BOO! Did we scare you? Well, these local Halloween movie screenings sure will. Here’s a sampling of area theaters where you can catch the scariest, spookiest, most terrifying flicks in the Valley amid this haunted holiday season. View at your own risk.
What’s Playing: Dracula, October 28, 5:30 pm; The Shining, October 28, 7:30 pm; Wolfman, October 29, 1 pm; The Addams Family, October 29, 3 pm; The House on Haunted Hill, October 29, 5:30 pm; Poltergeist, October 29, 7:30 pm; Nosferatu, October 30, 2 pm.
For Maximum Fright: Oh boy, does the Paramount know how to bring in Halloween right (or should we say fright?). As a prelude to the Monday holiday, the theater will be premiering three days of non-stop horror classics that weekend–some dating back to the 1920s. See one, or see them all with a $30 weekend pass. Nightmares included.
What’s Playing: The Haunting, October 30, 2 pm.
For Maximum Fright: If you haven’t already read Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel, The Haunting of Hill House, you still have time before the October 30 book discussion and film viewing in Rhinebeck. Only interested in the movie adaptation? The screening will be first, so you can peace out before things get extra frightening.
What’s Playing: Frankenstein, October 28, 8 pm.
For Maximum Fright: Classic horror meets vivid Valley talent at this special spooky screening-come-concert. Named one of Hollywood’s 100 Greatest Movies by The American Film Institute, Frankenstein is still one of the most celebrated of its genre. And local composer and conductor Michael Shapiro has written original musical accompaniment to the entire 1931 film, and you can hear it live in Nyack when he conducts the Chappaqua Orchestra during the screening.
What’s Playing: Rocky Horror Picture Show, October 29, 8 pm.
For Maximum Laughs: Not only are invites guests to come dressed up (as is customary for screenings of the cult-classic, musical horror-comedy), but discounted tickets are being offered to those who come in their best fishnets and furry boas. Plus, a costume contest will be awarding prizes. So, bust out the leather and get ready to strut.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
What’s Playing: Silence of the Lambs, October 28, 6 pm; The Witches, October 30, 2 pm.
For Minimum Fright: Sure, Halloween’s all about scary this and spooky that, but what if you’re bringing the little ones (or can’t handle the big kid stuff yourself)? Auteur Nicolas Roeg’s (The Man Who Fell to Earth, Performance et al) take on Roald Doahl’s novel The Witches is relatively age-appropriate and less nightmare-proof. Plus, an educational, 1960s-themed scavenger hunt and arts-and-crafts sesh will precede the screening at 12 pm. Costume dress-up is encouraged!