Halloween is just around the corner and while many get into the spooky season spirit with a scary flick, some of us prefer to capture the vibes and still be able to have a good night’s sleep. Here are 7 not-so-spooky fall favorites to get you ready for this Halloween season!
- Practical Magic (1998)
Starting the list off strong with one of the best Halloween movies of all time. This late-90’s classic starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman is set in a quaint waterfront village and includes themes of witchcraft and sisterhood. The overall heartwarming story includes romance and strong females joining forces to take down a sinister man. Practical Magic is available to stream on HBO Max.
- The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Yet another older classic with a star-studded cast, The Witches of Eastwick features Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfieffer as three women who unknowingly form a coven and speak their romantic desires into existence. With their words more powerful than they could ever imagine, the women summon a mysterious man (Jack Nicholson) with obscure intentions. Though mainly benign, this film contains slightly more horror elements, but is filled with comedic relief to ease you into the Halloween spirit! The Witches of Eastwick is free to stream on Tubi.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Before The Witches of Eastwick, Susan Sarandon made her mark in the world of campy horror with the quintessential Halloween musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This cult classic is truly in a league of its own, as it combines comedy, music, horror, and sci-fi. If you can, definitely try to catch this flick in a theater to play a role in bringing the film to life through audience participation! The Rocky Horror Picture Show is available on Amazon Prime Video
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
Sistaaas! This nostalgic Disney favorite stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker as the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches from the late sixteen hundreds brought back to life by a teenage boy to wreak havoc in Salem in 1993. Though truly evil, the sisters put on quite a show through their hilarious discoveries of modern life and their entertaining musical numbers. To top it all off, the long-awaited sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, recently premiered on Disney+, so if you enjoyed watching the Sanderson Sisters acclimate to life in the early nineties, you are sure to love their epic return in 2022!
- Halloweentown (1998)
The Halloweentown series is a classic for all of us 90’s-2000’s babies. The late and beloved Debbie Reynolds stars as Grandma Aggie Cromwell, the matriarch of a powerful line of witches in a separate world known as Halloweentown. Together with her grandchildren, Marnie, Dylan, and Sophie, as well as her daughter Gwen, Aggie travels between the mortal world and Halloweentown fighting evil, restoring order, and demonstrating the power of working together. These four films are available on Disney+ and are perfect for a marathon, so gather your favorite fall snacks and your friends for a less than frightful night in to enjoy the fantastic creatures of Halloweentown!
- Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Although the most graphic on our list, Jennifer’s Body is far from your typical horror movie. Another cult classic, this film stars Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox as star-crossed friends-to-lovers with a hint of obsession. Jennifer Check (Fox) is the most sought-after high school cheerleader who gets possessed by a demon that feeds off the guys who are desperate for her attention. Jennifer’s nerdy and unassuming best friend, Needy (Seyfried), steps in to put an end to the carnage. Jennifer’s Body is available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, or on Paramount+.
- Twitches (2005)
Finishing off the list with another early 2000’s DCOM favorite! Tia and Tamera Mowry take on the roles of twin witches separated at birth who reconnect on their 21st birthday. The sisters discover their magical powers and rely on each other to fight against the wicked force taking over their motherland and stop it from creeping into the human realm. Both Twitches, and its sequel, Twitches Too, are available on Disney+ and are overall lighthearted films that get you in the Halloween spirit without any gore or extreme frights!
