Welcome, my fellow movie friends!
If you’d prefer to listen to this discussion, you can check out the full episode on The Bookmarks ‘n Blankets Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or listen below.
Well, Halloween is right around the corner, and what better way to get in the spooky spirit than by watching some older classic non-scary movies?
Not every cinematic experience needs to send shivers down your spine or have you hiding under the covers. That’s why I love to mix in non-scary Halloween movies, where the eerie atmosphere of the season meets heartwarming tales, whimsical adventures, and loads of laughter. These films are perfect for those who prefer their Halloween with a side of warmth and charm rather than spine-chilling scares.
From magical animated adventures to family-friendly comedies, these movies capture the spirit of Halloween in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable for audiences of all ages. For some of these films, you can watch them with your kids or grandkids. While others are rated R, they aren’t super scary and won’t give you nightmares. These movies will make you laugh, and maybe give you a few jump scares, but most importantly, you’ll have a ball watching them.
So, dim the lights, grab your favorite treats, and prepare to be enchanted by the magic of Halloween without the need to cover your eyes in fear.
My Favorite 25 Non-Scary Halloween Movies
25. Shaun of the Dead – 2004
The mundane lives of a London electronics salesman and his lazy roommate are thrown into chaos when a zombie apocalypse sweeps through the city, forcing them to confront the undead horrors and fight for their survival.
Buy on Amazon here.
24. Scary Movie – 2000
Twelve months after inadvertently getting rid of a man’s body whom they had unintentionally killed, a group of naive teenagers find themselves pursued by a clumsy serial killer.
Buy on Amazon here.
23. Warm Bodies – 2013
When an exceptionally unique zombie rescues a living girl from an attack, their bond triggers a series of events that could potentially breathe life back into the entire world of the undead.
Buy on Amazon here.
22. Young Frankenstein – 1974
The American grandson of the notorious scientist, striving to vindicate his grandfather’s sanity, is invited to Transylvania. There, he unravels the mysterious procedure behind reanimating deceased bodies, challenging common beliefs about his grandfather’s sanity.
Buy on Amazon here.
21. Practical Magic – 1998
Raised by their peculiar aunts in a small town, two witch sisters confront prejudice from closed-minded locals and grapple with a curse that jeopardizes their chances of finding true and lasting love.
Buy on Amazon here.
20. Hotel Transylvania – 2012
Dracula, who runs an exclusive resort hidden from the human world, becomes overly protective when a boy stumbles upon the resort and develops feelings for the count’s teenage daughter.
Buy on Amazon here.
19. Casper – 1995
A therapist for the afterlife and his daughter encounter a friendly young ghost after moving into a decaying mansion with the mission to rid it of malevolent spirits.
Buy on Amazon here.
18. My Best Friend is a Vampire – 1987
Following a sexual encounter with a captivating client, a teenage delivery boy discovers himself undergoing a transformation into a vampire.
Buy on Amazon here.
17. The Lost Boys – 1987
Upon relocating to a new town, two brothers uncover that the area serves as a sanctuary for vampires.
Buy on Amazon here.
16. Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin – 1966
The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.
Buy on Amazon here.
15. Return to Oz – 1985
Rescued from a psychiatric experiment by a mysterious girl, Dorothy finds herself summoned back to Oz when a vain witch and the Nome King obliterate everything that makes the magical land beautiful.
Buy on Amazon here.
14. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – 1992
Buffy Summers, a flighty teenage girl, discovers that she is the chosen warrior destined to fight against vampires in her generation.
Buy on Amazon here.
13. The Witches – 1990
A young boy accidentally stumbles upon a convention of witches and, despite being transformed into a mouse, must find a way to stop them.
Buy on Amazon here.
12. Hocus Pocus – 1993
Upon moving to Salem with his younger sister, a teenage boy named Max grapples with fitting in, only to unwittingly awaken a trio of sinister witches executed in the 17th century.
Buy on Amazon here.
11. Harry Potter – 2001
A young orphaned boy joins a wizardry school, unraveling the secrets about his identity, his family, and the malevolent evil that plagues the magical realm.
Buy on Amazon here.
10. The Frighteners – 1996
Following a devastating car accident that claims his wife’s life, a man realizes he possesses the ability to communicate with the deceased. Exploiting this gift, he engages in cons involving the supernatural. However, when a malevolent spirit emerges, he finds himself in a position where he might be the sole hope to prevent it from harming both the living and the departed.
Buy on Amazon here.
9. The Craft – 1996
A new student at a Catholic preparatory high school befriends a group of teenage girls who are outsiders and practice witchcraft. Together, they delve into the world of spells and curses, using their newfound powers against those who provoke their anger.
Buy on Amazon here.
8. The Worst Witch – 1986
Mildred Hubble, a young student at a renowned witch academy, struggles with her magical abilities and faces constant ridicule from both peers and teachers. The headmistress, Miss Cackle, has a malevolent twin sister, Agatha, who plots to annihilate the school. Will Mildred manage to thwart the scheme before the Grand Wizard arrives for a Halloween celebration that will leave a lasting impression?
Watch on YouTube here. (It’s not the best quality, but it’s watchable.)
Buy on Amazon here.
7. Teen Wolf – 1985
A typical high school student uncovers his family’s extraordinary lineage.
Buy on Amazon here.
6. Teen Witch – 1989
Louise, a high school outcast yearning for romance, unexpectedly discovers her magical powers. However, she learns that even with her newfound abilities as a teenage witch, she cannot conjure true love for herself. So, what’s next for her?
Buy on Amazon here.
5. The Monster Squad – 1987
A group of young monster enthusiasts embarks on a mission to rescue their hometown from the clutches of Count Dracula and his menacing creatures.
Buy on Amazon here.
4. The Addams Family – 1991
Swindlers devise a scheme to exploit an eccentric family, enlisting an accomplice who pretends to be their estranged uncle, in order to deceive them for financial gain.
Buy on Amazon here.
3. Ghostbusters – 1984
Three experts in parapsychology, left without university funding, establish an unconventional ghost removal service in New York City. Their services draw in customers who are both terrified and doubtful about the supernatural.
Buy on Amazon here.
2. Beetlejuice – 1988
The restless souls of a departed couple endure torment from an insufferable family that has taken residence in their home. To force the family out, the couple employs a malevolent spirit for their own purposes.
Buy on Amazon here.
1. High Spirits – 1988
In an attempt to fill the persistent vacancies at his castle, a hotelier launches a deceptive advertising campaign portraying the property as haunted. However, his plan backfires when two real ghosts appear and find themselves romantically entangled with two guests.
Buy on Amazon here.
Bonus: Trick or Treat with Donald Duck
There you have it, my spooky movie friends – my favorite 25 non-scary Halloween movies. There are many, many more, and maybe next year, I’ll do another episode, but these are my top favorites.
Until next time, happy watching and stay spooky!
*Please note that I am a participant in the Amazon Associates Program and a member of other affiliate programs. I may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made through links in this article.
