Aside from Christmas, Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays around the globe. In fact, The National Retail Federation predicts that Americans will spend $7.4 billion on Halloween goodies, and according to the news that was released, the average person will spend $77.52 which is about $2.50 more than last year. As the statistic shows, we sporadically use our money in a not so nice way. Let’s reduce those costs by celebrating Halloween in a fun yet prudent ways. Here are some of the list that your friends will definitely enjoy:
Scary Movie Marathon
There are a lot of free online movies that you can download or watch it directly on the net. Call your friends, set-up the place (much better if you have an at least 32-inch LED TV or up and a very good quality speaker). Prepare a homemade popcorn and ice tea. Here are the top 10 suggested list of scary movies of all time that you can watch:
1. The Exorcist – 1973
The Exorcist is a 1973 American supernatural horror film directed by William Friedkin, adapted by William Peter Blatty from his 1971 novel of the same name.
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street – 1984
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a 1984 American supernatural slasher horror film written and directed by Wes Craven, and the first film of the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. The film stars Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, Amanda Wyss, Jsu Garcia, Robert Englund, and Johnny Depp in his feature film debut. Set in the fictional Midwestern town of Springwood, Ohio, the plot revolves around several teenagers who are stalked and killed in their dreams (and thus killed in reality) by Freddy Krueger. The teenagers are unaware of the cause of this strange phenomenon, but their parents hold a dark secret from long ago.
3. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre – 1974
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 1974 American slasher film, directed and produced by Tobe Hooper, who cowrote it with Kim Henkel. It stars Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow and Gunnar Hansen, who respectively portray Sally Hardesty, Franklin Hardesty, the hitchhiker, the proprietor, and Leatherface, the main antagonist. The film follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals while on their way to visit an old homestead. Although it was marketed as a true story to attract a wider audience and as a subtle commentary on the era’s political climate, its plot is entirely fictional; however, the character of Leatherface and minor plot details were inspired by the crimes of real-life murderer Ed Gein.
4. Halloween – 1978
Halloween is a 1978 American independent slasher horror film directed and scored by John Carpenter, co-written with producerDebra Hill, and starring Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut. The film was the first installment in what became the Halloween franchise. The plot is set in the fictional Midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois. On Halloween night in 1963, a six-year-old Michael Myers murders his older sister by stabbing her with a kitchen knife. Fifteen years later, he escapes from apsychiatric hospital, returns home, and stalks teenager Laurie Strode and her friends. Michael’s psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomissuspects Michael’s intentions, and follows him to Haddonfield to try to prevent him from killing.
5. Alien – 1979
Alien is a 1979 science-fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film’s title refers to a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature that stalks and kills the crew of a spaceship. Dan O’Bannon wrote the screenplay from a story he wrote with Ronald Shusett, drawing influence from previous works of science fiction and horror. The film was produced by Gordon Carroll, David Gilerand Walter Hill through their Brandywine Productions and distributed by 20th Century Fox. Giler and Hill made revisions and additions to the script. Shusett was executive producer. The eponymous Alien and its accompanying elements were designed by Swiss surrealist artist H. R. Giger, while concept artists Ron Cobb and Chris Foss designed the human aspects of the film.
6. The Blair Witch Project – 1999
The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American found footage horror film written, directed and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez. The film was produced by the Haxan Films production company. The film relates the story of three student filmmakers (Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard) who disappeared while hiking in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland in 1994 to film a documentary about a local legend known as the Blair Witch. The viewers are told the three were never seen or heard from again, although their video and sound equipment (along with most of the footage they shot) was discovered a year later and that this “recovered footage” is the film the viewer is watching.
7. The Silence of the Lambs – 1991
The Silence of the Lambs is a 1991 American thriller film that blends elements of the crime and horror genres. Directed byJonathan Demme and starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, and Scott Glenn, the film is based on Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel of the same name, his second to feature Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer.
In the film, Clarice Starling, a young U.S. FBI trainee, seeks the advice of the imprisoned Dr. Lecter to apprehend another serial killer, known only as “Buffalo Bill”.
8. Night of the Living Dead – 1968
Night of the Living Dead is a 1968 American independent zombie film directed by George A. Romero, starring Duane Jones,Judith O’Dea and Karl Hardman. It premiered on October 1, 1968, and was completed on a US$114,000 budget. The film became a financial success, grossing $12 million domestically and $18 million internationally. It has been a cult classic ever since. Night of the Living Dead was heavily criticized at its release owing to explicit content, but eventually garnered critical acclaim and has been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as a film deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” The film has entered the public domain due to an error by the distributor.
9. Paranormal Activity – 2007
Paranormal Activity is a 2007 American supernatural horror film written, co-produced, photographed, edited, and directed by Oren Peli. The film centers on a young couple, Katie and Micah, who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home. It is presented in the style of “found footage”, from cameras set up by the couple in an attempt to document what is haunting them.
10. Psycho – 1960
Psycho is a 1960 American horror-thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock starring Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin, andJanet Leigh. The screenplay is by Joseph Stefano, based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch loosely inspired by the crimes of Wisconsin murderer and grave robber Ed Gein.
Night Hike
There are several farm parks that offers fun night activities during Halloween season, just like Shelby Farms Park wherein for a minimum amount of $21 you can enjoy guided nocturnal nature hikes, horse-drawn hayrides driven by the headless horseman, zombie laser tag, spooky food truck fare and more. But if you want a free spooky night hike, you and your friends can go to your nearest farm or mountain and bring flashlights along with you. But you really need to be more careful especially when you’re planning to climb highest mountains because hiking in the middle of the night is totally different than hiking at daytime.
Scary Prank
Plan to pull a scary prank on someone you know. Before you do that, make sure they enjoy being scared! You can try this trending funny halloween prank on youtube.
Costume Contest
This sounds like you need to buy costume but here’s the idea: you can gather to your friend’s house and the mechanics of this contest is that you will make your own spooky costume out of the things that you can only see inside the house. You can use make-ups, curtains, etc. You have to be creative to win this contest.
Story Telling
Scare yourself by reading original horror stories online or you can borrow books in your nearest libraries. Also, for sure most of your friends have creepy stories to tell, you can do this somewhere or if during lights off.
That’s it! I know you also have some of the frugal ways to celebrate Halloween with your friends. Feel free to leave a comment below! Happy Halloween!
