If you’re like me then when it comes to anything even remotely scary, you’re a total wimp. Jump scares have you freaked for the rest of the movie and music that is even slightly creepy has you muting the TV. For those of you, like myself, who love Halloween but can’t even stomach the concept of clowns hiding in the sewers, then here are my recommendations for some spooky shows and movies that will get you in the Halloween mood, without irrationally believing there is something in your wardrobe. I’ve ranked each movie/tv shows out of 10 scares, with 10 being the scariest horror film you can think of.
Cult Classics
Buffy the Vampire slayer
3/10 scares: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a teenage girl who is a ‘chosen one,’ selected by fate to battle against vampires, demons and other forces of darkness. This show has frequently been listed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Being from the 90’s, the vampires and demons aren’t all that convincing, so the scare rating is reasonably low!
Ghostbusters
1/10 scares: This classic has some pretty 80’s state of the art graphics, which make it hard to be scared. Ghostbusters follows an eccentric trio of parapsychologists as they start up a ghost-catching business in New York City. It is one of the ultimate not-scary, scary movies for Halloween.
Charmed
0/10 scares: A TV show that follows three sisters who possess different magical powers to fight evil (specifically demons, as you should expect.) It is unbelievably 90’s, and doesn’t even touch the realm of scary, whilst still keeping the supernatural Halloween vibes.
Hocus Pocus
1/10 scares: A Halloween favourite amongst many, this 90’s Disney movie flopped in the box office when it was released, yet it is the perfect mix of witches and magic that can bring back lots of nostalgia for so many.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
1/10 scares: This movie is the definition of cult classic and it’s as weird as anything. Showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (one of which I have been to!) tend to be interactive, throwing playing cards at the screen and singing along.
Childhood and Teen Throwbacks
Twilight
0/10 scares: When thinking back to Twilight, the Team Edward, Team Jacob fans screaming at movie premieres tends to be what springs to mind. But as far as non-scary vampire movies go, I’m pretty sure anything in the Twilight series fits the bill.
Harry Potter
Averaged 3/10 scares: I’m not sure I need to explain this one, but Harry Potter encapsulates the autumnal feeling, and particularly that unique Halloween feeling. Be warned some of the movies do feature spiders (sometimes a lot of them) and snakes, which are not everyone’s favourite animals.
The Corpse Bride
2/10 scares: I could’ve picked anything by Tim Burton here, but some of them (all fingers pointed at Coraline) push it a bit far. The Corpse Bride is spooky enough that it’s a natural Halloween choice, but not too scary that you wont sleep.
Casper the Friendly Ghost
0/10 scares: Both an original cartoon and a 1995 movie, Casper is a children’s movie about a ghost who is doesn’t want to scare the living, but instead befriend them. A classic childhood throwback that is, in all honesty, quite wholesome.
Recent Releases
American Gods
4.5/10 scares: To be honest this one is just bizarre, and I loved it. There are people who come back from the dead, weird trees of life and all the Gods you could possibly think of. Would definitely recommend it if you want to try something a bit different this Halloween! Be warned though, there are some graphic violent scenes thrown in the mix.
Good Omens
3/10 scares: With the original novel being co-written by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett we were destined for something both supernatural and hilarious to be born. Good Omens is about a devil and angel working together to stop Armageddon because they want to stay on Earth. It is the perfect blend of supernatural and nonsensical to make a great Halloween viewing, without being terrified.
Happy Halloween!
Loads of HCX Love xoxo