A Catholic Cinephile’s Guide to Allhallowtide

A Catholic Cinephile’s Guide to Allhallowtide

20+ Movies to Watch on Halloween
By Marge Hynes, Contributing Writer

If you’re in South Florida like me, you’ve been waiting eagerly for that first almost-fall day when the humidity takes a hint. Mornings are getting crisper (-ish), and nights are calling for cozy sweaters and family fire pits in the front yard roasting marshmallows to oblivion. The promise of breezy days is brewing. It’s the season of pungent, cheap cinnamon brooms from Trader Joe’s, buttery spices floating effervescently through our kitchens and up our noses, homemade doughs, jams, and cloves in hot teas, and a cool front inspiring us Floridians to act as if we live somewhere with four seasons.

And, yet, beneath all this season’s jack-o’-lanterns and autumn frills lies an invitation to commemorate the saints, pray for the faithful departed, and contemplate that age-old truth we so often tuck away in the recesses of our minds: memento mori.

It’s the season of Allhallowtide, a three-day observance of All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. A season for some spooks, some heavenly reflection, and a movie or two (or three or four . . . or five).

Movies & Allhallowtide? Oh My!

If you’re Catholic, you know well our faith has always had a taste for the macabre.

Where else do you find saints welcoming martyrdom with open arms, or a liturgical season devoted entirely to the dead? Where else do you find a Church that tells Her faithful to remember their deaths in the tradition of medieval monasticism, the haunting, echoing beauty of Gregorian chant, Requiem Masses, or Gothic cathedrals?

If you don’t know what I’m referring to, let me introduce you to the Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic, a Catholic chapel adorned with the bones of roughly 70,000 people. Or the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, where the bones of Capuchin friars decorate the walls and ceilings, with the inscription: What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you shall be.

Or St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Joan of Arc, and the countless martyrs who faced torture and death rather than renounce Christ. Their stories are filled with visions, spiritual warfare, and encounters with mysteries beyond the veil—what some might refer to as “the supernatural.”

What others find creepy, bizarre, or eerie, we find comforting. Why?

The Church spans space and time, and we are all in communion with one another, interwoven in the one body of Christ—the Church Militant here on earth, the Church Suffering in purgatory, and the Church Triumphant in heaven. Within this communion, we are called to remember the departed and our own eventual departure. Rather than look away from our mortality, we are called to always remember it in light of Christ’s triumph over death itself.

Perhaps that’s why so many stories of the unexplainable, miraculous, or haunting captivate us. We already know that the world is stranger, more mysterious, and more wondrous than we will ever begin to fathom. Our faith rests upon the greatest Mystery of all. We will only discover the hidden, the unknown, the idiosyncrasies of the world once we meet our loving Maker. 

October 31: All Hallows’ Eve

On Halloween, we can enjoy a little spooky-season fun while knowing that what we consider supernatural is more than just a Hollywood gimmick. These films explore the darkness lurking in the human heart, the fear of the unknown, and the struggle between good and evil. Some are quite frightening and may be disturbing to some viewers, so consider your own discernment and content sensitivities before watching.

1. The Sixth Sense (1999)
A masterclass in atmosphere, this is the kind of supernatural thriller that reminds us how the most harrowing stories will almost always have the human condition at their core.

2. Signs (2002)
For anyone who enjoys a little extraterrestrial dread, this unsettling favorite offers plenty to ponder after the credits roll.

3. The Ritual (2025)
Based on the story of a real-life exorcism, this one makes the list for its exploration of spiritual warfare and the divide between faith, fear, and evil. Read our full review here!

4. Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s landmark thriller earns its place for its chilling exploration of human darkness and its reminder that all is never truly as it seems.

5. A Quiet Place (2018)
One of my all-time favorite spooky movies, A Quiet Place is so much more than a nerve-wracking monster thriller. Its pro-life themes and portrait of sacrificial, unconditional love make it a wholly moving story about the preciousness of life.

6. The Twilight Zone (TV series, 1959)
For the movie buff who likes a little philosophical pondering with their paranormal peculiarities, this classic anthology is a treasure trove of eerie what-ifs and moral dilemmas.

November 1: All Saints’ Day

All Hallows’ Day, or Hallowmas, honors all the saints in heaven—not only those canonized by the Church, but also the holy men and women whose sanctity is known to God alone. They belong to what Catholic tradition calls the Church Triumphant. Here, we take a look at bravery, sacrifice, and virtue. Even imperfect characters can teach us about the struggle to do good. There is no saint who was not once a sinner.

1. The Reluctant Saint (1962)
The story of St. Joseph of Cupertino, a personal favorite of mine, is a sweet, homey one that gives us a much-needed nudge: God has a habit of working through the most unlikely of people.

2. Triumph of the Heart (2025)
For those willing to shed some tears, this film is a meditation on the incredible witness of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who, in the self-giving footsteps of Christ, “walks the talk” of the greatest commandment. Read our full review here!

3. The Dark Knight (2008)
Underneath the comic-book spectacle lies an examination of moral responsibility, temptation, and the choice to do what is right even when doing so comes at a cost.

4. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
Few superhero films capture the tension between desire and sacrifice the way that this one does, which makes Peter Parker’s struggle to take on responsibility feel pretty close to a life lesson in virtue (plus, we all love Tobey).

5. The Mummy (1999)
Some ancient Egyptian intrigue and a heroine that’s not just all brains make this a great excuse to revisit some good old-fashioned adventure and romance.

6. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Indiana Jones’ globe-trotting adventures show us that courage, humility, and a bit of healthy respect for things greater than ourselves can go a long way.

7. Cinderella Man (2005)
A movie that revolves around themes of perseverance, fatherhood, and sacrificial love during the Great Depression, and shows that the ordinary can be extraordinary.

November 2: All Souls’ Day

On this day, the Church remembers those who have died in God’s grace but are still undergoing purification before entering the fullness of heaven. Catholic tradition calls this state purgatory, and these souls are often described as the Church Suffering. This is where we consider movies about death, grief, redemption, memory, and the hope that goodness survives.

1. The Green Mile (1999)
Another tearjerker! This one will leave you not only sniffling but wondering about the mystery of suffering, human dignity, and grace in the most interesting of places.

2. Coco (2017)
Colorful, fun, and brimming with the celebration of family ties, this Pixar film asks us to remember those who came before us as one way to keep their stories alive.

3. Arrival (2016)
This sci-fi favorite will give you plenty to think about loss and whether knowing what suffering lies ahead would change how we choose to live and love.

4. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
Leave it to Hayao Miyazaki! Strange and dreamy, this one is a reminder that even when the world breaks our hearts, there’s still beauty to be found in choosing to live.

5. The Truman Show (1998)
Ever get the feeling there’s more to life? Clever and quirky, this one urges viewers to seek the truth, question the world around you, and have the courage to step into the unknown.

6. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
A Disney gem, this animated film has music, medieval Parisian charm, and a weighty story about hypocrisy, prejudice, and mercy.

Have a blessed Allhallowtide, and happy watching!

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With over eight years of experience and a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing, Marge Hynes is a dynamic writer whose portfolio spans SEO-driven copywriting, journalism, and marketing—a versatile skill set that allows her to craft compelling content for Paloma & Fig’s projects.

Marge’s Catholic faith serves as the cornerstone of her work. She approaches storytelling with thoughtfulness and a deep appreciation for the Lord’s own creative power. Her love of the written word shines through in every project, helping clients articulate their message with clarity, heart, and purpose.

When she’s not writing, Marge can be found leading praise and worship, diving into theological books, or exploring the great outdoors with her loyal dog, Augustine (Auggie for short).