There are lots of movies available this October that aren’t too scary, but still in the spirit of the season. These titles are great for kids or anyone who doesn’t want to be scared.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) by Bill Melendez
Great for young children, with a cast exclusively consisting of and voiced by young children. The Peanuts gang prepares for some fun trick-or-treating. Meanwhile, young Linus sits in “the most sincere pumpkin patch,” waiting for the “Great Pumpkin” to deliver toys. This is a very sweet and cozy classic that has warmed all ages for 60 years!
Halloweentown (1998) by Duwayne Dunham
An immersive Halloween movie, in a kid-friendly category. Three siblings aren’t allowed to celebrate Halloween. Their cool, magical grandmother (played by the legendary Debbie Reynolds) thinks otherwise. She also tells them stories of the magical Halloweentown, a place of witches, ghosts, and monsters. Naturally, the kids soon learn it’s not just a story, and must save the residents from disappearing in time! The strange creatures will enchant the young ones or anyone wanting to get into the holiday spirit. There are even three sequels, though the original remains the best.
ParaNorman (2012) by Sam Fell and Chris Butler
From Laika Studios, the acclaimed animation company that gave us Coraline, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Wildwood, now in theatres. A colourful, supernatural, stop-motion adventure. Norman is a loveable but strange adolescent who has few friends and is constantly bullied. Partially because he’s always talking to ghosts, though nobody else sees them or believes him. Norman soon must save the day and work with the dead to save the town from an army of zombies and an ancient witch’s curse. A little frightening but mostly sweet. This one is underrated with messages of prejudice, acceptance, and celebrating the weird among us.
Pee Mak (2013) by Banjong Pisanthanakun
Based on Thai folklore, Pee Mak remains the most successful Thai film ever. In the 1830s, Mak returns home from the Siamese-Vietnamese war (1831–1834). He just wants to see his new baby and his wife, Nak. With him, he brings a few of his friends. This is when they experience many paranormal situations. A slapstick adventure that’s more goofy than scary, but still creepy.
The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror by various
Not a movie, but one of my October traditions. These Halloween episodes are at 38 specials and counting! Every year, The Simpsons take on scary stories, often featuring parodies of horror movies. As with the rest of the series, the quality varies in the later seasons, but they’re always hilarious. Each segment (three per episode) is non-canonical . . . so you never know which character may end up in peril (under hilarious circumstances)! D’oh!
