Unfortunately, I can’t stand horror films. Between the jump scares and the gore, they’re just not for me. And during a season when horror seems to be everywhere, it can be easy to feel a little left out.
But you don’t have to love horror to get into the Halloween spirit. There are plenty of films that capture the magic of the spooky season without all the scares, so here are 10 films to watch this Halloween (without the horror).
10. Practical Magic (dir. Griffen Dunne)
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, who come from a long line of witches. After the death of their parents, the pair grow up with their aunts, learning about the uses of practical magic. However, life isn’t always easy for the Owens sisters, as they face prejudice from their small-minded town, evil spirits and a curse that threatens their chances of finding true love.
Over 20 years after the original film’s release, Bullock and Kidman have returned for Practical Magic 2, giving me the perfect excuse to watch the original for the first time. While both films may be a little messy at times, there’s no denying the warmth and heartfelt sisterly love at their core, making them perfect for a cosy Halloween watch.
9. Spirited Away (dir. Hayao Miyazaki)
Animated by Studio Ghibli, the film follows a young girl named Chihiro who stumbles into the world of kami, spirits from Japanese folklore, after her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba. Forced to take a job working for the witch, Chihiro encounters all manner of spirits, gods and magical challenges as she tries to find a way to save her parents.
For many adults, the film may bring back memories of being slightly frightened by its animation as a child. Blending fantasy, adventure and coming-of-age themes, Spirited Away captures the eerie atmosphere of Halloween without relying on horror. Beneath its magical world, the film also explores the importance of remembering who you are, staying true to your identity and finding the inner strength to navigate change and grow up.
8. Beetlejuice (dir. Tim Burton)
By now, Tim Burton is known for his wildly wacky yet wonderful films, and Beetlejuice might be the craziest of them all. When a recently deceased couple find their home taken over by a new family, they decide they’ve had enough and call on Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a self-proclaimed ‘bio-exorcist’, to help drive the newcomers out. However, Beetlejuice has plans of his own, and things quickly spiral into chaos.
Also starring Winona Ryder, the film quickly became a cult classic, even inspiring a Broadway musical. In 2024, Burton returned to the strange and unusual world with the sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, starring Jenna Ortega. Packed with supernatural oddities and plenty of references to the afterlife, Beetlejuice is the perfect Halloween watch for anyone looking for something a little unusual.
7. Hotel Transylvania (dir. Michelle Murdocca)
Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) owns a hotel where monsters from around the world can escape from human civilisation and enjoy a little peace and quiet. However, when the hotel is accidentally infiltrated by a human traveller named Jonathan (Andy Samberg), Dracula must do everything he can to keep his guest’s true identity a secret from the other monsters, especially his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez). If they discover a human has found his way into their sanctuary, Dracula risks putting everything he has built in jeopardy.
The franchise has become hugely popular, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide across its four films. With its iconic moments still referenced by fans and its characters regularly appearing in Halloween costumes, Hotel Transylvania has become a Halloween classic.
6. The Addams Family (dir. Barry Sonnenfeld)
The story may have been told countless times, but The Addams Family (1991) remains iconic. Created by American cartoonist Charles Addams, the fictional family are an eccentric, wealthy bunch who find delight in the macabre, much to the disgust of those around them. They regularly appeared in The New Yorker until Addams’ death in 1988, and have since featured in films, television series, comic books, video games and even a musical.
In the 1991 film, a con artist attempts to infiltrate the family by posing as their long-lost Uncle Fester, setting off a series of events that threaten to turn the Addams’ wonderfully strange world upside down.
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5. Corpse Bride (dir. Tim Burton)
You could honestly watch any Tim Burton film for Halloween, but Corpse Bride has always been a popular watch for this time of year. Set in an 1800s Victorian village, a shy man named Victor practices his wedding vows in the woods; however, once he’s got them right, he finds that he has recited them to a dead woman. Rising from the grave, she takes him to the Land of the Dead, whilst his fiancée waits for him in the Land of the Living, with both brides pining for him, Victor has to decide who to choose.
With its gothic animation, eerie soundtrack and mix of dark humour and romance, Corpse Bride captures the Halloween atmosphere perfectly without ever becoming outright horror. Beneath its creepy exterior, the film also tells a heartfelt story about love, loss and finding where you belong, making it a great choice for anyone looking for something a little darker without the scares.
4. Hocus Pocus (dir. Kenny Ortega)
When three teenage boys accidentally resurrect a trio of witches on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts, they must find a way to stop the Sanderson sisters before sunrise. Led by Winifred (Bette Midler), the witches are determined to carry out their plans, leaving the boys to save the town.
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween classic, bringing witchcraft and spooky fun together with plenty of humour. Its Halloween setting and memorable characters make it a perfect choice for anyone looking to get into the spirit of the season without the scares.
3. Coraline (dir. Henry Selick)
I feel a bit like a fraud including Coraline on a list of non-horror films, because when I watched it in the cinema at seven years old, it certainly felt like a horror film. Despite the fear (and potential trauma) it left me with, I can appreciate the incredible work and artistry that went into creating it.
Created by Laika Studios, Coraline is a stop-motion animation based on the book of the same name. When a young girl moves into an old house, she discovers a hidden door that leads to a parallel world where everything seems better than her real life. However, with its strange inhabitants sporting buttons for eyes, Coraline soon discovers that this world is not quite as perfect as it first appears. When her alternate family tries to keep her there forever, she must find a way to escape and return to her real family.
2. Ghostbusters (dir. Ivan Reitman)
When you think of Halloween films, Ghostbusters is one that probably springs to mind. The 1984 comedy follows a group of scientists who set up a business catching ghosts in New York City, only to find themselves dealing with a supernatural threat far bigger than they ever expected.
With its mix of paranormal activity and comedy, the film makes ghosts fun rather than frightening. It’s also one of those films that has become part of pop culture, with its iconic theme tune and instantly recognisable logo. If you’re after something with a supernatural twist that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Ghostbusters is a great choice.
1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (dir. Jim Sharman)
When a young couple, Brad and Janet, get caught in a storm and their car breaks down, they seek help at a nearby castle, only to find themselves caught up in the strange world of Dr Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). What follows is a night of outrageous characters, bizarre encounters and musical numbers that have made The Rocky Horror Picture Show a cult classic.
For me, Halloween is the perfect excuse to watch something a little different, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show is certainly that. It’s a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a fun alternative to the usual Halloween picks. If you’re looking for something that celebrates the more eccentric side of cinema, this is well worth adding to your watchlist.
