Every October, the world seems to split into two types of people — those who crave blood-curdling screams, and those who would rather curl up in a blanket, light a candle and watch a calm movie, helping them embrace the fall season. I fall firmly into the latter category. Forget “Friday the 13th” and “Scream,” for me, my fall comfort movie is “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
Growing up, that half-hour special was Halloween — it was fall vibes. Ever since I could remember, my family would watch it every time it aired on television. We would pile in our living room, pop popcorn and would watch Linus wait again and again for the Great Pumpkin.
While my friends would dare each other to watch thrillers, I found comfort in the simplicity of Charlie Brown’s world. The simplicity of the crisp autumn air, the falling leaves and the bittersweet blend of innocence and disappointment. This movie features no gore and no jump scares — just gentle humor paired with a message about faith, perseverance and hope.
That could be part of why people love Halloween movies so much, regardless if they are horror or classic animated movies. They help us feel something larger than everyday life. Horror fans chase adrenaline and fear, whereas cozy Halloween fans like me chase nostalgia and warmth. Regardless of which one you gravitate to, Halloween movies are about emotion and stepping into a story that helps viewers feel something.
With Halloween movies comes such a tension. As Christians, we hear so many debates about whether horror films are something believers should avoid. Some say they are demonic and they glorify evil, but some say they remind us that evil exists but good ultimately wins. I think in some cases, there are some horror movies that glorify evil. However, when I think of classic horror films, light always eventually triumphs over the darkness — even in “Scream.” Horror mirrors the spiritual reality of our broken world, but then shows the truth that redemption always breaks through.
I personally do not like horror movies because they scare me, and I prefer to have a restful night of sleep.
That is why I continually come back to my comfort movie, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” It helps me keep the Halloween spirit and feel all the fall vibes.
There also is something about Linus that makes me feel for him and love the movie even deeper. His faith and attitude inspires me and helps me feel like a kid again. Every year Linus believes, no matter how many times he is disappointed. There is something pure about that kind of hope, especially now in a world that is forcing us to be realistic. He never gives up even when everyone calls him stupid. He continues to write letters, sit in the cold and wait under a starry sky for this thing he believes is so real.
As a kid, I would laugh at how dumb he was, but now I admire him and relate to Linus. His faith is a quiet, stubborn belief that something good is still possible. There is such beauty in that kind of optimism, and it reminds us of how easy it is to lose that faith once we get disappointed ourselves.
Maybe that’s why I never outgrew “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” and keep coming back to it. It reminds me that hope is worth clinging to. So, every fall, when the leaves start to turn, and I turn that movie on, I feel like a kid again. And honestly, I do not need much else to feel the Halloween and fall vibes.
