Disney’s Best Classic Halloween Films

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Walt Disney has influenced and inspired our culture and imagination for generations. From theme parks, films, television shows, and merchandise. Disney’s films were also very enjoyable to watch for their wit, action, and sense of adventure. Instead of trick-or-treating for candy, visiting multiple Halloween parties and bobbing for apples. All of which are good ways to have fun during Halloween holiday. Why not stay home, dim the lights, light the jack-o-lantern, ready the popcorn, and watch some of Disney’s all-time classic films for Halloween.

Here is a list of Disney’s best and spooky films. Most of these are Disney’s classic animation features, but some are Disney’s earliest live action feature films.

1. Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, 1937. Snow White is pursued by a jealous queen, she hides with seven dwarfs, but is discovered and given a poison apple. A prince charming awakens her with a kiss.

2. Fantasia, 1940. A wonderful animation feature set to classical music staring Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Visually stunning and full of playfulness.

3. The Adventures of Ichabod, aka as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, 1949. The story is about Ichabod Crane and two other main characters in a love triangle during a Halloween night. This is a great animated interpretation of the Headless Horseman with excellent scary scenes and humor. This is one of my personal favorites for being so spooky and well done. Legendary crooner Bing Crosby supplies the voice of characters, song, and narration of “Sleepy Hollow”.

4. Sleeping Beauty, 1959. A delightful fairy tale about a cursed princess who is doomed to fall asleep for a hundred years unless awaken by the kiss of a prince who truly loves her.

5. Treasure Island, 1950. Rated G and based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel of the same name, is one of Walt Disney’s earliest and best live-action films. Before Johnny Depp’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, Disney Production in the 1950’s had the entertaining pirate “Long John Silver” and cabin boy Jim Hawkins battling for lost treasure.

6. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, 1954. Starring Kirk Douglas and James Mason was Disney Studios largest budget production at that time. Based on Jules Verne’s sprawling science fiction epic concerning Captain Nemo, the Nautilus submarine, sea monsters, and head-hunting cannibals. Full of live action, spectacular set designs of the Nautilus, a grandeur period piece circa 1866, well-acted, with impressive visuals. And shot on location in the Bahamas and Jamaica.

7. The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh: Part 1., 1963. Has been released on DVD under Walt Disney Treasures, 1964, as “Dr. Syn: The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh.” This Disney classic is based on the novel by Russell Thorndike, about Dr. Christopher Syn, played brilliantly by the late actor Patrick McGoohan, a village vicar by day and a fearsome hero by night. Dr. Syn is the rebel leader against the King of England’s naval gangs. This thriller of a film has the hero in a haunting scarecrow mask, galloping horse chases, fiendish laughter-voice, and high adventure escapades, all mixed together with a dark, moody atmosphere. Much like Zorro, the Scarecrow helps the poor and oppressed in this 18-century setting. This film is engraved in one’s childhood memory as being very scary for a Disney movie.

For any of these films check your local DVD store or the internet to order online. Helpful sites like Ultimatedisney.com, Disneydvds.com, Disneymovieclub.com, and Amazon.com or any other DVD discount store is good. These films make perfect entertainment and fun for the whole family during the Halloween season.

T.S.Garp © Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved.