There’s nothing that gets us more into the spooky season spirit than a good Halloween-themed movie night. But for those of us who end up missing half of a horror flick because we’re too busy hiding behind our hands, setting the right mood for the end of October might be a bit harder than usual. So for the faint of heart, here are eight films that have the perfect Halloween vibes for your next movie marathon, while keeping you nightmare-free at night.
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
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This lighthearted Halloween classic stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimi, and Sarah Jessica Parker as the ~iconic~ witches who are resurrected on Halloween night and go off on the search for immortality. Oh, and there’s also the teenage boy who tries to stop them – because they’re technically evil – but, really, who isn’t going to root for this legendary trio? They can put a spell on me any day of the week!
- The Craft (1996)
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Four outcast high school girls band together and form a coven of witches, but as their powers grow stronger, so does their struggle to control them. This teen movie with a twist, while not scary in the traditional sense, deals with many serious topics like racism, sexual assault and suicide. It’s a standout female-centric Halloween flick, especially for the late 90’s, and it’s definitely worth a watch!
- Monster House (2006)
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A group of kids begin to feel like one of the houses in their neighborhood is haunted – maybe even alive – and they take it upon themselves to destroy whatever is haunting the house before Halloween. If you’re like me, you remember being scared half to death watching this movie as a kid. Now that I’m older, though, watching this underrated animated film is both entertaining and nostalgic.
- Jennifer’s Body (2009)
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I’m still convinced this movie was way ahead of its time. This cult classic stars Megan Fox as Jennifer, a high school possessed by a demon who eats boys. Need I say more? Although a bit bloody, it’s a funny and campy flick that never takes itself too seriously. Plus, it has a killer soundtrack that sounds like every early 2000’s emo kid’s iPod. What more could you ask for?
- Warm Bodies (2013)
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If you love rom-coms but still want to get into the Halloween spirit, I got you. Taking place a few years after a zombie apocalypse, R is a zombie that just wants to feel alive. When he runs into human Julie Grigio, he starts to feel just that. Who knew a blossoming relationship between the living and the undead could be so heartwarming?
- What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
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Take the awkward comedy from shows like The Office and put vampires in it, and you get What We Do In The Shadows. This hilarious mockumentary follows three vampire flatmates as they go about their lives in New Zealand. It’s laugh-out-loud funny and clever, and it will give you a whole new glimpse into the lives of vampires that the Twilight glittery vampires just don’t give you.
- Happy Death Day (2017)
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Take Groundhog Day, but make it a slasher flick. When college student Theresa gets murdered by a masked killer, she wakes up the next day to see she’s being forced to relive the same day again… and again… and again. It’s up to her to stop the killer and break out of the loop. It’s fun and scary enough to give it Halloween vibes, but you’ll be too focused on trying to figure out who the mysterious killer is to be too frightened.
- Vampires vs. The Bronx (2020)
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This new horror-comedy follows a group of teenagers living in the Bronx who decide to take action when their neighborhood is threatened by possibly two of the greatest evils: gentrification and vampires. This charming movie feels nostalgic, with that lovable Halloween cheesiness from the 90’s, with a modern touch, plus a grateful nod to all of the various cultures that make up the Bronx landscape, making the experience that much richer.
Now settle in, make sure your Halloween decorations are in place, and don’t worry — you can keep the lights off for this movie night.