Seasonal Favorites Returning to Theaters

Some classic fall movies are returning to local theaters (The Palms Theatre IMAX in Waukee, and Flix Brewhouse attached to Merle Hay Mall). A few of these films include Hocus Pocus (1993), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Practical Magic (1998), Ghostbusters (1984), and The Shining (1980).

Learning about these re-releases made me wonder: What are some “fall favorites” around the school? Will people actually take the time to see these movies in theaters now that they know about them, or is it more convenient to stream them at home? What about going to a theater makes the movie-watching experience more enjoyable? To find out the answers to all these questions, I interviewed a WHS teacher and two students. Here’s what I discovered. 

First, I spoke with sophomore Danny Glass, who shared that his favorite Halloween movie is the original Halloween (1978). When asked if he knew about these re-releases, he said he didn’t, but he might go see at least one. “I wish that Pet Sematary would be re-released in theaters,” he added. 

Next, I talked to senior Joslyn Castro. She said, “My favorite fall movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas because I love the way it’s animated.” Castro continued, “There’s also a nostalgic aspect because I grew up watching it with my family.” Although she hadn’t known it would be shown at The Palms, she’s excited to go see it now. She thinks that the theater does offer a much different experience than watching at home, stating, “I mean obviously it’s a much bigger screen, but also the vibes are way different. You’re able to sit wherever you want with whoever you want, and you can also enjoy a nice snack during the movie.” 

Lastly, I interviewed English and Creative Writing teacher Mrs. Armour. She shared that she usually re-watches the“Harry Potter” movies during this time of year, especially Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. “With the dementors and werewolf elements, it feels very ‘Halloween,’” she explained. She also admitted a guilty pleasure of hers is viewing different Hallmark fall movies with her friends and making fun of the cliches, mentioning some titles includingLove, Fall, and Order and Pumpkin Pie Wars. 

Although she hadn’t seen any of the original releases for the films mentioned earlier, she remembers watching Hocus Pocus on Disney Channel throughout her middle and high school years. She says that’s the film she’d be most likely to see in theaters, “just for the nostalgia.” Armour also states that in a theater, “The viewing experience always feels more intentional and more engaging, and it’s easier to get caught up in the emotions of the film.” Adding, “It’s also really fun when there’s a large audience and everyone is reacting audibly to what is happening.” 

My tour around the school was very informative. I learned a lot about favorite fall films, and why people are drawn to movie theaters. Hopefully, this helped you learn more about fall movies, and maybe it even gave you an idea for a fun activity to do with friends this October!

Graphic by Ella Makohoniuk using Canva