Top 10 Spooky-not-scary movies to watch this Halloween
I love everything about the Fall; from the crisp chill in the air, to the pumpkin flavored everything, to the plaid fashion pieces, I’m a fall JUNKIE. Always have been, always will be. So it’s no surprise that ever since I was a kid, Halloween has been my favorite holiday. Gimme something spooky to watch while I sip a pumpkin-flavored beverage and I’m in HEAVEN.
Since Halloween has been my favorite holiday for my entire 30+ years of existence, I’ve watched prrrrretty much every Halloween-themed movie there is. Though I will say- and this is just a personal taste thing- I prefer more “magical” content over the gory “horror” kind of stuff. If you’re into blood & guts & nightmares for weeks, this isn’t the list for you. This is a round up of my comforting “go-to” October movies that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (OK and maybe a little bit creeped out & scared, too).
Because I’m leaning on nostalgia here, this ‘Top 10 Halloween Movies’ post contains films that are very “kid friendly” without being childish - aka more “spooky” and fun than actually terrifying - though a few movies listed are probably better suited for more adult audiences. Don’t worry, I’ll warn you ;)
If you’re in the mood for something scarier, check out my list of Top 10 Terrifying TV Series to watch this Halloween, or if reading is more your thing, here are my Top 10 mysteries and thrillers to read under the covers.
Hocus Pocus
Come little children I’ll take thee away into a land of enchantment…
Who lit the Black Flame Candle? ME. Every damn year since 1993 until the day I die. (And maybe after that, too).
‘Hocus Pocus’ is unequivocally the perfect Halloween movie. It’s whip-smart, absolutely hilarious, and just the right amount of scary. Helmed by Bette Midler’s Oscar-worthy performance as Winnifred Sanderson (Bette, you were robbed), the incredible cast fully commits to the fantastical world where the back-from-the-dead Sanderson Sisters haunt modern day Salem.
If by some crazy chance you have yet to watch the Halloween classic ‘Hocus Pocus’, get off your broomstick and get to it!
2. Casper
In this extremely kid-friendly but still totally entertaining gem from the 90’s, Christina Ricci plays Kat, the spunky and punky daughter of paranormal specialist James Harvey (played by Bill Pullman). She befriends the friendly ghost Casper who is haunting her new (totally creepy and awesome) mansion and helps him finish some unfinished business.
This is the perfect Halloween movie to bring over and show the kids you’re babysitting (post Covid, of course).
Also, any girl who saw this as a kid in the 90’s will tell you, ghosts have never looked as attractive as the last scene in Casper when he shows up at Kat’s middle school Halloween dance party…
3. The Addams Family
Christina Ricci strikes again! This time as the iconic Wednesday Addams in the Halloween must-watch, ‘The Addams Family’.
Think your family is problematic around the holidays? You’ll feel a lot better after watching the antics of Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester & the gang! This one is for all the Gothic chic kids who were a little ‘off’ growing up; those of us who loved the macabre and the creepy, but also loved a good laugh.
Beyond being a top-notch ghoulish Gothic love fest, at its dead black heart, this movie is really about the importance of sticking by family…
No matter how weird they are.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
I always save Tim Burton’s stop motion masterpiece ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ for Halloween night.
I struggle with where to start with my love for this movie because there are so many levels of genius; from the pitch perfect world building, to the herculean feat of clay-mation that took years to capture, to the perfect musical score so brilliantly sung by Danny Elfman…
It’s the absolute perfect Halloween treat.
It’s also a great movie to seamlessly transition you to into the spirit of the Christmas season, even if you are sad Halloween is over.
5. Harry Potter (all of ‘em)
I challenge you to take one week in October and watch one Harry Potter film every night (2 on Sunday). Yup. All 8 of them. One week. Why do I recommend doing it this way? Because it’s the best way to get fully and completely immersed in the incredible Potter-verse for maximum magical mood boosting!
If you don’t have time to watch all eight (ugh, fine), then I recommend:
#1 Sorcerer’s Stone
#4 Goblet of Fire
#7 & 8 Deathly Hallows* Parts I & II
*(the 7th book is split into two movies. Part II is considerably better than Part I).
Bonus: go on Pottermore.com and find out which house you belong in! I’m a Ravenclaw, through and through.
6. Practical Magic
Something wicked awesome this way comes… I’m adding another 90’s gem about witches to the list, but this one’s a bit more grown up.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as two sisters who grow up in a house full of witches. But their family is haunted by a dark curse; every man they fall in love with ends up dead.
Even though there’s some pretty intense moments in this movie, on the whole it’s very feel-good and fun. It will definitely make you want to light a candle and rock out to your favorite Lilith Fair album.
7. Twilight (all of ‘em)
I’m a Twi-Hard and I don’t care who knows it! Are the books problematic? Yes. Is there a bit of an unhealthy gender role theme goin’ on? You betcha. Do I care? Not even a little bit.
The Twilight movies are pure, delicious guilty pleasures for me. I was in high school when I read the books and in college when the movies came out and as a starry-eyed teen completely obsessed with the idea of magic (and also boys), I was delighted to have a series I could sink my teeth into (OK, yeah that was too much, sorry).
The stunning backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, the moody indie music of the early aughts, and, let’s be honest, Robert Pattinson’s broody face make the Twilight movies a total Halloween no-brainer.
8. What We Do In The Shadows
Want more Vampires? Want to laugh your ass off this Halloween? Then RUN DON’T WALK to watch the mock-umentary masterpiece, “What We Do In The Shadows”.
If you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Vampire in today’s modern society, this is the movie for you! The documentary-style film follows a coven of Vampires through their daily trials and tribulations; from who does the dishes in their coven house, to the hardship of getting into a nightclub when you need to be invited in, to the mystery of checking email…
From the genius team that gave the world “Flight of the Conchords”, “What We Do in the Shadows” is sexy, campy fun! Fair warning: contains mature material not suited for kids.
9. Get Out
‘Get Out’ is my favorite Horror film of the past decade, hands down.
Yes, this one is gory-er than all the rest, but in my opinion it’s not only one of the most entertaining movies ever, it’s also one of the most important to watch. ‘Get Out’ expertly weaves in references to racism in America with a script so exciting (and often HILARIOUS) you’ll get a history lesson while you’re being scared out of your wits.
This one has a lot of blood & guts and is definitely the most traditionally “scary” movie on this list; fair warning for those with ‘young adults’.
After you watch, be sure to read this article on the 22 “Easter Eggs” (how Hollywood says ‘hidden messages’) that reference racism in the movie (contains spoilers!!).
You’ll never look at fruit loops the same way again.
10. Stardust
“Stardust” is by FAR one of the most underrated High Fantasy movies ever made.
Based on the book of the same name by Neil Gaiman, this fantastic magical tale has EVERYTHING; witches, romance, magic, royalty, spells, soothsayers, sword fights, far off kingdoms, Robert De Niro in drag…it’s truly one of my all-time favorites - I’m always surprised how many people have never heard of it.
Be prepared to say “OMG they’re in this too?!” about a million times because the cast is so star-studded you’ll think you were looking through the hubble telescope; Claire Danes, Michelle Phieffer, SIenna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Peter O’Toole, just to name a few. Also, Charlie Cox (of Marvel’s ‘Dare Devil’ fame) as the lead character ‘Tristan’ is so freaking handsome and dashing and a-dork-able in this I can’t stand it. My heart!
In the mood for more scares??
Check out my list of the Top 10 Terrifying TV Shows to binge this Halloween…
Or if books are more your thing, check out my Top 10 mysteries and thrillers to read under the covers!