I love watching films, but I’m easily scared and I’ve never liked watching horror films. Not being able to turn the light of to go to sleep at night is not my idea of fun! Stephen King’s It, I’m looking at you.
At Halloween I want to watch a film that has monsters, ghosts, magic, and general creepiness without being super scared.
These are Halloween films that are not scary, in no particular order.
Some may have jumpy moments in them and not all of them are suitable for children, but I don’t think they will keep you awake at night!
Tremors
Giant worm monsters attacking an isolated community in the desert. One of my favourite films, the blend of horror and humour is almost perfect.
The Thing
Kurt Russell vs monsters in an isolated Antarctica research station.
Maybe a bit scary, but it’s the tension between the men in the station that really makes this film.
Alien
This is my favourite film; monsters, spaceships, and a female hero. What more do you need?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The original Buffy film holds the honours of being the film with the best prom outfit (subjective), and the film with the best death scene (fact).
Any Harry Potter Film
Magic, and some of the best sets I’ve seen in a film. Can I move into the Gryffindor common room please?
Hocus Pocus
A teenager accidentally brings a trio of witches back to life. Load, bright, full of magic, and it’s set at Halloween!
Practical Magic
A romantic comedy, but really the romance comes second to the relationship between the two sisters.
Not the sort of film I would normally like, but the addition of magic, a sort of zombie, and the wonderful aunts make this film special.
Shaun of the Dead
A zombie film, but it’s more funny than scary.
Sleepy Hollow
Spooky atmosphere, wonderful sets, and Johnny Depp playing for laughs.
Coraline
Creepy atmosphere front start to finish in this one.
It’s a Neil Gainman story so you know it’s going to be good.
ParaNorman
Another animated one, this is from the same people that made Coraline.
It’s about a young boy that can speak to the dead. When a witch’s curse on his town is about to come true and zombies start rising from their graves, Norman is the only one that can stop it.
It’s a PG so never gets really scary, and it’s a nice one for kids too.
Troll Hunter
An absolute gem of a film, it’s a Norwegian “found film” about a group of university students who start out to make a documentary about bear poachers.
Labyrinth
I don’t need to explain this one do I?
It’s all good fun until the orange bird things appear, then I have to hide behind the sofa. Probably the scariest moment out of all the films on this list.
Lost Boys
A vampire film that’s not scary really, but it does get a bit gory.