The Addams Family Values Is a Halloween Masterpiece With Generous Sprinkle of Dark Humor

Updated on 10/30/2020 at 4:30 PM

Like a spider setting up an elaborate cobweb in an abandoned house, The Addams Family Values is one of those classic Halloween movies that feels like it's existed as long as the holiday itself. The second film in the Addams Family series, the 1993 movie is far from second best with its dark humor and the kind of wonderfully chilling plot line that would put Gomez and Morticia in the mood for a romantic waltz.

During the film, the Addams family receives a visit from Debbie Jellinsky, a serial killer and black widow who marries men with the intention of killing them and stealing their fortunes. Debbie tricks Uncle Fester into falling in love with her and takes him hostage when she realizes he's more difficult to kill than she thought. At the same time, Morticia and Gomez have to deal with Wednesday and Pugsley being jealous of newborn baby Pubert, who they play deadly games with until Debbie suggests the kids head to camp for the summer.

From the murderous plot and the dark quotes to Gary and Becky being realistically irritating, the entire movie is a celebration of all things uncomfortable and eerie (in the best way possible). Also, considering this is a Halloween movie set during the summer with a heavy focus on Thanksgiving, it's pretty much the perfect film to watch year-round.

At the end of the day, as much as I love the original Addams Family film, there's nothing like throwing a bag of popcorn in the microwave and spending the evening reliving every moment of Wednesday and Pugsley's revolt against camp counselor Gary's distasteful Thanksgiving play. Read on to conjure up more memories of the classic Halloween (or Thanksgiving) film here, and keep the holiday momentum going by finding out if Disney's Halloweentown still lives up to the hype over 20 years later.

We Begin By Stepping Into the Addams Family's . . . Eccentric Home

And, Congratulations Are in Order For Morticia and Gomez as they Welcome Baby Pubert

During the Film, We Also Get a Glimpse at the Extended Addams Family, Including Newborn Baby What

But Everything Changes When Debbie Attacks, aka Makes Uncle Fester Fall in Love With Her

The Addams Family Values Is a Halloween Masterpiece With Generous Sprinkle of Dark Humor

We Begin By Stepping Into the Addams Family's . . . Eccentric Home

And, Congratulations Are in Order For Morticia and Gomez as they Welcome Baby Pubert

During the Film, We Also Get a Glimpse at the Extended Addams Family, Including Newborn Baby What

But Everything Changes When Debbie Attacks, aka Makes Uncle Fester Fall in Love With Her

Even Baby Pubert Is Affected By Her Presence, Losing His Mustache and Growing Blond Curls

Debbie's First Attempt at Killing Fester Fails, but She's Quick to Try Again (Key Word: Try)

Oh No! Gomez Can't Handle Being Ignored by His Brother When Debbie Cuts Off All Communication

Meanwhile, Wednesday and Pugsley Are Getting Suspicious of Debbie, So She Sends Them Away to Camp

And, Of Course, We Get to Experience Gary's Terrible Thanksgiving Play (Yep, During the Summer)

Like a True Addams, Wednesday Makes Sure to Put on a Show Nobody Could Ever Forget

Little Amanda Buckman Didn't Know What Was Going to Hit Her When Wednesday Took the Stage

And . . . It Looks Like Gary and Becky Didn't Either — So Much for the Happy Hut

And We Get to See Wednesday Experience a Few Haunting Yet Romantic Moments With Joel

In the End, Debbie Should Have Been Herself and the Addams Family Would Have Accepted Her

But, C'est La Vie — At Least the Addams Family Lives to See Another Millennium of Mischief