - PG
One of Tim Burton's masterpieces (though not directed by him), The Nightmare Before Christmas is the tale of the Pumpkin King becoming bored with his Halloween world (we here at It's Halloween! don't see how that's possible!) and so he decides to take over Christmas.

Sleepy Hollow - R
A wonderfully atmospheric film, this time the Washington Irving story is brought to you by the brilliant mind of Tim Burton. Johnny Depp and Christopher Walken are fantastic in their respective roles (Ichabod Crane and The Hessian Horseman A.K.A The Headless Horseman) and it's a suspenseful, scary retelling of the classic tale.