As a kid, my favorite part of fall was picking out the perfect costume and trick-or-treating way past my bedtime. However, as I grew older, my friends ditched the candy bags and picked up a habit of all-night horror flick marathons. I tried my hardest to pretend to enjoy the blood and guts and monsters that mapped out the storylines of almost every Halloween movie, but I couldn’t help but to cover my eyes and ears with the closest pillow when the main character willingly walked into a haunted house or eerie graveyard. So, for all of you scaredy cat collegiettes like me, these treasured movies capture all the greatness of All Hallows’ Eve…without the horror!
1. Hocus Pocus
This Halloween film is a family favorite, combining the history of the Salem witch-hunts with 1990’s comedy. Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker dazzle as colonial age witches brought back to life by an old curse. Cute, sassy, and seasonal all in one; what more could you ask for?
2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
If you didn’t grow up watching this movie, you have been deprived! With all the fixings of a Charlie Brown classic, creator Charles M. Schulz brought the legend of the Great Pumpkin to life through adorable dialogue and family-friendly characters. If you want to smile and capture the Halloween spirit, this is your pick!
3. The Addams Family
This modern take on the classic television series reminds you to be thankful for your family and their normality! The film series that chronicles the ghoulish lifestyle of the infamous Addams Family draws you into a whirlwind of obscurity, darkness, and confusion all at once while making your cheeks sore from all of your laughter.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
It seems that Tim Burton can do no wrong, especially with this combination of a Christmas and Halloween film. Jack the Pumpkin King, while trying to find meaning in his life, stumbles upon Christmas Town and instantly falls in love with the jolly holiday. The songs are catchy, the characters are creative, and the storyline is perfect for a horror-hating girl like me. What’s not to love?
5. Halloweentown
Can you say childhood flashback? Disney’s film series about the happenings of a mythical place called Halloweentown made us all wish we could have witches for relatives. The quirky characters and fun, light plot made this an instant Halloween night staple, no matter your age.Â
These Halloween classics will make for a great movie night with friends without the unneccessary nightmares. Â You may be too old to go trick-or-treating but you can definitely indulge in candy while watching these fun films with your friends!