6 Halloween Movies Perfect For Kids (And Adults Who Don’t Love Horror)

Almost everyone loves celebrating Spooky Season, but for some of us, the season can be a little too spooky.

Full of jump scares and psychological tension-building, some of the best spooky season movies epitomize blood-curdling horror, which is not for everyone. But we can still enjoy the season of goblins, ghouls, witches, and most terrifyingly of all, unruly trick-or-treaters — even if they give us a case of the spooks.

Whether celebrating with youngsters or simply just trying to enjoy Halloween and its surrounding season with as little fear as possible, there are plenty of films that aren’t too spooky to enjoy, even for the most horror-averse, so we’ve compiled six of the best spooky season movies that aren’t too scary.

And if these films don’t do the trick, check out our very definitive list of horror movies that aren’t that scary.

Beetlejuice (1988)

A classic Tim Burton romp starring Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice (and its 2024 sequel) are the perfect spooky films to watch if you don’t want to get too scared. Keaton’s Betelgeuse is a kooky villain who disrupts Ryder’s young Lydia Deetz as she grieves the death of her mother in a quirky haunted house. With plenty of laughs and minor spooks throughout, the film deals with the macabre subject of death in a creative and fun way that fits right into the season’s festivities.

Coraline (2009)

Based on a story by fantasy author Neil Gaiman, Coraline follows a young girl, voiced by Dakota Fanning, as she finds herself in an alternate universe full of terrifying “button people.” Although somewhat scary between the grotesque animation and horrifying plotline of losing one’s parents and reality, the film deals with coming-of-age and feeling alone in a relatable way that’s fun, comforting, and the perfect dose of spooky.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

You might think Hocus Pocus is just a cheesy kids movie, but it’s so much more. The infamous trio of witches, the Sanderson Sisters — Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) — take over the town of Salem on Halloween night after a “virgin” lights the Black-Flame Candle. A ragtag group of two teenagers, an annoying little sister, a talking black cat, and even a misunderstood zombie, come together to take down the sisters. Just scary enough with the high stakes of the witches trying to steal the souls of little children, Hocus Pocus is full of inventive humor, iconic musical numbers, and quotable moments for any generation.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Another Tim Burton favorite, Edward Scissorhands stars Johnny Depp in the title role opposite Kim (Winona Ryder) in a quirky, yet somewhat spooky tale. Edward is condemned to a life with scissors as hands, and while he quickly finds a place in the community giving haircuts and trimming hedges, he’s still largely misunderstood. At the film’s apex, Kim and Edward’s lives are at stake as the town’s fear takes over, a lesson in never judging a book by its cover and letting love and kindness guide the way. If you don’t want jump scares or psychological horror but love a twisted tale with a big heart at its center, Edward Scissorhands is the perfect Halloween flick.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

After over 50 years in the cultural megasphere, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has become synonymous with Halloween thanks to its midnight shadow cast showings. Every year, lovable freaks and weirdos come together to reenact the film as cinema audiences throw rice, shout memorable callbacks that have grown in number throughout the decades, dance the time warp, and more. Although there are moments of gore and horror, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is such a campy romp with such iconic music that it’s fittingly spooky, but not too scary.

Scary Movie (2000)

Although the word “scary” is literally in the title, Scary Movie isn’t too scary. It’s a parody of the horror genre, so it’s fitting for anyone who loves horror and anyone who might get the creeps, making the genre more accessible and silly than anything else. With hilarious nods to franchises like Scream and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as The Matrix and The Usual Suspects, it’s a goofy take on an otherwise scary genre, making it a not-scary Scary Movie.