10 spooky Netflix picks to learn English with this Halloween
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Who said that studying can’t be fun? Skip the trick and treat yourself this Halloween with some spooky Netflix picks to help you on your language journey.
Watching movies and TV shows in the language you’re learning can help your conversation skills progress faster, all from the comfort of your couch. Not to mention, you have the chance to hear and begin to understand accents from around the world.
So, without further ado, let’s pumpkin spice things up with these 10 spooky Netflix picks to help you learn English this Halloween season. We’ve selected a variety of shows and films to satisfy every mysterious craving you might have — from tales of distant fantasy lands to cringeworthy horror movies!
1. Wednesday
Fiercely independent and emotionally reserved, Wednesday Addams is enrolled by her parents, Morticia and Gomez, to attend high school at Nevermore Academy. It doesn’t take long before Wednesday uses her incredible intuition and psychic abilities to see that there is danger lurking in the dark. This spooky series is a reboot of the classic Addams Family tale, but with modern touches and a star-studded cast.
2. KPop Demon Hunters
Vibrant K-pop energy combines with supernatural adventure in this animated series. A group of Korean pop idols lead double lives as demon hunters battling dark forces while keeping up with rehearsals, performances, and the pressures of fame. It’s packed with action, music, and colorful visuals. Plus, it’s a unique and fun way to hear English alongside a variety of Korean language and cultural references.
3. Goosebumps
Based on R. L. Stine’s beloved children’s books, Goosebumps brings the classic spooky tales to life with a mix of humor, mystery, and scares. In both the 2015 movie and 2023 Netflix series, ordinary teens find themselves caught up in strange supernatural events where monsters manage to escape from Stine’s stories. It’s a fun, family-friendly watch that balances laughs and thrills. Not to mention, it’s perfect for picking up some natural English dialogue in exciting, easy-to-follow scenes.
4. Stranger Things
In a small town in Indiana where everyone knows everyone, a strange turn of events leads to the disappearance of a child and everything turns upside down — literally. As they search for answers, the missing boy’s friends and family unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries involving secret government experiments, supernatural forces, and a very unusual little girl. This show is the perfect cross between sci-fi and horror, and it even includes some 70s English slang.
5. Hotel Transylvania
In a world where monsters are more afraid of humans than humans are of them, Dracula, the Vampire King, runs a hotel that’s safe for monsters all over the world. However, when a boy somehow discovers the location of the hotel, Dracula goes into overprotective mode to hide him from his teenage daughter, Mavis. It’s a silly, yet fun movie that’s perfect to watch on nights when you just want to unwind and have a good laugh.
6. A Series of Unfortunate Events
Based on Lemony Snicket’s books, A Series of Unfortunate Events tells the story of three young kids after their home burns down, leaving them orphaned. The trio searches for their family’s secrets as they try to keep themselves and their fortune away from the sinister Count Olaf. This Netflix adaptation does the books justice in a truly binge-worthy series you can easily finish in one day.
7. Nightbooks
A young boy named Alex becomes the prisoner of a witch. To avoid death, he tells her a scary story every night. After he meets Yazmin, the witch’s servant, the two must escape her apartment — a magical labyrinth filled with dangers — before the witch kills them both. It’s a perfect Sunday movie full of scary stories!
8. Coraline
Adapted from the book by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is a stop-motion animated story that’s as eerie as it is imaginative. When young Coraline discovers a hidden door in her new home, she enters an alternate world that seems perfect — until things take a creepy turn. With gothic visuals and a spooky atmosphere, this film is both a Halloween favorite and a great way to learn rich descriptive English.
9. Spirited Away
In Studio Ghibli's classic anime Spirited Away, young Chihiro finds herself trapped in a mysterious and magical world after her parents are turned into pigs. As she navigates this enchanting and often perilous realm, Chihiro encounters a host of unforgettable spirits and creatures, seeking a way to free her parents and return home.
10. Corpse Bride
Of course, no Halloween is complete without Helena Bonham Carter. While there are a lot of good picks from Sweeney Todd to Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride is a must-see classic by Tim Burton. Set in the late 1800s in a Victorian village, Victor and Victoria are an engaged couple. Right after the wedding rehearsal, Victor gets lost in the woods. While practicing his vows, he accidentally bumps into the Corpse Bride, who assumes he has married her. Before he knows it, he finds himself in the land of the dead and desperately tries to get back to Victoria. It’s a spooky yet sweet story — and there’s singing! Who doesn’t love that?
Ready to press play? Choose from these 10 spooky Netflix picks this Halloween and see how much your vocabulary and listening skills can grow.