If you’re someone like me who loves Halloween but hates scary movies, getting in the Halloween spirit is hard. So I took one for the team and compiled a pretty strong list of Halloween movies that won’t keep you up all night. Now of course there are the cult classics such as “The Addams Family” or “Hocus Pocus,” but what I really wanted to do were find films that really don’t get a lot a recognition. This is a spoiler-free list so you can enjoy the movie without too much being given away!
The Similars (2015)
“The Similars” is a Spanish film (special thanks to Netflix subtitles). If you liked the Twilight Zone you’ll definitely like this. It left me feeling unnerved but it was still entertaining.
Synopsis: Eight people experience a strange phenomenon while waiting for a bus at a remote station on a rainy October night.
Where to watch: Netflix
Runtime: 1h 30m
Rated: NR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEg8kV2b7v4
Boys in the Trees (2016)
I really enjoyed this movie. I have a hard time staying focused on movies longer than 90 minutes but I found myself staying really invested in this movie. I’m not going to spoil the ending but it did make me very emotional.
Synopsis: Alienated teens Corey and Jonah begrudgingly find themselves walking home together on Halloween 1997, their last night of high school. They embark on a journey through their memories, dreams and fears as they lay the ghosts of their past to rest.
Where to watch: Netflix
Runtime: 1h 52m
Rated: TV-MA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfx7L-pXCUg
Halloweentown (1998)
This one is a staple for me on Halloween because it’s something my little brother and I can both enjoy. Arguably the third movie in this franchise, “Halloweentown High” was my personal favorite but all of these movies are campy enough to put you in the Halloween spirit.
Synopsis: After learning she is a witch, a girl helps save a town full of other supernatural creatures.
Where to watch: Rent on Amazon for $3 or check the Disney Channel
Runtime: 1h 24m
Rated: TV-G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EdgGsmswIo
The Birds (1963)
Personally I didn’t find this movie as scary as my parents hyped it up to be, but I did walk away a little uneasy with the thought of possessed birds and the fact that there is no concrete ending (which is why I’m not a huge fan of Hitchcock movies in general but I digress).
Synopsis: A wealthy San Francisco socialite pursues a potential boyfriend to a small Northern California town that slowly takes a turn for the bizarre when birds of all kinds suddenly begin to attack people.
Where to Watch: YouTube
Runtime: 1h 59m
Rated: PG-13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCxR7dlavwg
Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015)
This movie was rated R for a reason. Please do not watch this movie with any scouts under the age of 18. That being said, I found this movie ridiculously funny. (Maybe because I’m a huge fan of dick jokes and millennial humor. Spoiler alert: it’s both). Both my dad, who thought this movie was awful, and younger brother are both scouts in real life so it added a little extra humor for me because Scouts are love, Scouts are life.
Synopsis: Three scouts, on the eve of their last camp-out, discover the true meaning of friendship when they attempt to save their town from a zombie outbreak.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Runtime: 1h 33m
Rated: R
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOhSbNJ7MqI
Clue (1985)
“Mr. Body was murdered by Ms. Scarlett in the conservatory with the candlestick.” Not a spoiler but a good teaser for the movie you’re about to see. If you like solving murder mysteries you’ll also really dig this movie.
Synopsis: Six guests are invited to a strange house and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Runtime: 1h 34min
Rated: PG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDdeHtrxfA
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to get into with this movie, but Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine are in it so I went “alright we’ll give this a shot.” If you love satirical films this is definitely a movie for you.
Synopsis:Affable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students.
Where To Watch: Netflix
Runtime: 1h 29min
Rated: R