Halloween and scary movies are well known for trick-or-treating or scaring people half to death, but that’s not all. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, later blending with Christian traditions to become a celebration of the spooky and supernatural. Halloween movies emerged as early as the 19th century with most believing the first horror film to be  “Le Manoir du Diable” (known in English as “The Haunted Castle” or “ The House of the Devil,”), a French silent film created in 1896 by french director, Georges Méliès. This led to more iconic films like Frankenstein and Nosferatu. People worldwide have many different opinions on Halloween or scary movies: some love it, some like it, and some despise them. 

Many people, like me, have grown to love horror films; designating a few of them as,” comfort movies”. The term, “Comfort movie” refers to a movie that draws positive emotions in movie watchers. I personally find movies like The Conjuring, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Pope’s Exorcist, Hocus Pocus, and The Autospy of Jane Doe to be very calming and allow me to relax. I’ve found most Horror or Halloween films to be quite comforting and I enjoy the fear factor of these movies. People like me find the eerie settings supernatural stories and the familiar thrill of suspense to feel like home, which creates a cozy sense of excitement. However, some people only see the appeal of these movies at certain times and can only watch them then. 

Some people believe that Halloween or scary movies can only be watched around the Halloween season, not before or after. Steven Fuller believes these movies are to only be enjoyed during a specific season stating, “It doesn’t feel right to watch Halloween or scary movies outside of Halloween season” and, “I can’t get into them outside of October”. For people like Steven, horror and Halloween movies hold special significance the closer Halloween grows. It’s a seasonal ritual that further immerses people in the Halloween season and feels uniquely thrilling as the days get shorter and the skies darken. Not many people can understand loving Halloween or scary movies to the extent of finding them comforting outside of the fall season. 

However, some people strictly dislike horror and Halloween movies. Noah Boras finds no satisfaction in watching Halloween movies and strongly dislikes horror movies. He describes watching horror and Halloween movies as a torturous task. Saying he “doesn’t understand the appeal” and “I’d much rather watch a comedy”. People like Noah can’t understand the thrill of sitting through scenes designed to scare the audience, where tension builds and unsettling music fills the room. Rather than enjoying these movies, they’re left uncomfortable, annoyed by the jumpscares, endless suspense, and persistent tension. The eerie sounds, gore, and unsettling visuals we find in horror movies are disturbing and unnecessary. 

Horror and Halloween movies have many different impacts on us, they offer a range of feelings from heart-pounding thrills to seasonal nostalgia. For those who adore horror and Halloween, these movies are a major part of their year; providing them with comfort and an escape to relax, regardless of the time frame. For most people, these movies become an essential part of the fall season, amplifying the mysterious appeal of longer nights and colder days. For those who don’t like these movies, the scares may feel unsettling or unnecessary and they may find no enjoyment in these movies and the tensions they create. Whether it’s the thrill of facing the unknown, the comfort of familiar frights, or the seasonal excitement of Halloween, horror movies create a space for exploring the darker side of imagination, giving us all something to connect with in unexpected ways.