BOO! Just kidding. Totally get you’re not into that. That’s OK, and that’s why you’re here! There’s nothing wrong with loving Halloween for its candy, dress-up, and make-believe fun, while being less enthused about the truly terrifying stuff. And it turns out there are plenty of scary-ish movies out there that aren’t jam-packed with jump scares or demonic entities to haunt your nightmares. 

Think of these films as horror lite. The mild salsa of scary movies. At no point are you at risk of peeing your pants. Speaking of, with these mostly tame choices, you can sit down and enjoy a Halloween-appropriate movie without having to fake bathroom breaks every five minutes. No more hiding under the blanket or running up the electric bill by turning on every light in the house. 

Now, when you want to watch something to get in the spooky season spirit, these options are a total scream (you know, in the fun metaphorical way, not literal screaming). Check out these not-too-scary Halloween movies!

The Curse of Bridge Hollow

Syd (Stranger Things’ Priah Feguson) is bummed when her parents (Kelly Rowland and Marlon Wayans) uproot their lives in Brooklyn for a fresh start in a small town. She lightens up a little when she arrives to find that the community of Bridge Hollow is obsessed with Halloween. We’re talking decorations on every home and in every yard. Syd is pumped, and even more so when she hears her new house may be haunted by the ghost of someone who died there. (Sounds creepy to us, but hey, to each their own!) Syd is less happy, however, when she accidentally releases the mischievous spirit and it causes all of those aforementioned decorations to come to life and terrorize the town. Now Syd and her fam — including her science-loving, Halloween-hating dad — must save their new neighbors from killer clowns, flying witches, zombie footballers, you name it. Rest assured, though: While the costumes and special effects are great, these monsters are mostly here to make you shriek with laughter, not terror.

The Curse of Bridge Hollow

1h 31m   TV-14   2022

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Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein

Clocking in at only 32 minutes, this mockumentary-style comedy is an easy Halloween watch if you’ve got somewhere else to be afterward — trick or treating, a costume party, the candy aisle of a CVS. Actor David Harbour III (Stranger Things’ David Harbour) is hoping to learn more about his father, actor David Harbour Junior (also played by David Harbour). So, he interviews some old colleagues, re-creates his dad’s old office space, and even uncovers lost lo-fi footage of a televised stage play DHJ did about Dr. Frankenstein (yet again played by David Harbour) and his monster (played by ... you guessed it! David Harbour). But DH3’s desire to understand his pops a little better leads to the exposing of some shocking family secrets. Somewhere between comedy sketch and theatrical satire, the film has a sense of humor that’s a little off the beaten path. But if you’re looking for something more kooky than spooky this Halloween, Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein is just what the doctor ordered.

Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein

0h 32m   TV-14   2019

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Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Forty years after the original Ghostbusters hit theaters, everyone’s favorite spectral seizers are back. This 2024 sequel sees the world in danger from an ice-age-inducing phantom dead set on destroying humanity. So, despite protests from Mayor Peck (William Atherton, reprising his role), the newbs (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) must team up with the vets (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts) to form a ghostbusting super-squad and save the day once again. If you want a family flick multiple generations can get behind this Hallows Eve, you know who to call …

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

1h 55m   PG-13

Remind Me

Hubie Halloween

Every year, Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler), a deli worker in Salem, Massachusetts, volunteers as the official “Halloween Helper,” dedicated to keeping the streets of Salem safe when “the spooky fun gets out of hand” on Oct. 31. Unfortunately, years of faithful service have turned Hubie into a town joke (to everyone except the lovely Violet Valentine, played by Julie Bowen) and a huge pain to police sergeants Downey (Kevin James) and Blake (Kenan Thompson). But this Halloween, legit mischief is afoot — a legit investigation into a real murder. And Hubie won’t rest until all the mysteries are solved and all the people are protected. Sandler’s signature antics and the constant spoofing of horror film tropes make for a fun and silly 103 minutes. And we haven’t even talked about the comedy tour de force that is this cast! Ray Liotta, Rob Schneider, June Squibb, Steve Buscemi, Maya Rudolph, Tim Meadows, George Wallace, Shaquille O’Neal — the list (and laughs) goes on.

Hubie Halloween

1h 43m   PG-13   2020

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I Care a Lot

Nothing screams “pure evil” like stealing money from the elderly. Marla Grayson (Rosamund Pike) and her severe blonde bob have made a living persuading the legal system to grant her guardianship over senior citizens she falsely claims can’t take care of themselves. Once she’s got them all set up in an assisted living facility — constantly sedated and effectively isolated — she sells off everything they own and pockets the proceeds. It’s all going to plan until she attempts to run her con at the expense of Jennifer Peterson (Dianne Wiest) — the mother of crime lord Roman Lunyov (Peter Dinklage). Described as a “satirical black comedy thriller film,” the action goes into unexpected places, plus there’s a scene that may ruin milk for any lactose lovers out there. But overall, the unexpected twists and turns demand you stick around until the very last second.

I Care a Lot

1h 58m   R   2021

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Mr. Harrigan's Phone

At first glance, this not-so-scary movie seems a little too not-scary, but stay ’til the end for the hair-raising bits. This Stephen King short-story adaptation is a coming-of-age tale about 9-year-old Craig Poole (Jaeden Martell), who is hired to read books to wealthy, elderly, businessman John Harrigan (Donald Sutherland). Over many years, the two form a friendship. It’s the early 2000s and Craig is thrilled to get an iPhone for Christmas and uses money he won to purchase one for Mr. Harrigan as well, teaching him to use it to track the stock market and read business news. Mr. Harrigan soon passes away, and a heartbroken Craig slips the old man’s beloved iPhone into his casket at the funeral. Later, Craig texts Mr. Harrigan’s phone, venting about a predicament, and the next day, that same problem is shockingly resolved. Coincidence? Or is Mr. Harrigan getting Craig’s messages in the afterlife and somehow helping him?

Mr. Harrigan's Phone

1h 46m   PG-13   2022

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Nightbooks

A magical apartment, a boy obsessed with scary stories, and a cruel but colorful witch –– all the makings of a mostly fun, only slightly scary, dark fantasy. In Nightbooks, pre-teen Alex Mosher (Winslow Fegley) writes scary stories in journals he calls his “nightbooks.” Ostracized for his spooky interests, Alex reaches his breaking point one night, overhearing his parents discuss their concern over indulging his hobbies. Fleeing his apartment in a fit of rage to the basement to burn his stories and renounce writing, Alex is sidetracked by a strange apartment. Lured in by his favorite movie and favorite treats, Alex is suddenly trapped in the home of the evil witch Natacha (Krysten Ritter). To appease her and stay alive, Alex must write a new scary story each day to read each night. With fellow prisoner Yasmin (Lidya Jewett) and a curmudgeonly, sometimes-invisible cat named Lenore, Alex will need to find a way to defeat Natacha and find a way to escape.

Nightbooks

1h 43m   TV-PG   2021

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Orion and the Dark

You know what main character would appreciate this article? Orion (Jacob Tremblay). In this animated adventure-comedy, the poor kid is afraid of everything — especially the dark. That is until he meets Dark (Paul Walter Hauser), a giant shadowy creature who’s, frankly, fed up with Orion being so scared of him. To help Orion face his fears and appreciate the beauty of darkness, Dark invites Orion to join him for a night on the job. The concept is clever, the voice cast is talented, and for a film all about the dark, the overall message is really very bright.

Orion and the Dark

1h 32m   TV-Y7   2024

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Time Cut

Imagine watching a slasher franchise, but out of order.  The film begins in 2003 with high school senior Summer Field (Ginny & Georgia’s Antonia Gentry) attending a barn party despite being devastated over the recent murder of her best friend, the third in a string of local teen deaths. The killer shows up at the party determined to make Summer his next victim. Jump to 2024; Summer was murdered, the killer was never found, and her sister Lucy (Madison Bailey), born after she died, has grown up  in the shadow of a girl she never knew. When paying their respects on the anniversary of Summer’s death, Lucy stumbles upon a time machine that takes her back to 2003, two days before her sister will be murdered. The countdown begins to try to prevent her sister’s death and find a killer.

Time Cut

1h 31m   TV-14   2024

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Vampires vs. the Bronx

When real estate group Murnau Properties begins buying up all the land in Miguel Martinez’s (Jaden Michael) beloved Bronx community, he quickly realizes the neighborhood is in danger. But this gentrification story is a little different. You see, these new dudes are particularly pale and the life-sucking they’re doing to the community is literal because they’re vampires. Now, it’s up to Miguel and his two best friends, Bobby (Gerald W. Jones III) and Luis (Gregory Diaz IV), to fight back. It’s a vampire movie, so there will be blood, but you’re much more likely to think than hide in terror — so go ahead and sink your teeth into it. 

Vampires vs. the Bronx

1h 26m   PG-13   2020

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We Have a Ghost

Soon after the Presley family moves into their new home, the youngest son, Kevin (Jahi Winston), discovers a ghost in the attic. Played by David Harbour, the ghost (whom Kevin calls “Ernest” because it’s written on his shirt) can’t remember anything about his past life, so Kevin commits to helping him search for answers. Meanwhile, Kevin’s dad, Frank (Anthony Mackie), uploads a video that Kevin recorded of Ernest to YouTube that, of course, breaks the internet. Now, everyone wants an encounter with the spirit — including the CIA. With a stellar cast (including Tig Notaro and Jennifer Coolidge), hilarious cameos, and a fun premise, WHAG is a perfect Halloween treat. 

We Have a Ghost

2h 7m   PG-13   2023

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Windfall

The word windfall has two definitions: fruit blown down from a tree or bush by the wind and unexpected good fortune, typically receiving a large amount of money. So, in a stroke of literary brilliance, this neo-noir thriller revolves around money and takes place on an orange grove. Nobody (Jason Segel) breaks into the empty vacation home of a tech billionaire CEO (Jesse Plemons) and his wife (Lily Collins). The plan is to live the high life for a while, then make off with a Rolex and some valuables ... until CEO and wife show up for an unexpected romantic getaway. This one’s a slow burner when it comes to thrills, and the eventual scary stuff is minimal thanks to strategic camera work. Still, the exceptional cast and underlying social commentary make for a killer watch. By the end of 92 minutes, you may be wondering who was the bad guy — and who was the worse guy?

Windfall

1h 32m   R   2022

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Horror Movies to Stream NowFrom horror-comedies to classic hauntings, these movies will creep you out.