The Ultimate Scary Movie Marathon for Midwest Teens 🎃👻

There’s just something about fall in the Midwest—cool nights, crunchy leaves, cornfields, and bonfires—that makes scary movies even scarier. Whether you’re planning a group sleepover, a basement hangout, or a late-night movie night after football games, the right lineup of scary movies can make the night unforgettable.

Bonus experience: a nice projector & a big outdoor screen next to a bonfire with lots of snacks. Chefs Kiss! 

Here’s the best order to watch scary movies—from chill and funny to truly spooky—so you and your friends don’t tap out too early.

1. Start Light & Fun (Ease Into the Night)

You don’t want to dive straight into nightmare fuel. Warm everyone up with something spooky-fun.

• Hocus Pocus (perferably the original, but the remake is a nice selection. Classic and not too scary)

• Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (creepy but still teen-friendly)

• Goosebumps (fun with jump scares, not traumatizing)

2. Step Up the Scares (Creepy but Manageable)

Now that you’re in the Halloween mood, bring on the next level.

• A Quiet Place (filmed in upstate New York but feels very Midwest with cornfields and silence)

• Happy Death Day (slasher + Groundhog Day vibes = creepy but fun)

• Fear Street: 1994 (great for teens, spooky mall setting, and part of a trilogy)

3. Classic Horror (The Legends Everyone Knows)

No scary movie night is complete without these cult classics.

• Halloween (nothing says Midwest like Michael Myers in a small Illinois town)

• Scream (slasher fun with plenty of iconic lines)

• Poltergeist (older, but still creepy and perfect for a group watch)

4. Big Scares (For the Brave Ones Who Last to the End)

By now, only the hardcore teens are still awake. Save these for the late-night “lights off” crowd.

• The Conjuring (creepy jump scares galore)

• Insidious (dreamy, unsettling, and full of suspense)

• It (the newer version with Pennywise—extra creepy if you live near small-town sewers or storm drains)

Pro Tips for Your Midwest Movie Marathon

• Set the scene: Blankets, popcorn, candy corn, and maybe even string lights. If outside, bonfire & s’mores! 

• Pick the right space: Basements are king (bonus points if they’re unfinished and creaky).

• Snacks & Breaks: Order pizza, nachos, or wings between movies to keep the energy up. Do not forget the caffeine & fun themed drinks! 

• Vote as a group: If someone’s not a fan of gore, balance it out with jump-scare thrillers instead of full-on horror.

✨ Final Thought: The best scary movie nights aren’t about how terrified you get—they’re about laughing, screaming, and making memories with your friends. So grab your blankets, turn off the lights, and let the spooky marathon begin!

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