Fall Films to Watch

As we get ready to enjoy the fall season we’ve got to talk about movies! This particular list will be to discuss the best options for spooky (but not scary) movies. These will give you the coziest fall vibes and definitely make you feel the Halloween season without giving you a jumpscare. Some are kind of creepy and some are more cozy but either way they are fun watches. Most of these are nostalgic because apparently I don’t watch anything that has been released in the last 10 years.

We have to start with a nostalgic classic, Casper meets Wendy from 1988. And watch a very adorable, young Hillary Duff bond with just the cutest Casper ever. This movie has Halloween vibes for obvious reasons but it's a sweet and relaxing watch if you are someone who is going more for the vibes then the jumpscare.

If we want to get a little creepier but still maintain family friendly status then we have Coraline. A film just about every teenage and young girl was obsessed with when it was released, Coraline has a darker tone and story to it but it is very much still a family film. I think what lends it it's Halloween cred is the animation style more than anything else. That said the entire movie simply fits into the Halloween season.

Now obviously I could have put any number of Tim Burton movies on here and that man has never really left Halloween behind. Though his whole life is Halloween vibes and this list could potentially include Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhand or PeeWee Herman I think we all know that the correct answer is the Corpse Bride. My personal favorite Tim Burton film (because it's the best one) is a beautiful and very creepy story with Burton’s sallow and sorrow tone firmly attached to it. Making it the perfect movie for the Halloween season.

If you want some vintage Disney on this list we have the Adventures of Mr. Toad and Ichabod Crane. Now this one is super vintage but it is available on Disney+ is family friendly. Though Ichabod Crane’s story does go into the headless horseman so maybe don’t show it to your toddler but your 6 year old should be fine.

And of course we can’t have a fun halloween movie list without including Hocus Pocus. Music, witches and Disney fun are expected from this classic fall movie. I have not seen Hocus Pocus 2 (because I really didn’t think we needed a sequel but here we are) but I’m gonna go ahead and say watch that one too. Watch them back to back make a whole Bette Midler night out of it!

As you can see there are plenty of Halloween movies to watch all along the scale of creepy. There is plenty out there for younger kids, as well as your weird little middle school who thinks they want a scary movie (that's really what Tim Burton is for after all). Before we close out I would like to include some honorable mentions here; James and the Giant Peach, again I think its art style earns it a spot on this list. Animation and lighting can really go a long way to making a not necessarily creepy story, a little creepy. I’d also like to mention Nightmare Before Christmas because again, Tim Burton. But also it's my bridge to Christmas movies and it really works for both holidays (although as soon as I watch this movie it is Christmas time). But I suppose it's good for the spooky season as well.