These Halloween Movies Are Perfect For Scaredy Cats
Do you love everything about Halloween except for the ghouls, goblins, and jump scares? The good news is you're not alone. Plenty of people around the world love everything that comes with the month except for the haunted houses! For those of us not looking to have our heartbeats racing, there are luckily plenty of movies that are perfect for our viewing pleasure. From nostalgic cartoons like It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to super silly comedies like Halloweentown, these are the best movies for the pumpkin spice season that won't give you goosebumps!
Goosebumps Was The Surprise Halloween Hit Of 2015
R.L. Stine's children's stories came to life in 2015 when Jack Black starred as the author himself in Goosebumps. The silly premise follows the new kid in town who lives next to the author, and accidentally unleashes the monsters from his Goosebumps series of children's books.
While there are some cleverly creepy elements to Goosebumps, the film is far too goofy to send chills down anyone's spine. It's also hard to deny how perfect Black is as the children's horror author literally trying to keep his demons secret from the world.
Halloweentown Might Be The Best Disney Channel Original Movie
Another '90's campy classic, Halloweentown debuted on Disney Channel in 1998 and has become essential viewing for holiday lovers every year since. The silly story follows a group of siblings who tag along with their grandmother back to Halloweentown. The made-for-TV movie was so popular that three sequels were made!
None of the sequels lived up to the original however. What we're saying is when showing Halloweentown to your nieces and nephews for the first time, it's okay to not tell them about the sequels. We wish we didn't know about them either.
Monsters Inc. Is A True Monster Mash
Monsters Inc. might not be Halloween themed, but it's still full of monsters. The premise is also built around learning that there's more power in making kids laugh than scream. And if it doesn't make you tear up when Boo has to say goodbye to Mike and Sully, you might just be a monster yourself!
The classic Pixar film has one sequel, Monsters University, but that's much more of a college party movie than would be Halloween classic. This might also be the least scary film on the list.
This List Wouldn't Be Complete Without The Nightmare Before Christmas
Coming from the visually stunning mind of Tim Burton, The Nightmare Before Christmas changed our idea of what a Halloween movie — and Christmas movie for that matter — could be. Released in 1993, the film rightfully dominates our viewing schedule from October until January every year.
We bet you know all the words to at least one song Jack Skellington sings. We've definitely considered dressing up as the tragic hero for our next Halloween party. Fun fact, the songs were composed by Danny Elfman, the former frontman of Oingo Boingo!
Hocus Pocus Is A Campy, Laugh Out Loud, Halloween Classic
It seems like every year once October starts, the movie Hocus Pocus comes back into our lives. Originally released in 1993, the film starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker has become a laugh out loud classic. Admit it, it's hard not to smile when these witches jump on their vacuum cleaners instead of broomsticks.
A great movie to wax nostalgic with as an adult, Hocus Pocus is basically the A Christmas Story of October. You can add Hocus Pocus 2 to your list too. The sequel is just as good as the original.
ParaNorman Is A Paranormal Riot
ParaNorman felt like a breathe of fresh air when it was released in 2012. A stop motion animated film about Norman, a clairvoyant "loser" who must protect his hometown from the plot of a revenge-driven witch. Trust us, it's not as scary as it sounds.
Made by the same production company that gave us Coraline, we felt this creepy creature feature was far less scary. Coraline will give you nightmares. ParaNorman will only give you night smiles. See what we did there?
Casper Truly Is The Friendly Ghost
In the '90s if you needed a go-to actress for family-friendly Halloween fare, you called Christina Ricci. Hot off the success of The Addams Family, Ricci signed on for a feature adaption of Casper. He is, after all, the world's friendliest ghost.
The film was a box-office hit at the time, although the three gas passing evil ghosts weren't seen as a high point of '90s cinema. Still, the movie has undeniable charm, and we're sure your niece or nephew will laugh at the gaseous... we mean ghostly figures.
It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Takes Us Back To Our Childhoods
Let's go back to a time when holiday specials were mandatory viewing. Every Halloween, we'd sit down with our parents in front of the tube television and watch It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. And while it's not technically a movie, we're including it on this list because it is absolutely essential viewing.
The 25-minute special was the second Charlie Brown holiday episode, following in the heavy footsteps of A Charlie Brown Christmas. The creator of Charlie Brown was sent bags of candy from fans who were upset that the lovable loser received so many rocks while trick or treating!
Ghostbusters Will Bust Your Gut With Hysterics
We're talking about the original Ghostbusters from 1984, of course. We love the 2016 female led version too, but it undeniably had trouble living up to the expectations created by the Bill Murray ghost romp. Not only is it the movie that brought Slimer into the cultural zeitgeist, it also gave us the monstrous Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!
We will admit, there are a few parts of Ghostbusters where you might want to cover your eyes, but for the most part you won't be able to stop laughing.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Is The Camp Classic Came Before The TV Show
While the TV version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer took horror seriously, the original 1992 movie starring Kristy Swanson definitely did not. The wacky movie follows Buffy Summers as she learns that she is the "chosen one" and must wander Sunnydale slaying its vampire population.
Did we mention it co-stars Luke Perry? There's also a killer Ben Affleck cameo that you won't believe. Anyways, if you really like vampires, but think getting bitten is terrifying, then it's time to look up this camp classic wherever it might be streaming.
Edward Scissorhands Is All Heart And No Bark
You might think a movie titled Edward Scissorhands would revel in violence and gore. The truth is, the 1990 Tim Burton classic is all heart. The story follows the ultimate outcast, a teenage boy with scissors for hands, on his journey toward finding acceptance and love.
Your heart will melt too when he learns to use his hands as gardening shears. The film features legendary actor Vincent Price in one of his last roles as the inventor of the Edward, who dies before he can make his Gothic Pinocchio whole.
Shaun Of The Dead Is Light On Scares But Heavy On Gore
Shaun of the Dead was touted as the first "rom-zom-com," or romantic zombie comedy when it first came out. The story follows Shaun as he tries to get his family and ex-girlfriend to safety at the Winchester Pub during a zombie outbreak in England.
The film is as silly as its premise makes it sound. It also has surprising heart and surprising gore. While not scary at all, it definitely earns its R-rating. Most importantly, Shaun of the Dead introduced us to the always charming Simon Pegg.
My Boyfriend's Back Is The Original "Rom-Zom-Com"
Shaun of the Dead might claim it's the original romantic zombie comedy, but that honor actually goes to the criminally under seen My Boyfriend's Back. Only earning $3.3 million when it was released in 1993, the film is remembered today for its offbeat tone and unique premise.
Directed by character actor Bob Balaban, the film takes its title from the 1963 hit song of the same name. Before using a pop reference for the name, it was originally called Johnny Zombie. The filmmakers made the right choice with this one, and now you should make the right choice by streaming it.
Practical Magic Is Practically Required Viewing
This 1998 witchy classic stars Sandra Bullock as Sally and Nicole Kidman as Gillian; two women who possess magical powers. The two witches unleash a demon when they try and free Gillian from her abusive boyfriend. Sound dramatic? Don't worry, there are plenty of laughs along the way.
Surprisingly, the film wasn't a hit when it originally came out. Critics loathed it and audiences stayed away. As years passed, however, Practical Magic aged better than most other '90s cinema fare, and now it's viewed as a minor classic in a ocean of magic.
Who Says The Goonies Can't Be A Halloween Movie?
The Goonies is definitely not a traditional Halloween movie. Heck, it wasn't even released in October when it came out in 1985. We don't mind, though. With its spot-on pirate theme and gang of kids on mission, it sure feels October-appropriate to us!
The great news is that if your Halloween viewing docket is already full, you can also view the The Goonies, "Truffle Shuffle" included, any day of the year. Just do us all a favor and don't dress like a pirate when you watch it unless it's pumpkin season.
Frankenweenie Is Tim Burton's Love Letter To A Simpler Time
Tim Burton is the master of macabre. He's also still a child at heart, and that can be seen on display in Frankenweenie, his stop motion take on Frankenstein. In this black and white story, we follow a boy who re-animates his beloved pet pooch.
The film itself is a love letter to a simpler time of film making. There's comedy, heart, fantasy, and a tiny bit of horror in this film, which is sure to become required viewing in the coming years.
The Addams Family and Addams Family Values Are A Devious Double Feature Worth Your Time
Two movies for the price of one! We figured if you felt cheated after It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, we'd redeem ourselves with a pair of Addams Family movies. Both update the classic television show with sharp humor and deliciously Gothic visuals. And both wisely play the scares for laughs.
Most memorably, these movies introduced to a young Christina Ricci, who shows impeccable comic timing with her deadpan delivery as Wednesday Addams. Christopher Lloyd does his fair share of scenery chewing as Pester as well. Watch these movies back to back to make sure you don't miss any laughs.
