Teenagers have a wide range of fears: the school restrooms, the internet going out, and talking face-to-face with other humans are all the stuff of nightmares. 

So, why (since we have so many everyday fears) do teenagers deliberately try to scare themselves by watching scary shows and movies?

Because we like it. 

“Scream”

The students at Edmond North enjoy a good scare sesh, and the top horror movie among the student body as revealed by our online poll is not one movie, but the entire “Scream” franchise. High schoolers have a taste for jump-scares and slashers, and this series fits the bill.

The “Scream” franchise started in 1996 with the original “Scream,” one of the top three big slashers. The “Scream” franchise has a repetitive plot until “Scream 5” when new characters change the storyline. The Ghostface in “Scream 5” targets the Carpenter sisters due to their relationship to the original Ghostface. Although some people might be uninterested in this movie because they think it’s repetitive, the fifth movie had shocking twists that reward the most dedicated horror-loving screenagers that make it this far into the films. Not lacking in terror and bloody gore,  this series of movies is a must-watch this Halloween season.

“Wednesday”

A popular horror series talked about around the school is “Wednesday,” a spin-off from the 1960s sitcom, “The Addams Family.” This show is about Wednesday Addams, a 16-year-old girl who is prone to getting in trouble and has been expelled from every school she has been enrolled in. Wednesday wants to do everything in her power to slink away from anything associated with her new school, Nevermore Academy; however, she gets wrapped up in a mystery involving brutal deaths in the nearby town. While she attempts to find the killer, she discovers more about herself, forms unlikely friendships and unravels family secrets.

This is a very entertaining and well-made show directed by goth-horror creative genius, Tim Burton. This is one of my all-time favorite shows that will get everyone in the Halloween mood.

“Beetlejuice”

Speaking of Tim Burton, his new film “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” grossed over $350 million, making this his biggest hit in over a decade. This goth fantasy film is creative and humorous and definitely worth a watch. But what about the OG? The original “Beetlejuice” made in 1988 is better than Burton’s second smash hit. Burton incorporates comedy, campiness, and horror to tell the story of how a young couple, the Maitlands, die in a tragic accident and their spirits stay in their quaint farmhouse. As this is happening, a new obnoxious family moves in and proceeds to destroy the house with gaudy remodeling. The Maitlands, now deceased, try to get rid of the dreadful newcomers by haunting them out of the house. Their non-scary attempts failing, the couple ask the troublesome spirit, Beetlejuice, to help them; however, that quickly makes their problems grow out of control. 

The quirky humor of Burton’s movie is enhanced by special effects that are meant to be very low-quality and campy. Even though the sandworm may not be scary, it will give you a good chuckle. Overall this retro pick will make everyone laugh and have you questioning if every random noise in your house is a ghost.

If you’re looking for something to do on Halloween night, these might get you shaking in your boots or shaking with laughter.

So comment down below, to let us know what you’re watching.