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Halloween is an ideal opportunity to relax and watch some amazing horror movies. However, not all people enjoy the scares, but they want to enjoy the Halloween atmosphere in movies to set the tone for the holiday. It's true that most movies that take place during Halloween focus on ghosts, killers, and other traditional horror themes — but Halloween don't have to be sleep-with-the-lights-on scare.
Luckily, there are some alternatives for those who believe that it's not necessary to be afraid during the holiday. From romantic comedy to an animated children's movie, Halloween can have many different onscreen forms. Here are some great options for a lighter Halloween movie night.
8 It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Halloween-themed animated movies are nothing new. Back in 1966, this short movie came out and it's still entertaining even these days. Charlie Brown and company celebrate Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.
Of course, Charlie Brown fans will enjoy the movie the most, but it's also a good way to get into the world for the first time. And since the film is only 25 minutes long, it's the ideal piece to combine with another Halloween movie for an evening spent at home, especially when children are joining the watch party.
7 E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
E.T. is a classic, one of Steven Spielberg's most celebrated movies. It does contain some tension-filled moments, but they're exciting rather than scary, and overall, it's a feel-good piece. A part of the story also does take place during Halloween.
The story is well-known, but just in case: A young boy Elliott is trying to help a friendly alien get back home to his planet. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and was one of Drew Barrymore's first major roles.
6 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas might look like a horror movie, but it's far from it. It's a hauntingly beautiful animated story about skeleton Jack Skellington who lives in Halloweentown, but becomes enamored with the idea of Christmas when he visits Christmastown.
Jack then attempts to do his own version of Christmas, but doesn't really get what the holiday is about. The Nightmare Before Christmas is imaginative, visually rich, and entertaining. Plus, it doubles its function: it works both as a Christmas movie and a Halloween one!
5 Hocus Pocus (1993)
The year 1993 was a good time for the creation of future Halloween classics. Hocus Pocus isn't as well-known as The Nightmare Before Christmas, but it still has a lot to offer. The story revolves around a teenage boy who accidentally resurrects three witches during Halloween.
Known names, including as Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Middler, play the witches, and the movie offers a lot of funny scenes with them. Those who enjoy it will then be happy to hear that Disney+ has a sequel in the works, one that should come out next year.
4 Halloweentown (1998)
While not as famous as other Halloween-themed movies, the fans of the spooky holiday shouldn't miss out on watching Halloweentown. Something bad is happening in Halloweentown and in the end, it will be up to children to solve the problem and save everyone.
This family movie is ideal for parents with small children, but will entertain just about anyone who just wants to relax and enjoy a Halloween story with lots of magic and sympathetic characters.
3 Fun Size (2012)
Babysitting younger siblings is never easy, even less so during Halloween when there's so much else to do. The main heroine of this movie, a high-school girl named Wren, has to take care of her brother Albert during the holiday. Unfortunately, she loses him in the crowd of other masked children who are trick-or-treating, and has to figure out where her brother is.
Fun Size is a comedy, and as its title promises, it offers a lot of fun. It will especially be relatable for kids and teens alike, trying to navigate the holiday alongside each other.
2 Coco (2017)
While not Halloween, Dia De Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is just as important a celebration in Mexican culture. Young boy Coco wants to become a musician but his family doesn't wish it; in fact, they forbid him.
Coco travels to the land of the dead, and has to get his ancestors' blessing to get back. However, he has a different goal in mind as well. The movie is touching, funny at times, and visually beautiful, so it's no wonder it won the Academy Award for the best animated picture in 2018.
1 Holidate (2020)
Being single during a major holiday can be a bummer, especially if everyone else is taken. Emma Roberts shines as a somewhat cynical young woman who decides to find a boyfriend just for the holidays. Unsurprisingly, something more starts building between Roberts' heroine Sloane and her friend Jackson (Luke Bracey).
The movie touches on multiple holidays, but Halloween is included. It's a romantic comedy in the best meaning of the word, has plenty of funny scenes, and also a strong supporting cast (such as Frances Fisher as Sloane's strict mom or Kristin Chenoweth as her free-spirited aunt).