Syd (Stranger Things’ Priah Feguson) is bummed when her parents (Kelly Rowland and Marlon Wayans) uproot their lives in Brooklyn for a fresh start in a small town. She lightens up a little when she arrives to find that the community of Bridge Hollow is obsessed with Halloween.

We’re talking decorations on every home and in every yard. Syd is pumped, and even more so when she hears her new house may be haunted by the ghost of someone who died there. (Sounds creepy to us, but hey, to each their own!) Syd is less happy, however, when she accidentally releases the mischievous spirit and it causes all of those aforementioned decorations to come to life and terrorize the town.

Now Syd and her fam — including her science-loving, Halloween-hating dad — must save their new neighbors from killer clowns, flying witches, zombie footballers, you name it. Rest assured, though: While the costumes and special effects are great, these monsters are mostly here to make you shriek with laughter, not terror.

Clocking in at only 32 minutes, this mockumentary-style comedy is an easy Halloween watch if you’ve got somewhere else to be afterward — trick or treating, a costume party, the candy aisle of a CVS. Actor David Harbour III (Stranger Things’ David Harbour) is hoping to learn more about his father, actor David Harbour Junior (also played by David Harbour).

So, he interviews some old colleagues, re-creates his dad’s old office space, and even uncovers lost lo-fi footage of a televised stage play DHJ did about Dr. Frankenstein (yet again played by David Harbour) and his monster (played by ... you guessed it! David Harbour). But DH3’s desire to understand his pops a little better leads to the exposing of some shocking family secrets. Somewhere between comedy sketch and theatrical satire, the film has a sense of humor that’s a little off the beaten path.

But if you’re looking for something more kooky than spooky this Halloween, Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein is just what the doctor ordered.

Forty years after the original Ghostbusters hit theaters, everyone’s favorite spectral seizers are back. This 2024 sequel sees the world in danger from an ice-age-inducing phantom dead set on destroying humanity. So, despite protests from Mayor Peck (William Atherton, reprising his role), the newbs (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) must team up with the vets (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts) to form a ghostbusting super-squad and save the day once again.

If you want a family flick multiple generations can get behind this Hallows Eve, you know who to call …

Every year, Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler), a deli worker in Salem, Massachusetts, volunteers as the official “Halloween Helper,” dedicated to keeping the streets of Salem safe when “the spooky fun gets out of hand” on Oct. 31. Unfortunately, years of faithful service have turned Hubie into a town joke (to everyone except the lovely Violet Valentine, played by Julie Bowen) and a huge pain to police sergeants Downey (Kevin James) and Blake (Kenan Thompson).

But this Halloween, legit mischief is afoot — a legit investigation into a real murder. And Hubie won’t rest until all the mysteries are solved and all the people are protected. Sandler’s signature antics and the constant spoofing of horror film tropes make for a fun and silly 103 minutes.

And we haven’t even talked about the comedy tour de force that is this cast! Ray Liotta, Rob Schneider, June Squibb, Steve Buscemi, Maya Rudolph, Tim Meadows, George Wallace, Shaquille O’Neal — the list (and laughs) goes on.

Nothing screams “pure evil” like stealing money from the elderly. Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) and her severe blonde bob have made a living persuading the legal system to grant her guardianship over senior citizens she falsely claims can’t take care of themselves.

Once she’s got them all set up in an assisted living facility — constantly sedated and effectively isolated — she sells off everything they own and pockets the proceeds. It’s all going to plan until she attempts to run her con at the expense of Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest) — the mother of crime lord Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage). Described as a “satirical black comedy thriller film,” the action goes into unexpected places, plus there’s a scene that may ruin milk for any lactose lovers out there.

But overall, the unexpected twists and turns demand you stick around until the very last second.

You know what main character would appreciate this article? Orion (Jacob Tremblay). In this animated adventure-comedy, the poor kid is afraid of everything — especially the dark. That is until he meets Dark (Paul Walter Hauser), a giant shadowy creature who’s, frankly, fed up with Orion being so scared of him.

To help Orion face his fears and appreciate the beauty of darkness, Dark invites Orion to join him for a night on the job. The concept is clever, the voice cast is talented, and for a film all about the dark, the overall message is really very bright.

When real estate group Murnau Properties begins buying up all the land in Miguel Martinez’s (Jaden Michael) beloved Bronx community, he quickly realizes the neighborhood is in danger. But this gentrification story is a little different. You see, these new dudes are particularly pale and the life-sucking they’re doing to the community is literal because they’re vampires.

Now, it’s up to Miguel and his two best friends, Bobby (Gerald W. Jones III) and Luis (Gregory Diaz IV), to fight back. It’s a vampire movie, so there will be blood, but you’re much more likely to think than hide in terror — so go ahead and sink your teeth into it.

Soon after the Presley family moves into their new home, the youngest son, Kevin (Jahi Winston), discovers a ghost in the attic. Played by David Harbour, the ghost (whom Kevin calls “Ernest” because it’s written on his shirt) can’t remember anything about his past life, so Kevin commits to helping him search for answers. Meanwhile, Kevin’s dad, Frank (Anthony Mackie), uploads a video that Kevin recorded of Ernest to YouTube that, of course, breaks the internet. Now, everyone wants an encounter with the spirit — including the CIA.

With a stellar cast (including Tig Notaro and Jennifer Coolidge), hilarious cameos, and a fun premise, WHAG is a perfect Halloween treat.

The word windfall has two definitions: a fruit blown down from a tree or bush by the wind and unexpected good fortune, typically receiving a large amount of money. So, in a stroke of literary brilliance, this neo-noir thriller revolves around money and takes place on an orange grove.

Nobody (Jason Segel) breaks into the empty vacation home of a tech billionaire CEO (Jesse Plemons) and his wife (Lily Collins). The plan is to live the high life for a while, then make off with a Rolex and some valuables ... until CEO and wife show up for an unexpected romantic getaway.

This one’s a slow burner when it comes to thrills, and the eventual scary stuff is minimal thanks to strategic camera work. Still, the exceptional cast and underlying social commentary make for a killer watch. By the end of 92 minutes, you may be wondering who was the bad guy — and who was the worse guy?