The Perfect Amount Of Spooky
Are you a lover of spooky season, but just can't stomach anything that's too ultra disturbing and dark? Well, get your popcorn ready, because these films are scary—but not too scary.
Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magic is a film about two sisters descended from a long line of witches. The film's plot has everything you could ever want: romance, suspense, witchcraft, and a touch of the supernatural. Starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, this feel-good film is bound to get you in the spirit of Halloween.
Practical Magic (1998), Warner Bros.
Coraline (2009)
Based on the book by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is a stop-motion animated film about an 11-year-old who discovers an alternate universe, where she's met with her parents' terrifying doppelgangers. It certainly won't have you screaming in your seat, but it's unsettling enough to scratch that spooky itch.
Coraline (2009), Focus Features
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
What's the best way to balance horror? Throw in some solid musical numbers and comedy. The Rocky Horror Picture Show follows a young couple who wind up seeking refuge in a castle when their car breaks down. This is where they meet the infamous Dr Frank N Furter, who extends an invitation for an overnight stay...
The Rocky Horror Picture Show,Twentieth Century Fox
Hocus Pocus (1993)
If there's one film you should watch on Halloween night, it's Hocus Pocus. A teenage boy resurrects three unforgettable witches played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Though it bombed in theaters, it has since become a beloved cult classic.
Hocus Pocus (1993), Walt Disney Pictures
Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)
According to the critics' consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, "Jeepers Creepers 2 is competently made, but it doesn't have the scares of the original".
For those of us who don't want to be left completely petrified, this might just be an excellent choice for scary movie night.
Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003), MGM
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrors has the most outrageously delightful plot. A man working at a flower shop ends up displaying a carnivorous plant. But not just any carnivorous plant—one that has a ravenous appetite for human blood.
The film is a satisfying blend of horror, comedy, and music—and stars a wide array of hilarious actors, like Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, and Jim Belushi.
Little Shop Of Horrors (1986), Warner Bros. Pictures
Jennifer's Body (2009)
When Jennifer's Body, starring Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfriend, came out in 2009, it was not a huge success—but it definitely stood the test of time. Today, it's considered a feminine cult classic. The movie follows a teenage girl who has been possessed by a demon.
Part horror, part comedy, this film ticks all the boxes if you're looking for a fun and scary viewing experience.
Jennifer's Body (2009), 20th Century Studios
Army of Darkness (1992)
The third film in the Evil Dead film series is Army of Darkness—a Sam Raimi film starring Bruce Campbell and Embeth Davidtz. The film is definitely more silly than scary, and centers on a main character trying to return to the present day after getting stuck in the Medieval Ages.
Army of Darkness (1992), Universal Pictures
Beetlejuice (1988)
Directed by Tim Burton, Beetlejuice follows a ghostly couple who can't get rid of the living people in their home. The solution? A "bio-exorcist" named Beetlejuice, played by the Michael Keaton. The film was a major success—and the sequel will hit theaters in 2024.
Ben (1972)
If you are terrified of rats like me, don't watch this movie. If rats don't bother you, you're safe to watch Ben, the sequel to Willard.
The movie follows a pet rat named Ben who has two conflicting sides: He is the best friend of a boy with a heart problem, but also rallies an army of vicious rats. Even weirder? The Michael Jackson number "Ben" is its theme song.
Ben (1972), Cinerama Releasing Corporation
Blade (1998)
If you're looking for a dark superhero film, then Blade should be your number one pick. The protagonist Blade, played by Wesley Snipes, is a vampire hunter. However, Blade is also a Dhampir, meaning he is the spawn of a vampire and a human, and has vampiric attributes.
The movie is gothic and moody and fast-paced, with a great soundtrack—and it's just scary enough to get your heart racing.
Blade (1998), Warner Bros. Pictures
Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer follows Buffy Summers—a teenager fated to become a vampire hunter. However, the writer, Joss Whedon, wasn't satisfied with the film, which eventually led him to create the hit television series, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Both the movie and the show are excellent choices if you're looking for something campy and supernatural.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), 20th Century Studios
The 'Burbs (1989)
The 'Burbs stars none other than one Tom Hanks and expertly makes fun of the suburbs and the people who live there. When a new family moves into the neighborhood, Hanks' character believes that they're concealing a nefarious secret.
Imagine Entertainment, The 'Burbs (1989)
Chopping Mall (1986)
This 1986 indie film has a truly bizarre plot that might just strike your fancy. Chopping Mall is an apt title for a story about demonic security robots who go around slaying mall employees after the sun goes down.
Chopping Mall (1986), Concorde Pictures
The Craft (1996)
Grab your girlfriends, because The Craft is the perfect horror film for a slumber party. It's about four teenagers who dabble in witchcraft—and suffer the consequences. It has a huge cult following, and in 2020, the sequel The Craft: Legacy came out.
Fright Night (1985)
Fright Night was Tom Holland's directorial debut and centers on a teenager who learns that his neighbor is actually a supernatural monster—a vampire.
Fright Night (1985), Columbia Pictures
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This stop-motion animated classic can be watched on Halloween and Christmas. The Nightmare Before Christmas is about the Pumpkin King of "Halloween Town," Jack Skellington. When Skellington comes across another world, "Christmas Town," he is pulled down a dark path of obsession.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Walt Disney Pictures
The Gate (1987)
You know it's going to be good when the kids are left alone at home. The Gate is about two boys who open a portal in their backyard, releasing demons and causing chaos. It was also Stephen Dorff's debut film.
Called "the perfect kids horror movie".
The Gate (1987), New Century Entertainment
Ghostbusters (1984)
Starring comedic geniuses like Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis, Ghostbusters is a spooky season staple that provides fun for the whole family. They're a trio of ghost catchers in New York City who establish a paranormal service called "Ghostbusters"—and all kinds of mayhem ensues.
Ghostbusters (1984), Columbia Pictures
Gremlins (1984)
Strangely enough, Gremlins is the perfect Christmas movie. It's definitely more comedy than horror, and might just be the balm to all the saccharine films that come along with the holidays. The main character is given a bizarre "gift"—an imp-like creature that sets a real-life nightmare in motion.
Happy Death Day (2017)
Happy Death Day is definitely not a cozy horror film. It's certainly a slasher, but the comedic overtones make it far more palatable to those adverse to disturbing gore. Its structure is somewhat similar to Groundhog Day as the main character has to relive the day she dies over and over again.
Happy Death Day (2017), Universal Pictures
Casper (1995)
Casper is an adorable film that centers on the character Casper the Friendly Ghost. Though Casper's dark backstory gives this family-friendly film a tragic edge, it's extremely heartwarming at the same time. It stars Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman—and is a millennial nostalgic favorite.
Casper (1995), Universal Pictures
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense is a psychological thriller that is far more suspenseful than it is scary. It centers on a young boy who can see and interact with dead people. Starring Haley Joel Osment and Bruce Willis, the film is widely regarded as one of M Night Shyamalan's best films—and it has a twist that will rock you to your core.
Hollywood Pictures, The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Others (2001)
Like The Sixth Sense, The Others toes a fine line between a psychological thriller and horror. The film, starring Nicole Kidman, is a suspenseful haunted house story, with a devastating twist that will leave you completely satisfied.
StudioCanal, The Others (2001)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, Shaun of the Dead is far more likely to get you rolling on the ground with laughter than actually scaring you. The movie follows a salesman named Shaun who tries to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Universal, Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Slither (2006)
Slither definitely has a nasty premise, but it's also downright hilarious. This movie centers on a rural town that faces an alien parasite invasion. It's super campy and fun, teeming with slug-like monsters.
Slither (2006), Universal Pictures
Lady In White (1988)
If you're a mystery lover, Lady in White is the perfect supernatural horror for you. Following an encounter with a ghost, a young boy is thrust into a chilling mystery that revolves around a string of murdered children.
Lady In White (1988), New Century Vista Film Company
Zombieland (2009)
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Zombieland follows a group of eccentric characters as they embark on a road trip in search of a zombie-free sanctuary. This dark comedy stars Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Bill Murray.
Zombieland (2009), Columbia Pictures
What We Do In The Shadows (2015)
Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi both wrote, directed, and acted in What We Do in the Shadows—a mockumentary-style film that follows a group of vampires who share a flat. This extremely clever film is a supernatural romp.
What We Do In The Shadows (2014), Madman Entertainment
Tremors (1990)
If you're looking for a side-splitting monster film, then Tremors is a classic to return to time and time again. Starring Kevin Bacon and Fred Bacon, the characters have to fight massive worm monsters that lurk beneath the ground if they hope to make it through alive.
Tremors spawned a whopping five sequels and one prequel.
Tremors (1990), Universal Pictures
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Taking it all the way back to 1966, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a cozy Halloween special that still steals hearts today. Arguably, this is not scary at all. The animated story follows the Peanuts characters on Halloween—and its wholesome vibes are best served up with a steaming pumpkin spice latté.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), CBS
Dark Shadows (2012)
Based on a gothic soap opera, Tim Burton's Dark Shadows stars some of the usual suspects, including Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Eva Green—heck, even Christopher Lee rears his head in this film. When it comes to Burton fare, this might be one of the lighter dark fantasies under his belt.
It follows a vampire named Barnabas Collins who finally finds freedom after being buried alive by an ex-lover.
Dark Shadows (2012), Warner Bros. Pictures
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Produced by Walt Disney Productions, this chilling fantasy is about Mr. Dark, who arrives with his carnival during the dead of night.
Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a 1962 Ray Bradbury novel—but the title is a famous line from Shakespeare's Macbeth: "By the pricking of my thumbs / Something wicked this way comes".
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out is a classic whodunnit storyline that boasts a star-studded ensemble cast. Daniel Craig plays the main character—a private detective named Benoit Blanc who is called in to solve the case of Harlan Thrombey's supposed suicide. It's a dark mystery that will keep you guessing from start to finish.
The Monster Squad (1987)
The Monster Squad is a delightful film for kids that features some of the most famous monsters like Dracula, the Mummy, and Frankenstein's monster. As these monsters threaten to take over the world, a group of children—the Monster Squad—must stand against them.
