It’s that time of year again, Hoyas. I’m not talking about the fall, though you have already been warned about them. I’m not talking about the never-ending midterms, and I’m not talking about the equally frightening flu season. Instead, this special part of October marks the beginning of three consecutive, holiday-filled months, starting with Halloween. For some, Halloween signifies a time filled with tricks and terror, a time when your fear consumes you and a time when you relish every moment of it.

However, there are those of us who prefer the treats rather than the tricks during this fall holiday season. We are people who hold the blanket close to our faces during each Halloween horror film that our friends insisted on watching. We are the people who then proceed to not sleep the next few days thanks to the enduring images of a vengeful dead (and/or psycho) girl or a physically impossible monster that suddenly seems a little less impossible because a movie just made us believe it actually exists. If you can relate to any or all of these moments, take comfort in knowing that during this (occasionally difficult) holiday season there are still some movies out there for you. Here’s a couple of movie suggestions that will get you in the Halloween spirit without keeping you up in terror for all of November:

1. The Addams Family Da da da dum (snap, snap). Follow the lives and quirky dynamics of a family that embraces the ghoulish side of life. Let’s be honest, who does not love them a little bit of Cousin It?

2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Never have I found a reason not to watch a Peanuts show. Also, this movie has one of my favorite scenes ever – the one where Linus writes his letter to the Great Pumpkin.

3. The Harry Potter Series For most, these movies encompassed most of our childhoods (maybe even now, too). Nonetheless, Halloween provides an especially accommodating atmosphere for wizards and their magical world. Fair warning, though, you may experience a relapse of these feelings.

4. Hocus Pocus A Disney channel classic, this movie follows the return of some 17th century witches, who you love to hate and hate to love, into the 20th century.

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas Is this a Halloween movie if it has Christmas in it? Oh well. Throw in skeletons, ghosts and pretty much anything created by Tim-Burton, and your Halloween quota has been filled.

6. Casper I’ll let this speak for itself (What could be cuter?):7. Ghostbusters Watch the entertaining journeys of the recently fired Drs. Venkman, Stantz and Spengler as they rid Manhattan of all its ghosts and demons. Who ya’ gonna’ call?

With Halloween less than a week away, feel free to suggest any one of these classic films that not only embrace the holiday spirit but let you enjoy it too! Happy Halloween Hoyas!

Photo: BeliefNet