TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Sixth Sense" (1999), 8 p.m., ABC Family. On the edge of Halloween, tonight is filled with spooky films. This is the best. M. Night Shyamalan has written and directed a fine cast. Haley Joel Osment is the boy who sees dead people. Bruce Willis is the earnest psychologist working with him. Try not to talk to anyone about the film before you see it — the plot twist should be a surprise.

OF NOTE

"Human Trafficking," 4 p.m., Lifetime. If you missed this excellent miniseries earlier this week, catch it in one swoop. This is a gritty look at efforts to save young females being forced into sexual slavery. Great work by Mira Sorvino and several French-Canadian newcomers.

"Monsters, Inc." (2001), 7 p.m., ABC. Pixar — the "Toy Story" company — created another computer-animated hit. It's set in a fictional city powered by the screams of frightened children. John Goodman and Billy Crystal provide the lead voices.

"Scary Movie" (2000), 7 p.m., NBC. This loose movie made a fortune by spoofing all the other horror films. Keenen Ivory Wayans directed and two of his brothers (Marlon and Shawn) co-starred and helped with the script.

More horror movies, various times. They're everywhere tonight, so take your pick. On the serious side are the slow-but-masterful "The Shining" (1980, A&E), "The Blair Witch Project" (1999, FX), and "Friday the 13th ... A New Beginning" (1985, AMC), at 5 p.m. On the light side are "Twitches" (2005, Disney Channel) at 8 p.m., and "Ghostbusters II" (1989), at 4:30 p.m. on Comedy Central. Turner Classic Movies is in the midst of an Alfred Hitchcock week, but today it skips terror and has Hitchcock's terrific adventure "North by Northwest" (1959) at 2 p.m.

"Desperate Housewives," 9 p.m., ABC. Here's a rerun of Sunday's episode, which had good and bad moments. The best were funny scenes between Susan and her agent, played by Wallace Shawn; the worst were with Lynette and her boss (Joely Fisher).

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. A man (Robert Patrick) who spent 21 years in prison as a sex offender is free now. Stabler goes undercover to find out if he's still dangerous.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:30 p.m., NBC. Lance Armstrong hosts and his fiancee, Sheryl Crow, is the musical guest.