Top 10 Non-Scary Horror Movies For Scaredy Cat Adults This Halloween

Shaun of the Dead is without a doubt one of the best horror comedies of all time. Created by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the film revolves around the aimless Shaun, in his late 20s, as he tries to get his life back on track and keep his loved ones safe while a full-blown zombie apocalypse unfolds around him.

While Shaun of the Dead has hilarious and handy quotes I have used on rotation for years ("Go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all this to blow over"), it also has the bonus of simply not being that scary. While there are some well-timed jump scares and bloody mayhem when things kick off at the Winchester pub, the film never devolves into pure horror, making it a great salve for those of us still smarting after previous horror-watching attempts.

There is perhaps no master of comedy greater than Mel Brooks, and his iconic Young Frankenstein is an excellent testament to his talents. A parody of author Mary Shelly’s classic horror novel Frankenstein, the film stars the brilliant Gene Wilder as the grandson of the infamous mad scientist. After inheriting his grandfather Victor’s Transylvanian castle and laboratory, the young Frederick Frankenstein continues his predecessor’s experiments, succeeding in creating a new Monster with the help of a bug-eyed Igor and the dour housekeeper, Frau Blücher.

Young Frankenstein is one of the least scary films on this list, and its slapstick routines and rapid-fire innuendo make it a comedy classic that still holds up today. From Wilder’s Frankenstein to Marty Feldman’s Igor, every actor brings their A-game, delivering a combination of great banter (Frankenstein: “You know, I'm a rather brilliant surgeon. Perhaps I can help you with that hump.” Igor: “What hump?”) and surprisingly touching moments (“Love is the only thing that can save this poor creature, and I am going to convince him that he is loved even at the cost of my own life”) making this enduringly funny film.

Of all the comedies I have seen in my life, the bar was never set higher than by What We Do in the Shadows. This New Zealand mockumentary follows the everyday lives of vampire roommates navigating the modern world in Wellington. It’s a mishmash of domestic squabbles about whose turn it is to do the dishes, how to handle their devoted familiars, different approaches to feeding hygiene, and dealing with the local werewolf gang.

This film is perfect for the faint of heart because it defangs traditional vampire tropes and makes each character equally well-rounded and ridiculous. From Taika Waititi’s dandy Viago to Jemaine Clement’s sadistic Vladislav, What We Do in the Shadows shows us vampires are just like us—apart from the immortality and nocturnal bloodsucking. 

Combining action, comedy, and a quirky rules-of-survival guide, Zombieland is a fun ride for easily scared adults. In the film, a group of survivors navigate a post-apocalyptic world infested with the undead, enduring harrowing yet absurd situations as they make their way toward a supposed sanctuary at Pacific Playland.

The focus is on the relationships between the characters more than horror elements, and its playful tone and top performances from the great Bill Murray, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, and Jesse Eisenberg make it enjoyable without crossing the line into too-scary territory.

Tim Burton is responsible for creating some of the quirkiest family-friendly classics of the last four decades, and Beetlejuice is one of the most iconic of the lot. Set in a small Connecticut town, the film revolves around the Deetz family (Charles, his second wife, Delia, and his moody teenage daughter, Lydia) after they move into a new house. Little do they know, the house is still occupied by the ghosts of the previous inhabitants, the Maitlands, who hire the chaotic self-proclaimed “bio-exorcist” poltergeist, Betelgeuse, to help them drive out the Deetz family.

While Beetlejuice is technically a horror-comedy, there are no properly scary moments. In true Tim Burton fashion, the aesthetics are dark, and there is some creepy imagery (like when Beetlejuice turns into a slit-eyed snake), but overall, the film is more adventure than horror. Between the stacked cast—Michael Keaton’s iconic performance as Beetlejuice remains an enduring highlight—and raunchy jokes that land for adults but go right over most children’s heads, it’s a great Halloween watch for the whole family.

Set in a ghost town in Iran, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a stylish vampire-Western that combines horror and neo-noir aesthetics as a mysterious girl stalks the streets alone…at night. Its cool, monochrome visuals and haunting soundtrack create a richly atmospheric, arthouse experience for those looking for a bit of culture in their Halloween selection.

It’s also ideal for those who want ghostly intrigue without intense violence or scares; A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night leans into mood and visual storytelling rather than blood and guts. Its slow-building and poetic atmosphere keeps the mood eerie without becoming overwhelming. As a bonus, the soundtrack selection is killer, and the scene where the girl puts on a vinyl of “Death” by White Lies is a sound-and-image combo that remains hauntingly imprinted in my memory.

Tim Burton’s gothic take on the classic Sleepy Hollow tale takes us back to the turn of the 19th century and to the small town of Sleepy Hollow, which is plagued by a murderous headless horseman. New York City police constable Ichabod Crane investigates the murders and finds a way to bring this supernatural entity to justice.

While the film definitely has some scary moments, its fairy tale charm makes it more spooky than terrifying. Between Johnny Depp’s performance as the bright but squeamish Crane, Christina Ricci’s bold heiress Katrina, and Christopher Walken’s antics as the Horseman himself, there’s a good amount of Burton-esque absurdity that diffuses the brunt of the horror. All in all, Sleepy Hollow is perfect for people who enjoy atmospheric horror with a whimsical edge, avoiding the brutal or gruesome in favour of mood, mystique, and fantasy.

If you’re in the mood for a classic 1980s Halloween horror-comedy, Gremlins is exactly what you’re looking for. When suburban father Randall brings home a cute, mysterious creature as a gift for his son, the only rules to follow are not to feed it after midnight, and not get it wet. Of course, the inevitable quickly happens, and the little mogwai turns into a chaotic, mischievous troublemaker before it begins to multiply.

Gremlins is a family-friendly horror, and while I was a bit freaked out the first time I saw it as a little kid, its slapstick tone makes it much more of a fun adventure with some thrilling and gross moments (the blender!) than anything else. There’s also an equally delightful sequel, Gremlins 2, which is perfect for the Christmas season.

No list about non-scary Halloween films would be complete without my all-time favourite, Hocus Pocus. This witchy extravaganza stars the iconic Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, three Salem witches condemned to death in 1863, only to be resurrected by an unsuspecting teen on Halloween night.

While I found Hocus Pocus plenty creepy as a kid (especially when the undead Billy cuts out his mouth stitches, ew), as an adult it’s all about the mix of comedy, adventure, and over-the-top performances for me. From Bette Midler’s theatrical cover of “I Put a Spell On You” to the Sanderson sisters’ delight when meeting a man dressed as Satan, Hocus Pocus is full of iconic moments that elevate it to must-watch status on many Halloween lists. 

While Ghostbusters is proudly ‘80s in both aesthetic and vibe, its wit and originality have made it a timeless classic. The film revolves around a team of eccentric scientists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City, leading to fun and/or scary supernatural encounters as they round up the devious dearly departed. With its blend of humour, charm, and spectral encounters, it’s a lighthearted take on the supernatural that keeps things fun while still containing some slightly scarier moments.

Ghostbusters is a great watch for those who want to get a few goosebumps, but not full-on night terrors. Featuring goofy ghosts (the iconic Slimer), witty banter between the Busters, and some truly marvellous performances from Sigourney Weaver as a possessed woman living in a duplex, and Rick Moranis as a similarly possessed schlub doing her bidding, Ghostbusters is the perfect film to watch if you want a little supernatural thrill washed down by plenty of laughs this Halloween.