So you’re not really the scary movie type. Gore makes you nauseous, clowns freak you out, and any type of jump scare will keep you up and glancing at your closet door all night long. Listen, I get it. It’s Halloween and your friends want to watch movies, but let’s face it, you’re a more “Casper” and less “Poltergeist”.
Well don’t you fret- not every spooky movie needs to have gory gut-busting blood and entrails, some will actually just bust your gut from laughing too much. Here’s my list of best Halloween movies, sans the fear:
1. What We Do In the Shadows
A friend just introduced me to this movie a few days ago, and if I said it wasn’t the whole reason I created this list, I’d be lying. What We Do In the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary about vampires living in a flat together in New Zealand. Navigating everything from luring human victims to suck their blood to flatmate meetings about chore responsibilities, What We Do In The Shadows is a gloriously goofy peek into the modern vampire’s life. And the best part is, most of the lines were actually improvised! 150 hours of everyday vampire shenanigans was cut down into 90 minutes of pure gold. A DEFINITE must watch on Halloween. (Warning: Some blood, though always overdone in a comedic way)
2. Shaun of the Dead
Shaun of the Dead is another fantastic horror comedy. If you know me, you’ll know I ADORE Edgar Wright (director of Baby Driver and Scott Pilgrim vs The World). His iconic direction is prevalent in this satire that both pokes fun at and celebrates zombie apocalypse movies. It centers around Shaun, an average guy trying to get a grip on his life and win back his ex gf. Oh, and deal with the undead armies attacking his town. Full of wit and fun Easter eggs, Shaun of the Dead is a movie you’ll wanna watch again and again. (Warning: like What We Do In the Shadows, this movie has blood, but it’s always comedic)
3. Paranorman
Paranorman’s a heartfelt, lovable, claymation movie made by Laika Films, one of my favorite up-and-coming animation studios (Coraline, Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings). Set in Blithe Hollow, Massachusetts (a play at Salem), ParaNorman centers around a boy named Norman who can see and speak to ghosts. I absolutely love this movie. Unique, creative, funny, and full of character, ParaNorman’s a wonderful Halloween movie that often slips through the cracks of the mainstream. If you like the classic ragtag unexpected group of misfits story (I know I do), you’ll love ParaNorman.
4. Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! An 80s Burton classic, Beetlejuice is quirky, offbeat, weird, and kooky to the max without ever being too scary. A recently deceased couple attempts to scare a new family and their goth daughter (Winona Ryder, one of my favorites) out of their home. They enlist the help of a chaotic and unpredictable but powerful ghost named Betelgeuse, pronounced Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton, another of my favorites). With wacky practical effects and costumes, Beetlejuice is full of character and makes for a delightfully spooky watch on Halloween.
5. Frankenweenie
Don’t you just love a story about a boy and his (undead) dog? Another Burton masterpiece, Frankenweenie is a claymation story about a boy who, when devastated by the loss of his pet, finds a way to bring his dog back from the dead. The whole movie’s done in black and white to recreate an old horror movie aesthetic, and it works EXTREMELY well. Frankenweenie’s cute, creative, and altogether a super pleasant watch, especially for those of us with pets at home.
6. Halloweentown
In my opinion, no Halloween movie list (scary or otherwise) would be complete without Halloweentown. This Disney Channel Original Movie is a cornerstone of my generation’s Halloween traditions. Marnie, a 13 year old girl who loves Halloween, finds out via her kooky grandmother than being a witch runs in the family. She and her siblings travel with their grandma to Halloweentown, and learn about the magical side of themselves that was long hidden. Halloweentown is hokey, cheesy, and fantastic. And no character will EVER be as cool as the skeleton taxi driver.
7. Over the Garden Wall
Alright so, I know this is a miniseries and not a movie but this is my blog and I make the rules, so we’re gonna let it slide (and anyways, the run time of the entire show is under 2 hours). Over the Garden Wall is by far one of my favorite cartoons. It’s just the right amount of eerie and lovable, and in my opinion it encapsulates everything that is Autumn. This 5 part mystery created by Pat McHale (Misadventures of Flapjack, Adventure Time) reflects the old cartoon aesthetic and style. It creates a sort of isolated old-fashioned limbo for the viewer while they watch Wirt and his younger brother Gregory find their way home from “The Unknown”. This cartoon is beautiful and thought provoking, and I’ve honestly watched it no less than 25 times all the way through.
Part two on its way! Do you agree with my choices?
header image source: http://www.istockphoto.com/vector/halloween-seamless-pattern-pumpkin-bat-ghost-spider-cute-watercolor-gm610880180-104998601?esource=SEO_GIS_CDN_Redirect
Kacie's Kinetoscope 