Halloween movies to make your cosy movie night a little spookier

Halloween movie nights often come with the expectation that you have to be scared out of your wits. But here's the thing, not every film needs to leave you feeling so terrified you have to sleep with the lights on. Sometimes you need to find that sweet spot between spooky and entertaining, where the eerie atmosphere keeps you hooked without making you regret watching it just before bed. And then, all you really need is a cosy blanket, a bowl of popcorn, good company, and a film that captures the spirit of the season. From gothic families to playful ghosts, murdering dolls to throwbacks from past eras, here are some films to add to your Halloween watchlist.

The Addams Family (1991)

Are you in the mood for a family film with a creepy mansion, wicked humour, and a family that's delightfully far from ordinary? Addams Family ticks all the boxes. When a mysterious man claiming to be Uncle Fester turns up at their doorstep, the eccentric Addams family welcomes him in, unaware that something rather suspicious is going on. Between Wednesday's deadpan one-liners, Morticia's gothic glamour, and the family's wonderfully twisted idea of normal, this is a Halloween classic worth revisiting.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

Ready for another trip into the wonderfully bizarre world of the Deetz family? In this sequel, Lydia's daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens a portal to the Afterlife, bringing back the chaos that comes with it. With eccentric ghosts, strange supernatural encounters, and plenty of gothic oddities, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fitting pick for anyone who likes their Halloween entertainment a little unpredictable.

Totally Killer (2023)

What happens when a teenage girl finds herself face-to-face with a serial killer from the past? In Totally Killer, Jamie travels back to the 1980s to stop the notorious Sweet Sixteen Killer, who murdered a group of teenagers decades earlier. Suddenly navigating high school in a completely different era, she must figure out how to prevent the murders while trying not to disrupt the past. Blending slasher horror, time travel, and plenty of '80s nostalgia, this one makes for a particularly entertaining Halloween watch.

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)

For a light-hearted Halloween watch, look no further than Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, where monsters are always welcome, and things rarely go according to plan. When Van Helsing's mysterious Monsterfication Ray malfunctions, Dracula and his monster friends turn human, while Johnny becomes a monster. What follows is a chaotic adventure as the gang tries to reverse the transformation. Colourful, silly, and packed with familiar characters, it's perfect for a Halloween movie night that doesn't need too many scares.

Abigail (2024)

A group of kidnappers think they've hit the jackpot when they abduct a young ballerina and demand a hefty ransom. There's just one problem: their captive is hiding a rather terrifying secret. Trapped inside an isolated mansion, the kidnappers soon realise that they're the ones in danger. Abigail brings together vampire horror, dark comedy, and plenty of blood-soaked chaos, making it a fun pick for anyone who likes their Halloween films with a generous dose of gore.

M3GAN (2022)

Every little girl deserves a best friend, but perhaps not one powered by artificial intelligence and programmed to protect her at all costs. When a robotic companion named M3GAN becomes increasingly attached to the young girl she's designed to look after, her idea of protection takes a rather sinister turn. Equal parts creepy and amusing, M3GAN is a deliciously unsettling watch that also offers a few laughs along the way. Just maybe don't get too attached to your own gadgets afterwards.

Haunt (2019)

If you're looking for something with a little more bite this Halloween, Haunt should do the trick. The film follows a group of friends who decide to visit an extreme haunted house on Halloween night, expecting the usual masked performers, jump scares, and elaborate horror setups. But when they realise that the attractions are far more dangerous than they imagined, their night of spooky entertainment turns into a fight for survival. This one's for those who genuinely enjoy a good scare.

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)

Nothing quite captures early 2000s Halloween nostalgia like a Disney Channel Original Movie, and Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire is a particularly fun throwback. When two siblings discover that their mother's charming new date might actually be a vampire, they team up to investigate before it's too late. What follows is a delightfully campy adventure involving family antics, supernatural suspicions, and a vampire who might be a little too interested in their mother. It's the perfect pick for a cosy, nostalgia-filled movie night.

Casper (1995)

For a gentler take on Halloween spookiness, revisit everyone's favourite friendly ghost. When Kat moves into a mysterious old mansion with her father, she soon befriends Casper, a kind-hearted ghost who is quite unlike the spooky spirits you'd expect to find in a haunted house. As their friendship grows, Kat discovers that the afterlife isn't necessarily as frightening as it seems. With its blend of supernatural charm, humour, and a little nostalgia, Casper is a lovely choice for a Halloween night that calls for more whimsy than horror.

So, grab your favourite snacks, turn down the lights, and let the spooky-season marathon begin. Whether you're in it for the laughs, the nostalgia, the gothic oddities, or the occasional scream, these films make a good case for spending Halloween night curled up on the couch.

All images: IMDb

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