THE WIDE SHOT
Ah, yes, the season of spooks and chills is back, and Freeform is amping up the fright factor. They’ve just unveiled the movie roster for their yearly 31 Nights of Halloween event. This year, the list boasts a treasure trove of Halloween staples—think Tim Burton’s cult classic ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and the bewitching ‘Hocus Pocus.’ But that’s not all, folks. In a twist of cinematic fate, they’re also rolling out films like ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,’ and ‘The Addams Family.’
The channel is going all out to commemorate some milestone moments, like Disney’s big 100 and the 30th birthday of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’
THE FEATURE PRESENTATION
The Halloween hype machine is in full swing, and Freeform has just dropped their movie schedule for the 31 Nights of Halloween festival. Get ready to sink into your couch for familiar favorites like ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Hocus Pocus,’ not to mention newbies to the lineup like ‘Encanto,’ and a slew of double features that’ll keep you glued to your screen. As per tradition, the haunting commences on the first of October and doesn’t relent until the clock strikes midnight on Halloween.
The filmic feast is chock-full of other Halloween essentials. We’re talking a ‘Halloweentown’ double feature airing on the 10th, followed by a marathon on the 22nd. And, for the Disney Channel Original Movie aficionados among us, ‘Twitches’ and its sequel will be shown on the 15th, while musical marvels ‘Zombies’ and ‘Zombies 2’ are set to debut on Freeform come October 7th.
Celebration is the name of the game this October. Freeform is marking Disney’s centennial anniversary with a ‘Monsters, Inc.’ double feature on the 16th. This joins the year-long festivities known as Disney100, which has been sprinkled with special events, new merchandise, and re-screenings of iconic Disney and Pixar films. And let’s not forget the 30th-anniversary bash for ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ which will grace our screens once again on October 29th.
ADDITIONAL CURVEBALLS IN THE LINEUP
In a bold move, Freeform is stretching the boundaries of traditional Halloween fare. We’ve got a Spider-Man movie marathon featuring ‘Spider-Man 2’ and ‘Spider-Man 3’ on October 17th, and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ showing up for a double feature on October 27th. While the Web-Slinger isn’t exactly synonymous with Halloween, he does rock a pretty killer costume. Another unlikely contender, ‘Encanto,’ will make its Freeform premiere on October 22nd, proving that a bit of magic goes a long way.
But the lineup’s spice doesn’t end there. Additional flicks like ‘Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,’ ‘Cruella,’ and even ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn’ make the cut. Plus, cult gems like ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ and ‘The Craft’ have also been included. And for those who just can’t get enough of ‘The Simpsons,’ Freeform has got you covered with a “Treehouse of Horror” marathon. To cap it all off, they’re reviving Pop ‘N Knowledge editions for ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’
For the full rundown, scroll down. We promise, it’s a list that’s not to be missed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween 2023 Lineup
What is Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween?
Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween is an annual month-long event that airs a curated lineup of Halloween-themed movies. The event runs from October 1st through October 31st.
What are some of the classics featured in this year’s lineup?
This year’s lineup includes Halloween staples such as ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Hocus Pocus.’
Are there any new films making their Freeform premiere?
Yes, movies like ‘Encanto,’ ‘Zombies,’ and ‘Zombies 2’ are making their Freeform debut during the 31 Nights of Halloween event.
Are there any unexpected movie choices this year?
Absolutely, the lineup includes movies that aren’t traditionally associated with Halloween, such as ‘Spider-Man 2,’ ‘Spider-Man 3,’ and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man.’
What anniversaries is Freeform celebrating during the event?
Freeform is marking two major milestones: Disney’s centennial anniversary, celebrated with a ‘Monsters, Inc.’ double feature, and the 30th anniversary of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’
What are the special events or marathons planned?
There are a number of special features, including a ‘Halloweentown’ double feature and marathon, a ‘Twitches’ and ‘Twitches Too’ airing, and a “Treehouse of Horror” marathon for ‘The Simpsons’ fans.
What are Pop ‘N Knowledge editions?
Pop ‘N Knowledge editions are special airings of movies that include fun facts and trivia popping up on the screen. This year, they are featured for ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’
When does the 31 Nights of Halloween event start and end?
The event kicks off on October 1st and runs through Halloween night, October 31st.
More about Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween 2023 Lineup
- Freeform’s Official 31 Nights of Halloween Page
- Tim Burton’s Filmography
- Disney’s Centennial Celebrations
- History of Halloween-Themed Movies
- IMDb’s Halloween Movie List
- The Addams Family Facts
- Spider-Man Movie Universe
- All About ‘Encanto’
- Hocus Pocus Trivia
9 comments
Woah, didn’t expect to see Spider-Man in a Halloween lineup lol. But hey, he wears a costume right?
Disney’s centennial and Halloween? Count me in. Monster’s Inc. double feature is gonna be epic.
Encanto’s in this too? it’s not even scary, but I’m not complaining, that movie’s a gem.
Twilight? Really? Guess vampires fit the theme, but still, did not see that comin.
OMG, Nightmare before Christmas is 30 years old? Feelin’ ancient here.
My kids are gonna love the Zombies films, and I’m here for the Addams Family. Family movie nights sorted!
Pop ‘N Knowledge editions? Seriously cool. Hocus Pocus with trivia is like a match made in heaven. or should i say hell haha.
31 nights? I’ve got my snacks and PJs ready. Let the movie marathon begin!
Twitches and Twitches Too? Haven’t heard those names in a while. kinda nostalgic.