Spooktastic Recommendations: Not-So-Scary Halloween Movies
Since Halloween season is here, I thought I would put together a list of cozy Halloween-themed films that I recommend. Some are funny, others are a just bit spooky, and all films are categorized as “not-so-scary” films. Enjoy!
To see last year’s list, click here.
High Spirits
Irish hotelier Peter Plunkett attempts to fill the chronic vacancies at his castle by launching an advertising campaign that wrongly portrays the property as haunted. Unfortunately, he fails to scare a single American tourist with his hokey and dreadfully unconvincing effects. When two actual ghosts, Mary and Martin, show up to add some authenticity, they end up falling for two guests, Sharon and Jack.
I feel this movie is a great pick for Halloween season and those who want to watch a movie that is not-so-scary but still captures the essence of a “haunted house” story. High Spirits has a lot of notable faces in the lead roles and the whole ensemble does a great job of entertaining the audience with their attempt to co-exist with wacky ghosts in this film. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and is full of physical gags/one-liners that had me laughing through the whole film. Some of the special effects have not aged well, but I feel that adds to the cheesy charm of the film!
The Monster Club
A vampire invites a horror writer to a secret club where monsters gather to drink and dance. He soon regales the amused man with three tales of terror involving a lonely creature, hunters of the undead and a mysterious village.
Two words: Vincent Price. As a long time fan of his classic horror films that was all I needed to know going into this film. Price he acts a vampire storyteller in this anthology piece telling a famous horror novelist about spine-tingling tales with interludes of spooky songs performed by supernatural bands. They really don’t make Halloween films like this anymore. Some aspects of this film are spooky with the special effects but I enjoyed the cheesy monster makeup techniques used throughout. It was engaging to watch and I had some of the songs in my head long after watching the movie. It’s eccentric horror film that is equally fun and eerie.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
For Buffy Summers, nothing is the same after she meets Merrick Jamison-Smythe. Merrick tells the teen that he’s been sent to train her to fight vampires, and he proves himself by displaying his supernatural powers. Buffy is a quick study, and soon takes fellow student Oliver Pike under her wing, repeatedly saving him from fierce bloodsuckers. But, when a very dangerous vampire gets rambunctious, she must go to war again.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is without a doubt one of my favorite comfort films that I love to watch during spooky/autumn season. It’s funny as hell, doesn’t take itself too seriously (especially the way it pokes at traditional vampire tropes, and its action packed. Swanson is great in this lead role and makes it a memorable watch for all viewers. It’s more campy than the TV series, but I enjoy both media in their own ways. On top of everything else it has sweet, emotional moments and a great soundtrack.
Don’t Look Under the Bed
Spooky tale about a no-nonsense teenager who refuses to believe in the supernatural – until she is confronted with the bogeyman under her bed. When somebody starts to play destructive pranks in her neighbourhood, the girl is framed as the culprit, but when she realises that the root of her problem is the real bogeyman, she is forced to change her mind about the paranormal.
This a Disney channel movie that I didn’t originally watch as a kid, but experienced as an adult. I can also see why it moved from regular rotation on Disney Channel after 2006 due to numerous complaints from parents who found the film too scary for its intended audience. It’s definitely a movie for tweens and up, but I applaud Disney for actually making a horror film actually scary than spoopy as most of their content is. I loved the unique concept of how the use the urban legend of bogeymen and how it’s worked into the films plot. The special effects makeup really added to the spook factor and the actors in this film did such a good job of making this film an immersive experience.
Mr. Harrigan’s Home
A boy and an aging billionaire bond over books — and their first iPhones. But when the older man passes, their mysterious connection refuses to die.
I’ve never read the Stephen King short story this film was based upon, but I did enjoy this film thoroughly. It’s got a “be careful what you wish for” vibe to it as the boy mourns Mr.Harrigans’s death and grieves by calling his cell phone. But when his wishes start to come true he wonders if it’s a hoax or truly something unnatural. This film is long and slow-moving for the first part but kept me engaged throughout the entire film. The film also acts as a coming-of-age film about growing up, grief, and overcoming obstacles.
Haunted Wedding
The wedding between ghost hunters Jane and Brian at a haunted inn is disrupted by Angelique (Potenza) – a ghost who mistakes Brian for her own dead fiancé.
What is a seasonal watchlist without the inclusion of a Hallmark movie?! This film reminded of when I watched 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Ghost (which I recommended in a previous post). This movie gives a mixture of Halloween and Autumn vibes as it has a mystery element combined with a romance plot. I don’t think I’ve seen a Hallmark movie that has ghost hunters before so I was intrigued to sit down and watch this film. It’s cute, wholesome, and the right amount of cheesiness a Hallmark movie should have. It felt cozy and I liked how the main couple is already established and instead it focuses on a centuries old mystery. A quirky film you should add to your list for the Halloween season!
What are some of your favorite cozy Halloween films? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
I like Don’t Look Under the Bed as a kid. This whole time I thought it was called Bogeyman, lol.
Lol, I think Bogeyman is a good alternative title for the movie.