With the spooky season right around the corner, there’s no better way in the world to enjoy it than by watching a few Halloween movies. However, there are some cases where movies that are based on supernatural events cause us to have chills down our spine and make us want to sleep with the lights on.
But there’s no need to fear! There are some good Halloween movies that are nostalgic and enjoyable without being too scary, so here is my list of the top five Halloween movies to enjoy for a tamer experience.
- Casper (1995)
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Known as the friendliest ghost, Casper haunts an old mansion in Maine where he meets the new human residents and falls for a human girl named Kat. However, the blossoming relationship goes through a couple of bumps considering Casper’s apparition form as well as his uncles causing mischief. The movie itself shows some adorable as well as comedic parts that will keep you invested in the overall innocent love story as well as trying to get rid of evil spirits that dare to take over the mansion. Overall, if you are into some funny action and hijinks as well as some moments that will make you say “aw”, then this movie is a great recommendation.
- corpse Bride (2005)
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Let’s be clear: Tim Burton is a master at creating stories that seem scary from the outside but have an emotional and intriguing storyline. This story consists of a young man named Victor who is arranged to marry and falls for his betrothed, Victoria, but accidentally marries a corpse named Emily, who eloped with her previous love and is now wanting to marry Victor. Victor spends the movie trying to get back to Victoria before the evil Lord Barkis Bittern takes his place.
The story carries a haunting tale of the Corpse Bride and her tragic story as well as an ending that might make you bring out the tissues. A definite recommendation if you are into tragedy as well as bittersweet.
- Coraline (2009)
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This stop-motion feature is about a young girl exploring her new home, only to discover a door that takes her to an alternate world that just seems perfect for her. But the world is not what it seems to be as the evil Other Mother intends to trap her forever (with no good intentions), so Coraline must use her skills to return to her original world and family. The movie itself has some unsettling moments, but it is widely considered a popular dark film.
- The Addams Family (1991)
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A comedic supernatural film about a family who is not your average one. We go through it through a man pretending to be a lost family member, and the family is happy to welcome him with open arms, but there is foul play afoot with some crooks who are using the man to steal the family fortune. This movie has great comedic elements as well as great family dynamics and shenanigans.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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Another Tim Burton feature that is a revered classic is about the misadventures of the leader of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, as he grew bored with the Halloween traditions. He stumbles upon Christmastown, where he tries to kidnap Santa Claus and take his place, but learns about the purpose of his original role. This movie is beloved by many generations with musical numbers and loveable characters, and of course it might leave you wondering if it can be a Halloween or a Christmas movie (personally, I think it’s both).