In theory, we’d love to get scared while watching a classic horror movie come fall. But in reality, deep down, some of us are still those same kids who requested to keep the lights on at our childhood slumber parties. Even as adults, we might see faces in dark corners or hear strange noises from empty rooms after watching an especially terrifying flick. And yet, we're not destined to be left out of the Halloween horror movie craze altogether. Enter: the best non-scary horror movies.
Created for those who can only take so many James Wan movies (Insidious, The Conjuring) or eerie A24 hits (Hereditary, The VVitch), the greatest non-spooky horror films won’t make you fear the light of day or any monsters under your bed.
Some are straight-up comedies while others have a feminist twist (though no shortage of thrills). Others still are wholesome, autumnal favorites we've been rewatching since the '90s. And all are mild enough that even fraidy cats like us can sleep soundly after viewing. Below, find the best not-too-scary horror movies we’ve ever come across.
'Army of Darkness' (1992)
The scary-to-silliness ratio here skews heavily toward the latter with this time-traveling sequel to the first two Evil Dead movies. Bill Campbell's Ash is extra hammy as the obnoxious chainsaw-for-a-hand anti-hero battling demons while stuck in King Arthur’s court.
'Beetlejuice' (1988)
Beetlejuice may be the ghost with the most, but he’s also downright entertaining: Who else would turn themselves into a carnival carousel while terrorizing their (suspecting) victims? Or propose to their intended with a ring that has the finger still attached? Between his goofy antics and the sweet relationship that develops between recently deceased homeowners the Maitlands and the daughter of their house's new residents, Lydia Deetz, this one’s basically a barrel of laughs.
'Ben' (1972)
A sweet-yet-lonely boy (Elliott "Lee" Harcourt Montgomery) befriends a rat named Ben, whose army of rodent pals aim to protect him from bullies. Then, they start to kill. But not to worry: Should you get too creeped out, the sweet theme song Michael Jackson created for the film is sure to bring you back to your happy place.
‘Black Swan’ (2010)
Rather than being scared over Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman)’ descent into perfectionist-driven madness, you’re likely to spend the majority of this film confused as you try to figure out what in the fresh hell is actually going on between Nina and Lily (Mila Kunis), her rebellious ballet rival.
'Blade' (1998)
Soul-sucking fiends? Hardly! The vampiric creatures of the night in Stephen Norrington's Blade are downright sexy. In fact, their partying subculture gives this flick enough pizazz that it just may leave you longing for the darkness you once feared.
‘The Blob’ (1958)
Sure, The Blob is a cult horror classic and that’s widely respected by genre buffs the world over. But it’s also about a gelatinous, well, blob, of goo that’s more akin to the Gak slime we played with growing up than a demonic entity that could strike fear into our hearts. In short? It’s giving Slimer of cartoon Ghostbusters fame. *Shrugs*
'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1992)
The movie predating the beloved Sarah Michelle Gellar series is every bit as sharp and witty as the show it subsequently spawned. In other words, you'll be smirking the entire time that self-centered cheerleader-turned-slayer (Kristy Swanson) is kicking vampire butt with her charmingly handsome new sidekick (the late great Luke Perry).
'The 'Burbs' (1989)
When the creepy new neighbors move in next door, Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) and his friends become obsessed with finding proof that the Klopeks are actually murderers disguised in suburbanites' clothing. But are these neighborhood vigilantes just bored busybodies aching for an adventure or is something nefarious really going down? The answer involves plenty of satirical humor.
'Cabin in the Woods' (2012)
Cabin in the Woods draws upon all the usual horror movie tropes to create something new and unexpected. Even if you think you know what will play out at the end of this film about a group of four cliche-ridden friends staying in an isolated cabin, you're likely due for a surprise. (And no, it's not the kind that'll make you jump.)
'Casper' (1995)
They don't call him a friendly ghost for nothing. This classic '90s movie about a young girl (an adorable Christina Ricci) who befriends the ghost of a 12-year-old boy is so far from scary, we can't even technically call it a horror film. Still, it's a great Halloween watch, particularly for the "afraid of the dark" set.
'Chopping Mall' (1986)
Killer robots and an '80s shopping mall after-hours? File this one under "so bad it's good." Between the B-movie campiness and the incredible nostalgic fashions, you'll be too amused to feel any familiar shivers of fear.
'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977)
Some alien movies give us the heebie-jeebies (*cough, cough*, Alien), but this Steven Spielberg classic delivers excitement instead. When a suburbanite father (Richard Dreyfuss) refuses to accept the reality that he saw a UFO, inexplicable phenomena take over his life. It's a certified sci-fi classic about the mysteries that science can’t always explain.
‘Companion’ (2025)
This one does have some bloody bits, but it also has plenty of humor, girl power, and dare we say, romance. It’s about a robot girlfriend (Yellowjackets’ Sophie Thatcher) who goes completely off the rails when she realizes her programmer/boyfriend has been taking advantage of her. (Warranted.)
'Coraline' (2009)
Being the new kid in town isn't going as well as 11-year-old Coraline (Dakota Fanning) had hoped. Her parents are MIA, she has no real friends, and her new house is total boredom central. Desperate for something to do, she snoops around her new digs and finds a trap door that leads to a fun and cheery alternate universe comprised of all her wildest dreams. But nothing comes for free, as Coraline will soon find out.
'The Corpse's Bride' (2005)
Tim Burton’s stop-motion horror film about a dead bride is a love story for the ages (and beyond). When Victor (Johnny Depp) gets cold feet about his upcoming nuptials, he’s swept away to the land of the dead by a forlorn ghost bride named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter). Incorporating gothic Victorian elements and Burton’s signature ghastly quirks, it's a visually stunning but not-too-scary ode to Halloween.
'The Craft' (1996)
Full of fun, witchy magic, this one doesn't turn into a horror until high school student Sarah (Robin Tunney) decides to break away from the newfound coven she's been casting (mostly) harmless spells with. Turn's out, dark magic's also real, and when it falls into the wrong hands, Sarah will have to show her frenemies who's got the real power.
'Crimson Peak' (2016)
Inspired by Victorian-era ghost stories, the mostly innocuous film follows newlywed Edith (Mia Wasikowska) amid her marriage to the charming and wealthy bachelor Thomas Sharpe (Thomas Hiddleston). Her new home at his Crimson Peak manor isn't exactly welcoming, however. In fact, it seems as though secrets and evil forces lurk around every corner.
‘The Crow’ (1994)
The Crow is like Ghost for goths. Lovebirds Shelly (Sofia Shinas) and Eric (RIP, Brandon Lee) are killed by a gang of unsavory characters, but Eric gets his chance for revenge when he’s brought back to life by a crow. At its heart, we think this is just a love story dressed up in latex.
'Fright Night' (1985)
A step down from the scarier 2011 Colin Farrell remake, Fright Night sees a horror-obsessed teenager (William Ragsdale) and a late-night television host (Roddy McDowall) teaming up to defeat the charming vampire next door (Chris Sarandon).
'The Gate' (1987)
Left to their own devices, two kids (Stephen Dorff and Louis Tripp) unwittingly open a portal to a dark dimension and release a legion of small but menacing creatures in their backyard. If this wasn't like The Goonies for horror, these tiny dirtbags might even haunt your dreams.
'Ghostbusters' (1984)
OK, OK—so horror, this is not. We maintain that it still belongs on this list, however, since its comedy legends (Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson) provide exactly the type of spooky fun us non-scary lovers crave this time of year, what with their modified vacuums and hoovering of ghosts.
'Happy Death Day' (2017)
In this slasher version of Groundhog Day, a sorority girl (Jessica Rothe) relives the same day over and over—but it always up with her dead. Over time, she gains insight into her demise while simultaneously evolving into a more empathetic version of herself. The feel-good ending and comedy temper the blood.
'The Innkeepers' (2011)
A once-grand New England inn is on the brink of shutdown when the hotel begins to fill up with old guests—both alive and long-deceased. Morbidly curious about its tragic past, the inn's employees Luke (Pat Healy) and Claire (Sara Paxton) go ghost hunting with the help of a psychic played by Kelly McGillis. While you'll be able to handle much of the film (it's a slow burn), you might want to look away at the end, when things gets scary, fast. You've been warned!
'Hocus Pocus' (1993)
A trio of wicked and nasty witches (Bette Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) is awakened after 300 years. Before they can kidnap the souls of children the wold over, however, they'll have to defeat the formidable team of new kid in town Max Dennison (Omri Katz), his little sister Dani (Thora Birch), and a talking cat named Binx. (Yes, it's as cute as it sounds.)
'Hubie Halloween' (2020)
In this feel-good (but surprisingly, clever) Halloween flick, Adam Sandler plays the ever-endearing Hubie Dubois. He's a self-dubbed neighborhood watchman who takes it upon himself to look out for the citizens of his town, Salem, Mass., on Halloween night. See how many comedic all-stars you recognize in the cast.
'Jennifer's Body' (2009)
Megan Fox playing a possessed high school cheerleader with a (literal) taste for vengeance in the form of her male classmates is exactly as fun as it sounds. Watch to see if her best friend, played by a sweet and studious Amanda Seyfried, can stop Fox's murder spree before she gets her claws into Seyfried's boyfriend.
'Knives Out' (2019)
Bring on the Halloween murder mystery party! This campy movie has all the classic trimmings of a the genre with a fun, modern twist. After Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), a wealthy mystery writer, dies at his 85th birthday party, his greedy, dysfunctional family (made up of an all-star ensemble cast) tries to uncover what happened—while fighting for the family fortune.
'Lady In White' (1988)
In a small town haunted by the suspicious deaths of 11 kids, an awkward, bullied boy named Frankie (Lucas Haas) befriends the ghost of a murdered girl. Frankie vows to find her killer at whatever cost, but his sweet nostalgia keeps things from getting too scary.
‘Leprechaun’ (1993)
Leprechau might just be the least scary horror film of all time. It’s about a teenage girl (Jennifer Aniston) whose family moves to an old Irish farmhouse that’s got a bit of a pest problem in the form of an evil leprechaun who’s out for blood. (Seriously, we couldn’t make this up.) In short? It’s just what the doctor ordered for those who prefer chuckles to frights. Plus, it’s a chance to watch a baby Jen pre Rachel.
'Little Shop of Horrors' (1986)
Normally, it's dead plants that are the stuff of nightmares, but in the case of this 1986 musical, it's more alarming once they've come to life. That's especially true since Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis)'s house plant has an unhealthy interest in human flesh. (Gulp.) While it sounds downright terrifying, it's tempered by its cheeky musical numbers.
‘The Lost Boys’ (1987)
The second you start feeling scared of this 1987 film about motorcycle-riding vampires in a seaside town is the second I want you to zero in on the shirtless saxophone player, otherwise known as Tim Cappello, who appears in the middle of the action. Because let's be real: Nothing truly bad could ever happen in a movie that features this character or his equally cheesy moves.
'The Love Witch' (2016)
Anna Biller’s horror-comedy isn’t all that scary; in fact, it’s somewhat inspiring for those with an interest in the divine feminine. Featuring astounding costume and production design that imagines a surreal version of modern L.A. with a swinging ‘60s flair, it follows a young witch Elaine (Samantha Robinson) on a quest for love. When her spells and flings go awry, she can’t help but off her would-be suitors, making for a deliciously mystical but never too scary feminist film.
‘M3gan’ (2023)
Look, we’re not saying it’s impossible for a movie about a murderous doll to be truly scary. (Hello! Chucky!) But M3gan, which is centered on an AI doll who becomes a little *too* protective of her paired human child, just didn’t have us pulling the sheets over our eyes in quite the same way. Maybe it was her goofy dances or her chic bowtie, but this one remained firmly in campy territory.
'The Monster Squad' (1987)
Dracula and his present ghoulish company have teamed up to take over the world, but they weren't counting on the scrappy outcasts who've gathered to foil all their best-laid plans. Think of this family-friendly horror flick as being Monster-lite.
'Night Of The Comet' (1984)
After an asteroid strikes Earth, the only folks alive or not zombiefied in L.A. (and possibly the world) are two Valley girls (Kelli Maroney and Catherine Mary Stewart). In the end, they have to get to the mall and save humanity—and needless to say, plenty of laughs ensure.
'Night of the Creeps' (1986)
Think '50s sci-fi meets Revenge of the Nerds meets John Hughes. When two goofy fraternity pledges (Jason Lively and Steve Marshall) accidentally defrost the body of a teenager who was infected by an experimental brain-eating lifeform in the 1950s, Greek Row is overwhelmed with zombies.
'Practical Magic' (1998)
Two witch sisters (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) learn to avoid their magical powers—and love—at all costs because they believe they're the targets of a generations-long curse. But one sister likes to walk on the wild side, and when she falls for the wrong guy, they'll both have to embrace what's rightfully theirs to end his reign of terror.
'A Quiet Place' (2018)
In this thriller starring Emily Blunt and her husband John Krasinski (also the film's director), Earth has been overrun by bloodthirsty aliens who depend on their hyper-sensitive hearing to pinpoint their human prey. While any parent can identity with the horrrifying prospect of trying to remain dead silent with kids in tow, it didn't exactly have us quaking in our boots.
'The Return of the Living Dead' (1985)
Make no mistake: This is not part of the same universe as Night of the Living Dead or Dawn of the Dead. And that's good news, because those films are legitimately scary. Rather, this one relies more on zombie jump-scares and a colorful cast of characters that's not quite as effective. (Thank goodness!)
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' (1975)
Most people's first thoughts when they find themselves stranded on the side of the road wouldn't be to approach the nearest creepy mansion. Goody-two-shoes married couple Brad (Barry Bostwick), and Janet (Susan Sarandon) think differently, however, leading them to Dr. Frank-N-Furter's (Tim Curry) humble abode, where they're in for a night beyond their wildest expectations. Get ready to sing along... like, a lot.
‘Scary Movie’ (2000)
Ignore this one’s title—it’s meant to be misleading. Rather than scaring the pants off of you, it's sure to make you laugh, since it's a Wayans brothers parody film based on all the most ridiculous parts we're prone to seeing in scary movies. A heroine who chooses a banana as a weapon over a knife? That’s in there. A ghoul who’s more prone to injuring themselves than their victims? Yeah, that’s in there too. Frankly, it’s downright stupid at times—but that’s also kind of the point. 'Cause if it’s funny … it can’t be scary. Right?
'Shaun of the Dead' (2004)
This horror-comedy has all the gore of The Walking Dead without the plodding pace. The title character of Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a pop-culture-obsessed British slacker who must awaken from his video game-induced stupor to save his girlfriend and his mates from hordes of the undead.
'The Sixth Sense' (1999)
Since the thrill of this movie lies in what's implied, not seen, it will be a little easier for a scaredy cat to stomach. Its tension is hinged upon star Haley Joel Osment's moving performance as Cole, a boy with the power to see dead people. Toni Collette also gives a heartfelt performance as his loving but frustrated mother.
'Slither' (2006)
The slug-like creatures from outer space in James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy franchise)'s feature debut isn't exactly a core shaker. It is, however, funny and gross enough to make you squirm with delight.
'Something Wicked This Way Comes' (1983)
Based on the fantasy novel by acclaimed author Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles), there isn't any gore here, but Something Wicked has a foreboding tone that can be hard to shake well after it's over. It's centered on a carnival barker (Jonathan Pryce), appropriately named Mr. Dark, who is eager to collect the souls of his unsuspecting victims.
‘The Substance’ (2024)
Creepy? Yes. Scary? No. Playing off of society’s collective fear of getting older, The Substance follows Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), an aging fitness instructor who’s willing to go to extremes to continue her reign as a workout queen. The problem? Her quest for perpetual youth has unleashed a monster in the form of another version of herself named Sue (Margaret Qualley), and she's got her own plans about how to take charge of this experiment. She’ll probably make you giggle or gasp more than she’ll haunt your dreams.
'Tremors' (1990)
A creature feature without much bite, Tremors sees a young Kevin Bacon facing off against ginormous worm-like being that's hellbent on wreaking havoc in his small desert town. Not today, worm!
'Twilight Zone: The Movie' (1983)
The Twilight Zone movie is made up of four sci-fi and horror vignettes, and each one is directed by a renowned filmmaker. (Joe Dante, George Miller), ect. It may not be as eerie as the original series—which is always worth a rewatch—but it holds onto its storytelling sensibilities.
'What We Do in the Shadows' (2015)
This cult mockumentary follows a group of centuries-old vampires maneuvering the mundane quotidian tasks of modern life as housemates. It's the classic fish-out-of-water story mixed with blood and Big Brother shenanigans. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords) co-starred, co-directed, and co-wrote the film.
'The Witches of Eastwick' (1987)
The antidote to fear? Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer as three women who unintentionally form a coven after a mysterious man (Nicholson) comes into their lives and messes with their hearts. We’d pay good money to *actually* make potions with them, but we'll settle for watching them play with voodoo dolls instead.
'Zombieland' (2009)
What would you do if zombies were taking over the planet? If you answered, "Find your people, look for cool places to hang out, eat what you want, and kill anything that got in your way (including Bill Murray)," this one's for you.
