Now that Halloween is finally here, it’s time to trot out all the favorites of Spooky Season. Last week, I was most excited to stream “Sleepy Hollow,” and I can confirm after going through with that rewatch that the film will be on my Halloween lead-up watchlist again next year.

A more recent addition to that list is “Trick 'r Treat,” the 2007 film that served as Michael Dougherty’s directorial debut. It’s definitely more horror-focused than “Sleepy Hollow,” but this is the perfect time of year for the movie, and it’s the title I’m most excited to stream this week.

“Trick ‘r Treat” tells four Halloween stories with a common thread running through them: Sam, a small demon wearing a threadbare costume and a burlap sack for a mask, to punish those who disrespect the traditions of the holiday. Refuse to keep your jack-o’-lantern lit? No candy for the trick-or-treaters? You can expect a visit from Sam, and the end result will be far from sweet.

While there are a ton of horror movies set around Halloween, I always liked “Trick ‘r Treat” because of the base premise of the film: Halloween is a true holiday to be revered, and if one disrespects it, there will be consequences. Sam is like the Krampus of Halloween, and he metes out judgment with glee.

It’s something of an anthology movie, and viewers will see a few big-name actors sprinkled throughout, including Brian Cox and Anna Paquin. Cox especially stands out as Mr. Kreeg, the curmudgeonly Halloween hater who is confused to be spared from the carnage once he inadvertently carries out a Halloween tradition by giving Sam a few treats.

Keep in mind if you’re going to turn this one on during the lead-up to Halloween, it’s not for kids. “Trick ‘r Treat” is rated R, with plenty of violence and language, and even some nudity. Keep it well away from the young ones, and make sure it’s over by the time they’re back from their own trick-or-treat run.

“Trick ‘r Treat” isn’t the best horror movie under the sun, but it takes an original concept and parlays it into some gory Halloween fun. That’s what I’m looking for this time of year, and it’s the title I’m most excited to watch this week. Stream “Trick ‘r Treat” on HBO Max or AMC+.