The Ultimate Horror Double Bills: Nights of Scares and Snacks

I for one love a film double bill. Ever since I started to seriously collect VHS back in the day, nothing would be more enjoyable than watching two or three films back to back to really lose myself for a night. That said, this was back when I didn’t need at least eight hours sleep before becoming a zombie myself. And with these experiences in mind, I’ve discovered that creating the perfect horror film night is about more than just picking a couple of films. It’s an art form that blends carefully selected films with the right ambiance, and, if you really want to make a decent fist of it, the perfect snack pairings. So dive into my curated list of horror double bills, each designed to offer a unique blend of chills and thrills, and hopefully no spills!. Whether you’re a die-hard horror enthusiast, a movie buff, or a food lover, these thematic pairings are sure to make your horror night memorable.

The Films

• Tucker and Dale vs Evil: A hilarious twist on the cabin-in-the-woods trope, this film follows two well-meaning hillbillies mistaken for killers.
• Shaun of the Dead: The iconic British zom-com that combines sharp wit with genuine frights.

The Snacks

• Popcorn with a Twist: Half savoury, half sweet, for the best of both worlds.
• Zombie Finger Cookies: Shortbread shaped like zombie fingers, with almonds for nails

 

Don Coscarelli Night: Bubba Ho-Tep & John Dies at the End

The Films

• Bubba Ho-Tep: Elvis Presley and JFK team up to fight an ancient Egyptian mummy in a nursing home.
• John Dies at the End: A mind-bending journey through alternate realities and strange phenomena.

The Snacks

• Spicy Tex-Mex Popcorn: Popcorn dusted with chilli powder, cumin, and a hint of lime.
• Peanut Butter and Jam/Jelly Subs (with optional bacon): A tribute to The King.

 

Lovecraft Night: Re-Animator & From Beyond

The Films

• Re-Animator: A wild, gory ride based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story about a mad scientist who brings the dead back to life.
• From Beyond: Another Lovecraft adaptation that explores the terrifying consequences of tapping into other dimensions.

The Snacks

• Tentacle-Wrapped Hot Dogs: Mini hot dogs wrapped in croissant dough to resemble tentacles.
• Green Jelly: Mimics the glowing reagent from “Re-Animator”

Devil Night: The Omen & The Exorcist

The Films

• The Omen: A chilling tale of a child who may be the Antichrist.
• The Exorcist: The classic horror film about a young girl possessed by a demonic force.

The Snacks

• Devil’s Food Cake Pops: Bite-sized chocolate cake pops coated in dark chocolate.
• Red Velvet Popcorn: Sweet and slightly spicy, with a hint of red food colouring for a devilish appearance.
• Split Pea Soup: For obvious reasons.

 

Mind Bending Night: Coherence & It Follows

The Films

• Coherence: A dinner party takes a dark turn as a comet passes overhead, causing reality to unravel.
• It Follows: A relentless, unseen force haunts those cursed by a mysterious entity.

The Snacks

• Twisted Pretzel Sticks: Salty, crunchy, and twisted just like your mind after these films.
• Blue Raspberry Crushed Ice: A refeshing mind bending brain freeze to match the theme.

 

Ari Aster Night: Hereditary & Midsommar

The Films

• Hereditary: A deeply unsettling family drama that descends into supernatural horror.
• Midsommar: A visually stunning horror film set during a seemingly idyllic festival in Sweden.

The Snacks

• Floral-Themed Macarons: Light, sweet, and perfect for the Midsommar setting.
• Chocolate Ants: A reference to a memorable scene in “Hereditary”.

 

Jordan Peele Night: Get Out & Us

The Films

• Get Out: A psychological thriller that explores racial tensions and sinister secrets.
• Us: A chilling tale of doppelgängers and hidden traumas.

The Snacks

• Rose Tea: A nod to the film “Get Out” and its key character, Rose.
• “Tethered” Popcorn Mix: A mix of caramel and cheddar popcorn, representing the duality of “Us”.

 

Zombie Night: Night of the Living Dead & Dawn of the Dead

The Films

• Night of the Living Dead: The film that started it all, bringing zombies into the mainstream.
• Dawn of the Dead: A classic sequel that takes the zombie apocalypse to a shopping mall.

The Snacks

• Brain Cupcakes: Red velvet cupcakes with brain-shaped fondant on top.
• Bloody Marys: A spicy cocktail that fits the zombie theme.
• Canned Ham: Don’t knock it. It’s got it’s own key.

 

Anthology Night: Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight & Creepshow

The Films

• Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight: A feature length collection of horror stories with a wicked sense of humour.
• Creepshow: An anthology of terrifying tales inspired by classic horror comics.

The Snacks

• Ghoul-ash and Rice: A hearty stew to warm you up during the chilling tales.
• Wormy Gummy Candies: Gummy worms and snakes to set the mood.

Evil Dead Night: Evil Dead II & Army of Darkness

The Films

• Evil Dead II: A gory, slapstick-filled romp through a haunted cabin.
• Army of Darkness: The third instalment in the series, blending medieval adventure with horror.

The Snacks

• “Ash’s Chainsaw” Chicken Wings: Spicy, crispy wings served with a side of “bloody” hot sauce
• Donuts by Dawn: Bloody Bear Claws and gunshot hole Donuts.