It’s the most wonderful time of the year! A cold breeze is blowing and the smell of pumpkin spice is circulating through the air. It’s spooky season, so it’s once again appropriate to cut on the heater, snuggle up with a blanket, and watch all your favorite horror movies and TV shows. Not a fan of gory, terrifying, horror movies or classics? That’s fine! I have a list of Halloween classics that’ll be sure to give you a little chill but won’t keep you up at night.
10. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
I’m starting this list off with an adaptation of one of my favorite books when I was younger! Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is about a group of friends who find a book while out on Halloween night. They start to read the stories, and things get crazy. This one will definitely give you a chill but won’t leave you quite as restless as Nightmare on Elm Street.
9. The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Who doesn’t love Eddie Murphy? Especially as he’s running for his life in a mansion haunted with ghosts and living furniture! This movie is a must when you’re binging during this upcoming Halloween season. The Haunted Mansion is considered a classic in many people’s books (including mine!). Eddie Murphy plays a real estate agent whose attachment to work leads his family to stay the weekend in a mansion filled with ghosts!
8. Dark Shadows (2012)
Johnny Depp as a vampire? COUNT ME IN! This movie is definitely for the older crowd, but still a tremendous spooky season movie. Johnny Depp plays a man named Barnabas Collins, who was cursed by a witch to be a Vampire. He gets locked in a box and finally gets freed 200 centuries later. This movie is a comedy, romance, and fantasy movie wrapped up in a nice little Halloween themed bow. Enjoy!
7. Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This movie… oh, this movie. Unlike the name, it is not a horror movie. This gender-fluid thrill ride is about a man and a woman who just got married, and their car gets a flat tire in the rain. They find a mansion and are greeted by Frank-N-Furter. A lot of antics ensue, and to top it all off… IT’S A MUSICAL! All of you theater kids are bound to love this fast paced movie.
6. Warms Bodies (2013)
This movie is fantastic! Has a tad bit of gore in it, but nothing like the film SAW. This zombie feature is a forbidden love story. A girl named Julie is separated from her group of friends and is rescued by R, a zombie. They embark on a journey together, and slowly R becomes more and more human through his love for Julie (so cute, I know!).
5. Practical Magic (1998)
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are playing witches? Sign me up! This fantasy love story is about two sister witches who end up in trouble because of a sticky situation caused by one of the sister’s abusive relationships. This is a story about a family and community coming together to protect one another. There aren’t any scenes that would chill your bones, so this is the perfect flick to add to your not-so-horror movie list this season.
4. Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Bettlejui…, no I’m just playing. Beetlejuice is a classic in the spooky movie community. This film perfectly fits in both the comedy and horror genres. There are no jump scares and no gore. Just pure comedy from Micheal Keaton as he terrorizes not only the residents of a home but the ghosts too!
3. ParaNorman (2012)
Tim Burton definitely put his foot in this movie! Do you like Coraline? If the answer is yes then you’ll definitely enjoy this stop motion masterpiece. This movie is about a boy who can see ghosts, but nobody in town believes him, except his best friend (typical). One day Norman’s uncle comes to him as a ghost and tells him only he can save the town from being destroyed. The plot of this movie is so well developed, and the characters are hilarious. A must watch!
2. Corpse Bride (2005)
Tim Burton never misses, especially with this 31 days of Halloween ABC classic. Corpse Bride is a story of a man who is in an arranged marriage. He sees his bride to be and becomes excited yet extremely anxious. In the midst of that anxiety, he decides to practice his vows in the woods one night. After finally reciting his vows perfectly, he places his ring on a piece of wood sticking out of the ground and I guess you could say everything goes straight to hell after.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is this a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie? Don’t know and don’t care, but what I do know is that this film is a definite classic. The animation and the storyline along with the bright depictions of characters creates the perfect Halloween film. Some of the scenes in this film can definitely give you a chill, but for the most part, the animation is beautiful to watch. You can’t end spooky season without watching this movie at least 2 times!