30 Halloween Movies To Watch That Won't Give You Nightmares For Weeks
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Spooky season is upon us! And that means it's time to watch all of our favorite Halloween movies!
Warner Bros. / Via giphy.com
But what are you to do if you, like me, are the biggest baby on Earth and cannot handle watching true horror movies?
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Covering my eyes during the scary parts just doesn't cut it! Sorry!
Well lucky for you, I have compiled a list of 30 of the best non-scary Halloween movies that you can watch this season without fear of nightmares or emotional scarring! Let's look.
1.Practical Magic
Oh, who doesn't love a tale of sisterhood and witchery? Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman (TALK ABOUT STAR POWER, BABE) come from a long line of witches, and both take very different approaches when it comes to using their magic. This movie has the spooky vibes without ever being scary, and it's really satisfying to watch women take down horrible men. Honestly, it's my favorite genre. There is an incident with a car that is kind of...shocking, lol, but not truly frightening.
2.Super 8
Now, this one is pure fun! It's got a little suspense and a lot of spooky mystery. A group of kids witness a train crash while filming a homemade movie, and when something escapes the train car and starts wreaking havoc on the town, it's up to these little kiddies to make things right. Think Stranger Things meets E.T. And though this was far from Elle Fanning's first film role, it is the one that started to really get people's attention. Perfect for a not-too-spooky night in.
3.Death Becomes Her
Perfect film? Maybe! Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn play old rivals who will do literally anything to stay young and beautiful, especially if they can fuck each other over in the process. There's some really genius comedy happening here, and Meryl sings and performs the hell out of an opening number that we really don't talk about enough! Plus, Isabella Rosellini is hot as ferk and Bruce Willis has hair! There is some imagery that could be considered disturbing, but if I can handle watching it, literally anybody can.
4.Stardust
An underrated classic! Based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, this film is full of witches, ghosts, sky pirates, and literal stars come to life. Michelle Pfeiffer's performance as the head witch in charge is particularly electric and will honestly have you feeling a little conflicted about which side you're supposed to root for! And the rest of the cast is truly bonkers: Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, and a young Henry Cavill?? Sign me up!
5.Paranorman
We love a little stop-motion treat around Halloween, and Paranorman is just what the witch doctor ordered. It's a classic story about a bullied boy who can talk to dead people and has to come together with his friends and family to right the wrongs done by their ancestors. It is surprisingly emotional, and yes, I did cry watching this movie, which for me is a huge plus, lol. Also, this movie features the first ever gay claymation himbo, if you're into that sort of thing. (I am. Deeply.)
6.Teen Witch
A true cautionary tale about the dangers of being too hot and popular! When Louise Miller turns 16, she not only finds out that she has the soul of a reincarnated witch (ok, chic!), she also finds out that she can make boys fall in love with her, get back at snooty cheerleaders, and become the ultimate It girl by using her newfound magical powers! But if Mean Girls taught us anything, once you get a taste of the It girl life, you're gonna lose who you truly are. Also, I just want to say, justice for Polly!
7.Rocky Horror Picture Show
There just aren't enough Halloweenie musicals if you ask me, but thankfully, Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of the most rewatchable films of all time. This movie is camp. This movie is sex. This movie is so out of its mind, you just can't help but love it. Tim Curry as Frank N Furter is a true masterclass in performance, and Susan Sarandon somehow manages to be really hot in granny panties. A true feat! (Just want to quick brag that I played Frank in a 2013 production of Rocky Horror and it was the most fun I've ever had. HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE!)
8.The Mummy (1999)
This is a film that holds the fuck up, lemme tell you. It has action. It has adventure. It has the power to confirm your bisexuality, because goddamn if Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz aren't the hottest two people on god's green Earth. There's enough suspense to keep you engaged but enough levity to keep you from actually getting scared. (I got in trouble for watching this movie when I was younger, but then converted everyone in my Christian household into Mummy-heads and was subsequently un-grounded.)
9.The Craft
OK, watch this one at your own risk, because you will 1,000% want to start your own bad-girl coven and get up to all kinds of mischievous witchery when you're through. Is there a fair amount of death? Sure. Is the end admittedly a little intense? Yeah, it is. But again, as the biggest baby in the world, I feel confident in saying you can handle it. There's just something about the vibe of this movie that makes it all feel OK. Sometimes a little bit of danger is fun!
10.Halloweentown
Where would we be without the Cromwell family and their of bounty of weird and wonderful friends? We love a movie with a simple premise: There is a spooky, magical town, and it is Halloween. Halloweentown. Beautiful. Now, if you try to poke at the plot to see if it all makes sense, or even think too long about what any of the residents there actually are, you'll be in a bit of trouble. But why would we want a Disney Channel Original Movie to makes sense? That's what's so wonderful about them. They are nonsense movies that wrap around you like a warm blanket, and this one is no exception. Plus, DEBBIE REYNOLDS!!!!! Need I go on?
11.A Quiet Place
OK, admittedly this movie is teetering on the edge of being scary, but I promise it's all just thrills and suspense. No nightmares here. Yes, there are monsters. And yes, there is a moment with a nail that is burned into my brain and will never leave me. But trust me, you can handle it, and you'll be glad you did. Emily Blunt is turning it out in this movie, and Millicent Simmonds is out there doing it for deaf Hollywood. Stellar performances with a solid spooky premise. A+!
12.Spirited Away
Oh, this movie holds such a special place in my heart, and it is a PERFECT Halloween watch. It's chock full of spirits, complicated witches, parents turning into pigs, men with spider arms, and lil' soot sprites so cute they'll make you CRY! The animation in this Studio Ghibli film is TO DIE FOR, and the story is both haunting and familiar in a way that will make you come back again and again. Cross over into the spirit realm for a spell and add this to your list of Halloween must-watches.
13.Clue
BRILLIANCE IN CINEMA! This murder mystery, based on the popular board game of the same title, is packed full of some of the most outrageous comedic performances of our lifetime. There's simply not a dull moment, and it is extremely quotable. And there are multiple endings! I'm a sucker for a little schtick. I promise you will have so much fun watching this and will feel forever changed by its genius. (Also, lol at the way my friends and I used to rewind the singing telegram bit. Macabre.)
14.Casper
The nostalgia that's washing over me just looking at this picture. :') How bad did we all want to be Kat (Christina Ricci) when we were little? ADMIT IT! To have a ghostly friend who later turns into a hot boy WHO KISSES YOU?! Ummmm, yeah. Sounds great. Human Casper (Devon Sawa) was irrefutably responsible for an entire generation's sexual awakening. ASK ANYBODY ALIVE. While this movie is not scary, it is emotionally impactful. A true tragedy for its 1995 audience, but my oh my is it worth the watch. Siiiiigh.
15.Coraline
I wanna be real with you. This is probably the "scariest" movie on the list. "But it's claymation!" you protest. I know. It is claymation. And it's BEAUTIFUL claymation, with a stunning story, but damn if parts of it aren't a little more than spooky. I say this not to steer you away, because it's worth the watch and not truly scary. But the button-eyed people in the alternate reality of Coraline's world are unsettling at best, and the main antagonist, The Beldam, is a fright. I would feel irresponsible if I didn't at least warn you about them. But the world of Coraline is also bursting with creativity and levity which is why it earns a worthy spot on this list.
16.What We Do in the Shadows
This vampire mockumentary from the minds of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement is as brilliant as it is stupid. It's about a group of vamps who live together in the suburbs of New Zealand and go about their daily lives with a camera crew following them. Sure, they drain people of their blood and leave them for dead, but they do it in a charming way. LOL. The dynamics between these centuries-old housemates, and the general nonchalance of their being vampires, makes for comedy gold, which you'd expect from this pair of writer/directors.
17.Scooby-Doo: The Movie
Never before was there such perfect casting done for a film. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Matthew Lillard were MADE to play the live-action Mystery Inc. gang, and boy is this movie still an absolute treat. Full of ghosts, monsters, twists, and turns, this is cinema at its finest. Always funny, never scary, Scooby-Doo delivers on every level. And somehow, it is this film's 20th anniversary this year, so you basically have to watch it or it would be considered disrespectful to the art of filmmaking.
18.H.E. Double Hockey Sticks
This oft-forgotten TV movie from the Wonderful World of Disney collection SCREAMS Halloween vibes. Our main character (Will Friedle) is a literal demon from hell who comes up to Earth to steal the soul of a hockey star (Matthew Lawrence) with a little help from his demon mentor (Gabrielle Union). The '90s star power of this cast is honestly a little overwhelming, and the wild and spooky antics of our characters are as entertaining as they are confounding. How was this movie green-lit?? We may never know, but sit back and enjoy this journey straight to HELL.
19.Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Oh, there's nothing like a good ol'-fashioned monster flick! Giant creatures stomping around, knocking down buildings, swatting down helicopters, and causing general chaos is just good, clean F-U-N! And this one in particular has a whole host of creepy creatures to delight and entertain! This is the best kind of movie because the plot truly does not matter, so there's no need to pay attention beyond just watching monsters be monsters. 10/10.
20.Twilight
Sorry to all the haters out there (I'm not actually), but I unapologetically love the Twilight films, and they are the perfect watch for a spooky night in (or idk, go find a screening in your area. I'm going to one later this month!). Sure, these movies are a little ridiculous, but that's what makes them incredible, and the first is hands down the best. Vampires, teen romance, K. Stew and R. Patz at their finest. What's not to love???? Actually, brb, I'm gonna go watch it rn.
21.The Witches (1990)
OK, I'm not going to pretend like Angelica Houston isn't both absolute perfection and completely horrifying in this movie. Her true witch form made quite the impression on an entire generation of children, and also taught us the dangers of eating candy. If you thought cavities were all you had to worry about, think again, sister!! You could be turned into a mouse like that! This movie is a true romp and will get you in a witchy mood just in time for All Hallow's Eve.
22.Labyrinth
Yes, the tone of this movie might make you a little uneasy, but you will never be truly scared, and that is the sweet spot for us scaredy-cats when the Halloween season rolls around. Dive into a world full of magic, puppets, kidnapping, and musical BOPS to keep the energy going. With incredible performances from the film's three main stars, Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, and his bulge, this film is a can't-miss for all Spooky Season lovers.
23.Signs
Remember crop circles? Lol. Where did they go? What a moment they had in the late '90s–early 2000s. I miss them to be quite honest. This M. Night Shyamalan flick is the perfect blend of spooky and suspense without ever truly scaring you (outside of the birthday party footage. Which in hindsight, why did it feel so scary? Lol. I rewatched it recently like, "...ok. That's it?"). Watching a family come together to take down aliens is a real treat, and if you get nothing else out of this movie, it will at least remind you of the importance of staying hydrated.
24.Kiki's Delivery Service
This movie is like a salve for the soul. The animation is stunning (as you'd expect from a Studio Ghibli film), the world is charming and fantastical, and our girl Kiki is one the kind of witch you wish was your bestie. Complete with a talking cat and funny old ladies who love watching disasters happen on live TV, this animated classic has everything you need for Halloween treat.
25.Little Shop of Horrors
OK, thank the Halloween GODS we have another musical on this list! Some of the most iconic songs ever written are in this film, and what screams "SPOOKY" more than a carnivorous plant hell-bent on eating people, and a ruthless dentist with a mean streak? Gather your friends around so you can all scream-sing "Suddenly, Seymour" together, and have a laugh at just how dark and ridiculously perfect this spooky musical is.
26.Double, Double Toil and Trouble
Ring, ring. Nostalgia calling! This Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen adventure is full of twins, witches, psychics, and young children getting a little too involved in their parents' financial problems. Cloris Leachman pulls double duty as the girls' twin aunties, and one might say her performance is career-defining. There is literally no way to go wrong with a MK&A flick, and if you haven't watched this one in a minute, do yourself a favor and watch it IMMEDIATELY. You will not be disappointed.
27.The Addams Family
The epitome of dark humor, The Addams Family is a movie we just don't talk about enough. There should be entire museums erected in honor of this film, its perfect casting, its genius execution, and its brilliant set and costume design. They really invented "bad means good and good means bad" humor, and we owe them so much. Everything in the lives of the Addams family may be a little bit backwards, but there's no denying that watching this movie during Spooky Season is a step in the right right direction.
28.Edward Scissorhands
Admittedly, this film is a little snowy for a Halloween movie, so it might be best watched at the very end of the season as we transition into the holidays, but the vibe is just RIGHT. For me, this was the film that started my life-long love affair with Winona Ryder and Dianne Wiest, and I really think this is Tim Burton's best work. And for people who are annoyed by Johnny Depp (ME!), this film is perfect because he's so covered up by makeup and costuming you can literally forget it's him and just enjoy yourself! A truly weird and charming tale that's a perfect watch from October to November.
29.Ghostbusters (2016)
Say what you want. Rip me to shreds in the comments. I DARE YOU! But I loved the 2016 Ghostbusters and I think it warrants a rewatch. If you're not mad enough yet, I think it's better than the original. Yes, the Ghostbusters of the '80s is nostalgic, I grew up with it too! And yes those men are comedic legends, but this film is just more interesting for a modern audience. The cast is *chef's kiss*, the ghosts are so much fun, and let's not forget about himbo Chris Hemsworth stealing every scene he's in and showing us all he's at his best when he's being a little silly. Haters gonna hate. This is a modern Halloween classic.
30.Beetlejuice
BEETLEJUICE! BEETLEJUICE! BEETLEJUICE! I'll be honest, I was too scared to watch this movie as a kid and it is a damn shame, because it is PURE GOLD! I'll never get those years back, and I'm worse off for it. This movie is funny, dark, and has a cast that will knock your fucking socks off. Micheal Keaton as Beetlejuice is truly inspired. Alec Balwdin in other projects? Low to medium hot. Alec Baldwin in this movie? DANGEROUS LEVELS OF HOT! PROCEED WITH CAUTION! And I haven't even gotten to Geena Davis, Winona Rider, or Catherine O'Hara, who really make this spooky movie SING! Stop what you're doing right now and watch this movie!
