15 Not-So-Scary Halloween Movies For Those Who Don't Want to Watch Through Their Fingers

Tim Burton's beautiful masterpiece admittedly gave me a few nightmares as a kid, but now I can fully appreciate the tale in all of its sad splendor. Be warned: while it may not give you a scare, it may evoke a few tears instead.

Watch Edward Scissorhands on Hulu here!

This holiday treat from the Peanuts gang focuses on Charlie Brown's right-hand man, Linus, as he waits for the mysterious Great Pumpkin (Halloween's answer to Santa Claus). Oh, and Charlie Brown goes trick-or-treating — and gets a rock [cue the sad theme music].

Watch It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on Apple TV here!

OK, so the Harry Potter films aren't Halloween movies per se, but what better way to get into the mood than with witches, wizards, goblins, and magic? (Not to mention a little pumpkin juice.)

Watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on HBO Max here!

Arguably my favorite Halloween movie for kids (and adults), Hocus Pocus features Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as three witches who are on a hunt for eternal youth on Halloween. Thora Birch plays the heroic young trick-or-treater who falls into their clutches when her older brother wakes them from a deep sleep.

Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+ here!

Idle Hands is definitely not a film to watch with the kiddies, but if you're jonesing for a little guilty pleasure with your Halloween films, then this one is perfect. Devon Sawa stars as a high school kid whose laziness turns deadly when his hand is possessed. It's got a few gross-out moments, but it's worth it for the cheesy laughs.

Watch Idle Hands on Pluto TV here!

The story of two sisterly witches is a love story above all, but it's still got a Halloween scene, not to mention the valuable lesson of putting the lime in the coconut.

Watch Practical Magic on HBO Max here!

There's a reason The Nightmare Before Christmas finds its way back to theaters every year around this time. Another one from Tim Burton, the film captures the spirit of the holiday with a whole lotta heart, a bit of romance, and a few catchy songs.

Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+ here!

It may not be the greatest musical-turned-movie of all time, but The Phantom of the Opera has just the perfect amount of creepiness to it without going overboard. It's worth it for the beautiful sets and costumes, not to mention vintage Gerard Butler.

Watch The Phantom of the Opera on HBO Max here!

Even if you can't participate in one of the amazing theater screenings of Rocky Horror, make a date to watch the campy film in your living room. It's also pretty much a guarantee that you'll be able to find this Halloween favorite lurking somewhere on TV.

Buy or rent The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Amazon Prime here!

Zombies get a bad rap, but in Shaun of the Dead, they're ridiculous in a totally nonthreatening way. Plus, you've gotta love Simon Pegg, and Bill Nighy as his undead "he's not my dad, he's my stepdad."

Buy or rent Shaun of the Dead on Amazon Prime here!

I used to watch Disney's animated version of the Ichabod Crane tale every Halloween — once I grew up and stopped being scared of the headless horseman's pursuit of Crane in the movie's climax. Now it's a nostalgic classic for me — even if I do secretly get goosebumps when I see that flaming pumpkin flying across the covered bridge.

Watch The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad on Disney+ here!

Young Frankenstein puts a hilarious twist on a creepy classic. If you love Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, then this one is right up your alley.

Watch Young Frankenstein on Amazon Prime Video here!