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12 Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Movies for the Whole Family

Halloween is always a night of creative costumes, delicious candy and fun frights. Of course, kids love the opportunity to challenge their courage by entering haunted houses, swapping spine-chilling stories and watching scary movies . That’s a lot of spookiness for one day, though, and with the wrong film, they may be too frightened to fall asleep at bedtime. (And of course, getting them to bed in time for you to enjoy a proper horror film , like a Stephen King adaptation or classic vampire flick might be an important part of your grown-up Halloween experience!)

Fortunately, there are lots of wonderfully fun — and only slightly creepy — movies out there that kids will enjoy this year. From oldies like Hocus Pocus  to newer films like a stellar remake of The Witches , this list has plenty of options that’ll delight much more than they’ll scare. Check out 12 of the best kid-friendly Halloween flicks that make not-too-spooky treats for the entire family!

Goosebumps (2015)

The Goosebumps  book series by R.L. Stine has thrilled kids across the world since the 1990s. The series has been adapted for both TV and film, including a newer franchise for younger generations who aren’t familiar with these classics.

The 2015 flick, aptly titled Goosebumps , stars Jack Black as a fictionalized version of Stine alongside Dylan Minnette, who plays his teenage neighbor. The two team up to take down monsters from the Goosebumps  series that have managed to escape from the books and cause chaos in the real world. The film is frightening fun for kids, and there’s enough action to keep parents entertained — especially if they’re former fans of the series.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

A trio of 300-year-old witches (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker) conjures up a little bit of hocus pocus in this Halloween classic. The 1993 film centers on what happens when the Sanderson sisters are accidentally brought back from the dead on All Hallow’s Eve.

Attempting to recapture their youth, the witches plan to steal the souls of the children of Salem, Massachusetts, so they can live for eternity. Three kids, a talking black cat and, eventually, a friendly zombie have to work together to stop the sinister sisters before it’s too late. Hocus Pocus  is certain to put a spell on you  this Halloween.  

Spirited Away (2001)

If you’re new to the world of Miyazaki , Spirited Away is a great place to start. This classic film from Studio Ghibli follows our protagonist Chihiro, just as she and her parents move to a new town. As they explore, they find what appears to be an abandoned theme park, but Chihiro quickly realizes that she has somehow crossed into the realm of spirits. Oh, and her parents have been turned into pigs. As she learns to navigate the spirit world, and ultimately free herself and her parents, she meets many memorable characters along the way.

The film won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and became the top-grossing film in Japanese history. Don’t let the strange plot deter you. This film has won the hearts of many, and is a perfect addition to a Halloween lineup for the whole family.

Ghostbusters (1984)

These guys ain’t afraid of no ghosts, probably because the ghosts in this film aren’t too scary. This family-friendly comedy-horror was a smash at the box office in the 80s and has retained its appeal in the decades to follow. Sequels and remakes have attempted to capitalize on the success of the original, but have repeatedly fallen short.

Pop some popcorn and prepare to be entertained as a trio of paranormal exterminators face off against a gluttonous ghost, a pack of demonic dogs, and the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Monsters, Inc . is a fun comedy about — what else? — two monsters, Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), who are the number-one scare team at the scream-processing factory in the town of Monstropolis. The film, released in 2001, follows their misadventures after a human girl named Boo makes her way into their world.

Together, the two have to figure out a way to get Boo home before anyone discovers this unimaginable mistake. Despite their best efforts, which include dressing Boo up as a baby monster, they run into plenty of roadblocks along the way. Kids will probably fall in love with the cuddly Sulley before they feel an ounce of fear during this film!

The Witches (2020)

The Witches  (2020) is a fantasy-comedy film based on Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name. This reimagining of the original 1990 film follows an orphaned boy who goes to live with his grandmother in Alabama. After coming across a witch, the boy and his grandmother flee to a hotel to escape her evil clutches. However, the world’s Grand High Witch happens to be staying there — along with disguised, diabolical witches from all over the world who are helping her turn children into mice.

This remake of The Witches  is an HBO Max  original starring Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci — and it’s certainly a top choice for your family’s Halloween movie marathon.

Coraline (2009)

The 2009 animated film Coraline  is based on a dark fantasy novella of the same name. With Dakota Fanning voicing the titular character, the movie follows a young girl who discovers an alternate world that closely mirrors her own — but seemingly much happier. It’s complete with a parallel family that appears, at first sight, to be much better than the one she has.

However, when Coraline’s Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) and the rest of this parallel family try to keep her in their new world forever, she has to fight to make it back home. Kids are sure to find the stop-motion animation and colorful sets of Coraline  enchanting.

Beetlejuice (1988)

In the 1988 film, Beetlejuice , a couple dies in a car accident and finds themselves stuck in their former country home instead of a pleasant afterlife. When a new family moves in to the farmhouse, the dead couple tries to scare them away, but to no avail. They enlist the help of the troublemaking poltergeist Beetlejuice, who turns out to be a hazard to everyone involved.

The classic film has an all-star cast that includes Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Winona Ryder. Directed by Tim Burton, the movie offers a comedic twist on a supernatural tale that families will enjoy. Just don’t be surprised if the film’s soundtrack sparks an impromptu dance party.

Halloweentown (1998)

Starring Kimberly J. Brown and the late, great Debbie Reynolds, Halloweentown  is a Disney Channel original movie that premiered in 1998. Today, it’s revered as a classic Halloween film among the now-adults who grew up watching it every year decades ago.

On her 13th birthday, Marnie Cromwell discovers that she’s a witch, as is everyone else in her family. She and her younger siblings sneak off to Halloweentown, where her grandmother lives, to learn more about their family’s history and so Marnie can begin her witch training before it’s too late. The visit goes awry when they discover that an evil force is attempting to take over the town — but with a little magic, Marnie and her siblings can save the day.

The Addams Family (2019)

There have been several reimaginings of the original Addams Family  over the years — did you know the first cartoons were created in 1938? — but this animated film from 2019 is an especially fun version for kids. In the movie, Gomez, Morticia and the rest of the Addams clan prepare to welcome relatives for a visit. But when a TV personality attempts to get rid of them, the family has to prove that their creepy and kooky ways are no threat to their idyllic neighborhood.

The Addams Family  features the voiceover talents of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Alison Janney, Chloë Grace Moretz and others. If your family can’t get enough of this endearingly macabre group, you’ll be happy to know a sequel was just released — and it’s available to rent on streaming .

Labyrinth (1986)

It’s time to pass this cornerstone of Halloween weirdness to a new generation! The 1986 film Labyrinth  is a cult classic for so many reasons, from its fantastical setting to its magical plot to the fact that it stars the one and only David Bowie — and includes danceworthy original songs from the Starman himself.

The story follows teenager Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) as she travels through an otherworldly maze, solving riddles to rescue her baby brother from Bowie’s Jareth the Goblin King. Most of the film’s main characters are played by puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, which is sure to delight kids (and deliver you an enjoyable dose of nostalgia).

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

You can’t have a kid-approved Halloween movie fest without watching 1993’s The Nightmare Before Christmas . The story follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who’s grown bored with the same old scare routine of Halloween each year. When he stumbles upon a door to Christmas Town, he decides to put his own twist on the holiday, causing complete havoc in the process.

The spooky-but-fun Tim Burton film stars Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara and Ken Page. What’s even better about this classic is that it doubles as a Halloween and  Christmas movie — and there’s no better time of year to get into the holiday spirit!

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75 Halloween quiz questions and answers on TV, film, literature, music, history and celebrities

A spooktacular ready-made game to play with friends and family.

Halloween this year falls on Tuesday 31 October and we've got the perfect Halloween quiz to get you in the mood. Whether you're looking for something to get the party started at home, planning a work social event or enjoying a virtual gathering with friends from afar, we've got the the quiz for you right here.

Our ready-made, Halloween-themed quiz has six rounds which cover the categories of TV, film, literature, music, history and celebrity. All the answers are included in the brackets so you've got everything you need to host a fabulous quiz night.

Ready to be quiz master this year? Get started with our bumper Halloween quiz below!

Halloween quiz

Round 1 - halloween tv quiz.

• Which science fiction horror series from Netflix is set in the fictional town of Hawkins? [ Answer: Stranger Things ]
• Who plays the title character in mystery crime drama Jonathan Creek , which first aired in 1997? [ Answer: Alan Davies ]
• In the Friends episode 'The One with the Halloween Party', what memorable - but not particularly spooky - costumes did Ross and Chandler wear? [ Answer: Ross was Spud-nik and Chandler was a Pink Bunny ]
• On 31 October back in 1992, the BBC petrified the nation with Ghostwatch , a scripted drama that duped viewers into believing it was a live transmission from a haunted house. Which trusted TV veteran presented it? [ Answer: Michael Parkinson ]
• What iconic phrase do Scooby Doo monsters and villains usually say when they're captured by the gang? [ Answer: "I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids" ]
• Netflix's slasher horror series Fear Street Trilogy are based on the novels by which young adult author? [ Answer: RL Stine ]
• Name the actress who played Morticia Addams in Tim Burton's Addams Family reimagining for Netflix? [ Answer: Catherine Zeta-Jones ]
• Bates Motel starring Freddie Highmore is the prequel to which classic horror film? [ Answer: Psycho ]
• What is the name of the young woman who vanishes in David Lynch's cult series Twin Peaks ? [ Answer: Laura Palmer ]
• What is the surname of Sabrina the teenage witch? [ Answer: Spellman ]

Round 2 - Halloween Film quiz

• In Hocus Pocus , what are the names of the three Sanderson sisters and the actresses who play them? [ Answer: Bette Midler as Winifred, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah, and Kathy Najimy as Mary ]
• Which film is the iconic line, "I see dead people" from? [ Answer: The Sixth Sense ]
• In which 1982 horror film did Carol Anne start talking to the television set? [ Answer: Poltergeist ]
• In the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Witches , Anjelica Huston's Grand High Witch plans to turn children into what? [ Answer: Mice ]
• In 13 going on 30 , Jenna Rink saves the office party by getting everyone to join her rendition of a famous dance routine to which spooky song? [ Answer: Thriller by Michael Jackson ]
• Which actress reprised her iconic role - made famous over two decades ago - for Halloween Kills ? [ Answer: Jamie Lee Curtis ]
• Name the eerie hotel in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining [ Answer: The Overlook Hotel ]
• Horror film The Quiet Place co-stars which real-life Hollywood couple? [ Answer: Emily Blunt and John Krasinski ]
• What's the name of the terrifying clown in Stephen King's It , which was remade starring Bill Skarsgard in the title role? [ Answer: Pennywise ]
• In Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone , can you name the creature that breaks into Hogwarts on Halloween night? [ Answer: Mountain troll ]

Round 3 - Halloween Literature quiz

• The Goosebumps series of books has spooked readers since its release back in 1992 - name the author who created them? [ Answer: R.L. Stine ]
• What is the name of the youngest Baudelaire child in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events ? [ Answer: Sunny ]
• In the 1972 children's book of the same name, who are Meg and Mog? [Answer: A witch and a cat]
• Janet and Allan Ahlberg's Halloween classic Funnybones tells the story of a big skeleton, a little skeleton and what other type of skeleton? [ Answer: A dog skeleton ]
• What supernatural power does Carrie possess in Stephen King's blood-soaked novel of the same title? [ Answer: Telekinesis - she can move objects with her psychic ability]
• Which spell did Professor Flitwick first teach Harry, Ron and Hermione on Halloween in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ? [ Answer: Wingardium Leviosa ]
• How many witches appear in Shakespeare's Macbeth ? [ Answer: Three ]
• What is the name of the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia ? [ Answer: Jadis ]
• Which Agatha Christie novel is Kenneth Branagh's 2023 Poriot film, A Haunting in Venice based on? [ Answer: Halloween Party ]
• Who wrote Frankenstein in 1818? [Answer: Mary Shelley]

Round 4 - Halloween Celebrity quiz

Can you guess the famous model transformed for one of her legendary Halloween parties? [ Answer: Heidi Klum ]

Can you name the British broadcaster famed for his many interview documentary series? [ Answer: Louis Theroux ]

Can you guess the celebrity waltzing head first into Halloween in this outrageous Cruella outfit? [ Answer: Craig Revel Horwood ]

Name the radio duo dressed as Wednesday and Morticia Addams [ Answer: Ashley Roberts and Amanda Holden ]

Can you name the glamorous pop star masquerading as singer Post Malone? [ Answer: Rita Ora ]

Round 5 - Halloween Music quiz

• Which band sang the song 'Creep'? [ Answer: Radiohead ]
• Who is the lead singer of The Zombies? [ Answer: Colin Blunstone ]
• What year was Rockwell's paranoid classic Somebody's Watching Me released? [ Answer: 1984 ]
• "An invisible man, Sleeping in your bed", is the lyric from which hit belonging to a movie of the same title? [ Answer: Ghostbusters ]
• The famous song 'Time Warp' is from which cult comedy horror film? [Answer: The Rocky Horror Show]
• Which Gen Z pop star sings 'Bury a Friend'? [Answer: Billie Eilish]
• Name the legendary singer who starred played the Goblin King in Labyrinth [ Answer: David Bowie]
• Pop star Katy Perry has a song named after which friendly alien? [Answer: E.T.]
• According to Warren Zevon's 70s hit, in which city can werewolves be found reading Chinese menus and drinking piña coladas? [Answer: London - from the song Werewolves of London, by Warren Zevon]
• Which group famously sang about zombies? [Answer: The Cranberries]

Round 6 - Halloween History quiz

• Name the celestial event which happened on Halloween in 2021 for the first time in 19 years [ Answer: October's second full moon, also known as a Blue Moon ]
• What vegetable was originally carved to create a Jack-O'-lantern before the pumpkin became the Halloween vegetable of choice? [ Answer: Turnip ]
• On which historical figure was Bram Stoker's Dracula said to have been based? [ Answer: Vlad the Impaler ]
• Which famous magician died on Halloween? [ Answer: Harry Houdini ]
• What is the day after Halloween called? [ Answer: All Saints Day]
• What is a group of witches called? [Answer: A coven]
• When will the next Halloween full moon occur? [Answer: Halloween 2039]
• According to legend, what can harm a vampire? [Answers: Wooden stakes / silver bullets / sunlight]
• Victorians used to put what inside their coffins, just in case? [Answer: Bells - if they happened to be buried alive]
• For which fruit do you traditionally bob for on Halloween? [Answer:Apples]

Round 7 - The Halloween round for kids and teens

• In Ghostbusters , what is the name of the infamous ghost with a ginormous appetite? [ Answer: Slimer ]
• What totally fetch Halloween costume did Lindsay Lohan's character Cady wear in Mean Girls ? [ Answer: The Bride of Frankenstein ]
• What is the name of Hufflepuff house's patron ghost? [ Answer: Fat Friar ]
• In Frankenweenie , Tim Burton's twist on the classic Frankenstein story, a young scientist bringing what back to life? [ Answer: His beloved pet dog ]
• Name the singer and actress that plays Mavis in Hotel Transylvania [ Answer: Selena Gomez ]
• Helen Nicoll gave us a series of children's books about a well-meaning witch, her striped cat, and their friend Owl. What were the books called? [ Answer: Meg and Mog ]
• What is the name of the fourth and final novel in The Twilight Saga ? [ Answer: Breaking Dawn ]
• What animals are traditionally associated with witches? [ Answer: Black cats ]
• In Steven Spielberg's otherworldly classic E.T , name the creature Elliot sets free in his Science class, angering his teacher and causing quite the commotion? [ Answer: Frogs ]
• In Roald Dahl's dark fantasy world of The Witches, what is the name of the little boy who is lured into the convention hall by the Grand High Witch with the promise of free chocolate? [ Answer: Bruno Jenkins ]
• What type of creature is Shrek? [Answer: An ogre]
• What can Dracula transform himself into? [Answer: A bat]
• What's the name of the green, one-eyed monster from Monsters Inc ? [Answer: Mike Wazowski]
• Also in Monsters Inc, what is the name of the little girl who is not afraid of monsters? [Answer: Boo]
• What do the children in E.T dress him up as to escape the house at Halloween? [Answer: A Ghost]
• The Pixar film Coco is based on which Mexican holiday? [Answer: Day of the Dead]
• Which TV series features the beloved characters Fred, Velma, and Daphne? [Answer: Scooby-Doo]
• The loveable Bull Terrier dog Sparky lives with Victor Frakenstein in which Tim Burton film? [Answer: Frankenweenie]
• What is the name of Billy's very cute and beleaguered mogwai in Gremlins ? [Answer: Gizmo]
• Who runs the hotel in the monster comedy Transylvania Hotel ? [Answer: Count Dracula]

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75 Halloween trivia questions and answers that are a real treat

Obviously, you love Halloween. Otherwise, why else would you be here?

Not that we blame you. Halloween is arguably the best holiday of the year. Because, seriously, what's not to love about jack-o'-lanterns, ghosts , witches , vampires and trick-or-treating. Not to mention a bucket of free candy just for dressing up in a Barbie costume.

If your heart beats black and orange , you've come to the right place because this collection of Halloween trivia is nothing short of a veritable Samhain feast.

Don't know what Samhain is? Well, it's a Celtic celebration that dates back to 600 AD and is considered by many to be the origin of Halloween .

Depending on your Halloween IQ, you might already have known that one. So, let's raise the stakes, shall we?

Which Halloween candy was once referred to as "chicken feed?" Or what about this one: What was the original working title of the classic 1978 movie "Halloween "?

Bet you don't know the answers. But if you do, by all means, go to the head of class because your Halloween knowledge is frightfully good.

However, if you're like the rest of us, you'll need to read on to learn about those and other Halloween facts that run the gamut from movies and music to history and horticulture (yes, we're talkin' about pumpkins).

So, put on your thinking cap and get ready to dive into these Halloween trivia tidbits that, if we do say so ourselves, are positively fang-tabulous.

• Which of the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" played the role of Lindsey Wallace in the 1978 movie "Halloween?" Answer : Kyle Richards
• What's another name for a lycanthrope? Answer: A werewolf
• What year did Charles M. Schulz's classic Halloween TV special, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown ," first air? Answer : 1966
• What do you call a group of witches? Answer : A coven
• Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore star in what movie about the afterlife? Answer: "Ghost"
• Which U.S. city hosts the world's largest Halloween parade? Answer: New York City, which puts on the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade annually
• How did early New Englanders protect their homes from evil spirits? Answer: By hiding their shoes in the walls
• What vegetable was once thought to have supernatural powers on Halloween? Answer: Cabbage
• What day does All Saints' Day fall on? Answer: Nov. 1
• What do call a man who practices witchcraft? Answer : A warlock
• What does a magician say when performing a magic trick? Answer: Hocus-pocus
• Edward Cullen is a vampire in what popular movie and book series? Answer: "Twilight"
• Who wrote the 1818 classic book "Frankenstein?" Answer: Mary Shelley
• What is another name for a large kettle or boiler? Answer: A cauldron
• What actor played Laurie Strode in the 1978 movie "Halloween?" Answer: Jamie Lee Curtis
• Vincent Price provides the spooky monologue at the end of what popular Halloween song ? Answer: Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
• What percentage of Americans pretend they're not home on Halloween? Answer: One in five adults (21%) said they play pretend in a 2021 YouGov poll
• Which movie tops Rotten Tomatoes' list of the Scariest Horror Movies Ever? Answer: "The Exorcist"
• Why do some people wear their clothes inside out on Halloween? Answer: Superstitious folks believe they'll see a witch at midnight
• Which comedian inspired Jordan Peele to write "Get Out"? Answer: Eddie Murphy. Peele told " Entertainment Tonight " that the movie references "one of the best bits of all time" from Murphy's 1983 comedy special, "Delirious"
• Are pumpkins technically a fruit or vegetable? Answer: Fruit
• What movie serial killer is immortalized with a statue at the bottom of a lake? Answer: According to a YouTube video , there's a Jason Voorhees ("Friday the 13th") statue at the bottom of a mine pit in Crosby, Minnesota
• What Halloween spending category was expected hit a record high in 2022? Answer: Pet spending was estimated to top more than $700 million, per the National Retail Foundation
• Which Halloween candy is considered the worst? Answer: Candy corn, followed by circus peanuts, according to a survey of 17,000 CandyStore.com customers
• Which first lady was the first to decorate the White House for Halloween? Answer: In 1958, Mamie Eisenhower decorated the White House for a Halloween luncheon
• Which U.S. president told a group of schoolkids that the White House was haunted by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln? Answer: In 1989, George H.W. Bush jokingly told a group of children that Lincoln was rumored to haunt the White House
• When did Halloween start? Answer: Though opinion varies, Halloween is thought to have started around 600 AD with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain
• How much money were consumers expected to spend on Halloween decorations in 2022? Answer: $3.4 billion, per the NRF
• Which actor said that “Hocus Pocus” was one of her favorite movie roles of all time? Answer: Bette Midler
• Which U.S. state produces the most pumpkins? Answer: Illinois, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• What percentage of people planned to celebrate Halloween in 2022? Answer: 69%, according to the NRF
• Why are the Halloween colors orange and black? Answer: While there are competing theories, it’s thought that orange is for pumpkins and harvest, and black represents night, death or darkness
• How much money were consumers expected to spend on Halloween costumes in 2022? Answer: $3.6 billion, according to the NRF
• Where was “Hocus Pocus” filmed? Answer: The most famous "Hocus Pocus" scenes were filmed on location in Salem, Massachusetts
• Where does the mask that Michael Myers wears in “Halloween" come from? Answer: It’s a modified Captain Kirk mask from "Star Trek"
• What does the word “Halloween” come from? Answer: Halloween was known as "All Hallows’ Eve” until 1773, when the Scots began referring to it as Hallow-e’en. The first known use of the word is in the poem  “Halloween ," written in 1786
• What was the original title of the movie “Halloween"? Answer: “The Babysitter Murders"
• How many pounds of fresh pumpkins did the U.S. produce in 2021? Answer: Nearly 1.2 million pounds, according to the USDA
• Who wrote the “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”? Answer: Washington Irving
• When was the song "Monster Mash" released? Answer: 1962
• What is the most popular Halloween costume for pets? Answer: Pumpkin (followed by hot dog, bat, bumblebee and witch) according to the NRF
• Where does the quote “Double, double toil and trouble” come from? Answer: William Shakespeare's “Macbeth”
• What's the most popular Halloween costume in the U.S., according to Google? Answer: A witch
• On average, how much money do Americans spend annually on Halloween? Answer: Approximately $10 million, per the NRF
• When was the first known guide on celebrating Halloween published? Answer: "Halloween: How to Celebrate It" was published in 1897
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, how many potential trick-or-treaters are there? Answer: Approximately 41 million kids between the ages of 5 and 14 or 73.1 million children under the age of 18
• Where is Transylvania, otherwise known as home to Count Dracula, located? Answer: In Romania
• What’s the most popular adult Halloween candy? Answer: M&M’s, according to YouGov's 2021 survey
• What’s the most popular kids' Halloween candy? Answer: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, according to YouGov's 2021 survey
• Approximately how much money were Americans expected to spend on candy in 2022? Answer: $3.1 billion, per the NRF
• On average, what percentage of Americans carve a pumpkin for Halloween? Answer: 45%, according to the NRF
• How many minutes does Michael Keaton appear on screen in Beetlejuice"? Answer: Approximately 17
• What was the original working title of the movie “Beetlejuice"? Answer: “House Ghosts"
• Which two fears from his own childhood did Steven Spielberg incorporate into the 1982 movie, “Poltergeist"? Answer: A clown doll and the tree with long branches outside the window of his childhood home
• What actor and talk show host auditioned for a role in “Poltergeist” but ended up in “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” instead? Answer: Drew Barrymore
• How much candy does the average American consume each year? Answer: Roughly 8 pounds, according to a study published in Advances in Nutrition
• Which 1980s band did “The Nightmare Before Christmas” composer Danny Elfman perform in? Answer: Oingo Boingo
• How long did it take to make the movie “A Nightmare Before Christmas"? Answer: Three years
• What was the original title of the Michael Jackson song “Thriller”? Answer: “Starlight"
• Which film inspired Michael Jackson to collaborate with director John Landis on the “Thriller” video? Answer: “An American Werewolf in London”
• What is having a fear of Halloween called? Answer: Samhainophobia
• What did Americans use for Halloween decorations in the early 1900s? Answer: Crepe paper, cardboard cutouts, corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds and hay
• What's the top grossing horror movie of all time? Answer: According to Box Office Mojo , the 2017 Stephen King movie "It"
• Before pumpkins, which root vegetable did the Irish and Scottish carve on Halloween? Answer: Turnips
• Why do we carve jack-o’-lanterns? Answer: The tradition comes from the tale of “Stingy Jack,” a man who cheated the devil and was sentenced to carry a glowing ember in a hollowed-out turnip for eternity
• Why was Halloween nearly canceled as a holiday in the 1930s? Answer: Pranksters and vandals were causing millions of dollars of damage to U.S. cities on Halloween night
• Why do we trick or treat? Answer: Trick-or-treating is thought to have began as a way for homeowners to reward pranksters for not vandalizing their home on Halloween
• Which Halloween candy was originally referred to as “chicken feed"? Answer: Candy corn
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau , how many potential stops for trick-or-treaters were there in 2020? Answer: There were 126.8 million occupied homes for trick-or-treaters to visit.
• Besides horror, what other genre did “Dracula” author Bram Stoker publish books under? Answer: Romance
• What's the name of the fictional town in the movie "The Lost Boys"? Answer: Santa Clara, aka the "Murder Capital of the World"
• What 1984 song returned to the charts on Billboard's "Hot 100" in October of 2021? Answer: Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
• When selling a house, is the homeowner obligated to disclose that it's haunted? Answer: No. A majority of states don't require sellers to disclose paranormal activity or any other dubious stigmas like murder or ghosts
• What historic weather event occurred on Halloween in 1991? Answer: The " Halloween Blizzard " of 1991, which dumped three feet of snow and two inches of ice across parts of the Midwest

More tricks (and treats) just for you!

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Sarah Lemire is a lifestyle reporter at TODAY.com with more than a decade of experience writing across an array of channels including home, health, holidays, personal finance, shopping, food, fashion, travel and weddings. An avid traveler, foodie, helicopter parent and couch film critic, Sarah is originally from Minneapolis and has spent the last two decades unsuccessfully trying to figure out the difference between a hoagie and a sub.

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Halloween Quiz 2023: 22 Trivia Questions and Answers to Enjoy the Day

Halloween Quiz 2023: Halloween is a spooky festival annually celebrated on October 31. The roots of the event can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain which also marks the conclusion of harvest season. It is believed that this night erases the boundaries between the living and the dead. Halloween is celebrated with costumes, pumpkin carving, bonfires, trick-or-treating, spooky decorations and more. Test your knowledge of the spine-chilling event with the quiz below.

• What date is Halloween celebrated? 

a) October 31 

b) November 1

c) October 30 

d) October 29

Explanation: Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve is a holiday observed on October 31 , the evening before All Saints' (or All Hallows') Day.

• Which ancient Celtic festival is Halloween thought to have originated from? 

a) Beltane 

b) Samhain 

c) Imbolc 

d) Lughnasadh

Explanation: Samhain is a pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

• What is the traditional purpose of a jack-o'-lantern? 

a) To tell ghost stories 

b) To guide lost spirits

c) To scare away witches 

d) To keep candy fresh

Explanation: The lanterns were said to represent either spirits or supernatural beings, or were used to ward off evil spirits .

• Which vegetable was originally used for making jack-o'-lanterns? 

a) Pumpkin 

d) Cucumber

Explanation: The Irish communities were used to chisel creepy faces onto turnips.

• In which country did the tradition of trick-or-treating originate?

a) Ireland 

b) United States 

c) Mexico 

Explanation: The history of trick-or-treating traces back to the 16 century in Scotland and Ireland.

Halloween Countdown: How Many Days and Week until Halloween 2023? Check Exact Date Here

• What is the fear of Halloween called? 

a) Halloweophobia 

b) Samhainophobia 

c) Pumpkinphobia

d) Ghostophobia

Explanation: The term Samhainophobia originates from 'Samhain', meaning summer's end . It originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.

• Which classic horror novel was written by Mary Shelley? 

a) Dracula 

b) The Haunting of Hill House 

c) Frankenstein 

d) The Tell-Tale Heart

Explanation: Frankenstein was first published in 1818. The epistolary story follows a scientific genius who brings to life a terrifying monster that torments its creator. It is considered one of the first science-fiction novels.

• What is the name of the Addams family's butler in the Addams Family TV series and movies? 

a) Lurch 

b) Gomez 

d) Morticia

Explanation: Ted Cassidy is a well-respected actor who portrayed many different characters but was popular for his notable role as Lurch, the faithful butler on the television series The Addams Family (1964).

9. Which famous magician died on Halloween in 1926? 

a) Houdini 

b) Copperfield

c) Blaine 

Explanation: Harry Houdini was a magician who defied the odds and wowed crowds with his escape acts.

10. What do people typically wear on Halloween to ward off evil spirits? 

a) Masks 

b) Capes 

c) Garlic 

d) Silver Jewellery

Explanation: Ghoulish masks are believed "to provide protection from unseen evil.

When is Halloween 2023: Check Exact Date, Importance and How to Celebrate it

11. What is the traditional Halloween bread in Ireland? 

a) Barmbrack

b) Pumpkin loaf 

c) Ghost bread 

d) Witches' scones

Explanation: The bread is associated with Halloween in Ireland, where an item (often a ring) is placed inside the bread, with the person receiving it considered to be fortunate.

12. What is the name of the supernatural killer in the "Halloween" movie series? 

a) Freddy Krueger 

b) Michael Myers 

c) Jason Voorhees 

d) Leatherface

Explanation: Michael Myers is a fictional character from the slasher film series Halloween.

• In Mexican culture, what holiday celebrates the Day of the Dead and is similar in spirit to Halloween?

a) Dia de los Muertos 

b) Cinco de Mayo 

c) Mexican Halloween 

d) Viva La Vida

Explanation: Día de los Muertos , or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. It originated in Mexico.

• In which European country is the Halloween tradition of "mumming" or "guising" still popular? 

a) Scotland

b) France 

c) Germany 

Explanation: A mumming is a type of folk play which involves the death and revival of a character or characters.

• What is the name of the holiday honouring the saints and deceased loved ones? 

a) All Souls' Day 

b) Day of the Dead

 c) All Saints' Day 

d) Soulful Halloween

Explanation: All Souls' Day is a day of prayer and remembrance for the faithful departed, observed by certain Christian denominations on 2 November.

• In the Harry Potter series, what ghost haunts the Hogwarts school on Halloween night?

a) Nearly Headless Nick 

b) Moaning Myrtle 

c) The Fat Lady 

d) The Grey Lady

Explanation: While most of the Hogwarts students call him "Nearly Headless Nick", he prefers the more formal "Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington" or "Sir Nicholas". 

• Which ancient Roman festival is believed to have influenced Halloween? 

a) Saturnalia 

b) Lupercalia 

d) Ides of March

Explanation: Feralia is a religious ceremony of ancient Rome held in honour of the dead upon the last day of the Parentalia compare manes.

• What is the traditional Halloween game that involves telling someone's fortune by pulling petals from a flower?

a) Apple bobbing 

b) Pumpkin carving 

c) Love me, love me not

d) Tarot card reading

Explanation: Also known as effeuiller la marguerite, is a game of French origin, in which one person seeks to determine whether the object of their affection returns that affection.

• Which famous author wrote "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"? 

a) Edgar Allan Poe 

b) Washington Irving 

c) Nathaniel Hawthorne 

d) H.P. Lovecraft

Explanation: Washington Irving was an American short-story writer, essayist, biographer, historian, and diplomat of the early 19th century.

• In Mexico, what is the traditional candy given out during Dia de los Muertos?

a) Pan de Muerto 

b) Calaveras de Azucar 

c) Chocolates 

d) Candy Corn

Explanation: The term is used for edible or decorative skulls made from either sugar or clay, used in the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead and the Roman Catholic holiday All Souls' Day. 

• What is the name of the black cat associated with Halloween and superstition? 

a) Binx 

b) Salem 

c) Whiskers 

d) Midnight

Explanation: Thackery Binx is a major character in the 1993 film. He was once human before he was turned into an immortal cat.

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22. Which Irish city is believed to be the birthplace of Halloween?

b) Cork 

Explanation: Derry is a hub for shirt manufacturing, this way it is expected that people will come up better with costumes.

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32 Fun Halloween Trivia Questions for Spooks and Giggles

Quiz your family and friends on these Hallows' Eve facts.

Here we've got 32 fun (and spooky) Halloween facts to make for a fun game of Halloween trivia for adults and kids alike. Our questions cover TV, movies, pop culture, history, and more, and range from easy to hard. Do you know what to sprinkle on your doorstep on Halloween? Or whose ghost is said to haunt the halls of the White House? Or when we will have the next full moon on Halloween? What about when the tradition of trick-or-treating started? Or what Samhain references? We've got those answers below. Plus, if you want to up the fun factor in the game, you can tell some of these Halloween jokes along the way too.

Now get out the candy, because obviously there will have to be appropriate prizes in this game, and get to playing!

What was the ancient Celtic fall festival that was a precursor to Halloween?

Answer: Samhain. Marking the change of seasons, Samhain occurred on November 1 but kicked off the evening before. On this night, the veil between this world and the next was thought to be especially thin.

Related: What's the Origin of Halloween?

What does the word "Halloween" mean?

Answer: Hallowed Evening or Holy Night—because Halloween is a Catholic holiday too. Short for All Hallows' Eve, Halloween is the day of the vigil held the evening before All Saints' Day on November 1. Pope Gregory IV added All Saints' Day to the official Church calendar in 837 C.E., expanding the holiday, which was previously celebrated only in Rome, to all churches.

What is America's favorite Halloween candy?

Answer: Reese's Cups. So says bulk candy distributor CandyStore.com , which crunched 15 years of sales data from 2007 to 2021 to give us this delicious answer. Is anyone surprised?

How is Laurie Strode related to killer Michael Myers in the Halloween movie franchise?

Answer: Trick question! The answer depends on the movie. Halloween II , released in 1981, reveals that Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, is Michael Myers's sister. Later sequels followed suit until 2018's Halloween— a direct sequel to the 1978 original in which no family relation is mentioned. So, in the 2018 movie, Halloween Kills (2021) and Halloween Ends (2022), Laurie and Michael are unrelated. Confusing, we know.

Related: 59 Best Halloween Movies of All Time to Stream at Home

In what state is it the norm for trick-or-treaters to receive full-size candy bars on Halloween?

Answer: Oregon, according to CandyStore.com .

What was the original purpose of bobbing for apples on Halloween?

Answer: Fortune-telling, specifically predicting whom a woman would marry. Each apple represented a different suitor, and whichever apple the woman ended up biting into was said to represent her future husband.

Name the haunted San Jose, CA, home that grew from 8 rooms to 160 rooms while owned by an eccentric rifle heiress.

Answer: Winchester Mystery House . From 1886 until her death in 1922, Sarah Winchester, widow of William Wirt Winchester, continuously added on to her California home, which began as a modest farmhouse. Perhaps the spookiest feature of this labyrinth-like mansion: doors and stairwells that lead to… nowhere.

Related: 27 of the Most Haunted Places in America

What was the original name for candy corn?

Answer: Chicken Feed. According to History.com , the Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly Candy Company) popularized the classic tricolor Halloween treat when it began marketing the kernels under that name in 1898.

Which famous magician actually died (!) on Halloween?

Answer: You might find it hard to believe, but the magician Harry Houdini passed away on Halloween day.

How did Houdini's wife attempt to communicate with him after his death?

Answer: Seances. Houdini had promised his wife, Bess, that if he died first he would send a message in code, one that only they knew, within 10 years— if communication between the dead and living were possible. On Halloween night 1936 , the tenth anniversary of his death, Bess made her final attempt to reach her deceased husband. The result: no message from the other side.

Can you guess how many calories are in the average trick-or-treat Halloween bag?

Answer: Prepare yourself: 3,500 and 7,000 ! How's that for motivation to take it easy on night one and tuck a few treats away from later in the week?

Who was the first First Lady to decorate the White House to celebrate Halloween?

Answer: Mamie Eisenhower in 1958. (This 17-x-21-foot jack-'o-lantern is from 1993's decor!)

How many pounds of candy corn are produced every single year?

Answer: You may find it hard to believe, but 35 million pounds of candy corn is made every year! That's 9 billion pieces of the tricolor wonders to munch on every Halloween.

Which candy was handed out to soldiers during the Korean War?

Answer: Launched way back in 1907, Tootsie Rolls were accidentally air-dropped to American troops in battle in the Korean War. The troops went on to praise the candies for keeping them nourished and even plugging bullet holes in vehicles and equipment, which would seal as the candies froze in the frigid temperatures.

Which country holds the record for the largest pumpkin ever?

Answer: Italy! Grown in 2021, the pumpkin weighed in at a whopping 1,226 kilograms (just shy of 2,702 pounds) and measured 11 feet 8 inches in diameter.

Which of the following is NOT a term for a scarecrow?

Options: Hodmedod, Murmet, Doodle sack, Hay-man, Gallybagger, Tattie Bogal, Mommet, Mawkin, Bwbach .

Answer: Doodle Sack. Which is an English word for a bagpipe. Either way you look at it, while the Scarecrow may not have had a heart, he does go by a lot of names!

What were originally used as the first Jack-o'-Lanterns?

Answer: Turnips. Originating in Ireland, people would hollow out turnips and place a lump of coal in it as a type of lantern and set it at their door as a guide for poor "Jack." Jack, legend has it, tricked the devil and wasn't allowed into heaven or hell, so he was cursed to wander the earth forever in the in-between. The Irish then brought this tradition to America and found that pumpkins were a far better alternative to the turnip, thus instilling an American fall tradition.

In what century did the tradition of trick-or-treating begin?

Answer: The American tradition of trick-or-treating dates back to the 1920s, but in Europe, as early as the 16th century people were known to go from door to door on Halloween night asking for food, reciting verses, wearing costumes, and warning of curses if they didn't get a warm welcome.

In "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," who does Linus mistake for the Great Pumpkin?

Answer: Snoopy. Linus faints after seeing a shadowy figure rise in the pumpkin patch, thinking it's the Great Pumpkin. Instead, it was only Snoopy, which Sally sees and gets mad at Linus for making her miss out on all the Halloween fun to wait in the pumpkin patch.

What was Bram Stoker's original name for Dracula?

Answer: Count Wampyr. Wampyr is the German word for vampire. Stoker changed the name to Dracula after seeing the name in a book he borrowed from the library while on summer vacation in 1890.

Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques. 

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50 Halloween Quiz Questions and Answers

Carving pumpkins. Watching scary movies. Sipping pumpkin-spiced lattes. That’s what the spooky season is all about. But how good is your Halloween trivia?

Let’s face it, you’ve been celebrating the holiday for years. That must make you an expert on the topic.

Do you know what a group of witches is called? Or what silver bullets are for? Do you know what the grim reaper carries? Or who wrote the gothic novel, Frankenstein? And which movie features the Bates Motel?

If you think you know the answers to these questions, keep reading. We’ve written 50 ghoulish Halloween quiz questions and answers to test your knowledge of the spooky season. The quiz below covers Halloween traditions, monsters, music, movies, and TV shows.

How many can you get right?

Halloween Quiz Questions and Answers

• What is a group of witches called?
• Traditionally, a silver bullet is supposed to kill which creature?
• What does the German word ‘Poltergeist’ literally translate to?
• Is a pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable?
• What animal is considered to bring bad luck on Halloween?
• In which Shakespeare play do the witches say ‘double, double toil and trouble’?
• Which famous magician died on Halloween in 1926?
• What is the name of the female spirit in Irish folklore who announces the death of a family member by wailing or shrieking?
• The Bunyip is a legendary monster in which culture?
• What is the name of the killer in the horror movie Halloween?
• Which fictional creatures multiply when they come into contact with water?
• Which famous horror movie features the Bates Motel?
• What is the name of the pot witches use to brew potions?
• Which country is considered the birthplace of Halloween?
• How many times in history has Halloween fallen on Friday 13th?
• In what year will the next full moon on Halloween occur?
• What does the Grim Reaper carry?
• Stephen King’s 1st novel was turned into a horror movie in 1976. Which one was it?
• What is the name of the doll from The Conjuring?
• Which phobia means you have an intense fear of Halloween?
• From which region in the world do pumpkins originate?
• Transylvania is a region in which European country?
• Which artist released the single ‘Feed My Frankenstein’ in 1991?
• What was the name of Herman and Lily Munster’s son?
• In what year did Starbucks first release the Pumpkin Spice Latte?
• Who wrote Frankenstein in 1818?
• If you were born on Halloween, what star sign would you be?
• Who narrates the music video for Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’?
• What was the name of the British film company which dominated the horror film market in the 50s, 60s & 70s?
• Halloween is celebrated the night before which day?
• In Bobby Pickett’s ‘Monster Mash’, where was he working late one night when his eyes beheld an eerie sight?
• Where were the werewolves from in Warren Zevon’s 1978 single?
• In the movie ‘E.T., what did E.T. dress as for Halloween?
• Do pumpkins grow on bushes, stalks or vines?
• Who directed ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’?
• In 1995, Michael Jackson released the song ‘Scream’ alongside which other member of the Jackson family?
• Bobbing for apples originates from which ancient civilisation?
• In the ‘Friends’ episode ‘The One With the Halloween Party’ who wears a pink bunny costume?
• The Pendle witch trials took place in which English county?
• Blue Oyster Cult released a song in 1976 telling you not to fear what?
• According to the song, which family were ‘creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky’?
• Which actress shot to fame after appearing the TV series ‘Wizards of Waverley Place’?
• In which US state is it illegal to dress as a nun or priest for Halloween?
• Which rock singer infamously bit the head off of a live bat during a concert in 1982?
• What type of shop is featured in Little Shop of Horrors?
• Which country celebrates The Day of the Dead?
• What is the first name of Dr. Frankenstein?
• What is the name of the castle cited as a source of inspiration for Dracula’s castle in Bram Stoker’s iconic book?
• What vegetable was originally carved to create a Jack-o’-lanterns before pumpkins?
• In Sabrina the Teenage Witch, what was the name of Sabrina’s pet cat?

• Noisy Ghost
• Harry Houdini
• Michael Myers
• Samhainophobia
• Central America
• Alice Cooper
• Eddie Munster
• Mary Shelley
• Vincent Price
• Hammer Films
• All Saint’s Day
• Henry Selick
• Janet Jackson
• Ancient Rome
• The Addams Family
• Selena Gomez
• Ozzy Osbourne
• Bran Castle (in Romania)
• Salem Saberhagen

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Fancy a quiz?

50 quiz questions for a Halloween themed quiz this spooky season

These 50 quiz questions are bound to test your knowledge of Halloween on the spookiest night of the year.

• 23:27, 28 OCT 2021
• Updated 10:58, 31 OCT 2022

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Halloween is here and it's time for you to test your knowledge on all things spooky.

Whether you're getting your kids all dressed up for trick or treating, or having some scary fun at home with the family, a Halloween quiz is always a good idea.

So why not try your luck with our spooky quiz?

Brush up on your Halloween knowledge and test your pals with 50 Halloween themed questions. What better way to celebrate the spookiest night of the year than a quiz...

Quiz questions

• Where is Transylvania?
• What is a group of witches called?
• What does the Scottish word guising mean?
• What do you call a fear of Halloween?
• What vegetable was carved from before pumpkins were used?
• Count Dracula is based on a real person - what was his name?
• What does the old English word “Hallow” mean?
• What was Dr Frankenstein’s first name?
• What do pumpkins grow on?
• Which country celebrates The Day of the Dead instead of Halloween?
• What is the day after Halloween called?
• Name the two colours most often associated with Halloween today
• In the correct spelling of the Halloween, where is the apostrophe placed?
• In what country was the first written account of children using the phrase “trick or treat” on Halloween?
• What was the most popular Halloween costume for adults (as of 2015)?
• In what American state is it illegal to dress up like a priest or a nun?
• Name the three witches in Hocus Pocus?
• What is bobbing for apples called in Scotland?
• What is the name of the collection of films including Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and At Wolds End?
• What is Pennywise?
• How many pumpkins are estimated to be bought each year for Halloween in the UK? 17million, 5million, 48million or 25million?
• What animal is said to bring bad luck on Halloween?
• What does seeing a spider on Halloween signify?
• Which of the following cannot be used to kill a vampire? Wooden stake, gold axe, silver bullets or sunlight.
• Where does apple bobbing originate from?
• What is the traditional Halloween drink Lambs Wool made from, Milk and...?
• Who plays the title character in the 2007 film Sweeny Todd?
• Which children's author has a famous book called 'The Witches'?
• What colour do pumpkins not come in - blue, white, green or red?
• What other name are carved pumpkins know as?
• What is the name the family that contains Wednesday, Morticia, Gomez and Pugsley?
• What do pumpkins grow on - stalks, trees, bushes or vines?
• What vegetable are vampires said to be frightened of?
• What were Scottish people banned from eating on Halloween until 1950? Sausage rolls, sandwiches, sweets or neeps?
• In which country did Halloween originate?
• What does the name 'Dracula' mean?
• Is a pumpkin a fruit or a vegetable?
• What is the surname of Sabrina the teenage witch?

"An invisible man, Sleeping in your bed", is the lyric from which hit belonging to the '80s movie of the same title?

Who famously died on October 31, 1926?

Victorians put what inside their coffins, just in case

What are other names of Halloween?

Who sang the 1962 song 'Monster Mash'?

Which actress played Debbie Jellinsky in Addams Family Values?

Apart from sucking human blood, what do vampires and bats have in common?

What word begins with letter C, looks like a pot and is normally used by witches to brew their potions and cast evil spells?

The average kid consumes how many calories on Halloween night?

What did Scottish women hang to see their future husbands on Halloween?

When is Halloween thought to have originated?

Quiz Answers

• It comes from the word 'disguising' - getting dressed up in costumes and going trick or treating
• Samhainophobia
• Vlad Dracula, a Romanian prince also nicknamed Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler
• All Souls Day
• Black and orange
• Between the two e’s - (Hallowe’en)
• Canada - in 1927
• Apple dookin'
• Winifred, Sarah and Mary

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• Sausage rolls
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Master magician Harry Houdini, although his death was initially considered a hoax by many.

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89 Halloween Trivia Questions & Answers To Prep For Spooky Season

It's that time of the year (FINALLY)!!

BuzzFeed Contributor

How much do you really love Halloween ? We curated a list of spooky and surprising Halloween trivia questions that'll test you and your friends' knowledge of the holiday and its most classic movies .

Answers included to make it easy to prep for your next spooky season trivia night !

1. How many pounds did the world's largest pumpkin pie weigh?

It weighed  3,699 pounds!

2. When did the first Spirit Halloween stores open?

3. which famous person died on halloween: audrey hepburn , harry houdini, aretha franklin , or edgar allen poe.

Harry Houdini

On October 22, while lecturing at McGill University, Houdini invited some students to visit him in his dressing room. A student named J. Gordon Whitehead asked Houdini if it was true that he could resist hard punches to his abdomen, and when Houdini said the rumors were true,  Whitehead punched Houdini very hard several times on the stomach. Houdini then travelled to Detroit, where he developed severe abdominal pain, cold sweats, and a fever of 104 degrees. Although a doctor suspected appendicitis, Houdini chose to take the stage at the Garrick Theater, collapsing immediately after the final curtain. He died on October 31st. 

4. The writer for the film Child's Play was inspired by Cabbage Patch Kids and the My Buddy toy.

Specifically, to address the craze of the popular toys during the 80s . The advertising and marketing to children played a hand in inspiration as well.

5. The Halloween tradition of bobbing for apples stemmed from a courting ritual: true or false?

True . One version of the ritual was as follows: girls would mark their names on their respective apple before dropping them into barrels of water. Potential suitors would bob for the apples, and picking the name of a girl would indicate the possibility of their future relationship.

6. Why are black cats associated with Halloween?

In Medieval Europe, it was believed that devils and witches could disguise as black cats .

7. Halloween celebrations span three days in Spain: true or false?

8. what is the name of the gothic novel about a scientist who creates a monster.

Frankenstein by   Mary Shelley. While the name 'Frankenstein' is often associated with the name of the famous monster, it is actually last name of the scientist. 

9. When was the first citywide Halloween celebration held in the US?

1921 in Anoka, Minnesota

10. Halloween originated in Ireland: true or false?

True. The roots of this holiday come from Samhain , a Celtic festival of the Pagan religion. This festival celebrates the last summer harvest, where participants would dress up to scare off ghosts and ghouls.

11. Jack-O’-Lanterns used to be made from onions: true or false?

They used to be made from turnips or potatoes . The tradition of making jack-o’-lanterns at Halloween comes from an Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack. People in Ireland and Scotland began carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes to ward off Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. In the United States, immigrants continued the tradition using pumpkins, which were native to America.

12. Why did trick-or-treating gain traction in the 1930s in America?

To curb pranking

Apparently, pranking became the preferred practice on Halloween among young people in the 1920s, but it became dangerous during the Great Depression, devolving into vandalism and violence. So, to prevent pranking (or worse behavior) in communities, the organized activity of trick-or-treating was encouraged.

13. Which animal will shelters not allow people to adopt on Halloween?

In the late 1980s, a woman in Chicago adopted a black cat as a part of her Halloween costume and days later, the animal was found dead. So in the years that followed, it became policy for shelters to refuse black cat adoptions on Halloween to prevent ritual sacrifices of black cats.

14. Where can you be fined for using Silly String on Halloween?

If you use Silly String on Halloween in Hollywood, you could receive up to a $1,000 fine .

15. Approximately how many years does Halloween date back?

2,000 years

16. The Scottish term for dressing up on Halloween is guising: true or false?

17. the word "halloween" means what.

Saints' evening

18. True or false: the night before Halloween has different names depending on where you live?

The night before Halloween is called " Mischief Night " around New Jersey and Pennsylvania, while it's called "Devil’s Night" n Michigan. Other names for this day include All Hallows Eve, Lamswool Snap-Apple Night, Samhaim, and Summer’s End.

19. What is the most popular Halloween costume for pets?

20. Which US state produces the most pumpkins?

21. what is the record for most lit jack-o'-lanterns on display.

According to Guinness World Records , Keene, New Hampshire flaunted the most lit jack-o'-lanterns on display on October 19, 2013.

22. Halloween originated from an ancient ___ festival.

23. world war ii caused sugar rationing, which put a halt to trick-or-treating for how many years.

Five. The rationing existed between 1942 and 1947 .

24. The fear of Halloween is known as samhainophobia: true or false?

25. trick-or-treating has existed ever since the medieval times: true or false.

Around 1000 A.D. in England, a practice called " souling " emerged. Poor families traveled door to door to wealthier families' homes to receive "soul cakes," pastries offered in exchange for prayers for the souls of the homeowners’ departed relatives. Eventually, souling became an activity for children.

26. A city in Canada banned kids older than 16 from trick-or-treating: true or false?

True. Bathurst, New Brunswick banned kids older than 16 from tick-or-treating as an attempt to decrease Halloween mischief.

27. Where is the biggest Halloween parade in the US thrown?

There are typically over 50,000 participants in the Village Halloween Parade. It happens in the evening on Halloween night itself. It's free for anyone to march in the parade, but costumes are mandatory, of course! There is also always a fun theme for each year's parade; in 2023, the theme is "Upside Down Inside Out".

28. Which celebrity is known for throwing epic Halloween parties?

29. jack-o'-lanterns are literally named after a guy named jack: true or false.

According to a 17th century Irish Legend, " Stingy Jack " was a cranky old man who tricked the Devil into doing a number of things. When Jack died, as punishment for his trickery, the Devil sent him into the night with only a burning coal, which Jack put into a carved-out turnip, to light his path. He has been roaming the earth ever since; the Irish called the ghost, “Jack of the Lantern,” or “Jack O’Lantern.”

30. The color orange stands for harvest, and the color black signifies death: true or false?

31. a pumpkin is a fruit: true or false.

Although many people may believe pumpkins to be vegetables , they're actually in the fruit family. The difference between a fruit and a vegetable is based on how they grow. A fruit relies on pollination of the flower, and the flower typically grows into the part we eat, as is the case with pumpkins. Other produce that is commonly improperly categorized includes tomatoes, olives, tomatoes, eggplants, avocados, corn, zucchini, and peppers, all of which, shockingly, are fruits.

32. Why did Dani leave the salt circle in the cemetery in Hocus Pocus ?

To help Billy

33. What happens if Marni doesn't begin her training by midnight of her 13th Halloween in Halloweentown ?

She'll lose her powers forever

34. How long were Adam and Barbara waiting to speak to Juno in Beetlejuice ?

Three months

35. What's the name of the song Debbie plays for Fester right after they get married in Adams Family Values ?

"Number 438"

36. What is the name of the island the gang goes to in the 2002 Scooby-Doo movie?

Spooky Island

37. What was the number on the police car that announces Jack has been shot down in The Nightmare Before Christmas ?

38. In The Nightmare Before Christmas , which holiday is NOT one of the doors that appears in the forest?

April Fool's Day

39. What was the name of the lobster that was picked from the tank in Hocus Pocus ?

40. What was the last ingredient the Sanderson witches added to their cauldron in Hocus Pocus ?

A bit of their own tongue

41. What card did Pugsley offer Joel in trade for his Debbie card in Adams Family Values ?

42. The three witches in Hocus Pocus are Winnie, Mary, and who?

43. how many times has betelgeuse seen the exorcist in beetlejuice .

44. What other Halloween film features a snake inspired by the snake from Beetlejuice ?

The Nightmare Before Christmas

45. What was the name of the broom Marni buys in Halloweentown ?

Windsweeper 5000

46. In The Nightmare Before Christmas , what is Zero's nose?

A jack-o'-lantern

47. What animal did Wednesday and Pugsley bury at the beginning of Adams Family Values ?

48. The ending we have now of The Shining isn't the original ending.

Stanley Kubrick asked Warner Bros to cut two minutes of the film in an unexpected decision–he felt that the two minute epilogue wasn't a good fit to the ending of the film.

49. In Hotel Transylvania , what color is Frankenstein?

Blue. While the monster is commonly thought to be a shade of green, there's no reason for this. In fact, in the book, the monster is described as yellow and translucent.

50. What book was Joel trying to read in Adams Family Values ?

A Brief History of Time

51. What item is NOT something we see Nebbercracker take in Monster House: Tricycle, shoes or kite?

52. what's the shape of the mayor's bow tie in the nightmare before christmas .

53. How is Winnie Sanderson defeated in Hocus Pocus ?

Hallowed ground

54. How long is Adam gone the first time when he sees a sandworm in Beetlejuice ?

55. What is the name of the large green ghost Ray first encounters in Ghostbusters?

56. including zero, how many creatures pull jack's sleigh in the nightmare before christmas .

57. In The Nightmare Before Christmas, the names of Boogie's Boys are Lock, Shock, and ___?

58. in the 2002 scooby-doo movie, where does the voodoo man tell daphne not to go.

Spooky Island castle

59. Why can't the Sanderson sisters follow the kids into the cemetery in Hocus Pocus ?

It's hallowed ground

60. What does Emily turn into at the end of Corpse Bride ?

Swarm of butterflies

61. What insult did Marni call Calabar in their final confrontation in Halloweentown ?

Chocolate bar

62. What is Ice's real name in Hocus Pocus ?

63. According to ancient legend, seeing a spider on Halloween means what?

A loved one is watching over you and protecting you

64. What do Australians think of Halloween?

Unpopular and "too American"

65. Which celeb was born on Halloween?

Vanilla Ice. He was born on October 31, 1967 , making him a scorpio.

66. What animal caused Adam and Barbara's car to crash in Beetlejuice ?

67. How much will people spend on average on haunted house attractions?

$300 million

68. What's the name of the cab company that Benny works for in Halloweentown ?

Psychic Cab

69. What was candy corn more popular than when it was first invented?

Regular corn

70. Candy corn was originally made by hand: true or false?

Now, machines are able to do the work, but before machines, workers called " stringers " mixed the main ingredients (literally just sugar, water and corn syrup) in large kettles. Then they added fondant and marshmallow, to help with smoothness. Then the workers had to walk backwards three times, pouring out each color into the mold. 

71. What was the first present Jack gave out as Santa in The Nightmare Before Christmas ?

A shrunken head

72. Why was the iconic "I see dead people" scene in The Sixth Sense was almost changed?

Because the film's producer, Frank Marshall, was scared that people would figure out the ending.

73. Who wrote all the songs for The Nightmare Before Christmas ?

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman has written over 100 film scores , some of the most notable ones are collaborations with Tim Burton: Batman , The Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and Alice in Wonderland, to name a few. Other notable film scores include collaborations with Gus Van Sant ( Good Will Hunting and D on't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot) , and the recent DC comic Justice League and the Fifty Shades blockbuster trilogy. 

74. What did Debbie kill her first husband with in Adams Family Values ?

75. Why did Alfred Hitchcock shoot Psycho in black and white?

So that the shower death scene wouldn't look as gory! It's believed that Alfred Hitchcock also opted for black and white to recreate the style of the 1954 French film, Les Diaboliques.

76. What year was a score added to 1931's Dracula ?

77. when was halloweentown established in halloweentown .

78. In The Exorcist , who was the character of Chris MacNeil based on in real life?

 Shirley MacLaine

79. What candy bar does Beetlejuice tempt the fly with in Beetlejuice ?

80. Where did the idea for Final Destination originate from?

A spec script for  The X-Files

81. Who did Tim Burton want to cast as Betelgeuse in Beetlejuice ?

Sammy Davis Jr.

The role eventually went to Michael Keaton.

82. Who did Drew Barrymore request that her blonde wig in Scream be modeled after?

Michelle Pfeiffer's character's hair in Scarface

83. Where did the vampires look for Jack Skellington in Nightmare Before Christmas ?

Behind the cyclops eye

84. Hocus Pocus was originally what?

A short story

85. Snickers are the most popular candy in the US: true or false?

False. As of 2023, the most popular candy is the US is Reece's Cups , followed by Skittles and M&Ms.

86. How many ingredients are in a Butterfinger bar?

87. what was candy corn originally called.

Chicken Feed

88. How did bobbing for apples begin?

As part of an ancient Roman Festival

89. Why does candy corn have its corn shape?

Because ~nature~-inspired candy was all the rage in the 1880s.

This post contains content from Brian Galindo, Terri Pous, Chris Peña, thegothdragon, wilburnh20, ega22, peace_and_love, LifeUnderReview, and thatmovienerd. It was compiled by Laura Frustaci.

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CNN’s Halloween Quiz: Don’t let these spooky questions scare you away!

By Andrew Torgan and Ivory Sherman

What do you call a group of witches?

A group of witches is called a coven – like the witches in “Hocus Pocus 2.”

Which real-life figure from history is thought to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s “Dracula?”

While some historians may differ, “Dracula” is widely considered to be based upon Vlad III of Walachia – also known as Vlad the Impaler .

Michael Myers has been terrorizing Laurie Strode for more than four decades – including in this year’s “Halloween Ends.” How many films in total are there in the “Halloween” franchise?

“Halloween Ends” is the 13th – and supposedly final – installment of the series that began in 1978 with John Carpenter’s “Halloween.”

Before pumpkins, which items were used to carve jack-o’-lanterns?

People in Ireland and Scotland originally used turnips as lanterns on Halloween.

The fear of clowns, such as Pennywise from Stephen King’s novel “It,” is known as which phobia?

Coulrophobia is the irrational fear of clowns . “Coulro” is derived from the Greek word for stilt walkers.

Which horror film was the first to win the Academy Award for Best Picture?

“The Silence of the Lambs” was the first horror film to win the Oscar for Best Picture . Stars Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster also won Oscars for Best Actor and Best Actress.

“If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear.” Which creepy character said these words?

In Mary Shelley’s novel , Frankenstein’s monster is articulate and well-read. He’s also sensitive and hates that people fear and shun him.

“Lycanthrope” is another word for which mythical monster?

Lycanthrope is a fancy word for werewolf . It’s derived from the Greek words for “wolf” and “human.”

El Chupacabra is a blood-sucking creature from Latin American folklore. According to legend, what animal is its favorite meal?

Chupacabra means “goat-sucker” in Spanish, and while it is said to feast on all kinds of livestock, it supposedly has a preference for goats .

Which is the most popular superhero costume this year, according to Google Trends?

Spider-man ranks as the top superhero costume for Halloween – and is No. 2 overall.

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