Houses are decorated, the last minute dash for pumpkins is underway and, inevitably, Squid Game costumes are being constructed across the world, which must mean that Halloween 2021 is almost upon us!
With that in mind, what better time to start planning your Halloween movie night(s) watchlist in preparation for the big day?
To help with that spooky movie night inspiration, we have rounded up a selection of recent Home Entertainment releases that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your sofa this Halloween!
We kick things off with a big one! A brand new 4K Ultra HD box set featuring four landmark films from the iconic Universal Classic Monsters series: Dracula, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and The Wolf Man, as well as the 1931 Spanish version of Dracula, filmed on the same sets as the more famous English language version, starring Carlos Villarías in the title role.
The previous Blu-ray upgrades of the films were impressive enough, but Universal takes things a step further with these excellent new 2160p UHD HDR10 presentations, particularly with Dracula and Frankenstein.
All films re-use the lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono audio tracks as featured on the previous Universal Blu-ray upgrades, which again are impressively clean and clear given the age of the films and the condition of the original source materials; Dracula being particularly excellent.
If you have never seen these iconic films then you are in for a real treat with this essential new box set, and classic horror fans will not be disappointed!
The reviews have not been kind, and it is a largely unnecessary exercise, however, this virtually shot-by-shot, animated remake of George A. Romero’s landmark zombie classic is actually quite good fun, and it might be an entertaining choice if you are looking for something a little bit different for Halloween.
What begins as a simple visit to a grave site soon escalates into a night of sheer terror! As Barbara, Ben and an odd group of strangers hide in a remote farmhouse, their struggle to ward off the flesh-eaters outside creates fierce tension inside.
The idea of remaking Romero’s iconic film as an animation is clearly to make the film more accessible to modern audiences, and on paper that seems like an exciting and intriguing prospect. What’s more, the voice cast is very impressive. This should have been a great project.
The problem is the film is almost identical to the original, just in cartoon form, and offers audience nothing new, bar one short sequence. The animation style too leaves a lot to be desired and the jerky frame rate often makes things seem rather stiff and clunky, weakening the atmosphere and impact of some of the scenes.
That said, it is considerably more violent than the original (which will please gore fans) and the running time is a relatively breezy 70-minutes. Not for everyone but good fun and a bit different if that is what you are after!
A direct sequel to 2019’s surprise box office hit Escape Room, Escape Room 2: Tournament of Champions sees a group of previous Escape Room survivors brought together for the ultimate survival test with a series of elaborate new challenges much bigger and much deadlier than the ones they completed before.
If you are a fan of the first film then this entertaining sequel really just offers more of the same rather than elevate things to a different new level, which should please those who were left wanting more following the events of the original film.
If you are looking for something a little more fun and entertaining rather than an all-out scarefest, then Escape Room 2 may just be the perfect film for your Halloween movie night.
It’s a tense and gripping psychological horror, filled with innovative and elaborate puzzles and rooms, and with plenty of entertaining thrills thrown in for good measure.
If popcorn horror is your thing then this is definitely one for you!
Following the release of his feature directorial debut Dark Star in 1974, sci-fi/horror maestro John Carpenter had quite the run of form in the decade following, churning out a number influential cult classics including Assault on Precinct 13 (1976), the iconic Halloween (1978), The Fog (1980), Escape from New York (1981), Christine (1983), and the landmark 1982 sci-fi horror, The Thing.
Kurt Russell as helicopter pilot, R.J. MacReady, one of a twelve-man American research team at a remote Antarctic research station, who discover an alien buried in the snow for over 100,000 years. Once unfrozen, the form-changing alien wreaks havoc, creates terror and becomes one of them.
Fans of the film will no doubt be thrilled by Universal’s new 4K Ultra HD release as the 2160p UHD HDR10 widescreen presentation is excellent (a significant upgrade on the previous Blu-ray edition) and the immersive DTS:X soundtrack is particularly strong.
Despite negative reviews on its original release Carpenter’s great film is rightly considered a masterpiece of the sci-fi horror genre. If you are discovering the film for the first time then this is definitely the version to check out, and you won’t be disappointed. A great addition to your Halloween movie night watchlist!
Another fan-pleasing sequel, though certainly more graphic and gruesome than Escape Room 2, Don’t Breathe 2 sees star Stephen Lang return to his now signature role as ‘The Blind Man’ for this dark and suspenseful follow up to 2016’s hit invasion horror, Don’t Breathe.
Eight years after the events of the first film, blind Navy SEAL veteran Norman Nordstrom (Lang) is now living out at a remote suburban cabin with his young daughter Phoenix and his trusty Rottweiler, Shadow. Things turn sinister one night when a ruthless gang break into their home and attempt to kidnap Phoenix, and Norman’s past sins begin to catch up with him.
Don’t Breathe 2 offers up another slice of dark and intense invasion/revenger horror which fans of the first film will surely enjoy. There are some dark themes explored and it is filled with increasingly graphic and gory sequences, as the 18 rating would suggest.
The tense and nervy atmosphere, effective thrills and exceptional sound design make this creepy horror-thriller a solid choice for your Halloween movie night viewing!
