The spookiest time of the year is here.
Whether you’re spending this Halloween trick-or-treating, attending a party or just watching scary movies at home, there’s plenty on TV to entertain you.
For the 2023 scary season, here’s what to watch on Oct. 31.
‘Halloween’
The classic slasher movie franchise started in 1978, and later expanded out to 13 films to date, following the creepy killer Michael Myers murdering his way through Haddonfield, Illinois, on Halloween — where he’s stopped (for now) by Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis).
There’s a marathon on AMC all day, starting at midnight with 1981’s “Halloween II” (which will also air at 2 and 10 p.m. EST), and culminating in the original 1978 movie at 10 p.m. Other movies include “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” (at 10 a.m.) and “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later” at 6 p.m.
Where to watch: AMC and AMC+.
Michael Myers in “Halloween.” Courtesy Everett Collection‘True Blood’
Bon Temps, Louisiana: home to all manner of vampires, werewolves, a bar owner who can shape-shift into a dog, a waitress who is part fairy and that memorable season with the were-panthers. “True Blood” originally aired on HBO from 2008-2014, starring Anna Paquin, her now-husband Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, the late Nelsan Ellis and Joe Manganiello. The ensemble drama was often messy — both literally, with blood and guts — and figuratively, with inconsistent writing. Nevertheless, it delivers soapy R-rated fun that’s perfect for Halloween.
Where to watch: Max.
Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) in “True Blood.” HBO‘The Wolf Man’
If you’re in the mood for classic monster fare from Hollywood’s golden era, watch the original 1941 film starring Lon Chaney Jr. in the title role. Follow the tale of Larry Talbot, who returns to his ancestral home in Wales, only to end up with a lycan problem.
Where to watch: 6:30 p.m. EST on TCM.
Lon Chaney Jr. in the 1941 film “The Wolf Man.”
‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’
This 2023 movie takes “making a mountain out of a molehill” to the next level as it mines an entire film out of just one unsettling chapter in the original “Dracula” novel. Starring Corey Hawkins and “Game of Thrones” stars Aisling Franciosi and Liam Cunningham, the plot follows an ill-fated ocean voyage as the passengers slowly realize that Dracula is on board the ship with them.
Where to watch: Prime Video and AppleTV+.
Liam Cunningham (from left), Chris Walley and Corey Hawkins in “The Last Voyage of the Demeter.” AP‘Modern Family’
If you can’t stomach horror movies — or you simply want sitcom-style Halloween fare — don’t fear: TBS is having a marathon of “Modern Family” Halloween episodes. They include “Halloween,” “Punkin Chunkin,” “Open House of Horrors,” “Halloween 4: The Revenge of Rod Skyhook” and “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Phil Dunphy,” among others. So, join Phil (Ty Burrell), Haley (Sarah Hyland), Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and the rest of the gang for their October antics.
Where to watch: TBS starting at 7 to 11 p.m. EST.
Ariel Winter (from left), Sarah Hyland, Sofia Vergara, Ed O’Neill, Eric Stonestreet and Jesse Tyler Ferguson in “Modern Family.” ABC‘Hocus Pocus’
This witchy movie first came out 30 years ago. Although it was a box office bomb at the time of its release, it’s since become a cult classic. If you want a family-friendly film, tune in to the oddball tale of magical sisters Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson (Bette Midler), Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy).
Where to watch: Prime Video, AppleTV+, Disney+ and Hulu. You can also catch it in select theaters for its 30th anniversary or at 11 a.m. EST on Freeform.
Kathy Najimy (from left), Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker in “Hocus Pocus.” ©Disney+/Courtesy Everett Collection