Halloween is just around the corner, and while some folks thrive on terrifying tales and spine-chilling scares, others might prefer to keep the frights at a minimum. If you fall into the latter category but still want to embrace the spooky spirit of Halloween, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of 21 Halloween-themed movies perfect for scaredy cats, ranked by our Spook-O-Meter!
Spook-O-Meter:
🎃 = Not Scary At All
🎃👻 = Minor Scares Throughout
🎃👻💀 = Some Actual Scares Throughout
Halloweentown (1998)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃
Synopsis: Join a young girl as she discovers her witchy roots and helps save Halloweentown from nefarious supernatural creatures, guided by her grandmother’s wisdom.
Stream on Disney+
Beetlejuice (1988)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: A ghostly couple navigates the afterlife, facing a chaotic turn of events as they attempt to reclaim their home from the living and the annoying new occupants.
Stream on HBO Max
Fun Size (2012)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃
Synopsis: A high school girl’s Halloween takes a wild turn as she embarks on a quest to find her lost younger brother, encountering hilarious mishaps and unexpected adventures throughout the night.
Stream on Tubi
Ghostbusters (1984)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: A trio of parapsychologists starts a ghost-catching venture in New York, unleashing uproarious antics and supernatural encounters in this classic comedy.
Stream on Peacock
Ghostbusters (2016)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: A fresh take on the classic, as a group of paranormal enthusiasts unite to battle an otherworldly threat that descends upon Manhattan, mixing comedy with ghostly mayhem.
Stream on Hulu or Peacock
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: A nerdy florist’s life takes a carnivorous twist as a giant man-eating plant fuels his success and love life in this darkly comedic musical.
Purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, or Youtube
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻💀
Synopsis: A weekend getaway turns into a nightmarish descent for five friends at a remote cabin, revealing an unexpected layer of horror and cleverly subverting genre expectations.
Stream on Hulu or Peacock
Scary Movie (2000)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: This uproarious slapstick comedy parodies iconic horror movies, stitching together a spooky but hilarious plot that lampoons the horror genre’s clichés.
Stream on Peacock
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, embarks on an unexpected adventure when he discovers the enchanting but bewildering Christmas Town, blending Halloween and Christmas in this charming animated classic.
Stream on Disney+
The Final Girls (2015)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻💀
Synopsis: A meta-comedy-horror unfolds as a young girl and her friends get trapped within a clichéd ’80s slasher film, while grappling with the loss of her mother, a former ’80s scream queen.
Stream on Tubi or Roku TV
Casper (1995)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃
Synopsis: Friendly ghost Casper befriends a father and daughter who move into a haunted house, showcasing that not all spirits are terrifying, proving that sometimes, ghosts just want a little company.
Stream on Netflix
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: A newly engaged couple stumbles upon a bizarre residence, hosted by the extravagant Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and is thrust into a world of seduction, music, and eccentric characters in this quirky cult classic.
Stream on Hulu
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃
Synopsis: Dracula operates a lavish hotel exclusively for monsters, away from human society. Chaos ensues when an unsuspecting backpacking human stumbles into the hotel and falls for Dracula’s daughter.
Stream on Hulu
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: After three witch sisters are resurrected on Halloween night, two teenagers and a young girl must band together to stop their reign of terror and save their town from their wicked plans.
Stream on Disney+
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: In this Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder collaboration, a scientist revisits his family’s Transylvanian roots and discovers the process to reanimate a dead body, leading to hilariously monstrous consequences.
Stream on Apple TV
The Addams Family (1991)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃
Synopsis: America’s quirkiest family, the Addamses, face a peculiar conundrum as a man claiming to be the long-lost Fester Addams arrives, setting off a series of oddball events in their delightfully eerie household.
Stream on Paramount+
Heathers (1988)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: In this dark, twisted comedy, a sharp-witted high school student joins forces with a sociopathic new acquaintance to challenge the oppressive social hierarchy at their high school, resulting in diabolical consequences.
Stream on Tubi
Zombieland (2009)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻💀
Synopsis: Four unlikely allies band together in a post-apocalyptic world infested with zombies, blending humor with horror as they navigate the challenges of survival, providing both laughs and survival tips.
Stream on Peacock
Donnie Darko (2001)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃
Synopsis: In this enigmatic drama, a troubled teen plagued by visions of a menacing figure in a rabbit suit spirals into a surreal journey, questioning reality and confronting his deepest fears.
Stream on Hulu or Prime Video
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻
Synopsis: This comedic mockumentary sheds light on the daily lives of a group of vampires residing in New Zealand, hilariously portraying their struggles and idiosyncrasies as they navigate the modern world.
Purchase on Apple TV, Prime Video, or Youtube
Scream (1996)
Spook-O-Meter: 🎃👻💀
Synopsis: Blend a little comedy with a dash of mystery, and you get “Scream.” A teenage girl and her friends are terrorized by a masked serial killer who uses horror films as a twisted game, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
Stream on Hulu or Paramount+
Whether you’re looking for a lighthearted flick to enjoy with the family or just something that won’t have you checking under the bed afterward, these 21 not-too-scary spooky movies offer the perfect balance of Halloween fun without the nightmares. From charmingly eerie to mildly mysterious, there’s something for every scaredy cat to enjoy. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready for a spook-tacular Halloween night!
