5 Historical Fiction Movies to Watch During Spooky Season

 Hello lovelies, 

With October just beginning I thought I would share with you some of my favorite historical fiction movies to watch during spooky season. Below are 5 movies that are not only perfect for the spooky season, with some being a little scarier than others, but are also perfect for any historical fiction lover out there. I personally love spooky movies but not necessarily the gory or really horror packed stuff. I enjoy movies with beautiful Autumn scenery and a little bit of eeriness. The movies listed, as mentioned already, are all historical fiction but are also spooky and are perfect for a night in.  I have added little tidbits about each movie but no real spoilers. If you want to know more about each movie just click on the movie poster and it will take you to the IMDb page for it. I should mention that the movies are not in any particular order, I just enjoy them all equally. 

What spooky historical fiction movies do you enjoy watching this time of year? Leave a comment below. 🙂

Sleepy Hollow (1800’s)

Sleepy Hollow is a movie based on Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This adaptation is a bit darker than the source material and definitely darker than Disney’s version (which is also a fun one to watch during spooky season). Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci are absolutely amazing in their roles. The movie takes place in 1799 which makes it perfect for any fan of Historical fiction movies and Halloween lovers alike. It follows Ichabod Crane as he tries to solve a series of murders in the small town of Sleepy Hollow, with the help of Katrina Van Tassel. The ending of the movie ends differently than Irving’s version and personally I think it’s much more satisfying.   

The Others (immediately after WWII)

The Others takes place immediately following the events of WWII. It’s a movie about a woman, who is waiting for news about her missing husband who went to fight in the war, while also trying to care for her two children who have a sensitivity to light. One of the children soon begins to claim to see ghosts.  

The Witch (17th Century Puritan setting)

The Witch or The VVitch takes place in 1630 in New England. Long before the Salem Witch Trials, a farmer and his wife begin to suspect their eldest daughter of witchcraft after their youngest child disappears while she is watching him. This movie is probably the scariest on this list but it is filled with everything you need in a historical fiction/scary movie. 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Victorian Era)

Taking place in the Victorian Era, Sweeney Todd is a movie based on old Victorian Penny Dreadfuls. It’s a story about a man who is married to a beautiful woman. An evil judge falls for her and then frames Sweeney Todd for a crime sending him to Australia for 15 years. When Sweeney Todd returns he has gone mad and is on a path of revenge. This movie stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman. 

An American Haunting (1817 based on the Bell Witch)

An American Haunting is another pretty scary/eerie movie on this list. The movie follows the Bell family who believe they have been cursed by a local witch named Kate Batts, whom John Bell had stolen land from.  This movie is based on true events that happened in 1800s Tennessee, it’s the only documented case in US history in which a spirit caused someone’s death. Although the movie is based on the Bell Witch folklore and the real John Bell, the movie does have some differences to the folklore.