10 Not so Scary Halloween Movies

We’re approaching the most wonderful time of the year. No, not that “most wonderful time of the year”, I mean Halloween. Who doesn’t love spending the scariest night of the year in the dark watching a horror movie?

Well, the truth is, lots of people. But there are plenty of pleasant Halloween movies you can enjoy that focus on entertainment more than scares. Here are 10 Halloween movies that aren’t too scary or childish and still have plenty of fun for adults.

Coco

Disney Pixar has cracked making movies that are funny for both adults and children. Either or both can watch Coco and be entertained.

Coco is a the colourful story, inspired by the Mexican holiday Día de Muertos or the Day of the Dead and tells the tale of Miguel, a young bot who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family's long-standing ban on music.

Miguel accidentally finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he embarks on an adventure, uncovering the secrets of his family's history. Along the way, he meets charming characters like the trickster Héctor and learns valuable lessons about memory, family, and following one's dreams.

While it's not typical to watch “scary themed” movies in Mexico for Halloween, Coco has become a popular choice for those looking for a heartwarming, culturally rich story that honors the themes of family and remembrance during the Día de los Muertos celebrations.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark brings Alvin Schwartz's beloved and eerie short story collection to life in a chilling way. Set in 1968, the film follows a group of teens who discover a book of haunted tales in a creepy, abandoned mansion.

What starts as a harmless curiosity quickly turns terrifying as the stories in the book begin to come true, unleashing horrifying creatures and dark forces upon them.

With each story taking on a life of its own, the teens must figure out how to stop the horrors before it’s too late. The movie masterfully blends nostalgic horror with a few genuine scares, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for a fright-filled Halloween movie that taps into classic childhood fears with plenty of nostalgia too.

Beetlejuice

With a sequel coming out recently in 2024, Beetlejuice is a quirky, dark comedy from director Tim Burton, a director who regularly features in the lighter side of Halloween movies. Beetlejuice blends supernatural mischief with offbeat humor and follows a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, who find themselves stuck haunting their old home.

When an eccentric new family moves in, the Maitlands seek help from an unruly bio-exorcist named Beetlejuice to scare the newcomers away. However, Beetlejuice’s unpredictable and chaotic nature quickly turns things upside down. As the Maitlands and the new inhabitants of the house navigate the bizarre world of the afterlife, the film offers a fun mix of humor, spooky elements, and Burton’s signature gothic style.

Beetlejuice is a Halloween cult classic with plenty of spooky themes, but not getting too scary. However, some of the imagery might be a bit too scary for kids.

Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus is a whimsical, family-friendly Halloween movie that has become a seasonal favorite over the years. The film tells the story of three witches—the Sanderson sisters—who are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem by a teenager named Max. After being dead for centuries, the witches, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, are determined to reclaim their youth by stealing the life force of the town's children.

Max, along with his sister Dani and their friend Allison, teams up with a talking cat named Binx, who was cursed by the witches centuries ago, to stop the Sanderson sisters from carrying out their evil plan before sunrise.

Hocus Pocus is beloved for its playful, magical vibe, catchy musical moments, and memorable characters. It’s the perfect Halloween movie for families and fans looking for a fun, light-hearted adventure filled with witchy antics rather than real scares. But one word of warning; some younger kids might still find some imagery slightly scary.

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters is an absolute classic supernatural comedy that blends humor with paranormal action. The film follows a group of eccentric scientists—Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, Egon Spengler, and later Winston Zeddemore. They start a ghost-catching business in New York City after they are kicked out of their university research positions. Armed with proton packs and witty one-liners, they set out to capture disruptive ghosts that are plaguing the city.

As their business booms, the Ghostbusters face an increasing number of hauntings, eventually leading to a showdown with Gozer, a powerful ancient entity threatening to destroy the world. The film is packed with memorable moments, hilarious performances from Bill Murray and the ensemble cast, and iconic scenes like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man rampaging through the streets.

Ghostbusters has become a go-to for fans seeking a fun, ghostly adventure that mixes spooky thrills with laugh-out-loud moments, making it perfect for light-hearted Halloween viewing. Some of the scenes with Gozer might be a little scarier, but still, it’s generally easy to view.

Coraline

Coraline is a dark fantasy stop-motion film based on Neil Gaiman's novella, following the story of a curious young girl named Coraline who discovers a secret door in her new home.

Behind the door is a parallel world that seems better than her own, where her "Other Mother" and "Other Father" provide her with everything she wants. However, Coraline soon realizes this world hides sinister secrets, and she must fight to escape the clutches of the Other Mother, who has more nefarious plans in store.

With its eerie vibe, striking visuals, and a powerful message about gratitude and bravery, Coraline is a perfect watch for those who love their Halloween movies with a little extra depth and spookiness.

Goosebumps

Goosebumps brings R.L. Stine’s beloved books to life in a thrilling, funny, and nostalgic ride. When teenager Zach accidentally unleashes the monsters from the Goosebumps manuscripts, all of Stine’s creepiest creations—from the Abominable Snowman to Slappy the Dummy—are set loose on the town.

Zach, along with his friends and Stine himself (played by Jack Black), has to find a way to get the monsters back into their books before it’s too late. It's a lighthearted, spooky adventure that’s perfect for both fans of the books and families looking for a fun Halloween watch.

Because Goosebumps is such a long-lasting classic, it’s also a great choice for those who watched the series in their teens!

Casper

With Goosebumps and Casper, this article might be showing the author's age a little. Casper is the friendliest ghost in the world. When a young girl named Kat and her ghost-hunting father move into a haunted mansion, they’re expecting frights, but instead, Kat befriends Casper, a sweet ghost who’s just looking for companionship.

However, his mischievous uncles, the Ghostly Trio, add some wild antics to the mix.

This film is heartwarming and perfect for families, delivering just the right touch of spookiness along with its timeless message about friendship and kindness.

Corpse Bride

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride is a hauntingly beautiful stop-motion love story that takes place between two worlds—the land of the living and the land of the dead. When Victor, a nervous groom-to-be, accidentally proposes to a ghost bride named Emily, he’s whisked away to the afterlife.

There, he discovers Emily's tragic story and must find a way back to his true love in the world of the living. With its gothic visuals, touching story, and Burton's signature mix of dark humor and romance, Corpse Bride is a perfect Halloween watch for those who prefer something both spooky and sweet.

The Addams Family

The Addams Family is a dark comedy about an eccentric and spooky family living in a gothic mansion. The film centers around the family reunion of long-lost Uncle Fester, who returns to the fold after years of being missing.

However, questions arise about whether Fester is truly who he claims to be, as a nefarious plot to steal the family fortune unfolds. Featuring iconic characters like Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, and Pugsley, the film is full of dark humor, creepy yet lovable personalities, and ghoulish fun.

Despite its morbid themes, The Addams Family is more quirky than frightening, making it a perfect Halloween choice for those who enjoy dark comedy with a touch of charm. The franchise has gained countless fans over the years from The Addams Family featuring in several formats from cartoons to the recent hit Wednesday on Netflix.

If you have family back home, you’d like to share a movie with, browse the Ding eGift section to see what you can send them. Our range of eGifts includes Netflix subscriptions in many countries and even cinema tickets in countries like Mexico.