Halloween is the time of year for ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night. But if you’re like me and scary things are a big fat no, then finding ways to celebrate the holiday can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to movies. Halloween movies seem to be divided into cute kids film and scary adult horror films, but there are a few that fall somewhere in the middle. So grab a bowl of popcorn and feel free to turn out the lights with these not so scary, but still Halloween themed movies.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
If you’re looking for a movie that doesn’t hold back on the Halloween aesthetic and is just enough on the side of creepy to make it festive, Tim Burton’s got you covered. Follow Jack Skellington, the star resident of Halloween Town, as he gets bored of the routine traditions of the holiday and goes in search of adventure. After discovering a portal to Christmas Town, he’s becomes obsessed with finding out all he can about the other holiday. Burton’s stop motion classic is charming, but the best part about it is you can watch it from now until after Christmas without feeling guilty.
How to Watch: It’ll air on Freeform Oct. 28 at 5:45 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. or you can rent it on iTunes for $4
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
No Halloween should pass without watching the greatest classic of all, “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.” As the Peanut’s gang prepares for Halloween, Linus writes his annual letter to The Great Pumpkin, despite ridicule from his friends and his sister. When Halloween night comes and everyone else’s goes out to trick or treat and party, Linus hangs out in the pumpkin patch and waits for The Great Pumpkin’s arrival. Will he come, or are Linus’ friends right that it’s silly to believe?
How to Watch: ABC only airs the classic once a year in early October, but you can buy it on iTunes for $10
Hocus Pocus
A modern classic, “Hocus Pocus” follows the three witches from 1690’s Salem who accidentally resurrected 300 years later by a teenager, Max. As the witches attempt to fulfill their plan to suck out all the souls of Salem’s children before sunrise, they find themselves foiled again and again by 20th century kids who won’t take them seriously as witches since it’s Halloween. It’s horror meets comedy in one of the most beloved modern Halloween films. In fact, it’s so popular, Freeform is airing it 10 times this month.
How to Watch: Freeform will air it Oct. 27 at 7:50 p.m., Oct. 28 at 3:40 p.m., Oct. 29 at 8:25 p.m, Oct. 30 at 6:25 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 8 and 11 p.m. If for some reason none of those viewings fit your schedule, you can rent it on iTunes for $4
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
If you’re looking for something a little raunchier and little campy, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is your best bet. The musical parody of B-list horror films centers around a young couple, Brad and Janet, whose car breaks down on the side of the road one rainy night. Looking for a way to call for help, the couple stumbles upon the home of Dr. Frank N Furter, a mad scientist from another planet attempting to create the perfect human male, and his house of increasingly odd employees. The film gained a cult following for its music and subversive material and was recently remade by Fox with Laverne Cox as Frank N Furter, thought the remake was less sexual and edited to be more appropriate for prime time TV.
How to watch: the original can be rented on iTunes for $4, and Fox’s remake can be streamed for free on Hulu.
Ghostbusters
If none of the previous films are what you’re looking for, who you gonna call? The tale of the Ghostbusters gained plenty of attention recently with the remake that included an all female crew of busters, but no matter who you call, the story pretty much stays the same. Follow the team of Ghostbusters as they go around New York investigating and capturing ghosts as well as saving the world from total destruction. It’s got comedy, it’s got romance, it’s got a catchy theme song and it’s got a giant marshmallow man rampaging through a city. What more could you want from a film?
How to watch: Both the original and the 2016 remake can be rented on iTunes for $4 and $5 respectively.
