How to Host a Horror Movie Marathon

 

You want to have friends over for a movie marathon, but it's not enough to just show one horror movie after another. How about if you pick a theme with snacks to match and a lineup that showcases the theme? 

Gothic Haunt

Decorating: Candles, battery-operated or old-fashioned, lanterns, hurricane lamps, or other gothic mood lighting is preferred. You might take it a step further by throwing white sheets over the sofa and chairs. 

Snacks/Drinks: For a good gothic haunt, I'd suggest hot toddies, sherry, finger sandwiches, scones, and other tea-time favorites. Consider using a Ouija board as a tray. 

Movies: "The Awakening," "The Changeing," "The Haunting," "The Legend of Hell House," "House on Haunted Hill," "The Uninvited," "Woman in Black," "Ghost Story."

Childhood Fears

Decorations:  Children's party clown balloons, baby dolls, paper plates, cups, etc. 

Snacks/drinks:  Hot dogs, popcorn, french fries, Kool-Aid with rum, jello shots, candied or caramel apples. 

Movies: "Poltergeist," "Cat's Eye," "Clownhouse," "Dead Silence," "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark," "Pan's Labyrinth" 

Magical Witches

Decorations:  Black cloth, candles, pentacles, crystals, a broom, witch hat, black cat.

Snacks/drinks:  Shrunken heads carved from apples and floated in witch punch, chicken stew in a cauldron, cupcakes placed in sugar ice cream cones to make witch hats.

Movies:  "The Last Keepers," "Hocus Pocus," The Witches of Eastwick," "The Craft," "Practical Magic," "The Covenant."

Halloween Night 

Decorations:  Orange streamers, black tablecloth, Jack O' Lantern, 

Food/drinks:  Halloween miniature candies, large pumpkin holding chili inside, small carved out pumpkins for bowls and toppings of sour cream, cheese, onions, pumpkin ale or spiked cider. 

Movies:  "Halloween," "Halloween II," "Halloween H2O," "Trick R' Treat," "Hocus Pocus." 

- Other themes to consider -

Universal Monsters (Wolf Man, Creature From the Black Lagoon, The Mummy, Frankenstein, Dracula)

80s Slasher ("Nightmare on Elm Street," "Friday the 13th," "Child's Play," "Sleepaway Camp."

Zombies ("Fido," "Night of the Living Dead," "28 Days Later," "Shawn of the Dead")

Scared At Sea ("Ghost Ship," "Dead Calm," "The Fog," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Jaws," "Uninhabited")