Need some not-so-scary Halloween Movies…. you are not alone!
I am a self-proclaimed chicken; I admit it; I own it!! I love Halloween movies but hate to be scared. This seems weird to many people but Halloween does not always need to be scary.
The hard part about all of this is the definition of “scary” is relative. What one person thinks is a semi-humorous Halloween movie will give another person nightmares for months. An excellent example for me is the movie Scream. For some reason, I can’t explain, I have seen the Halloween movie Scream 3 times, and I have had horrible nightmares all three times for at least a month. I have friends who would tell you Scream is not scary at all and think it’s cheesy and almost comical.
The criteria for this list are simple if the movie theme is related to Halloween and I can watch it WITHOUT getting nightmares, it’s in the running. The list below is the movies I choose to watch over and over.
This article may contain affiliate links. When you click these links, I may get a small commission. This does not cost you anything but helps me run this site. I only promote products I have used and enjoy.
Not So Scary Animated Halloween Movies
Hotel Transylvania 1, 2 and 3
I LOVE this Halloween movie franchise!! It was only recently I watched these. I realized what I had been missing all of these years. These movies have an outstanding balance of humor, and a heartwarming storyline and of course fit the Halloween movie genre.
Synopsys:
The story is about a human who finds a hotel deep in the woods of Transylvania that caters to monsters, ghosts, and vampires. Dracula, who is a single dad, spends his time making sure his only daughter avoids the horror and pain he believes to be caused by humans. To not cause panic, the hotel owner (Dracula) pretends the human is also a monster until he realizes his daughter may be falling in love.
The second and third movies carry on the storyline when the monsters realize humans don’t really hate or fear them but actually celebrate their existence. AKA Halloween. The three Halloween movies are a must-see for anyone looking for some not-so-scary Halloween fun!
Frankenweenie
Another new not-so-scary Halloween Movie I added to my must-watch list this year is Frankenweenie. I have to admit when I first started watching it seemed so weird I almost turned it off. I’m very glad I finished watching it. It actually has a cryable ending. Yes, a Halloween Movie with a cryable ending!!
Tim Burton remade this Halloween movie in 2012. (I have not seen the original) If you have seen any other Tim Burton movies you know they can be a little on the weird side but so far I have not found one that I didn’t end up loving by the end. (Hello… Edward Scissor Hands!!)
Synopsys:
Frankenweenie is a twist on the classic Halloween movie, Frankenstein. The main character Victor’s beloved dog Sparky dies while chasing a ball across the road. Victor gets an idea from his Science class to bring Sparky back to life. Once his classmates find out they all want to do the same but soon find out that science experiments can have different outcomes when the variables change.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
I’m not here to debate if this is a Halloween Movie or a Christmas Movie. The reality is, it fits both categories but since my family and friends are all in the “nothing Christmasy before thanksgiving” camp, I consider this a Halloween movie so I can legit watch in October!
Like all Tim Burton movies, this too is a little odd but in the end, it’s a great movie and a little cryable in the end. This is another Halloween movie that was released a long time ago but I only recently watched it.
Synopsys:
The story is about Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, who finds out about Santa and Christmas. In hopes of finding his new calling, he makes a plan to kidnap Santa. Jack’s plan is to give Santa a break but finds out that we all have our own special talents for a reason.
The Book of Life
I first watched The Book of Life on a flight to Florida but we landed earlier than scheduled and the movie cut off with about 10 min left. I was so desperate to know how it ended I bought the BlueRay when I got home just so I could see the end. I’ve watched is numerous times since.
I’m including it in this list of Halloween movies because it fits with the theme but the truth is, I’m so drawn to the Dia De Los Muertos history, culture, and meaning I watch this movie year round. Other movies on this post I will watch around Halloween but, The Book of Life, I’ll watch any time of the year. Coco seems to get all of the attention, probably because it’s Disney but this is a must-watch movie.
If you like Coco, you need to watch The Book of Life
Synopsys:
The story starts with a museum tour guide taking a class of students on a secret tour and sharing the story of how our lives are all documented in the Book of Life. She shares a story about two young men vying for the attention of the same girl. The two boys grow into men whose family wants them to be bullfighters. When Manolo decides not to kill the bull he is shamed by his village and family. The story turns when he believes his love has died he too wants to cross over to be reunited.
When the ruler of the land of the remembered and the ruler of the land of the forgotten try to meddle in the story, things really take a turn but you see that true love will find a way.
Not So Scary Classic Halloween Movies
While the majority of my favorite not-so-scary Halloween movies are animated, I do love a few others that have real people. Current horror movies are NOT something I enjoy, some older classics, movies are quite enjoyable. These may not be movies kids will like, but adults who may want to watch a non-animated Halloween Movie should check these out.
The Birds
When I first saw the Halloween Movie The Birds, I didn’t even realize it was classified as a horror movie. My parents love the movie and one day I sat down and watched it with them. I was hooked. The Birds was released in 1963. The camera work, special effects, and animations may have been considered high-tech at the time, but it’s nowhere near the standards of today. This is why I consider this a not-so-scary movie.
Synopsys:
The Birds is an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The story is about a wealthy woman trying to make amends with a lawyer in a small town. She drives to his home town but when he is not home, she finds herself stuck in this town when the birds suddenly start to attack people. While the storyline itself seems bizarre, it is inspired by true events…
Carrie
By all definitions, this movie should have scared but for some reason, it didn’t and I actually really enjoy watching this Halloween movie. Maybe it’s because it’s relatable to a young woman and the awkwardness of puberty. I don’t know and I really can’t explain, but this movie works for me.
Synopsys:
Carrie is based on a Stephen King novel. Since it was his first, it’s not as scary as some of his newer books. Carrie is about a young woman, raised by a controlling, uber-religious mother, who is bullied by her classmates. When she gets voted prom queen as a joke, she unleashes her telekinetic powers to seek revenge.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
I know this is animated, but I put it in the classic Halloween Movie category because let’s face it….this is a classic!! The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has real staying power for all ages. I mean, who doesn’t love Snoopy and who can’t relate, even a little, to Charlie Brown and his endless quest for acceptance?
You probably already know what It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Halloween movie is about but just in case…
Synopsys:
This Halloween movie is about Linus who believes the Great Pumpkin will appear in pumpkin patches for one night a year, Halloween. Unlike Santa, who is at the mall every year, the Great Pumpkin has never been seen. Linus sets out to see the Great Pumpkin even though his friends and family make fun of him.
The story is an excellent reminder that we don’t all need to believe the same things to support others in their beliefs.
Unfortunately, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Halloween movie is easily streamed by most people. Currently, it’s only available on Apple+ TV but Apple has partnered with PBS to air the movie for one night for everyone to see. Check out your local PBS station website for nights and times. OR do what I did and just buy it on DVD.
Garfield’s Halloween Adventure
This movie is a much lesser know Halloween movie but still worth a mention. It originally aired on network TV every year starting in 1985 but they stopped and I have not seen it aired in many years. I’m not aware of it being streamed anywhere but you can still buy the DVD or rent it on Amazon Prime. I wish this was still aired on TV, too many people will never experience seeing this wonderful Halloween movie. I bought the DVD many years ago so I can still watch it!
Synopsys:
Garfield finds out Halloween is a holiday where he can go door to door and get candy without much effort he takes Odie with him to get as much candy as possible. Not wanting to leave any candy behind, they see a house across the river and decide to make one more stop. The house turns out to be haunted and panic ensues.
Not So Scary Almost Funny Halloween Movies
While thinking about this post, I tried to come up with categories but struggled with how to bucket the below Halloween movies. Then I realized, the reason these movies don’t cause me nightmares is because they all have bits of humor built in. They actually make me laugh.
The Addams Family
I have loved this Halloween movie from day 1!! There is something about the dark humor, subtle sexual innuendos, and the way the Addams family seems so normal yet opposite of what we all think is normal. Some day I will buy roses, cut the heads off and keep the stems. I think of that scene every time I have fresh flowers.
Synopsys:
Gomez and Morticia Addams welcome their long-lost relative, Uncle Fester, into their home after he was found in the Bermuda triangle. He turns out to be a con artist, along with his mother, trying to steal the Addams family’s gold and riches. Things turn when Uncle Fester starts to connect with the other members of the Addams family.
Ghostbusters
To be clear, this Halloween movie post is referencing the ORIGINAL 1980s Ghostbusters. I have not seen the more recent ones. I know this will be controversial for many die-hard Ghostbuster fans but I actually like Ghostbusters II over Ghostbusters. Both are full of bad jokes, cheesy graphics, and dumb oneliners but I find them both hilarious Halloween movies.
Synopsys:
Both movies are around a group of four former college professors who start a business “Ghostbusters” to rid New York City of paranormal activity. Since many ghosts only reveal themselves to people who want to see them most of the city believes it’s made up until they start to see the creepy, unexplainable things going on around them. The Ghostbusters team is called in to eliminate the ghosts.
Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice….Beetlejuice…..Beet….I won’t say it a third time just to be safe. This movie used to give me nightmares but as I got older I fell in love. Who knew a movie about ghosts and hauntings could be classified as a comedy? Micahel Keaton is hilarious as Beetlejuice and I find myself laughing before he even opens his mouth. Watch his body language and facial expressions too!!
Synopsys:
After Adam and Barbara died in a car accident their home is sold to a family trying to find some solitude in the country. Adam and Barbara are too nice to effectively scare the family away. in fact the family enjoyed the fact the house is haunted and invites their friends for dinner to experience it for themselves. The charming and persuasive Beetlejuice tries to convince Adam and Barbara to use his help in scaring the family away.
Hocus Pocus
I have so many memories of the Halloween movie Hocus Pocus! My friends and I would watch it every Halloween as I got older I would watch it with my family too. A lot of people watch this movie but miss the message about family, specifically siblings.
This story is not only about the love of two sets of brothers and sisters but also the love the Sanderson sisters have for each other. The love between the Sanderson sisters is not as apparent, they are still very dedicated to each other. This is hands down my favorite Halloween movie.
Synopsys:
Hocus Pocus is about three witches (the Sanderson Sisters) who were awakened after 100’s of years when Max lights the black flame candle on All Hallows Eve. The sisters are trying to capture the youth of Salem’s children so they can live forever. Max, Binx, Allison, and Dani need to stop the sister’s plan.
There are so many more not-so-scary Halloween movies I could go on for hours. This list will get you started building your plans for your Halloween moving-watching season.
What are your favorite not-so-scary Halloween movies?
Looking for more Halloween fun? Check out my post on the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at the MN Zoo!!
I am not a professional in any of the topics discussed on Adventures at Home and Away. All content on Adventures at Home and Away is for informational and educational purposes only. All comments made are my personal opinion and should not be used as professional advice.
Photography on Adventures at Home and Away is protected by copyright and licensing agreements. No photographs may be copied or reused unless a proper license agreement has been obtained.
