Halloween is just around the corner, which means the majority of my nights are filled with pumpkin scented candles and spooky books/movies. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I love classic Halloween flicks, almost as much as I love spooky-scary books! So, curl up with a cozy blanket and some tea and check out these perfect pairings!
“Silent Hill” (2006) & The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
What happens when you just so happen to stumble into a horrifying new world? The idea of alternate realities and falling into them may seem like a wonderful adventure, but things can quickly take a turn for the worse. Kingfisher’s newest novel follows a young woman who stumbles upon a hole that leads them to somewhere far beyond the limits of North Carolina. I absolutely devoured this book–but make sure to read with the lights on!
“Mama” (2013) & Eventide by Sarah Goodman
What they say is true–a mother’s love never truly dies. Mama is a terrifying film about a vengeful entity that will stop at nothing to get their girls back, either living or dead. Eventide follows a young woman and her sister to rural Arkansas after their father falls under madness. Family secrets, haunted wells, and cursed magic fill this novel to the brim with classic spookiness! I devoured this book in one sitting, despite how much it scared me!
“As Above, So Below” (2014) & A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe
This film is one of my all time favorite thriller movies! Both the film, and Cohoe’s novel deal with the philosopher’s stone–an artifact that can turn metal to gold but also offer terrible curses. Taking place in London and Oxford, A Golden Fury is the perfect blend of fantasy and haunting curses. Cohoe’s debut is something you do not want to miss!
“Psycho” (1960) & The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Almost everyone has seen this classic film, but it has completely changed the way I see motels. Simone St. James’ thriller follows two characters both caught in a creepy motel at different eras! I must warn you, this book terrified me in the best way possible! If you love mysteries mixed in with a bit of horror, this book is perfect for you!
“Hell Fest” (2018) & Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier
When I was younger, I used to work at an amusement park, and I can attest that it is the most horrifying place when it is empty. I used to get stuck doing the night shift and there is just something so unsettling about all those brightly painted anamatronics sitting under the moonlight. I get the shivers just thinking about it! Both this film and novel follow equally as creepy amusement parks!
“Us” (2019) & 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
Did I mention how creepy abandoned amusement parks are? Well, doppelgängers also give me the spooks! I totally had nightmares after watching Jordan Peele’s film, but it was just so amazing that I had to watch it again! McNeil’s novel follows a similar plot, focusing on two doppelgängers who swap dimensions for a day.
“The Crazies” (2010) & The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson
Both of these stories follow small towns that are plagued with some kind of toxin which makes the members of their respective towns go on a murderous rampage. Filled with horror, action, and thrills, The Loop is an insanely fast read that you won’t be able to put down!
“A Cure For Wellness” (2016) & Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The only word that can describe these two is peculiar. If you’re into mysteries and unique stories for the Halloween season, I’d highly suggest giving these two a try!
“The Exorcist” (1973) & My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Nothing beats a classic horror/slasher flick. If terrifying exorcisms are your cup of tea, you’d definitely enjoy Hendrix’s horror tale!
“Sinister” (2012) & The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman
Haunted film tapes are another thing that I never considered scary until I came across these two stories. Both dealing with murder and true crime, you’ll definitely rethink the next cursed tape you’re planning on watching!
“Coraline” (2009) & Over The Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker
This movie is a favorite of many, but it terrified me when I was a kid. There is just something so haunting about stumbling into a new whimsical world that may seem different than what it truly is. Over the Woodward Wall follows two children as they find themselves trapped in a new whimsical world–just as Coraline does!
Do you have a favorite Halloween film? Let us know!
