a curated list of movies for October that are a bit spooky or suspenseful
I seriously enjoy leaning into the season in many different ways. My TBR book stack and meal planning are some ways that I embrace the season. But another is intentional movie nights centered around a specific theme.
First, a little about me and my tastes… I am an HSP (Highly Sensitive Personality)1 and so I don’t like anything too dark or gory. I won’t be able to sleep after watching or reading about 1st person war, rape, or anything too intense. Depending on my mood, I can handle some violence and suspense but I’ve never been able to watch horror movies and be okay afterwards. 😜🫤
However, there are times when I like to lean into Spooky Season with mystery movies especially with my young adult kids who are getting to see these movies for the first time. We make popcorn and watch them together often pausing to guess outcomes or character arcs. It becomes a discussion and a fun family evening. 🍿🎥
I love browsing social media for curated To Watch lists with thoughts and reasons why. So with that idea, I’m sharing this quick post to help you lean into spooky season.
🍿🎥My Favorite Mystery Movies:
Clue (1985) PG — Cozy Mystery, Whodunnit, Parody
Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up.
This was my favorite board game as a kid and I love the old mansion setting!
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Murder on the Orient Express (2017) PG-13 — Mystery, Whodunnit, Crime
When a murder occurs aboard the train on which he’s travelling, celebrated Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is recruited to solve the case.
The scenes in this movie are masterpieces. Kenneth Branagh directed the film and composed its signature long tracking shots, sweeping camera movements, and theatrical framing. And Haris Zambarloukos was the cinematographer and he captured the movie on large-format 65mm film.
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Poirot – TV series (1989-2013) TV-14 — Cozy Mystery, Police Procedural, Drama
This whodunit series based on Agatha Christie’s crime novels and short stories, was named after its star sleuth, Hercule Poirot (David Suchet), a famous former Belgian Policeman who solves crimes as a private detective.
This one is a cheating a little because it’s a TV series instead of a movie, but each episode stands on it’s own really well. In my college days we would check these out from the library and that would be a highlight of the weekend. I appreciate that the crime is not usually reenacted and the focus is on solving the details of the case.
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Knives Out (2019) PG-13 — Satire, Mystery, Whodunnit, Crime
I have enjoyed all the Knives Out movies but this first one is my favorite. The cast of characters is a complex dysfunctional family and the crime is the death of wealthy patriarch. I enjoyed watching Detective Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth.
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Remember: A personal curriculum does not have to be that deep. It can just be a small stack of books, a list of movies queued up, and a few handicraft projects you want to try.
my current fall TBR & watch list:
I try to lean into enjoyment and stories that give me healthy escapism. The immersive experience of getting lost in a book (or time period) provides mental space and something different to think about.
🎥📖 Jane Austen Fall:
my big goal = enjoying Austen movies & books
I am so excited that the new Sense and Sensibility Movie is in theaters mid-October! I plan to go see it! 😁
Since I love including themes in my reading life, I plan to settle into the Regency Era and Late Victorian Era for this fall.
- 🎥Becoming Jane (2007) — stars Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen and James McAvoy as Tom Lefroy. I love the dialog and the Regency clothing and setting.
- 🎥Sense and Sensibility (1995) – written by and starring Emma Thompson, alongside Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, and Alan Rickman. Umm yes!! I realized that I haven’t seen this one yet and I’m excited.
- 🎥Emma – The 1996 movie with Gwyneth Paltrow is my favorite but I also liked the 2020 movie with Anya Taylor-Joy.
- 🎥Mansfield Park (1999)— I enjoy this movie adaptation going beyond the original book by adding in elements of Austen’s actual life and personal journals.
- 🎥Persuasion (1995 & 2007) — The 2007 version is absolutely wonderful! I love that Dakota Johnson breaks the 4th wall and speaks directly to the camera.
- 🎥Pride & Prejudice (2005) — Mr. Darcy in the fog. That is all I need to say.
To see my book list check out this post:
My October Personal Curriculum Plans
I’m sure you’ve noticed that I hold the term “personal curriculum” very loosely these days because of my schedule and life stage. 😁
I hope that you find some movies you enjoy for whatever mood you are feeling this fall!
Please share what is on your To Watch List!!
Remember: A personal curriculum does not have to be that deep. It can just be a small stack of books, a list of movies queued up, and a few handicraft projects you want to try.
The key is being intentional and trying out new things that you enjoy. Trying out a variety of long form content is good for us all.
Life is hard and adult life can become monotonous so easily.
Let’s resist that with our movie night evenings, our book club reading, and by being willing to try new things. It doesn’t have to be academically structured or super rigorous.
🍿🎥 Happy Movie Watching!
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1 If you find yourself covering your eyes, feeling physically ill, or lying awake for days after watching a scary movie, you aren’t “weak”. Your brain might simply be wired differently.
Because HSPs experience the world with heightened emotional empathy and struggle to quickly filter out intense stimuli, the visceral gore, sudden shocks, and psychological terror of horror movies can trigger severe, long-lasting sensory overload and emotional distress.
Here is more on HSP research including a free quiz by Dr. Elaine Aron