How to Have a Horror Movie Marathon
Horror movies are best enjoyed with friends.
Photo by Vitaly Gariev via Unsplash
Horror movie marathons are a treasured Halloween tradition, but organizing one may seem daunting if one has never organized or even attended one before. Here is a guide for those who are struggling.
The movies on the docket are important, but so are the other people you share the experience with. Remember to invite anyone you’d like to attend, and even reach out for suggestions for what to watch.
Depending on how large the group is, it could be very important to make sure everyone’s comfortable with what you’ll be watching. In situations like these, violating one person’s limits can cause a lot of grief for everyone, so it’s important to be sure of where everyone stands.
Some examples of safe choices include light picks that are unlikely to be found unwatchable by many, “Tremors,” “Coraline,” “Gremlins” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s.” You could watch any of these even with younger family members, or with kids you’re babysitting.
The next level would be the classic horror franchises, any of which could constitute a whole marathon in and of themselves. Some options include “Halloween,” “Friday the 13th,” “Jaws,” “Child’s Play,” and “Alien.” “Alien” also represents the popular horror-sci-fi subgenre, alongside “Predator” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.”
Director John Carpenter, known for “Halloween”, directed one of the greatest sci-fi-horror movies, “The Thing,” as well as one of the best child-friendly horror movies, “They Live,” which carries a digestible and important political message. A John Carpenter marathon would exemplify his style signatures: namely his emphasis on the score and his boundary-pushing practical effects.
Other horror auteurs who might make for good marathon subjects include David Cronenberg, Stanley Kubrick, and David Lynch. Cronenberg’s “The Fly,” “Videodrome,” and “Scanners” show his penchant for extreme body-horror with sensuous undertones and overtones. Kubrick and Lynch aren’t horror directors per se, but Kubrick’s “The Shining” and Lynch’s “Eraserhead” are tremendously influential in the genre.
Another good marathon idea would be a collection of Stephen King adaptations, as some of the greatest directors have taken them on. Kubrick’s aforementioned “The Shining”, Brian De Palma’s “Carrie”, Rob Reiner’s “Misery”, and John Carpenter’s “Christine” all manage to provide a different type of horror, despite stemming from the same twisted mind.
The more extreme horror movies have some classics among them; namely “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Exorcist”, along with some newer additions like “Saw” and “Hostel”. However, anyone interested in this level of horror already has background knowledge.
Classic snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and of course popcorn go great with any marathon. If your group is more into sweet treats, Oreos, ice cream, and Halloween candy are all good options.
It’s important to get up and move around between movies, and to always have a clear path around the place depending on how many people are present. Heating pads, fans, and refreshments may also be important.