Lack of good storyline.

Expected more

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Released as a television film on NBC in 1985, "The Midnight Hour" focuses on a group of teenage friends in a small New England town who accidentally unleash all the demons from hell on Halloween night after reciting an incantation they discover sealed in a trunk of clothing and artifacts that they stole from the local museum. Pretty soon, there are goblins, vampires, werewolves, and zombies everywhere you turn, and it's up to the class nerd and the ghost of a cheerleader to put a stop to it.Although I wasn't even alive when this film was released, I get the sense that it was important to the childhoods of many people in the generation before myself; it seems like it was their "Hocus Pocus", and with good reason. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that this film was likely an inspiration on "Hocus Pocus" and other films of its type. "The Midnight Hour" is really the quintessential Halloween film, in the classic, family-friendly sense of the word. Ghouls, goblins, zombies and witches; Halloween parties, local legends, and a living dead Suzie Q round out the proceedings here, making up a truly delightful film. I watched this film knowing next to nothing about it. In fact, I assumed it was a zombie splatter flick based on the DVD cover, and was surprised by what the film ended up being, which is anything but. Given that it was made for television broadcast, the film is relatively bloodless, free of language and nudity, and is really not all that scary (though there are some really well-done moments of horror, namely the town square scene). It is, however, atmospheric, well-written, endlessly entertaining, and full of great sequences and even some funny moments. The TV-movie nostalgia factor bleeds through the whole film, and even had this millennial longing for the days of VHS tapes and Disney channel Halloween movies. The good-spirited charm is the real attraction here, and, despite the dated aspects of the film (mainly in the special effects), it does feel timeless.The cast features relatively well-known actors, namely Shari Belafonte, Peter DeLuise, Dick Van Patten, Deedee Pfeiffer, and Kurtwood Smith, and the performances here are far above average. The soundtrack is also a real highlight, with killer tunes by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs, Three Dog Night, and even The Smiths adding to the film's incessant charm. It also features its own original dance number which is goofy and absolutely corny, but I find it hard to question or even attempt to criticize it. The romance subplot between Phil and Sandy will also give you warm-and-fuzzies.Overall, "The Midnight Hour" is a joy. As one of the first (if not the first) Halloween films made for television, it really is a prototype for all of the 1990s' and early 2000s' made-for-TV Halloween films that I grew up watching; I was constantly reminded of them while watching it, actually. Is this film scary? Of course not. It's family-oriented. Is it a horror film? Sort of. More than anything, it's really just a well-written and wildly entertaining example of mid-'80s television offerings, and an absolute Halloween delight. While I no doubt love my gory slashers and dark thrillers every October 31st, "The Midnight Hour" is a new and welcome addition to my annual All Hallow's Eve horror marathons. Highlights: the midget goblin slurping up the punch, Phil and Sandy's adorable love affair, the vampire attack in the basement set to "How Soon Is Now?", and Kurtwood Smith before he was on "That '70s Show". 9/10.

A great movie if you want something fun, exciting, but not overly scary. The story is really nothing new in terms of Halloween themed movies; kids have a party and bring back the dead from the past and need to get them back before the midnight hour on Halloween night. The acting in this TV movie is what you would expect from a movie made for television. My standout favorite in the movie would be Levar Burton, from Star Trek NG fame. Every actor in this movie is acceptable, no real Oscar nominees nor Razzies..So if you are in the Halloween mood and what something to get you into the Halloween spirit, I would say this made for television movie is exactly what you need to fulfill your desires for good Halloween fun.

A mostly dumb but sometimes fun teenage horror/comedy T.V. movie features a plethora of creatures comprising of vampires, werewolves and graveyard ghouls who crash a high school dance during Halloween night. It seems that unsuspecting teens performed a ritual that caused the dead to rise, and at the stroke of midnight they will reign terror over the earth forever. (or something like that.) This sometimes feels like a throwback to the 1960s lifestyle with rag-top convertibles, cheerleaders and school spirit, but then it also looks like a 1980s rehash of 'Michael Jackson's Thriller' with retro-80s music blended with monster movie clichés and a cheesy Halloween themed dance sequence. Fans of traditional monster movies will appreciate it for its nostalgic value, but anyone else should stay clear, especially gore fans. It definitively falls short on supplying blood or any substantial surprises..

This is by far MY best Halloween movie ever! It isn't a scary movie and it doesn't make you jump out of your seat, but it has that feeling. That glow.It is a classic movie that not a lot of people have seen or heard of, but once you see it, you don't stop talking about it.I remember seeing it on TV in the late 80s when i was still young but it never came on again. I looked high and low for this movie and out of sheer luck, Anchor Bay released it on DVD for a very limited period. I was one of the lucky ones who got it and wont let it go easy.See it as soon as you can. You wont be disappointed.