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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at RW chapter.

I love horror movies, but not everyone is a fan of the genre because of gore and jumpscares. Personally, I think mostly anything from the 80s is a great place to start if you want to enjoy the horror genre without jumping out of your seat. Here are some of my favorites to watch with almost anyone. They give the perfect Halloween vibe throughout the month of October.

  1. The Lost Boys,1987

The Lost Boys is my favorite, nostalgic horror film. It’s got it all from great music to scenic shots of California beaches and even a cheesy vampire plotline. The story takes you through Santa Cruz, California, known as the murder capital of the world which is attributed to an infestation of vampires. However, this film feels like childhood and good times. It’s just fun and entertaining even while sitting very much within the horror genre. There’s still the mild blood and gore of a vampire film, but not anything too extreme that you can’t enjoy this with squeamish friends. 

  1. Corpse Bride, 2005

Even if you’re not big into Tim Burton, how can you not love Corpse Bride? It is a spectacular love story mixed with some grisly horror elements. The plot follows Victor as he accidentally proposes to Emily, a dead bride, who then takes him to the land of the dead. It’s loosely based on Russian folktales and is beautifully depicted through Burton’s signature style that’s practically synonymous with Halloween. This story is full of wraith, rivalry, and wicked take on love. 

  1. Addams Family Values, 1993

Just because I refuse to put Hocus Pocus on this list does not mean that I’m above including the Addams Family. This movie is just cute, fun, and spooky. There are dark themes and general spookiness of the family that justify it maybe going in the horror category but there’s nothing scary about this film. Everything dark about it is disguised heavily through humor. It’s the perfect one to throw on, light candles, and do some face masks. Maybe even put this one on during pumpkin carving. It’s got the right vibes for October and absolutely none of the scares.

  1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975

It’s incredibly misleading that Rocky Horror is on a list titled “wholesome” but it does fit perfectly into the category of not scary whatsoever, but still strongly seated within the horror genre. It’s campy, musical, funny, and just so great to watch with friends. If you haven’t seen it, you have to. It’s a must-watch every October. 

These picks are certainly very different from each other but are still sure to give you the perfect October viewing experience. The horror genre isn’t for everyone but Halloween is. Give these a try to get in the spirit for spooky season. 

My name is Sophia Hess and I'm a junior from Leominster, MA. With a major in design and minors in marketing and visual arts, I'm passionate about art and aesthetics. In my free time I love being with friends, listening to music, and finding new places to work on photography.