Autumn and Halloween are one of the best themed-movie times. Sure, some can watch whatever amount of scary movies, thrillers, and spooky mysteries they want, but for some, it’s just not their vibe. As somebody who would rather watch Hocus Pocus thirty times, it’s very real that some audience members might be thinking: should I watch the movie? For those who are still undecided,maybe leaning towards the “no” side, don’t worry. There are a plethora of amazing Halloween movies without the scream factor. Here are a few of the best.
Haunted Mansion (2023)
The second the end credits started rolling, it immediately became one of my top 10 movies of the year. Not just Halloween-themed. It ranked next to Barbie.
Haunted Mansion is about a man who is grieving and then gets called to go to a haunted mansion to photograph ghosts and spirits, which he had previously built a camera to do so. He, and others, end up trapped in the mansion and must escape before an evil spirit kills one of them. Sounds interesting? Watch it.
Where to watch: Disney+
Haunted Mansion: Muppets Version (2021)
The Muppets are the best live-action comedy shows/movies. Fight me. This spooky movie is not only hilarious, but also gives those chilling Halloween vibes everybody wants this time of year, without being too scary.
In this hilarious take on Haunted Mansion, two muppets (Gonzo and Pepe) agree to a challenge where they must survive in the haunted house until morning or risk being trapped there forever. This parody of the original includes some iconic characters, reimagined of course, such as Madame Leota (Madame Pig-ota, played by Miss Piggy). It’s an amazing film to watch, especially for a The Muppets Show fan.
Where to watch: Disney+
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Ah, the Peanuts. It brings back so many childhood memories. To those who haven’t watched It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown at least 3 times, go do that now. I’ll wait. It’s one of the best because it’s a classic Halloween flick. Its sweet stories and hilarious staple characters, Snoopy and Woodstock, make this such an enjoyable movie. It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is also a good show to watch with younger kids.
In this loveable classic, Charlie Brown, his friends, and Snoopy each have personal stories that are explored throughout the movie. For instance, Charlie is invited to his first Halloween party, and Snoopy is fully immersing himself in his costume.
Hocus Pocus movies (1993 and 2022)
I hadn’t watched these movies until a couple weeks ago, and I wished I had sooner. Before I watched the first one, I read a couple things on the Internet that told me it was a little chilling (plus, it’s PG from the 1990s, and those 90s ratings are hardcore). I was skeptical as I walked into the theater, but I walked out having watched, easily, one of the best Halloween movies ever. Mere days after, I watched the second one (2022) and it was equally as incredible. However, if you had to ask me which one I liked best, the first or the second, I’d have to say the first one.
The Hocus Pocus series is about three witches and different characters who try to stop them from “eating” children to remain young forever. In the 1993 version, Max, Addison, and Max’s younger sister are the heroes. In the 2022 version, Becca, Izzy, and Cassie are the heroines, who then become witches themselves.
If you’re a fan of the first Hocus Pocus movie, you’ll also be pleased to know that the Sanderson sisters, Winnifred, Mary, and Sarah, were played by the original actresses Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker in the sequel.
Where to watch: Disney+
Any Halloween specials for your favorite TV show!
Since most shows are set in a year-round template, almost all of them will have specials for Halloween. It’s an easy option for those who want to watch something unique and don’t have too much time to sit down and watch. An added bonus is that some shows that span more than a year might have more than one Halloween special. Or, the show of choice might have episodes including something to do with ghosts or hauntings that aren’t as scary as your typical thriller (most shows that aren’t labeled as scary or horror won’t have frightening scenes, although be wary while watching).
Tip: If you have Disney+, there is a section that appears during Halloween where they have cataloged all Halloween themed movies and shows. If you scroll down, you can find a section with Halloween themed specials (one that pops up a lot is the Simpsons).
Where to watch: Any streaming platform where you get your favorite shows!
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Sources:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11909878/ (for cast information)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14602326/ (for cast and character information)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060550/ (for synopsis information)
