Some people seem to feel that Halloween is
the perfect time to pull out their entire collection of zombie movies and
settle in for a night of gore and terror. If that’s your idea of a good time,
then more power to you but - if like me you’re a bit of a coward (the kind who
prefers to sleep without visions of Chucky stalking your head) - then I’m sure
you don’t plan on spending your night with Stephen King or Alfred
Hitchcock. But that got me thinking – are there any movies available for
wimps and milksops like myself who just can’t stomach the slasher genre? As it
turns out there is. After a wee bit of research I have managed to compile a
list of thirteen films for your Halloween night marathon that won’t leave you
puking up your popcorn. So without further ado – let us list off the 13
Non-Horror Film Options for Halloween!
13: The Addams Family
What: A 1991
American comedy film based on the characters from the cartoon of the same name.
Stars Anjelica Huston, Raúl Juliá, Christopher Lloyd, and Christina Ricci among
others.
Who: MGM
Pictures
Why: Because
it’s a mysterious and kooky satire, naturally!
12: Hocus Pocus
What: A 1993
American family-fantasy-horror-comedy film focused on the hijinks of three
witch sisters from Salem, Massachusetts. Stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy
Najimy.
Who: Disney
Why: It’s a
cult classic, for starters, and it contains a wonderful villain song courtesy
of the youngest sister.
11: The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
What: This
2010 made-for-television movie stars Victoria Justice, Chase Ellison, Matt
Winston, and Brook D’Orsay
Who:
Nickelodeon
Why: Because
it’s got a little bit of comedy, a little bit of romance, a little bit of
drama, and a whole lot of fantasy.
10: Ghostbusters
What: A 1984
American supernatural comedy film about three eccentric parapsychologists
starring Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis.
Who: Columbia Pictures
Why: It
inspired two sequels and a cartoon show, not to mention the theme song is
catchy as all get out. Besides – who doesn’t love a bit of comedic ghost hunting?
9: Beetlejuice
What: A 1988
American fantasy-horror-comedy film directed by Tim Burton. Stars Alec Baldwin,
Geena Davis, and Michael Keaton.
Who: Warner
Bros.
Why: It won
an Academy Award for Best Makeup, spawned a cartoon series, and is
directed by Tim Burton.
8: The Death Song of Uther
Pendragon
Who: BBC
Why: Uh…it’s
Merlin and Arthur going on a ghost hunt through Camelot. Is there anything not
to like about that situation?
7: The Adventures of Ichabod &
Mr. Toad
Who: Disney
Why: It
contains the gothic and very atmospherically perfect The Legend of Sleepy
Hollow, complete with a Headless Horseman chase.
6: The Corpse Bride
Who: Warner
Bros.
Why:
Because, contrary to the title, this film is not about necrophilia. Instead it
is a deep and thought-provoking tale of love, loss, and lies.
5: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Who: Disney
Why: Well,
it’s set around the holiday of Halloween itself – for starters. This movie also
contains some interesting imagery, incredible atmosphere, and a fan-favorite
villain song.
4: Hotel Transylvania
Who: Columbia
Pictures
Why: Who
knew – Adam Sandler can still occasionally be funny and relevant in a movie!
Contrary to the record of his career-ruining comedy company, Sandler’s Dracula
is both funny and relatable as he tries to run his hotel for monsters. This is
a movie that is just a bunch of harmless, mindless fun - despite the occasional moments of extreme juvenile humor.
3: The Vampires of Venice
What: Doctor
Who S05 E06
Who: BBC
Why: It’s
The Doctor and vampires…in Renaissance Venice.
2: The Hounds of Baskerville
What:
Sherlock S02 E02
Who: BBC
Why: It is a
modern adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous gothic tale The Hound
of the Baskervilles. There’s government conspiracies, genetic experiments,
cold-blooded murder, fog, a mutant superdog, and a 20-year-old mystery that
rattles even the inscrutable Sherlock Holmes.
1: Young Frankenstein
What: A 1974
American comedy directed by Mel Brooks and starring Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman,
Teri Garr, and Peter Boyle.
Who: 20th
Century Fox
Why:
Wikipedia describes this movie as ‘an affectionate parody of the classical
horror film genre’. That’s like saying that Casablanca is a movie with
drama. This movie was written, acted, and shot by people who got parody and
satire and is easily one of the best films by either Mel Brooks or Gene Wilder.
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