As a huge movie fan, one of my favorite things about October is building the perfect spooky season watchlist. It almost always includes the classics – you know, films like John Carpenter’s *Halloween*, *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, and *Scream*. I also love including movies actually *set* on Halloween, like *Trick ‘r Treat*, *House of 1000 Corpses*, or even the *Terrifier* films. Of course, you can’t forget the all-time greats like *Psycho* or *Frankenstein*. But it’s a shame that not everyone enjoys horror, because they end up missing out on so much of the fun that October has to offer in the world of cinema.
For some Halloween fans, movies are all about fun and lightheartedness. They might enjoy a thrilling film, but not one that’s truly terrifying. While horror is often linked to Halloween, there are many non-horror movies that still feel perfectly spooky for October.
If you enjoy the spooky feel of Halloween but prefer to skip the scares, you’re in luck! Many movies – including mysteries, thrillers, and even family films – capture the Halloween spirit with elements like haunted houses and witches. Here’s a list of 12 non-horror movies set during Halloween for those who want a festive but gentle experience.
‘A Haunting in Venice’ (2023)
Kenneth Branagh returns as detective Hercule Poirot in his third film, this time set in Italy. Though retired and living in self-imposed exile, Poirot finds himself drawn into a murder mystery when he attends a Halloween seance in a crumbling Venetian palazzo. A guest’s death quickly pulls him back into investigating dark and hidden secrets.
A Murder Mystery With a Twist
Agatha Christie stories are famous for their unexpected twists and turns, and “A Haunting in Venice” delivers on that promise. While set in a supposedly haunted Italian mansion, it’s not a scary movie – it’s a classic murder mystery designed to keep you guessing. The film focuses on unraveling clues and figuring out who committed the crime, and who might be helping them. Though there’s a spooky atmosphere, the core of the movie is a clever “whodunnit” that will have you questioning everyone.
‘Monster House’ (2006)
Released in the 2000s, *Monster House* is a surprisingly good animated movie that’s both fun and scary. It uses motion-capture CGI to tell the story of three friends – D.J., Chowder, and a determined Girl Scout – who discover their neighbor’s house is actually a living, haunted building. They have to work together to stop it from terrorizing trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. With a great voice cast including Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Catherine O’Hara, this family-friendly film is a thrilling ride from beginning to end.
‘Monster House’ Is a Fun & Nostalgic Adventure
Beyond its beautiful animation and unique story, *Monster House* stands out for having smart and relatable kid heroes – D.J. and Chowder are a genuinely charming team. This animated film is a fantastic haunted house adventure that entertains everyone, mixing scary scenes with clever humor and a warm, nostalgic vibe. It’s easy to see why it was made with the help of filmmaking giants Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, and even earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)
When it comes to Halloween movies, *Hocus Pocus* always comes up. Many people grew up watching it, and it’s still incredibly popular today thanks to streaming. The film centers around the Sanderson sisters – three witches who are over 300 years old – and are accidentally resurrected when a teenager named Max lights a special candle. Determined to steal the youth of children in Salem, the sisters force Max and his friends to find a way to stop them and send them back to the afterlife.
Witchy Halloween Fun
Beyond being set on Halloween, *Hocus Pocus* has all the classic elements of a great Halloween movie. You’ve got costumes, trick-or-treating, mischievous pranks, beautiful fall foliage, and, of course, witches and a powerful spellbook. The film perfectly captures the cozy, autumnal spirit of the holiday, and even includes a fantastic musical performance by Bette Midler at a Halloween party.
‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’ (2018)
Jack Black and Cate Blanchett star in the enchanting dark fantasy film, *The House with a Clock in Its Walls*, directed by Eli Roth. Based on a novel by John Bellairs, the story is set in 1955 and centers on ten-year-old Lewis Barnavelt, who goes to live with his unusual uncle Jonathan (Black) in a large, eerie mansion filled with a strange ticking sound. Lewis soon discovers shocking truths—like the fact that his uncle is a warlock and their neighbor, Florence (Blanchett), is a witch—after accidentally raising the dead.
Black & Blanchett Make Movie Magic
Movies starring Jack Black are usually a good time, and *The House with a Clock in Its Walls* delivers, skillfully blending spooky moments with plenty of laughs. It’s a magical adventure that truly captivates the imagination. The film did well in theaters, earning a B+ rating from audiences, and *The Washington Post* praised it as a nostalgic film that uses modern effects to enhance classic storytelling.
‘E.T.’ (1983)
Steven Spielberg’s beloved film, *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*, tells the story of a kind alien who gets stuck on Earth and finds friendship with a 10-year-old boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas). Elliot and his siblings secretly shelter the alien in their home, but when E.T. gets sick, the government gets involved, putting both E.T. and Elliot in danger.
A Friendly Alien Invasion
Beyond the memorable costumes and the story of an alien, E.T. is closely connected to Halloween because the movie takes place around that holiday. Halloween is actually central to the plot, helping E.T. avoid being captured by the government. The neighborhood kids dress E.T. up as a ghost on Halloween night so they can smuggle him to the woods and use a special machine to contact his home planet. Because of this, many people who grew up in Generation X and as Millennials consider E.T. a must-watch Halloween tradition.
‘Halloweentown’ (1998)
For a fun and family-friendly Halloween movie, check out the Disney Channel classic, *Halloweentown*. The movie centers around 13-year-old Marnie Cromwell (Kimberley J. Brown) who learns she comes from a family of witches and that a magical town called Halloweentown exists, filled with friendly monsters and creatures. When Marnie and her siblings follow their grandmother, Aggie (Debbie Reynolds), to Halloweentown, they discover a dangerous warlock is trying to take their family’s magical powers.
There’s No Place Like Halloweentown
For many Millennials and older Gen Zers, watching *Halloweentown* every October is a tradition. The movie—and its sequels—were a staple on Disney Channel for a generation. Beyond the classic Halloween creatures, *Halloweentown* celebrates individuality and teaches kids that being different is something to embrace. It showed that monsters aren’t always frightening and also provides tons of fun ideas for Halloween costumes!
‘Twitches’ (2005)
Many millennials and older Gen Z viewers also remember Twitches. The movie follows two girls who find out on their 21st birthday that they’re twin sisters and, surprisingly, witches from another world called Coventry. They soon learn that Coventry is in serious danger from an evil force that could destroy it completely.
Twin Witches
I absolutely loved seeing Tia and Tamara Mowry, famous from *Sister, Sister*, in this movie! What’s really neat is the whole story unfolds over Halloween weekend – it’s also their birthday! It has all the fun Halloween vibes you’d expect from a Disney Channel Original Movie, like awesome parties and decorations, but what made it special to me was seeing them as older characters and how much the movie celebrated the amazing connection between sisters. It really sets it apart from other family Halloween films.
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)
Many people consider Henry Selick’s *The Nightmare Before Christmas* a must-watch for both Halloween and Christmas because of how well it blends the themes of both holidays. The story centers on Jack Skellington, also known as the Pumpkin King, who rules Halloweentown and is going through something of a personal slump.
Jack is the most beloved resident of Halloweentown, but he’s tired of the same old thing. When he unexpectedly discovers Christmas Town, he decides he wants to take over Christmas! However, coming from a spooky background, Jack doesn’t quite understand how Christmas magic really works.
A Halloween Spin on Christmas
This beloved stop-motion film cleverly blends the magic of Christmas with the spooky fun of Halloween, creating a one-of-a-kind story. It perfectly captures the spirit of both holidays, making it a must-see for anyone who enjoys Halloween as much as Christmas.
‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1944)
As a classic film buff, I always recommend *Arsenic and Old Lace*. It’s a genuinely hilarious screwball comedy starring the incredibly charming Cary Grant, and the fact that it’s set on Halloween just adds to the fun. The story centers around Mortimer Brewister, a writer who comes home to announce his engagement, only to discover a shocking secret: his sweet, seemingly harmless aunts are actually serial killers! They’ve been… well, let’s just say their basement is full of surprises. It’s a wild ride from start to finish.
A Halloween Screwball Comedy
The movie is a blast because of its surprisingly dark humor – two sweet old ladies are actually delusional serial killers! They genuinely believe they’re helping lonely old men by… well, eliminating them. Throw in Mortimer’s brother, who thinks he *is* Teddy Roosevelt, and his cousin Jonathan, who’s spent years disguising himself and looks just like Boris Karloff, and you’ve got a recipe for a hilarious Halloween night.
‘Casper’ (1995)
Most movies portray ghosts as scary and vengeful, but *Casper* offers a different perspective. This heartwarming film focuses on a kind ghost named Casper who just wants a friend, not to frighten people. When paranormal expert James Harvey and his daughter Kat move into his haunted house, Casper develops a special bond with Kat, despite the challenges his ghostly existence and playful uncles create.
A Ghostly Halloween Viewing
Casper is a classic Halloween movie with all the right elements. Set in the beautiful autumn of New England and filled with ghostly adventures, it’s a perfect choice for the season, especially since the story actually revolves around Halloween. The friendly ghost, Casper, just wants to be a boy again, and he gets his wish – briefly becoming human to enjoy a Halloween party with his friend Kat.
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2025-10-19 05:52