I love horror on film (and in print), and I have a thing for horror films of the 1970s and early 1980s. Maybe that love has something to do with the sepia-toned lighting or the elephant pants and feathered hair. Bad style choices add that additional layer of scary to an already tense plot. It may also be born from growing up in the 1980s when horror movies really hit their stride in popularity with the Jason and Freddy franchises.

My cousins and I would wait all day for MTV to show the “Thriller” video, keeping an eye on the countdown, so we’d know when to tune in. This solidified my love for scary movies, in general, and a fascination with werewolf and zombie transitions (so much skin stretching!). The documentary “The Making of ‘Thriller’” featuring a clip of “An American Werewolf in London” kept me up at night. Side note: John Landis is a national treasure.

It’s not to say that I disregard anything produced after 1982. The following list includes a few nods to the 90s and 2000s. The original “Scream” came out while I was in college and I happily rallied behind that fantastic, bloody romp and often include it on my annual October playlist.

The Library can keep you enveloped in horror all month long with a large variety of movies on DVD and via the hoopla app.

Horror Movies to Enjoy Leading Up to Halloween and Beyond

Personal Favorites on DVD:

	The Exorcist Still the scariest movie of all time.
The Shining Spoiler: Jack is not a dull boy.
	Halloween Speaking of feathered hair…
The Omen Worst birthday party ever, tricycle rides will never be the same, baboons!
	The Witch Period language, witchcraft, goats.
Scream Peak 90s style, fake Johnny Depp goodness, the costume that won’t die.
	A Nightmare on Elm Street Viewed at a 6th grade slumber party. What were that girl’s parents thinking? #Idontthinktheywerehome #scarred4life
Saw Westly the Farm Boy in a filthy bathroom

Top Horror Picks from hoopla:

	Children of the Corn Avoid eating in diners.
House Not the hospital drama with Hugh Laurie.
	Night of the Living Dead Fighting zombies without Daryl.
Flowers in the Attic Avoid Thanksgiving with this family.
	House on Haunted Hill Vincent Price isn’t just that guy from “The Brady Bunch” Hawaii episodes.
Prom Night Scream queen JLC wreaking havoc.
	Chopping Mall This one will haunt you in an 80s kind of way.

More from hoopla

The following are authentic Maumee Branch Library staff picks to scare your socks off: