October is here, which means Halloween: a time for candy, costumes, parties, and typically horror movies. Not a fan of horror and gore? Don’t worry, slasher and edge-of-your-seat scary movies aren’t the only films out there that will get you in the Halloween spirit. Here’s your scare-free Halloween movie must watch list.
Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween classic, still giving you the witchy Halloween vibe with comedy mixed in. Set in haunted Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night, the movie follows teenager Max as he tries to save his younger sister from the resurrected Sanderson sisters: witches brought back from the grave, that regain their youth from taking the life of children. Don’t worry though, these witches are the complete opposite of terrifying; they’re hilarious.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Do the time warp all the way back to The Rocky Horror Picture Show: a cult classic. This musical comedy horror film follows young couple Brad and Janet as they find themselves trapped in this castle full of experiments and an odd cast of characters: Rocky, Riff Raff, Magenta, and Dr. Frank N. Furter, a self-proclaimed transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania. Not only can you watch this Halloween favorite at home, but there are always local theaters showing the movie late at night, along with special live performances done in tandem with the screening.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Like most Tim Burton films, a creepy and haunted feeling is expected. The movie follows Jack Skellington, The Pumpkin King, as he and the rest of Halloween Town prepare for Halloween. Jack seems to lack the spirit of the holiday though, and somehow finds himself transported through a portal to Christmas Town. While possessing the twisted creepy nature of a Tim Burton masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas also has a whole lot of heart, along with great visuals, romance, and catchy songs.
Harry Potter Series
While technically not Halloween themed, why not watch your favorite witches and wizards battle trolls, giant spiders, and He Who Must Not Be Named? Halloween isn’t just about scare factor, it’s also about fantasy.
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
The Peanuts gang holiday movies are classic, and It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is no exception. Go trick or treating with Charlie Brown and wait with Linus for the mysterious Great Pumpkin in this animated treat.
Edward Scissorhands
It’s Edward himself that makes this movie a Halloween must: a man-made man with scissor hands. Don’t worry though, he doesn’t go slashing through town after town. Instead, Edward struggles to find acceptance as he tries to use his scissor hands for good. This movie may provoke a tear drop or two instead of a scream of horror.
Halloweentown Series
While this might be a made for television Disney Channel series, one can’t help but feel nostalgic when watching. Be transported to Halloweentown with Marnie and her siblings as they experience great power and meet vampires, werwolves, skeletons, trolls and many more fantasy creatures. Not only do you get to watch the characters experience growing up and everything that goes with it, but you get to watch them constantly defeat evil in the process.
Ghostbusters Series
This series is a classic in its own right, yet it is also the perfect series to watch around Halloween time. What is more classic Halloween then ghosts? Nothing. So, get ready to watch the Ghostbusters take on Zuul and the giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.
Even though Halloween is known for the scare factor, these festive flicks show it is possible to enjoy the haunted holiday without the horror and gore. So, grab some candy corn and start watching because Halloween will be here before you know it.