Halloween Thrills on Kanopy

This blog was co-written by Kira Painchaud of the Half Moon Bay Library.

Carmen's Vampire and Ghost Picks

My husband loves to watch horror films, a hobby that he unfortunately cannot share with me. It's not so much that I dislike horror films as they give me nightmares and make me jump at every single noise in my creaky old house, causing me to lose sleep. I love sleep! So, when my husband asks me if I want to watch a horror film with him, I often choose sleep over scares. Over the years, however, I have found that there are some genres of horror films that don't cause me nightmares. Films about vampires, witches, and ghosts are usually the right amount of scary and fantastical that won't keep me awake until 3 AM. So, I thought I would share some of these flicks that I found on Kanopy with you!

A Tale Of Two Sisters, opens a new window
A psychological horror about two sisters, a cruel stepmother, and a ghost trying to reveal a dark secret.

The Awakening, opens a new window
Set in post war 1920's England, a woman in mourning goes to investigate claims of a ghost at a boy's boarding school.


The Witch, opens a new window

A supernatural period film about a Puritan family and their frightful black cult experiences.


Let the Right One In, opens a new window

A Swedish romantic vampire film about an ageless young vampire and a bullied 12-year-old boy.


Life After Beth, opens a new window

A zombie comedy film starring Aubrey Plaza. It’s not scary, but I thought I would include it because who doesn't love Aubrey Plaza?

 

 


Kira's Classic Picks

As a cinema fan, I am excited to share some of my favorite Halloween films that I've been watching in October. Some of these movies can be hard to find, which is why I’m so excited that they’re available on Kanopy! A few are cult films in black and white, while others are B movie classics that have been enjoyed for decades. I hope that you will enjoy watching these picks as much as I enjoyed choosing them!

Nosferatu, opens a new window

As a silent classic of horror, this movie is a chilling and fascinating tale of Dracula from 1922.


The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, opens a new window

Made in 1919, this film is a beautiful horror classic about a demented hypnotist who spreads death.


Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, opens a new window

A 1920 true silent horror classic in American form with John Barrymore as the murderous Mr. Hyde.


The House on Haunted Hill, opens a new window

A fun and spooky 1959 thriller classic with Vincent Price, based on the book “The Haunting of Hill House”.


The Devil Bat, opens a new window

A fun 1940 Bela Lugosi classic where he plays a vengeful scientist who uses his creation of a giant bat to kill his victims.


The Little Shop of Horrors, opens a new window

As a 1960's B movie classic, this is a comedy horror about a florist who kills to feed his giant secret flesh-eating plant.


Night of the Living Dead, opens a new window

A memorable zombie horror B classic filmed in 1968 that portrays a group of people who have taken refuge in an abandoned house.


Carnival of Souls, opens a new window

This is a chilling 1962 B cult classic with Mary Henry, a mysterious car crash survivor who is followed by a frightening presence that leads her to an abandoned carnival with terrifying secrets.


Dial M for Murder, opens a new window

In this 1954 Hitchcock thriller classic, Grace Kelly plays the part of Margot, whose husband wants to murder her for her inheritance.


What are you watching on Kanopy this fall? Share below in the comments!