Want to write a story about Halloween but don’t know where to start? Here are a few movies that can help kickstart your inspiration.

1. Hocus Pocus

Rating: 5/5

This is a classic Halloween movie, but for good reason. It incorporates many common themes in Halloween-related stories: witches and trick-or-treating, among other things. It follows a group of kids in the town of Salem after one of them unintentionally frees the three Sanderson witches, sisters who have an appetite for children.

Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Rating: 5/5

Another classic. This movie could also pass as a Christmas movie, but it includes many Halloween-y elements. It’s about Jack Skellington and his discovery of Christmastown.  When he decides to have Christmas be run by the creatures in Halloweentown, things start to go south.

Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play

3. Goosebumps 2

Rating: 4/5

Inspired by the Goosebumps book series by R.L. Stine, this movie includes lots of monsters from the books. After two boys accidentally release the monsters from the Goosebumps series, they have to re-capture all of them. Although it didn’t recieve the best ratings, this movie is entertaining and includes many traditional Halloween elements.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play

4. Hubie Halloween

Rating: 4/5

Starring Adam Sandler and Noah Schnapp, this movie takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, and follows Sandler’s character Hubie as he tries to protect his town from a kidnapper. It’s a horror-comedy and is a fun watch.

Where to watch: Netflix