Not a fan of scary movies but still want to get into the Halloween spirit? Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite not-scary Halloween movies and where to watch them!
Some of these films revolve around the holiday while others have dark stories that will leave you feeling spooky and festive. So sit back and relax as we get into our Halloween Movie Watchlist: Not Scary Edition!
For horror movie lovers, check out our scary movie edition here.
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: The Haunted Mansion (2003)
The Haunted Mansion is a 2003 comedy film based on the Disney Parks ride of the same name. The film follows realtors Jim (Eddie Murphy) and Sara (Marsha Thomason) who take their family on vacation to a nearby lake. On the way there, Jim insists that the family stops at a nearby mansion known as Gracey Manor in an attempt to gain business.
While the family is at the mansion a storm leaves them stranded there and they must stay the night. They soon learn that the estate is anything but normal as they encounter happy haunts and mystical occurrences. Jim must then work with the residents of the manor to keep his family safe and to get back on track for their trip.
Is there a reason why we don’t talk more about Disney’s The Haunted Mansion (2003)??? pic.twitter.com/jqThQKlGxX
— Ivan VanCartier (@cinephileIvan) October 8, 2020
Watch The Haunted Mansion on Disney+!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
Muppets Haunted Mansion is a Disney+ special that is also based on the Disney Parks attraction. The special stars everyone’s favorite muppets Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Beaker, and Fozzie Bear. Also featured in the film are Will Arnett, Darren Criss, Taraji P. Henson, and John Stamos.
Muppets Haunted Mansion follows Gonzo as he and Pepé must spend the night in the Haunted Mansion. The comedy features music and muppets dressed up as iconic characters from the Haunted Mansion story that will be sure to have the whole family enjoying every second of it!
Check out the trailer:
Stream Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+ starting October 8!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus is practically THE quintessential family-friendly Halloween movie. The fantasy film follows Max and Dani Dennison who have recently moved to Salem, Massachusetts from Los Angeles. Everyone in Salem knows of the Sanderson sisters who were persecuted in the 17th century for their witchcraft. Skeptical of the folklore, Max accidentally brings the sisters back to life when he, Dani, and his classmate Allison break into the old Sanderson residence.
Accompanied by an immortal cat named Binx, Max, Dani, and Allison find themselves on a mission this Halloween night to stop the Sanderson sisters from harming children to preserve their own lives. This film serves up all of the spooky fall vibes and even features an iconic musical number of “I Put a Spell On You” by Bette Midler. Hocus Pocus also stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, and Thora Birch.
it’s officially hocus pocus seasonpic.twitter.com/RloWWXZCV7
— harry ? (@PUREHEROllNE) October 1, 2021
Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+.
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: The Addams Family (2019) & The Addams Family 2 (2021)
The Addams Family is a computer-animated film based on the fictional household created by Charles Addams. The film stars Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, and Nick Kroll. The Addams Family follows this abnormal household as Gomez (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron) try to keep their family in hiding and safe from being shunned by the outside world.
Watch The Addams Family on Hulu.
The Addams Family 2 follows the crazy and kooky family as they road trip across the US for their vacation. The family runs into some complications when Wednesday decides to veer off from the trip in order to further explore her science fascinations.
Watch The Addams Family 2 in movie theaters now!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Hotel Transylvania Franchise
The Hotel Transylvania movie franchise features 3 films that follow the vampire family of Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) who run a hotel. The computer-animated series consists of Hotel Transylvania (2012), Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018). The films’ ensemble cast also includes Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Kevin James, and Steve Buscemi.
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Nightbooks (2021)
Nightbooks is one of Netflix’s latest spooky releases. This film is a dark fantasy that stars Winslow Fegley, Lidya Jewett, and Krysten Ritter. The movie centers on a young boy named Alex (Winslow Fegley) who is obsessed with scary stories. Alex must tell these chilling stories every night to keep himself and his friend Yazmin (Lidya Jewett) from being trapped in the magical apartment of a young witch (Krysten Ritter).
Nightbooks is based on the 2018 children’s book of the same name by J. A. White.
Check out the trailer:
Watch Nightbooks on Netflix!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: The Witches (2020)
Based on Roald Dahl’s 1983 novel of the same name, The Witches stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock, and Kristin Chenoweth. The film follows a young boy who has gone to live with his grandmother after his parents have passed away in a car accident.
While at his new home in Alabama, the boy runs into a group of witches whose plan is to turn children into mice and exterminate them. He and his grandmother must then work to escape the witches’ plan and put a stop to it.
Check out the trailer:
Watch The Witches on HBO Max!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Casper Meets Wendy (1998)
Casper Meets Wendy is an adorable story of a young witch, Wendy (Hilary Duff), who befriends a young ghost named Casper (Jeremy Foley). Wendy lives with her 3 aunts while Casper lives with his 3 uncles. Traditionally, ghosts and witches do not get along, making Casper and Wendy’s friendship somewhat forbidden.
Wendy must keep her newfound friend hidden all while her aunts try to protect her from a warlock who learns that Wendy might be more powerful than he is. Casper Meets Wendy also stars Cathy Moriarty, Shelley Duvall, Teri Garr, and George Hamilton.
Who remembers this witchy scene from Casper Meets Wendy!? pic.twitter.com/2bLQX84BZa
— Horror4Kids (@horror4kids) November 14, 2020
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Halloweentown Franchise
The first Halloweentown movie was released in 1998 and is about a teen named Marnie Piper (Kimberly K. Brown) who, after learning that her grandmother Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds) is a witch, begins to practice magic. Marnie and her siblings must save their mother and grandmother and the rest of Halloweentown from the evil mayor named Kalabar.
The subsequent films in the series follow Marnie as she tries to protect the human world from a warlock, stops monsters from being persecuted by humans when they attend non-magic high school, and studies magic at Witch University in Halloweentown. The Disney Çhannel Franchise also stars Judith Hoag, Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske, Sara Paxton, and Lucas Grabeel.
Watch the Halloweentown films on Disney+!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Cruella (2021)
Cruella tells the origin story of Disney’s villain Cruella de Vil. The audience sees how Cruella’s childhood led her to be mischievous and march to the beat of her own drum. When the only home she’s ever known is taken away from her, Cruella must learn to be on her own and keep herself afloat.
As an adult, Cruella takes a liking to fashion and even lands her dream job, but it’s not all smooth sailing from there. Cruella experiences challenges that lead her to form the villainous personality that we know today. Cruella stars Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Check out the trailer:
Watch Cruella on Disney+!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Maleficent (2014) & Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)
Similar to Cruella, Maleficent is the story of how the infamous Disney character became the iconic villain that she is today. The film stars Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, and Sam Riley. In a tale very reminiscent of Wicked, the audience learns that Maleficent is a fairy who was betrayed by someone she once loved while trying to protect her community. The movie shows how Maleficent is connected to Princess Aurora and her family as well as the motives behind her actions.
The sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, further explores the relationship that Maleficent had formed with Princess Aurora in the first film.
Watch Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil on Disney+!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Joker (2019)
The critically acclaimed psychological thriller Joker portrays the background story of DC Comics’ most infamous villain. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy. The film centers around troubled comedian Arthur Fleck who is treated as an outsider by society. This leads him to form his alter ego, The Joker, and embark on a journey of crime in Gotham City.
Check out the trailer:
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Things Heard and Seen (2021)
Things Heard and Seen stars Amanda Seyfried, James Norton, and Natalia Dyer. The movie follows a married couple who moves with their young daughter to a new town. Wife and mother Catherine begins to notice strange things happening in her new home. These ominous occurrences, along with her husband’s secrets, begin to take a toll on their marriage.
Check out the trailer:
Watch Things Heard & Seen on Netflix here.
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Cult classic Jennifer’s Body stars Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, and Adam Brody. The comedy horror centers around Jennifer (Megan Fox) and Needy (Amanda Seyfried), 2 best friends with very different personalities. Needy likes to play it safe while Jennifer doesn’t mind taking risks and loves receiving attention.
When the 2 attend a concert, the band performing sacrifices Jennifer to the devil in exchange for fame. Jennifer then becomes possessed by a demon and must kill and eat boys in order to stay alive. Needy is typically very loyal to Jennifer and struggles to decide whether to help her or put a stop to her dangerous actions.
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Till Death (2021)
Although it’s rather tame, Till Death is probably the ‘scariest’ film on this list, so if you’re feeling daring, be sure to check it out! The thriller follows Emma (Megan Fox) who is unhappy with her marriage. After an anniversary trip quickly turns grim, Emma’s husband Mark (Eoin Macken) takes the saying “till death do us part” a little too far.
Emma finds herself in a sticky situation when her former stalker shows up at her lake house. She must then save herself from death, hiding from the killers who have suddenly infiltrated her stay. Till Death features Megan in intense chases and gruesome fight scenes. The film also stars Callan Mulvey, Jack Roth, and Aml Ameen.
Watch Till Death on Netflix!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: My Friend Dahmer (2017)
The drama My Friend Dahmer is the story of serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and iis based on the graphic novel of the same name by John “Derf” Backderf. My Friend Dahmer shows the troubling home life of Jeffrey Dahmer and the way he was treated like an outcast at school. The audience sees the weird, gruesome tendencies he had as a teenager, which lead up to what is believed to be his first killing at the end of the film.
My Friend Dahmer stars Ross Lynch, Alex Wolff, Vincent Kartheiser, and Anne Heche.
Check out the trailer:
Watch My Friend Dahmer on Hulu!
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Knives Out (2019)
Knives Out is a star-studded murder mystery film that makes viewers feel like they’re watching a real-life game of Clue. The movie stars Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Katherine Langford, Toni Collette, and Jamie Lee Curtis as members of the same family trying to solve the murder of their rich grandfather’s death. The film is fun, yet thrilling, making it an awesome pick to watch this fall! (Plus, who doesn’t love seeing Chris Evans in a cable-knit sweater??)
Check out the movie trailer:
Watch Knives Out on Amazon Prime Video.
Not Scary Halloween Movies to Watch: Murder Mystery (2019)
Murder Mystery has a similar storyline to that of Knives Out, except it’s more of a comedy than a drama. The film stars Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, and Luke Evans. Husband and wife Nick and Audrey take a trip to Europe where they befriend a billionaire and sail aboard his yacht. While on the boat, the owner is murdered by one of the other passengers. Nick and Audrey then hilariously investigate the murder in an effort to clear their own names.
Check out the trailer:
Watch Murder Mystery on Netflix here.
Looking for even more Halloween films that won’t leave your skin crawling? Check out our guide to ‘Halloween Movies for Wimps who Hate Horror!’
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