It’s Spooky Season! That means it’s time to grab some popcorn, cuddle up under blankets on the couch, and watch some spooky (or not so spooky) Halloween movies – with your dog, of course. There’s nothing like a night filled with hair-raising Halloween flicks to get you in the spirit of the season. But with so many movies to choose from, it can be terrifying just trying to decide on which ones you should invite into your home. So let’s try sticking to spooky movies featuring dogs, shall we? It’s scary how many of those there are too, but don’t be afraid – we’ve dug up some of our favorite Halloween movies for you to choose from.
The Lost Boys (1987)
What it’s about:
Teenage brothers Michael and Sam move with their mother to the sleepy coastal town of Santa Carla, California. Sam befriends the Frog brothers, a pair of comic-book nerds and self-proclaimed vampire hunters. Michael becomes smitten by the beautiful and mysterious Star, and soon falls in with a motorcycle gang of bloodthirsty vampires. Peer pressure leads to trouble, and Michael must be saved from the undead by Sam and his new friends.
Why you’ll love it:
Featuring an ensemble cast of “It” actors of the era, including Kiefer Sutherland and the Two Coreys, The Lost Boys is a real treat of ‘80s nostalgia. But what you’ll really love is Sam’s dog Nanook, a handsome Alaskan Malamute. Nanook’s ability to detect vampires helps him protect Sam, and even save the Frog brothers’ lives by killing a vampire. Willing to sacrifice his life for others, Nanook is arguably the true hero of the film. And a very good boy.
Poltergeist (1982)
What it’s about:
Steven and Diane Freeling, with their three children and family dog, are a typical family living in a quiet California suburb. The family’s youngest daughter, Carol Anne, begins communicating with spirits through the static on the television. Eventually, they use the television as a portal into the house and pull Carol Anne from this world into theirs. Desperate to rescue their little girl, the family seeks the help of parapsychologists and eventually an exorcist.
Why you’ll love it:
Poltergeist is a true classic of the horror genre, and after nearly 40 years since its release, it still delivers the frights. But the cherry on top is E. Buzz, the Freeling’s loyal golden retriever. He’s seen on screen doing what dogs do. Eating scraps, trying to dig up a dead canary, patiently waiting by the bath, and fetching his ball. And while most dogs would run away with their tails between their legs, E. Buzz stays put throughout all the paranormal chaos. A good boy indeed.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
What it’s about:
Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town has grown bored with same old tricks and treats of Halloween. After discovering the magic of Christmas Town, Jack sets out to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over his role. But Jack’s plan soon unravels, making a mess of Christmas. Following his disastrous efforts to fill Santa’s shoes, Jack must work to undo the damage and rescue Santa from the clutches of Oogie Boogie.
Why you’ll love it:
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a landmark in stop-motion animation, with lots of creepy and fascinating characters like Jack, Sally, the Mayor, Oogie Boogie, Lock, Shock, and Barrel, and so many more. It also includes unforgettable songs like “This is Halloween,” “What’s This?,” and “Making Christmas.” And, of course, it also features a very good dog – Jack’s lovable ghost dog, Zero, who helps guide Jack’s sleigh with his glowing jack-o-lantern nose.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
What it’s about:
Wallace is an oddball inventor who is crackers about cheese. Gromit is his patient, loyal and resourceful dog. Together they run a humane pest control business that is tasked with rescuing the town plagued by rabbits before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition. Soon they learn that a giant, fuzzy creature – the Were-Rabbit – is stealing the town’s produce, and Wallace and Gromit must try to capture the beast and save the day. Spoiler: They do.
Why you’ll love it:
A parody of classic monster movies and Hammer horror flicks, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is more fun than it is. frightening. It appeals to both kids and adults equally, so it is perfect for watching with little ones. Wallace’s silent sidekick Gromit, the adorable floppy-eared beagle, is reason enough to watch. He’s the hero of the story – and a very good boy. Also, the film won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature! Job well done, lads!
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
What it’s about:
Tucker and Dale are two hillbilly BFFs headed on vacation to their fixer upper cabin in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Along the way, the pair run into a group of obnoxious college students who mistake Tucker and Dale for murderous psychopaths. When one of the students nearly drowns and gets separated from her friends, Tucker and Dale attempt to help, but things go horribly wrong, and the bodies of college kids start piling up.
Why you’ll love it:
“Evil just messed with the wrong hillbillies.” With a tagline like that how can you go wrong with this indie dark comedy? A satirical spoof on the horror genre, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is an amusing comedy of errors that is equal parts buddy film and slasher flick. And caught up in all the shenanigans is Dale’s adorable one-eyed American Bulldog, Jangers. Despite finding himself in danger of being killed, the goodest of good boys remains cool as a cucumber.
For even more “spoopy” and “creppy” movies featuring doggos, check out these other frightening and fun Halloween flicks:
The Amityville Horror (1979) • The Babadook (2014) • Crawl (2019) • Cujo (1983)
Dawn of the Dead (2004) • E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Frankenweenie (1984) • The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) • The Gift (2015)
It Comes at Night (2017) • The Omen (1976) • The Voices (2014)
And don’t forget to tag us in photos of your dogs getting spooky with their Halloween Toys on social media!
