There are plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit as a new season rolls around. As the calendar inches through, now celebrating fall can include hanging spooky decor and settling in for a Halloween movie. What's better than having a movie night in to watch Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman cast spells in Practical Magic, or hiding behind your pillow when Michael Myers notches a new kill?
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Angelika Flim Center D.C. and Fairfax, Va.
October 4-October 31, various times
The annual "Hitchcocktober" fest is back at Angelika's two DMV locations in Union Market in D.C. and Mosaic in Fairfax, Va. and will include screenings of some of the master of suspense's best films: North By Northwest, The Man Who Knew Too Much, The Trouble with Harry and Strangers on a Train. Catch Psycho on October 30 and 31.
Local AMC Theaters in D.C., Arlington, Va., Alexandria, Va., Bethesda, Md., Wheaton, Md., Oxon Hill, Md., Greenbelt, Md.
October 4-October 31 at various times
The region's largest theater chain is is hosting "Thrills and Chills," a month long series of screenings of Halloween films. The offerings include many films that have long been out of theaters, and feature truly scary fare like The Black Phone and Saw, plus more family friendly options like Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus and Kiki's Delivery Service.
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Suns Cinema
October 4-November 2, various times
Mount Pleasant's cozy bar slash movie house has a full slate of both lesser known and more classic scary movies on its October calendar. The theme of the month's programming is "Cults, Curses and Cannibals," which includes a screening of The Babadook and cult classic Phantasm.
Time Out tip: Very popular films often sell out, so snag tickets for those screenings quickly.
Alamo Drafthouse D.C. Bryant Street and Crystal City
Beetlejuice Movie Party, October 13, 6pm
Ghostbusters Movie Party, October 20 at 2:30pm
Shaun of the Dead Movie Party, October 20 at 6pm
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Movie Party, October 27
Alamo Drafthouse has a month of spooky and scary programming lined up at both its local theaters in Brentwood, D.C. and Crystal City, Va. The bespoke theater chain is hosting movie parties, screenings that include themed props and encourage interacting with what's happening on screen, for four Halloween classics.
There are plenty of options if you want to just sit and watch, though. Its October calendar includes screenings of seasonal staples: Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining, Doctor Sleep, Creature from the Black Lagoon and a Halloween night screening of Halloween. It's also offering matinee brunchtime showings of Coraline, Casper and Practical Magic that you can watch with a drink and breakfast in hand.
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Landmark's E. Street Cinema
October 11, 12, 25, 26 at 11:55pm and October 27 at 8pm
E. Street Cinema has plenty of midnight screenings of the cult classic on deck for the month of October. Expect a lively showing at E. Street, where screenings include a live cast performing alongside the film.
Justice Forum at REACH at The Kennedy Center
October 20 and 27, 3pm
Head to The Kennedy Center's outdoor venue for a screening of Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic, The Birds. Reserve a free ticket here. Then, spend the afternoon of October 27 scared out of your mind watching "The Blair Witch Project," the flim that revived "found footage" in horror films and is set in the Black Hills in Burkittsville, Md., which isn't so far from D.C.—what a comforting thought! Reserve a free ticket here.
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Alethia Tanner Park
October 24, 6:30-8:30pm
If your Halloween movie tastes are more cute than scary, head to NoMa's annual PumpkinPalooza for a full day of (mildly) frightful festivities, which include a screening of Pixar classic Monster's Inc. RVSP for free here.
AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center, Silver Spring, Md.
October 25-October 31 at various times
The AFI Silver Theater packs its calendars with can't-miss films yearround, but this year's "Halloween on Screen" selection is particularly fun. There's something for most every movie lover here, starting with Mel Brooks' more funny than scary classic "Young Frankenstein" on October 25. Other offerings include "A Nightmare on Elm Street," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" presented by local TV horror host Count Gore De Vol, "Suspiria" and "The Sixth Sense."
metrobar D.C.
October 25, 7-9pm
This Northeast bar is putting on the ultimate night for Rocky Horror fans that features pre-show live music, games, a free screening of the film and appearances by local drag performers Baphomette, Hennessey and Brooke N Hymen. Come in your best costume. RSVP for free tickets here.
National Harbor, Md.
October 27, 1-2:30pm
Revisit the Sanderson Sisters during a free screening of "Hocus Pocus 2" at National Harbor's annual Halloween celebration. Stick around afterward for a pumpkin carving contest and pet costume parade.
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