It’s that time of year again: Spooky season! ‘Tis the time for hanging out at the pumpkin patch with friends, baking pumpkin breads and cookies, and of course, hosting Halloween movie marathons with the roomies. And while some may enjoy watching the scariest movies they can find with ghost and demon jump scares that’ll make their popcorn fly all over the room, I’m more keen on watching fun Halloween movies. Frankly, IMHO, a laugh is much better than a scare — and sitting at home watching a movie while dressed up as your favorite character is sometimes superior to attending a packed Halloween party. After all, you can make your lighting for Instagram pictures and videos absolutely perfect.
For those who are like me and have no appetite for jumpscares but want funny horror movies fit for adults, I’ve got you covered — here’s a selection of funny movies to watch during Halloween 2023. Most of these movie options can be found on streaming services such as Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+, depending on where you live. They can also be rented for a small price. Here are my top picks for funny and whimsical films that will not cause any stress-inducing Halloween frights.
- The Addams Family
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One of the most classic Halloween movies of all time is The Addams Family, a musical surrounding an eerie family. It’s also the basis for a lot of awesome Halloween costumes, from Wednesday’s iconic braids to Gomez and Morticia’s instantly recognizable couple look. The original came out in the 1960s, but there are a few more recent versions. This year is the perfect time to watch or rewatch this movie, given that the Netflix TV series Wednesday, starring Jenna Ortega, is super popular.
Where to watch it: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+
- Ghostbusters
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Another ultra-classic Halloween movie is, of course, Ghostbusters. It’s got a classic horror feeling, but with a dash of comedy to make it appealing to more than just thriller lovers — as I’m sure you already know, the story surrounds a group of scientists who decide to hunt for ghosts. If you’re up to it, make it a double- or triple-feature — there are enough Ghostbusters movies for a whole day.
Where to watch it: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
- Halloweentown
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If you’re looking for a fun, scare-free movie that also gives large doses of nostalgia, look to some older Disney movies. Halloweentown is one classic — it features everything a good Halloween movie needs, including lots of magic and witches. The story begins when a grandmother comes to visit her family, and they notice she exhibits some ~magical~ behavior — and the plot unravels from there. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the star of Halloweentown, Kimberly J. Brown, has made tons of TikToks about the movie.
Where to watch it: Disney+, Hulu
- Beetlejuice
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Directed by none other than Tim Burton, Beetlejuice is another classic Halloween comedy starring Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and more. Initially released in 1988, you’ve probably also heard of the Broadway adaptation, which won several Tonys in 2019. But if you haven’t heard of it or need a reminder, this movie is about a couple of ghosts who haunt their old house — and the story gets interesting when they stumble upon an eccentric ghost named (you guessed it) Beetlejuice.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
- Casper
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You’ve heard of Casper the Friendly Ghost — this movie gives you a closer look at his story. Another film from the ‘90s with lots of different versions and adaptations to choose from, this movie is for anyone looking for a cute story with an even cuter main character.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
- Hocus Pocus
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Now is definitely the time to rewatch Hocus Pocus, a movie that brings Halloween together with a bit of history. Events in this film are loosely based on the Salem Witch Trials, which makes it that much more interesting if you’re already absorbed in WitchTok. With the sequel coming out this year, it’s definitely time to refresh your memory on this movie — and if I haven’t convinced you yet, this movie stars none other than Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler.
Where to watch it: Disney+, Hulu
- Twitches
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One of my personal favorite DCOMs of all time, Twitches was the Halloween movie to watch as a kid in the 2000s. Perhaps the funniest part of this movie is just the nostalgia for me, but the plot is still intriguing — who wouldn’t love a story about magical twin sisters reuniting?
Where to watch it: Disney+, Hulu
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show
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This is a 10/10 movie with 10/10 music — it perfectly captures the fun side of Halloween, with lots of spooky moments and awesome songs. If you haven’t seen this movie and don’t know how to do the “Time Warp,” you don’t yet know what Halloween is all about. You can even make it an outing and go see it live at a theater near you — but either way, you can’t go wrong with this film.
Where to watch it: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
- Scary Movie
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If you’re looking to laugh at the ridiculousness of the popular Halloween thrillers, Scary Movie is for you — it’s a satire making fun of classic horror movies. It’s definitely the funniest on this list. But fair warning: It does have a couple of jump scares, if you can even call them that — they’re so obvious, you probably won’t be scared. And if you are, don’t @ me.
Where to watch it: Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
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I know this movie isn’t completely Halloween-themed, but it definitely gives off spooky season vibes — I mean, it is all about wizards and witches. And as for comedy, how can you not laugh at how cute young Harry, Ron, and Hermione are?
Where to watch it: Peacock, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
- Mean Girls
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This one is definitely a stretch — but come on, how can you not watch the movie that perfectly sums up what Halloween is like for women? Mean Girls guarantees lots of laughs, nostalgia, and relatable moments. If you must, just skip to the Halloween scene, but coming from someone who used to watch this movie almost every Halloween, I seriously recommend it.
Where to watch it: Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV