When You Want To Be Scared, But Not Really

Do you like scary movies?

Hellllll to the no!

Confession: I used to love horror movies! Well, maybe not love per say, but I could at least handle them. And okay yes I was under a blanket the whole time or hidden behind a giant throw pillow avoiding the…well, actually, nope. I have never been a fan of scary movies. TBH, they freak the beans out of me. Even now, I can’t watch horror movie trailers without getting the serious shivers up and down my spine. It’s bad, guys.

If this is you watching scary movies (It’s me. Oh it’s definitely me.)…

…but you still want to get a little bit scared and enjoy the Halloweeny season with some frightishly awesome films, I’ve got some suggestions that won’t keep you up at night. For too long. Don’t worry, ladies and gents. I got yo’ back!

Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus is most definitely a movie for kids, but the nostalgia factor for those who grew up watching it (me, me MEEE!!!) makes it a Halloween necessity. The Sanderson sisters are HIL-arious and kind of my spirit animals witches. There are rumors that a sequel is in the works, which I couldn’t be more excited about! As long as the cast remains the same. There’s nothing more terrifying than a bad remake or sequel of a movie.

The Addams Family

The perfectly cast movie adaptation of the classic TV show makes for some super dupes great family-friendly viewing around Halloween, especially since there are enough jokes in here to keep the grown-ups entertained. You could also watch Addams Family Values, too, but that’s best saved for Thanksgiving time.

Beetlejuice

Scary only in the most cartoonish, Tim Burton–ish sort of way, Beetlejuice sets the perfect tone for Halloween without specifically being a Halloween movie. Also, Michael Keaton is a national treasure.

Casper

Is it weird to have a forever and always hardcore crush on a ghost? It’s kind of weird, right? I still remember when Casper first came out. My ten-year old self (and every girl on the planet with a pulse) was in love with Casper, real boy version. That scene where he’s dancing with Kat and kisses her?!?! Oofta. Talk about a panty dropper!

Coraline

Based on the book by Neil Gaiman (one of my favorite books by Gaiman is American Gods–if you haven’t read it, check it out!! Pun intended), Coraline is a beautifully animated stop-motion movie about a girl who finds an enticing but dangerous parallel world in the house her family just moved into. Don’t let the whimsy fool you, though: This one gets a little spooky at points.

ParaNorman

ParaNorman comes from the same studio that made Coraline, and the animation is just as gorgeous this time around. There are tense moments in ParaNorman, but ultimately the monsters are less scary and more sympathetic.

Ghostbusters

When there’s something strange in the neighborhood, who ya gonna call? Two words: Bill Murray.

It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

I have a soft spot for anything and everything Charlie Brown. I’m pretty sure there’s a Charlie Brown special for almost every holiday, and Halloween is no exception. If you want something with absolutely zero scares, you won’t be disappointed with It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Or, at least you’ll be less disappointed than Linus is every year.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The greatest quandary in life is this: Do I watch The Nightmare Before Christmas at Halloween or at Christmas? The easy answer is to just do both.

The Witches

I’m getting really real with you guys here: This movie terrified me as a kid! TERR.I.FIED! I love me some Roald Dahl, don’t get me wrong, but he could get scary and grotesque y’all!! And also a little intense at times. Still, the movie is kid-friendly enough to work for families or those who would prefer to not have nightmares (me, me, MEEE!!! thank you very much.).

Young Frankenstein

One of Mel Brooks’s greatest comedies is also a great Halloween movie for the horror-averse. Is there anything scary about Frankenstein’s monster singing “Puttin’ On the Ritz”? Yeah, not so much.

Now go forth my dear friends, and get scared this Halloween! But not really.