Jordan Karlesson
Consider yourself a fan of Halloween? Like, a real fan? Well, there’s a new way you can prove it: watching scary movies for 31 days straight during the month of October.
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On Thursday, streaming service Freeform unveiled the “torturously” long movie program for its upcoming event, 31 Nights of Halloween.
“Who’s ready to watch some devilishly spooky movies?” The streaming service said in a Monday statement. “Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween begins October 1st, and this year’s line-up is more spook-tacular than ever. It’s time to gather your coven and catch spell-binding entertainment all October long.”
The movie schedule is more insane than Michael Myers, the villain from Halloween (the 2018 version), which will air on October 10.
However, the vast majority of films on the holiday program are family-friendly. They include the first two Ghostbusters movies, Hocus Pocus, Hotel Transylvania and its sequel, and Maleficent.
To boot, 31 Nights will stream Halloween-themed TV episodes and specials as well. The programs include Family Guy, The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror, and The Office.
Additionally, 31 Nights will devote a day entirely to Tim Burton films. On October 13, Freeform will stream Burton’s Frankenweenie, Edward Scissorhands, and Beetlejuice. For good measure, Freeform will also air Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The History of ’31 Nights of Halloween’
31 Nights of Halloween used to be called 13 Days of Halloween and 13 Nights of Halloween, according to Freeform’s website.
The program debuted in 1998 after the Family Channel became Fox Family. The at-home movie festival continued on ABC Family and eventually wound up on Freeform.
If you plan to watch 31 Nights, make sure your pantry is fully stocked with popcorn — and trick-or-treat candy.
“The 13 Days of Halloween block was created mainly due to the success of the channel’s 25 Days of Christmas, which had started two years earlier. The special block lasted from October 19 until Halloween night, covering the thirteen days before the holiday.Starting in 2018, the program aired throughout the whole month of October,” Freeform’s statement said.
