The 31 Best Non-Scary Halloween Movies to Stream

Between Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family, here are 31 Halloween movies that aren't scary to binge-watch this spooky season

THE HAUNTED MANSION, Eddie Murphy; Coraline; THE CORPSE BRIDE
Photo: Everett Collention (3)

Who says Halloween has to be all fears and frights?

While horror films tend to take the spotlight every year, there are plenty of Halloween movies that aren't scary and will put you in the festive spirit. Take, for instance, Edward Scissorhands (1990), where a humanoid with scissors for hands proves to be more pure than petrifying. And let's not forget Halloweentown (1998), where a magical city filled with witches, ghosts, werewolves and more come together to make an enchanting setting.

If you're up for a spooky marathon without the need to keep every light on, read ahead for all the best non-scary Halloween movies available to stream.

01 of 31

Hocus Pocus

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection
Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

It's everyone's favorite Halloween movie for a reason — after all, the Sanderson Sisters never let you down. Plus, there's a Bette Midler musical number, which automatically makes it better than every single horror movie that's ever been made.

Once you finish the 1993 classic, you're in luck, thanks to the Disney+ sequel that came out 29 years after the original film hit theaters!

Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+

02 of 31

Coraline

CORALINE, from left: father (voice: John Hodgeman), Coraline (voice: Dakota Fanning), mother (voice: Teri Hatcher), 2009.
Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imagine if a world parallel to the one you live in exists behind a secret door? Well for Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning), the titular character in the 2009 film based on Neil Gaiman's children novella of the same name, it does!

The biggest difference? Everyone has buttons instead of eyes and they'll do just about anything to keep her from leaving. Will Coraline escape the dark fantasy she thought she wanted or will she remain in "The Other World" forever?

Watch Coraline on Max

03 of 31

Corpse Bride

the-corpse-bride-1-2000
Snap Stills/REX/Shutterstock

If you like your Halloween movies with a healthy dose of romance and stop-motion dance numbers starring some jaunty skeletons, Corpse Bride is the film for you! It's sweet, it's spooky, it's adorable and Emily's (Helena Bonham Carter) wedding dress is still one of the chicest wedding day looks we've ever seen.

Watch Corpse Bride on Max

04 of 31

The Halloweentown Franchise

Emily Roeske, Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, 1998.
Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection

Craving an evening with warlocks, vampires, werewolves, mummies and ghosts galore? Then binge-watch the hit Halloweentown franchise to escape the Mortal World for all of that and more!

Watch the Halloweentown franchise on Disney+

05 of 31

Little Shop of Horrors

Ellen Greene, Steve Martin and Rick Moranis in a scene from the film 'Little Shop Of Horrors', 1986.
The Geffen Company/Getty

Feast your eyes on this classic musical that involves a non-stop growing, flesh-craving plant that blossoms into more than just an attraction at a floral store.

Will staffer Seymour (Rick Moranis) tame this carnivorous beast, or will he continue to kill to feed it? If you're hungry for what happens next, then stream Little Shop of Horrors ASAP!

Watch Little Shop of Horrors on Max

06 of 31

Goosebumps

GOOSEBUMPS, from left: Jack Black, Odeya Rush, Dylan Minnette, 2015
Hopper Stone/Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

You may have read about the monster creatures from the best-selling Goosebumps series, but have you ever wondered what they might look like in real life? Well thanks to the 2015 comedy-thriller of the same name, you can see what's actually swirling through author R.L. Stine's fantastical imagination.

While there are monsters and a few jump scares, the movie introduces its young audience to the world of Goosebumps in a silly, adventure-filled way.

Watch Goosebumps on Netflix

07 of 31

Young Frankenstein

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Moviepix

There are a million reasons to watch this film — you want something truly goofy, you're a big fan of the late Gene Wilder, you want to see a reanimated corpse perform "Puttin' on the Ritz" — but perhaps the most important reason is that it reminds us all the importance of reading labels properly. (Abnormal does not equal Abby Normal.)

Watch Young Frankenstein on Max

08 of 31

The Addams Family

the-addams-family-1-2000
Orion/Paramount/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're all together ooky … and you can't celebrate Halloween without the Addams Family! (They'd probably torture you if you tried.)

Watch The Addams Family on Paramount+

09 of 31

ParaNorman

PARANORMAN, from left: Grandma (voice: Elaine Stritch), Sandra Babcock (voice: Leslie Mann), Perry Babcock (voice: Jeff Garlin), Norman (center, voice: Kodi Smit-McPhee), Courtney (voice: Anna Kendrick), 2012.
Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

Do you believe in ghosts? Well young Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) certainly does... and he can talk to them, too! The 2012 animated film chronicles the 11-year-old boy and his paranormal abilities as he sets on a quest to save his fellow townspeople from a centuries-old witch's curse.

Watch ParaNorman on Starz

10 of 31

Edward Scissorhands

Pop Culture-themed Restaurants
Everett

When in doubt, make sure that your Halloween movie programming includes at least one of the following: Tim Burton, Winona Ryder in an iconic role or a creepy, ominous castle that looms over everything.

Watch Edward Scissorhands on Max

11 of 31

Ghostbusters

ghostbusters-1-2000
Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Who you gonna call to watch this poltergeist picture with? Whether it's the 1984 original or the 2016 remake, make sure you prove to everyone that you're not afraid of no ghosts!

Watch Ghostbusters on Peacock

12 of 31

The Addams Family

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, clockwise from top left: Morticia Addams (voice: Charlize Theron), Gomez Addams (voice: Oscar Isaac), Uncle Fester (voice: Nick Kroll), Pugsley Addams (voice: Finn Wolfhard), Wednesday Addams (voice: Chloe Grace Moretz), 2019
MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection

Familiar with Charles Addams' original characters Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley, Wednesday, Uncle Fester and Grandma? Then put your fingers together for a modern twist on the classic cartoon with 2019's adaptation of The Addams Family, a family comedy film that'll be sure to leave you snapping by the end.

Watch The Addams Family on Amazon Prime Video

13 of 31

Shaun of the Dead

shaun-of-the-dead-1-2000
Oliver Upton/Big Talk/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Shaun of the Dead — by far — is the bloodiest movie on this list, but it's also the only one that features a scene where people fight zombies to the sounds of Queen, so really, it's worth enduring a little gore!

Watch Shaun of the Dead on Hulu

14 of 31

Casper

casper-1-2000
Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Okay, sure, ghosts can be scary... but not Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson)! In fact, he's "the friendliest ghost you know." Escape to Whipstaff Manor, an abandoned mansion, to join the sweet spirit, his obnoxious uncles and Kat on their supernatural adventures.

Watch Casper on Netflix

15 of 31

Coco

COCO, from left: Hector (voice: Gael Garcia Bernal), Miguel (voice: Anthony Gonzalez), 2017
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Although Coco isn't technically a Halloween movie, its plot places an emphasis on the day after the spooky holiday: Día de los Muertos.

The film celebrates the Mexican holiday through the adventures of a 12-year-old boy (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez) who's accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead and must convince his relatives of the past to reverse his family's ban on music in the present.

Watch Coco on Disney+

16 of 31

Beetlejuice

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Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Halloween simply wouldn't be Halloween if it didn't involve ghosts, tricks and Tim Burton, of course! 1988's Beetlejuice provides all of the above — plus a healthy dose of "boos," too!

Watch Beetlejuice on Max

17 of 31

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Photo of Rocky Horror Picture Show
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

You're not going to want to get too comfortable with this film (and not because you should be anticipating any jump scares)! Then why? Because The Rocky Horror Picture Show demands participation from its viewers, particularly if you're watching with a live audience.

Between shouting out the famed call-and-response lines or getting ready to whip toast at the screen, get ready to have a blast while watching the campy cult classic — whether you're in a theater, or bringing the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) to your own living room!

Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Hulu

18 of 31

Muppets Haunted Mansion

MUPPETS HAUNTED MANSION - KERMIT THE FROG, MISS PIGGY
Mitch Haaseth/Disney

If anyone can do anything and everything, it's The Great Gonzo — but will this terrifying task be too much for the world-famous daredevil to handle? Find out if he's brave enough to spend an entire night in the haunted mansion, deemed "the scariest place on Earth."

Watch Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+

19 of 31

The Nightmare Before Christmas

On the set of The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop motion musical fantasy film written and produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick.
Touchstone Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

While many debate whether Tim Burton's animated classic qualifies as a holiday film, there's no question that The Nightmare Before Christmas is perfect for spooky season first and foremost. Just look at the main character, Jack Skellington, better known as the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town!

Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+

20 of 31

Hotel Transylvania

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, l-r: Mavis (voice: Selena Gomez), Griffin the Invisible Man (voice: David Spade), Wayne (voice: Steve Buscemi), Wanda (voice: Molly Shannon), Murray the Mummy (Cee-Lo Green), Dracula (Adam Sandler), Frank (Kevin James), 2012
Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Enter into a world where human meets monster with Hotel Transylvania and its three sequels. This family comedy will introduce you to a slew of creatures that are scary, startling and silly, nonetheless!

With appearances from Dracula (Adam Sandler), Mummy (CeeLo Green) and the Invisible Man (David Spade), the film chronicles the love story of an ordinary human who falls for the notorious vampire's daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez).

Watch Hotel Transylvania on Hulu

21 of 31

The Haunted Mansion

THE HAUNTED MANSION, Eddie Murphy, 2003
Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

Dare to accept Disney's cordial invitation to journey inside the ghost-filled Gracey Manor? Though The Haunted Mansion is technically a horror film, have no fear! Eddie Murphy's staring role as Jim Evers promises to bring laughs and light as he and his family try to reverse the curse of the mansion.

Watch The Haunted Mansion on Disney+

22 of 31

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

Henry Thomas on the set of "E.T.".
Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Although the 1982 sci-fi film isn't a horror movie, Steven Spielberg's most famed scene of the beloved alien and his friends takes place on Halloween night when E.T. tries to "phone home." E.T. The Extra Terrestrial is a perfect movie to watch as a family because the heart-warming film places an emphasis on the themes of acceptance and coming of age.

Watch E.T. The Extra Terrestrial on Peacock

23 of 31

Twitches

TWITCHES, Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry, 2005
Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection

Double the trouble! Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry join forces as "twitches" — twin witches — in the 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie, using their powers to save their kingdom from the forces of darkness.

Based on the book series of the same name, this Halloween classic is enchanting, magical and — wait for it — bewitching!

Watch Twitches on Disney+

24 of 31

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN, Linus Van Pelt, Sally Brown, Snoopy, first aired in 1966
Courtesy Everett Collection

Based on the Peanuts comics by Charles M. Schulz, this Halloween special has become just as synonymous with the spooky holiday as candy and costumes!

Maybe even carve a pumpkin as Linus (Christopher Shea) awaits in his sincere patch or make a DIY costume like Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) and his ghost garb with more eyeholes than needed — either way, this holiday classic is a fun one for the fam.

Watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on Apple TV+.

25 of 31

Frankenweenie

FRANKENWEENIE, from left: Sparky, Victor (voice: Charlie Tahan), 2012
Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Meet Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan), a science nerd and an outsider at school. But he's no loner because he's got his best friend by his side: his dog, Sparky! One day, tragedy strikes poor Sparky — but thanks to Victor's science teacher (Martin Landau), a nifty experiment brings him back to life.

Sounds like a happy ending, right? Wrong. Watch to find out what happens next when Victor's sneaky classmates get a hold of the secret concoction and unleash a world of dead animals… with monstrous consequences.

Watch Frankenweenie on Disney+

26 of 31

Hubie Halloween

Hubie Halloween, Adam Sandler as Hubie Dubois.
Scott Yamano/NETFLIX

What's Halloween without a good mystery? Thanks to Adam Sandler's Hubie Halloween, you'll get the spooky, the thrill, the untold secrets — and yes, even the laughs!

Give it a watch to find out if the good-hearted scaredy-cat can muster up the courage to protect his town of Salem, Mass.

Watch Hubie Halloween on Netflix

27 of 31

The Wizard of Oz

Wizard of Oz
Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock

In the words of Judy Garland's Dorothy, "There's no place like home" — and we couldn't agree more! While you're there, cozy up on your couch, turn on The Wizard of Oz and join the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) and the rest of their fantastical friends on their journey down the yellow brick road.

Watch The Wizard of Oz on Max

28 of 31

Practical Magic

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Sure, it's not technically a Halloween film, but it's got magic, awesome '90s outfits and a terrifying villain, so it totally counts. Besides, you never need an excuse to watch the margarita scene.

Watch Practical Magic on Hulu

29 of 31

The Craft

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Peter Iovino/Columbia/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock

Curses, spells, magic... check! Join Sarah (Robin Tunney), her telekinetic appeals and the group of wannabe witches as they discover the potential of their nascent powers — which might be stronger and more dangerous than they thought.

Plus, The Craft makes for some bewitching squad costume inspiration!

Watch The Craft on Hulu

30 of 31

Scooby Doo: The Movie

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jasin Boland/Hannah Barbera Prods/Atlas/Kobal/Shutterstock (5879177c) Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini, Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze Jr Scooby Doo - 2002 Director: Raja Gosnell Hannah Barbera Prods / Atlas Entertainment USA Scene Still Games Scooby-Doo
Jasin Boland/Hannah Barbera Prods/Atlas/Kobal/Shutterstock

Jinkies! This live-action adaptation of the beloved cartoon takes the mystery-solving crew — Scooby (voiced by Neil Fanning), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), Velma (Linda Cardellini), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.) — to the silver screen, where they reunite to investigate a spooky, horror-themed tropical resort. 

Watch Scooby-Doo: The Movie on Max

31 of 31

Scary Movie

Scary Movie
Dave Sheridan in Scary Movie, 2000.

Dimension Films

Don't be misled by the title, this film is anything but. Starring comedic maestros like Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Marlon Wayans and more, this 2000 comedy playfully pokes fun at iconic scary flicks like Scream (1996) and I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997), proving that laughter can be the best cure for fear.

Watch Scary Movie on Max

Updated by
Julia Emmanuele
Julia Emmanuele is a former writer/reporter at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2018.

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