Did Someone Say Camp? Three Halloween Movies for Those Who Can’t Handle Horror

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) 

What screams Halloween camp more than Rocky? “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has been a cult classic since its seemingly failed release in 1975. 

Despite being deemed a box office flop, fans of the film began to rally around it, packing theaters to see it any chance they could. In 1976, the first known shadow-cast performance was conceived in Los Angeles by Michael Wolfson. 

On top of this, it has come as far as to be deemed, “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress in 2005. 

The movie follows the story of Brad and Jane, a couple in their prude era, and their introduction to Dr. Frankfurter, an alien transvestite from the planet Transsexual. 

I’ve seen it more times than I can count, and the plot still doesn’t totally make sense; however, to this day it is one of my favorite Halloween features, and has one of the best soundtracks, only to be rivaled with the second movie on this list. 

Little Shop of Horrors (1986) 

Do you want to go somewhere that’s green? Well, so do all of the down-on-their-luck characters in “Little Shop of Horrors.” That is until a mean, green mother from outer space, aka Audrey II, comes into their lives. 

The lively cast features famous comedic names such as Steve Martin, John Candy, and Billy Murray, who all bring their A-game to this picture. The film also stars Ellen Greene, who shows off her amazing vocal ability as Audrey, and Rick Moranis, who is a perfectly wimpy Seymore. 

The film is based on the low-budget black comedy made in 1960 of the same name, starring Jack Nicholson. Fun fact: it was, at the time, the most expensive movie Warner Bros. had ever produced, and the expense definitely pays off. 

Audrey II in the film shows off the amazing power of puppetry, and as mentioned previously, it has a stunning and hilarious soundtrack. 

The Haunted Mansion (2003) 

Justice for the fact that this movie, for some reason, has only 13% on Rotten Tomatoes. This hilarious and campy feature starring Eddie Murphy is one that defined my childhood during spooky season. 

“The Haunted Mansion” features a crypt of early-era CGI skeletons, a barbershop quartet of singing stone heads, and a pissed-off floating head in a green ball; what more could you ask for in a Halloween feature? 

The story follows a family of four as they head off for a weekend trip; however, along the way end up trapped in — you guessed it — a haunted mansion. 

They each have personal challenges to overcome and creepy obstacles that are there to push them on the right path. It’s a fun, nostalgic, and classic Disney Halloween watch this season.