The hallmarks of a good Halloween flick: autumnal colors, a dark sense of humor and… gore beyond comprehension? Some of us don’t have the stomach for that, and rightfully so if you’ve got one full of candy corn. To the fall film enthusiasts who like a lot more treat than they do trick, here’s a list of films that may not be sweet but surely lighthearted for your Hallow’s Eve viewing.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service”
This animated classic may not be so spooky, but it exudes comfort as much as it does childlike wonder. With its quirky music and snarky black cats traveling atop magic broomsticks, the most pleasant trademarks of October come alive through the bewitching visuals of Studio Ghibli. Not only does this film revel in the nostalgic simplicities of the season, but its plot centered on growing up provides a heartfelt take on a season usually marked by fears.
“What We Do In the Shadows”
Taika Watiti’s take on the holiday’s favorite blood-sucking villains strips them of scare factor, but dips its fangs into unforgettable humor. It’s less a vampire movie about horrible flatmates and more a movie where the horrible flatmates happen to be vampires. For those who enjoy the film, the ongoing series of the same name is a perfect match in its comedy and subtle world building, but keeps it fresh with a new cast that will make your sides (or your neck) ache from laughing.
My Babysitter’s a Vampire”
Vampire? More like campire. The made-for-TV dialogue and endearingly 2010 outfit choices of its monster-busting main trio puts this Disney Original in a weird place between ironically and genuinely genius. Sit back, turn your brain off and become weirdly invested in the iconic lightsaber scene and top tier quips of the legendary final boy Benny Weir (Atticus Mitchell). Other highlights of this Monstober masterpiece include the main characters filling water guns full of holy water and a parody of the “Twilight” series being a legitimate plot point.
“Beetlejuice”
From the creepy yet comforting mind of Tim Burton, “Beetlejuice” is so good that you want to see it twice, even thrice. Although its premise is morbid and it dabbles with body horror, it pokes fun at the cliches of a haunted house, where the ghosts aren’t so much unwanted guests as the humans that come to live with them are. A young Winona Ryder steals the show as glum and gothic Lydia Deetz in a movie screaming with outlandish color and ghoulish cheer, along with Michael Keaton’s larger-than-death performance as the eponymous character.
