There’s no shortage of ways to fill your Halloween social calendar — haunted houses, block parties, bar crawls, pumpkin displays, trick-or-treating if you have kids around that age or you yourself are completely shameless about snagging free candy.
Scary-movie streaming also gets an uptick around this time of year. For those with overactive imaginations, watching at home where characters from the films lurk around every corner is simply not an option. So why not go to a big, public movie house with lots of other people?
The Oriental Theatre is here for the “safety in numbers” crowd with seasonal selections running every night this week. From the artistic-leaning Opera to a Scream double feature to a family-friendly Sunday afternoon pick, there seems to be something for both the stalwart and the easily startled alike. You can find all the selections below and tap the titles for ticketing information.
Oriental Theatre Halloween week
Opera (4K restoration)
Monday-Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
After the artistic highs (and box-office lows) of Tenebre and Phenomena, Dario Argento (Suspiria) was on a mission to make the most accomplished giallo of his career. And that’s exactly what he did. Opera follows Betty, the star of an avant-garde production of MacBeth, as she deals with a black-gloved maniac on a mutilation spree at the opera house. With its ultra-stylized photography, complex metaphors and intense violence, Opera is a brilliantly deranged spectacle — and the most breathtaking horror experience of 1987.
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
Wednesday, 9 p.m.
At the time of release, "The Advocate" dubbed 1985's A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge the gayest horror film ever made. For the film's closeted young star, Mark Patton, such a tag was a stark reminder about the homophobia rampant in Hollywood at the time — and the painful experience he had making the high profile film and living through the polarizing critical aftermath. This new documentary highlights Patton's time in the horror spotlight, and Patton — who co-produced the film with Roman Chimienti, a NYC-based sound engineer — sets the record straight about the controversial sequel, which ended his acting career just as it was about to begin.
The Exorcist: Director’s Cut
Thursday, 9 p.m.
William Friedkin directs one of the most horrifying movies ever made. When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the devil — and that her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism.
Scream
Friday, 7 p.m.
Neve Campbell leads an all-star cast in this iconic slasher thriller that launched the Scream franchise and breathed new life into the horror genre. After a series of mysterious deaths befalls their small town, an offbeat group of friends led by Sidney Prescott (Campbell) become the target of a masked killer. As the body count rises, Sidney and her friends turn to the “rules” of horror films to help navigate the real-life terror they’re living in.
Scream 2
Friday, 9:15 p.m.
Away at college, Sidney Prescott thought she’d finally put the shocking murders that shattered her life behind her, until a copycat killer begins acting out a real-life sequel. Now, as history repeats itself, ambitious reporter Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox), deputy Dewey (David Arquette) and other Scream survivors find themselves trapped in a terrifyingly clever plotline where no one is safe — or beyond suspicion — in this “delicious, diabolical and fun” (Rolling Stone) sequel.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Saturday, 11:55 p.m.
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O'Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky." Come join the fun as the Sensual Daydreams cast performs live along with the film!
Scooby-Doo
Sunday, 4 p.m.
Staff pick! Graphic designer Ryan chose Scooby-Doo! "Throughout the ages, one hero has cowered above the rest ..." That lovable, easily frightened Great Dane, Scooby-Doo, makes his big-screen debut in this live-action/animated feature film. Scooby accompanies the Mystery, Inc. crime-solving sleuths — Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Fred (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Velma (Linda Cardellini) — as they investigate a series of paranormal incidents at Spooky Island, a spring-break hot spot owned by Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson). Before the supernatural secrets scare away the college crowd, the gang must crack the case, save themselves and, possibly, the world! Zoinks!
