Halloween is a pretty exciting time of year, but not everyone loves this yearly tradition. Whether they hate horror films, aren’t into pumpkins and ghouls, or would just rather give trick or treating a miss, there are people that definitely don’t want to celebrate Halloween.
However, that doesn’t mean they can’t join in the festivities in some way, without having to put up with the parts they hate. There are a great variety of films that lend themselves to this time of year, without hitting audiences over the head with ghosts, jack ‘o lanterns, and witches. And while Halloweentown and The Shining might be classics, they aren’t a great fit for everyone.
Spider-Man (2002)
Starting off with a Marvel movie might be quite strange, but there’s a lot of things about the web-head that are associated with Halloween, without it actually being a film people often watch on All Hallows Eve. For starters, the villain is great for this time of year.
The foe of the film is the Green Goblin, compete with pumpkin bombs – pretty perfect for the fall! What’s more, Spider-Man happens to be one of the most popular Halloween costumes in the world, so it’s actually an incredibly subtle Halloween film.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
The Harry Potter franchise, as a whole, is quite a good choice for Halloween, considering its full of monsters, magic and mayhem, without it actually feeling too much like a classic film made for the holidays. The first installment toes the line perfectly, though.
The run-in with the troll on Halloween night makes this film feel perfect for October. The back to school vibes are also strong with this one. However, there’s plenty of other things going on, from Christmas to the return of Voldemort, that any Halloween hater can get on board with.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas has been at the center of an ongoing debate for some time. Fans can’t seem to agree whether this is a Halloween film or a Christmas film. It seems it is set in Halloween Town, but during Christmastime.
It’s easy to persuade any Halloween hater that this is actually a Christmas film. It’s a perfect movie to enjoy this time of year, for the fantastic songs and visuals alone!
Shaun Of The Dead (2004)
Edgar Wright’s first major hit was Shaun of the Dead. While he had, of course, produced some fantastic work before this, the cult classic zom-rom-com, has managed to stand the test of time and is still considered one of the best British comedies ever.
A lot of Halloween films rely on zombies as the antagonist and sometimes even the protagonist. But somehow, the zombie takeover itself isn’t the focus of this film. Any Halloween hater may actually be able to have quite a good time with this one!
The House With A Clock In Its Walls (2018)
This offering from Jack Black feels like it should be pitched as a Halloween film. A strange house with magical happenings and a series of cinematography and design choices really make these sets and costumes feel like they were made for October 31st.
It’s a fun adventure for the whole family to enjoy and it simultaneously combines all the elements of a great film for this time of year, while also not being associated with it whatsoever. It’s a great film for kids who just don’t like the spooky season.
Hellboy (2004)
One for the adults now, and while it’s not quite the superhero antics of the web-head, this film is also based on a comic book series. One of Guillermo Del Toro’s most well-known works, the first Hellboy should be considered a classic.
The comics and films are based on a huge variety of folk tales, meaning that while this isn’t a Halloween film, it actually draws on some very similar influences for its narrative choices. A demon protagonist sort of gives the game away, though.
Coco (2017)
Pixar’s only musical offering, Coco celebrates the Mexican Day of the Dead. While this traditional holiday is not the equivalent to Halloween in any way, it does feature some of the same themes and color choices of the fall season and of Halloween itself.
From the beautiful animation to the rich songs, even though this movie could give one a little sense of the Halloween season, there’s so much more to unpack here. Since it’s about a different festival altogether, one of life, this is also quite a change of pace, compared to many others on this list.
Stardust (2007)
Any of the works of Neil Gaiman could be a perfect consideration for this time of year, but this fantasy epic manages to combine witches, magic, and the most unbelievable cast, without ever actually feeling like a Halloween film.
Stardust is perhaps one of the most underrated fantasy family films of all time, with the main character trying to help a fallen star find her place once more. It’s fun and emotional, making it a hit for the whole family to enjoy.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Another Marvel entry now and this Master of the Mystic Arts is very obviously the kind of character that the comics could base a Halloween story around. However, his actual film isn’t at all about the fall holiday, at all.
There are magic and monsters and all sorts of crazy visuals, but none of it is actually associated with this autumnal tradition. If Halloween haters are looking for an action-adventure movie perfect for the season, this may be the one.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
A rom-com and an incredibly autumnal film, but without any ghosts, witches, or scares, When Harry Met Sally might be the right film to win over Halloween haters.
It’s truly a classic and could be an excellent film to watch for those who have never experienced this piece of film history before. The cinematography is gorgeous and the performances are memorizing.
