614 Campus is dedicated to finding you fun stuff to do at Ohio State, but with a global pandemic raging, options are tragically limited. That being said, there has never been a better time in human history to have a night in with your roommates and a few adult beverages.
Unfortunately, Netflix recommendations are hot trash, so we’ve compiled some titles that lay off the beaten path on various streaming services, and each comes with a drink pairing to boot.
This month, we’ve brought you Halloween horrors and cozy fall cartoons for your viewing pleasure.
Scary Movies
Hulu—Cabin in the Woods
What better way to get trashed in a spooky way than with a genuinely scary, genuinely funny horror comedy? Cabin in the Woods satirizes all your favorite gory, sexy slasher film stereotypes and still manages to be good in its own right.
Drink Pairing: When a movie has a little bit of everything going on, the ideal pairing is obviously a Long Beach Iced Tea. Like the Dr. Pepper of booze, this bad boy is equal parts of all your favorite flavors. Mix half an ounce of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec, then fill your glass with sour mix and a splash of coke.
Netflix—Velvet Buzzsaw
If you like schlocky horror B-movies, this is about the peak of the form. Brutal gore and intense levels of cheesiness are offset by an all-star cast that includes the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, John Malkovich, and Daveed Diggs. Just don’t expect it to blow your mind; this film is far from profound.
Drink Pairing: When gallons of blood are in order, why not pair it with a nice red sangria? Like wine, but sweeter, boozier, and way more fun. You could make your own, but I think a store-bought bottle will serve you just as well.
Autumnal Animated Features
Hulu—Over the Garden Wall
Originally airing as a weeklong miniseries on Cartoon Network in 2014, the total runtime is just under two hours, making it perfect for a movie night. Despite the adorably autumnal atmosphere, catchy 19th century soundtrack, and top-tier comedy, the reason this series is a Halloween tradition in my house is the complex underlying themes of personal growth and coming of age. I literally wrote a term paper about this show, you guys.
Drink Pairing: If you want to get as cozy as possible, try some Apple Pie Moonshine. You can buy it at some liquor stores in cute little mason jars, and it’s as powerful as it is sweet. I would actually recommend warming it up in the microwave first for the full apple pie effect.
Disney+—Fantastic Mr. Fox
What do you get when you combine the direction of Wes Anderson, a story based on a Roald Dahl novel, and stop motion animation? A damn good movie, that’s what. It’s sassy, it’s funny, and it’s heartfelt. There’s no better background for your movie night debauchery?
Drink Pairing: Pumpkin Ale will go well with a cozy kids’ movie that has a little bite to it. There are plenty coming out this season that are absolutely delicious, but my favorite is Ichabod Ale from New Holland Brewing Company.