Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and Bookish and hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl where we get a new topic for a top 10 list.
This Halloween freebie is the perfect opportunity to spotlight some of the spookiest and atmospheric books, films, and TV shows to get you in that Halloween spirit. Now, some might not like the spooky Halloween features, but Halloween is the height of autumn, which is known for it’s cosy magical atmosphere. Here are my Halloween recommendations.
Books
The Archived by Victoria Schwab: Any Schwab book is Halloween appropriate, but the Archived also benefits from having an air of mystery to it. The main setting is based on an old, run-down hotel that has since been converted into flats. If that’s not creepy enough, you also have the histories; spirits that represent the memory of the dead. It’s a haunting and captivating book, and in typical Schwab fashion, has equally compelling characters.
The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo: Fairytales are an Autumn essential. They’re atmospheric and perfect for this time of year. Leigh Bardugo’s tales are richly imaginative and eerily sinister. This collection is an incredibly immersive experience and the accompanying illustrations work in conjunction with the narrative to create such a vivid depiction of the tales.
Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen: If you’re looking for something sweeter, then Bittersweet is the book for you. It’s the kind of book that will make you swoon. The Vermont setting makes it a perfect book for the autumn and while the romance will sweep you off your feet, it’s also important to note that individually they’re equally as compelling.
Nevernight by Jay Kristoff: What’s more intimidating than a school for assassins. This bloody epic will have you at the edge of your seats and screaming from page one. It’s bloody, brutal, and perfect for Halloween.
Film
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Some of you might not approve of this choice, but technically the Nightmare Before Christmas is a perfect blend of Halloween and Christmas. Confession, I’ve never seen this film in its entirety, but since I’m never sure when to watch this film, I figured I’d make it a November must watch.
The Ring: This is the one horror film that has an equally as compelling plotline. It might not be the scariest film, but if you’re planning a Friday night fright night, this would be the perfect film to kick off the festivities.
Harry Potter: Another confession, I’m not the biggest Harry Potter fan, but even I must admit that Harry Potter was made for this time of year. Just approaching Hogwarts to get you in that warm and festive feeling.
TV
The Haunting of Hill House
Having recently completed this series, I can confirm that it’s both spooky and addictive. Yes, this show will have you at the edge of your seats, but it also has a compelling story as we explore the dysfunctional dynamic between the Crain family and how the events of Hill House affected the dynamic between the siblings.
Supernatural: This is an obvious choice for those looking for something on the tamer side of spooky. Supernatural has its fair share of spooky episodes, but it also has an equal amount of humour and heart.
Castlevania: You can’t celebrate Halloween without Dracula himself making an appearance and this show puts a brilliant twist on the legend as Dracula’s revenge is fuelled by the atrocities of humanity.
What do you love most about Halloween?
What’s your go-to book/film for this time of year?
My Midnight Musing 
Great list! I LOVE Castlevania and The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my all-time favourites. The Language of Thorns and Nevernight are both on my TBR. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Castlevania. I think I need to use The nightmare before Christmas as my kick-off film to get my into that festive spirit haha.
LikeLike
The Language of Thorns and Nevernight are great recommendations for this season. And I loved The Haunting of Hill House show, it was very scary!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always tend to gravitate towards atmospheric fantasy novels this time of year. I’m definitely not convinced of this “happy ending” of the haunting of hill house. I’ll be curious to see what the second season explores.
LikeLike
I love both The Archived and The Language of Thorns so I’m very happy to see them on your list! 😀 I really want to watch The Haunting of Hill House, as I have heard nothing but amazing things about that show. Great post! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Archive is probably my go-to recommendation for autumnal reading. It’s just so atmospheric. I will say that Haunting of Hill House will have you jumping out of your chair, but the character dynamics are so worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Supernatural is a great choice. Yes, they have scary episodes for sure, but they have many other types of stories, too.
My TTT.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like Supernatural does a fantastic job at balancing the monster of the week episode with the larger plotlines.
LikeLike
I agree Harry Potter is made for this season. https://pmprescott.blogspot.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t really deny it haha.
LikeLike
Oooo! I just love how Halloween takes place during the fall time ha-ha! My favourites are Coraline, Gremlins (yes … it’s more Christmas but I say it’s both), Harry Potter and Corpse Bride! Show wise? I have to copy you on Supernatural!
LikeLiked by 1 person
To have Halloween any other time of year would be confusing and wrong haha. I can get behind the Gremlins as a Halloween/Christmas cross-over haha. Coraline creeped me out, it’s so freaky! Supernatural will always be my go-to for anything monster related!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know eh? And Gremlins is just one of my go-to films ha-h! I actually didn’t watch as many Halloween movies as I would’ve liked this year … I’ll just continue on to November because I can ha-ha! Coraline is SO freaky! But i love it ha-ha. I love Supernatural. With the series ending now, I think I’m going to re-watch it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw! Bittersweet is perfect for this list. So many fall vibes in that one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grumpy farmers are just what the doctor ordered for this time of year. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
They so are!
LikeLike
This is a brilliant list! I actually re-watched the Haunting of Hill House leading up to this week, because it’s just such a good series. Supernatural is a given (duh!) and always a good show to watch. I just read Nevernight recently, too (the whole series, actually), and I agree that it makes a great Halloween read, between the darkness and creepiness. Great recommendations!
Here’s my TTT post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was surprised by how compelling Haunting of Hill House was. The story of the family was really fascinating, although it made me paranoid about the noises I hear at night haha.
I really need to cath up with the Nevernight trilogy. I adored the first book, so I should get to reading the following books.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ugh, right?! By the time I finished that series (you know, super early in the morning because I stayed up to watch it), I was jumping at EVERYTHING.
LikeLike
The Archived is one of the few Schwab books I haven’t read. I need to change that ASAP. I love her novels.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so good. It definitely has an air of mystery to it.
LikeLike
Love your picks! All of these are so great for Halloween/the Halloween season/autumn. Pure perfection. Also, I love that The Haunting of Hill House is on here–one of my favourites of all time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Haunting of Hill House was a complete surprise to me. I wasn’t expecting to get such a compelling story with the siblings.
LikeLike
I don’t know what it was about The Ring, but it scared me so much. I refuse to rewatch it to this day. Ha! The Haunting of Hill House was brilliant!
My TTT
LikeLiked by 1 person
The creepiest experience watching the Ring was the fact that my phone rang at the exact same time as it did in the film. That spooked me.
LikeLike
Language of Thorns is just perfect! It’s one of my favorite reason why I prefer Ravka over Ketterdam- I love folklores and Ravka has a lot of them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooh I can’t quite shift loyalties to Ravka, but I do love the richness of their mythology.
LikeLike