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Featured: Halloween Classics for the Horror Film Leery

If you love Halloween but can't stand to watch scary movies, try these non-scary Halloween films.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Who you gonna call?

When parapsychologists Peter, Raymond, and Egon are fired from Columbia University, they decide to start up Ghostbusters, a paranormal extermination service. After their first successful take-down, they quickly gain notoriety when New York City's paranormal activity skyrockets and they become the go-to guys in ghost extermination. When two demonic spirits, Zuul and Vinz, threaten to open the gate and summon the God of Destruction, it's up to the Ghostbusters to stop them and save the world.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

In a last ditch effort to save a local flower shop, florist Seymour Krelbor decides to display a special flower to attract more customers. As the locals get wind of the enchanting flower, the shop's business begins to flourish. Soon Seymour discovers the secret to keeping the plant alive and lively: a little human blood. Unfortunately, it's not long before the plant can't be satiated with just a few drops. Desperate to keep the shop open and his fuel his own fame, Seymour must turn to murder to keep the flower fed and satisfied.

The Lost Boys (1987)

Shortly after moving to Santa Clara, California, teen Michael Emerson is tricked into drinking vampire blood and consequently begins his vampire transformation. After learning about the local vampire infestation from workers at a neighborhood comic book store, Michael's brother Sam is able to piece together his strange behavior and surmise that Michael, having not yet drunk human blood, is only a half-vampire, but once he has his first kill, the transformation will be complete. Desperate to stop his brother from turning, Sam calls on the local comic book nerds (who call themselves vampire hunters) for help. From them he learns the only way to undo the transformation is to kill the head vampire. With the help of the amateur vampire hunters, Sam and Michael must find and kill the gang's leader to restore Michael's humanity.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice!

So say you're a couple of ghosts and you need to rid your home of the family of interlopers who have moved in, who do you call? Betelgeuse, of course! This morbid 80s horror/comedy tells the story of the recently deceased Adam and Barbara Maitland and their fight to rid their house of the new homeowners, the Deetz. With the help of Betelgeuse (Beetlejuice!), they hope to scare Charles, Delia, and their daughter Lydia right out of the house. But as the Maitland's soon learn, Betelgeuse has sinister plans of his own.

Death Becomes Her (1992)

Eternal youth may sound great, but all great things comes with a price.

When Broadway actress Madeline invites her writer friend Helen to her show, she never expects to fall for Helen's husband Ernest, but when she does, she has no trouble snatching him away. Several years later, with Madeline and Ernest's marriage in trouble, they attend a 'Forever Young' party hosted by Helen herself, only to discover her uncanny youthful appearance. Jealous and depressed by Helen's seemingly good fortune and her own faded celebrity, Madeline meets with a rich socialite who claims to have the secret to eternal youth. There she's given a potion and instructed to disappear from society every 10 years (to keep the secret of her never-ending youth) and to take good care of her body. With her newly revived youth, Madeline is ready to make a big comeback, but unfortunately, everything starts falling apart.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

After being caught and tried for witchcraft, the Sanderson Sisters are sentenced to death by hanging. Just before their sentence is carried out, the sisters cast a spell that will allow for their resurrection if a virgin lights the Black Flame Candle on All Hallows Eve. Three centuries later, Max Dennison, new resident to Salem, sneaks into the Sanderson's old cottage in an attempt to impress his crush Allison. There the candle is lit and the sisters are brought back to life. Now it's up to Max, Allison, and some friends they meet along the way to stop the Sanderson Sisters from collecting enough young souls to bring them back for good.

Interview with a Vampire (1994)

Based on Anne Rice's novel of the same title, Interview with a Vampire tells the story of centuries old vampire Louis. Starting with his transformation in 1791, the film follows the lives and travels of Louis and his make-shift family – his maker Lestat and their “daughter” Claudia, spanning from the US to Europe and back again.

The Craft (1996)

After moving to Los Angeles, Sarah Bailey falls in with a group of young witches at her high school. Believing Sarah to be the missing link in their circle, the girls invite her to be a part of their coven. With Sarah's acceptance into the group, the girls’ powers begin to grow, allowing them to easily perform everyday magic. Once they gain confidence, each girl begins to use her magic to improve their lives. When jealousy within the circle pushes the girls to act recklessly and ultimately violently, Sarah must do everything in her power to protect herself and those around her.

Practical Magic (1998)

Descendants of a young witch who accidentally cursed her bloodline, Sally and Gillian Owens are doomed when it comes to love. Because of Maria Owens' curse, any men the Owens women fall in love with are met with an untimely death. Raised by two eccentric aunts (widely known to be witches), Gillian and Sally attempt to lead normal lives and fall in love despite the curse. Gillian leaves for California in search of love and Sally marries. When Sally's husband is killed in a tragic car accident and Gillian's boyfriend turns abusive, the two return to their aunts' home. As a stream of wild events take place and the curse attempts to destroy their lives, the two must arm themselves with magic and rid their family of it for once and for all.

So there you go, scaredy-cats! Some great Halloween movies for the timid of heart and those of us who actually like to sleep at night. Be sure to gather your favorite bite-sized candies, some popcorn, and your friends for a spooky (but not too spooky) Halloween movie night.

Special thanks to losing control and nearly witches for editing.

October 2nd, 2015 at 12:39am, Audrey T