There are plenty of scary movies out there for people who like raising the little hairs on their neck and their heart rate at the same time. But if you’re not into nightmare-inducing films during spooky season, there are a slew of Halloween movies that have more of a feel-good vibe. Some are for more adult viewers, but most are family friendly and a few are especially good for kids. We’ve shared our favorites below — let us know yours in the comments.
This is a recommendation that probably goes without saying by now. Somehow “Hocus Pocus” just keeps growing in popularity — so much that a sequel was just released on Disney+, although it didn’t quite land as well with critics as the original. (The Guardian calling it “far from bewitching.”)
“Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!” If you’ve seen this Tim Burton classic, you’re probably picturing a grunged-up Michael Keaton throwing his hands out and proclaiming, “It’s showtime!” And if you haven’t seen “Beetlejuice,” you’re probably scratching your head right now. Trust us, though: It’s a must-see.
Eddie Murphy brings just the right amount of comedic relief to the thrilling plot reminiscent of the Disney ride. It’s a great flick for the family to enjoy together without the risk of giving the kids nightmares.
With Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cher in the cast, it’s hard to go wrong. “Witches of Eastwick” showcases that star-studded lineup and embraces dark comedy and fantasy — basically the recipe for the perfect Halloween movie.
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If you haven’t seen “Nightmare Before Christmas,” drop everything and go watch. Tim Burton’s stop-motion animated flicks are a breed of their own, and this is the movie that stands out among the hyper-specific genre of dark, creepy, quirky, and endearing brain children of the unique Burton — so much so that people often forget it’s directed by Henry Selick from Burton’s story.
The list of movies Adam Sandler has starred in with comedian pals David Spade, Steve Buscemi, and Kevin James could fill a whiteboard. The animated “Hotel Transylvania” movies adds Selena Gomez and Andy Samberg for A-list luster and led to three more installments, the latest one debuting this year. Though Sandler has dropped out, other stars have stuck with the series.
The mystique surrounding ’90s Disney Channel original movies is profound, and “Halloweentown” is one of the most beloved, inspiring three more tales from 2001 to 2005. With an easy-to-digest plotline centered around a teen girl who discovers that she — along with her mother and grandmother — is a witch, the movie is as charming as it is entertaining.
The story of “The Addams Family” began with New Yorker cartoons and a 1964 TV show, but there have since been three live-action movies released in the ’90s — many love “Addams Family Values” (1993) more than this — an animated version from 2019 and its 2021 sequel, and now a Wednesday Addams television series. While all are worth watching, the 1991 version exudes a dark humor that makes it the place to start.
Roald Dahl’s dark fantasy children’s novel “The Witches” has inspired two versions: a 1990 version starring Anjelica Huston and a remake with Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, and Kristin Chenoweth. The new version showcases some creepy special effects and, perhaps more quirky than scary, it delivers a charming storyline recommended for those 11 and older. The original movie, however, may be freaky enough to keep some people away.
While Disney’s “Coco” is centered around Mexico’s Día de Muertos rather than Halloween, it’s so good we had to mention it. With vibrant colors, a catchy soundtrack, and rich culture behind the storyline, “Coco” is one of Disney’s biggest (and most emotionally affecting) animated masterpieces.
Based on the 1930s cartoon, “Casper” starred a young Christina Ricci — is there an actor better suited for Halloween movies? — and combined live-action with animation quite competently for the ’90s. The movie was so well-loved it inspired a slew of additional installments, including cartoon movies.
“Frankenweenie” is a Tim Burton stop-motion animated movie that strips down all of the distractions offered up by other animated Halloween films and delivers a black-and-white, uniquely animated movie with an emotional, funny, and compelling storyline. Albeit a touch spooky, it’s in an enchanting way rather than a terrifying one.
We mentioned how Adam Sandler tends to work with his friends almost exclusively these days — and when Sandler wrote the screenplay for “Hubie Halloween,” he did so with his acting buddies, wife, and daughter in mind. Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Chris Rock, Rob Schneider, and Jackie and Sunny Sandler star in the goofy Netflix Halloween movie.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, Tim Burton has seriously capitalized on the Halloween movie market, especially by way of dark fantasy stop-motion animation. “Corpse Bride” stays true to the brain beneath the frizzy hair with its eerie vibe and, of course, Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp voicing the main characters.
You know that favorite, comfortable pair of shoes you lace up when going somewhere that requires a lot of walking, because you just know your feet will thank you for it at the end of the day? That’s basically what casting Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp together is for Tim Burton. The two actors have been in some of Burton’s most successful projects; they work reliably well together and enliven this movie reboot of “Dark Shadows,” a campy 1970s horror soap opera.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is as iconic as Halloween movies get. The cult-classic musical comedy horror is eccentric and excels with a hodgepodge cast that includes Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Meatloaf. It’s for sophisticated teens and adults only, but “Damn it, Janet,” we can’t help but love “Rocky Horror.”
Related: 33 Cult Films We Can’t Stop Watching
Less than 10 years after “Rocky Horror” paved the way for musical horror comedies, 1986’s “Little Shop of Horrors” hit the silver screen and cemented itself into pop culture forever, mostly because of its eccentric characters which include Rick Moranis as a nerdy florist named Seymour and his extra terrestrial man-eating Venus fly trap. It followed a non-musical “Little Shop” in 1960 that featured a young Jack Nicholson, which led to a staged musical in 1982 that proved enough of a hit to return to the screen.
Finally, a stop-motion animated Halloween movie Tim Burton had nothing do with. “ParaNorman” was the first stop-motion movie to use a 3D printer to create characters’ faces, and the flick was praised for its unique animation and its dark yet humorous storyline.
You didn’t think we’d leave this classic off our round-up, did you? Last, but certainly not least, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is a feel-good, timeless cartoon that is so beloved that watching it on Halloween is a family tradition in many households. And though it’s not airing on network television this year, it’s still a permanent fixture in our hearts — and Apple TV+ is making it available to nonsubscribers for a few days along with other holiday fare..
