Top Five Non-Scary Halloween Movies on Netflix For 'Hocus Pocus' Fans

Emma Giallongo ’20 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Halloween time has rolled around again, and that means all things spooky have risen from hell to creep everybody out. Among these spooky things are the inevitable scary movie marathons that most people are so eager to take part in. However, some people might prefer to hang up decorations, eat candy, or dress up rather than get scared by all of the monsters.
One of the best things to do during Halloween is to watch the 1993 Disney film, Hocus Pocus. The film is a great non-scary Halloween movie, as it is full of silly jokes and creepy references, without any of the actual gore or horrors of other Halloween classics.
To all of the fraidy-cat Halloween lovers and Hocus Pocus fans, here’s a list of the top five non-scary Halloween movies on Netflix.
5. Practical Magic (1998)

Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as Sally and Gillian Owens, this film is a romantic comedy about magical sisters who live with a curse: if they are ever to fall in love, the love of their life will die. As a result of this hijinx, the girls must work together to figure out their problems and live happily ever after. This movie is a sweet yet thrilling ride, where Bullock and Kidman can do magic and need to hide a body. This film is really entertaining, as it takes the viewer through different twists and turns that you learn the answers to later on throughout the film. Like Hocus Pocus, witches are a big theme in this movie and are not scary. Instead, this movie has a heartwarming message about family sticking together.
4. Scooby-Doo (2002) and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004)

These movies were pretty big while growing up so it’s no surprise if they’ve already been seen—both are listed since they’re both available and nostalgia-inducing. Scooby and the gang come together to solve mysteries that involve real monsters and must figure out who is behind the evil plots. They are both worth re-watching to catch jokes that were inevitably missed during childhood. As in Hocus Pocus, these movies have awesome soundtracks that are fun to listen to and there are also subtle references to adult humor. It has a family vibe, and yet, it is entertaining, even to adult audiences.
3. Heathers (1989)

This is definitely the most thrilling of these choices—which can be seen as scary to some people—with murders and jaw-dropping events around every corner. Heathers follows Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder) as she struggles to follow along with the status quo of her dark high school clique, “The Heathers.” She teams up with a mysterious boy named J.D. (Christian Slater), and together, the two plot revenge on the teenage torturers Veronica used to call her friends. Although not centered around Halloween, it’s still perfect for Halloween for being creepy and shocking with surprising plot twists, but it isn’t too scary to sit through. Heathers and Hocus Pocus are similar in that they both make obvious references to death, and while Hocus Pocus raises three witches and a man from the dead, Heathers does the opposite. Heathers is quite a violent movie, but it is entertaining and thrilling, much like the race against time to save the children of Salem in Hocus Pocus. Overall, there is never a boring moment in this film.
2. Corpse Bride (2005)

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter unite for this Tim Burton classic in a musical adventure through the underworld and above. Victor Van Dort (Depp) finds himself accidentally married to the corpse bride, Emily (Bonham Carter), while practicing his wedding vows for his actual union to Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson), and must now find a way to undo the event. Corpse Bride relies heavily on paranormal occurrences and the disbelief others have in the underworld. While no characters are witches, like in Hocus Pocus, Corpse Bride does an excellent job of tying the supernatural into the plot. It’s full of silly puns, heartwarming plotlines, and downright magical events that will keep audiences thoroughly entertained.
1. The Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family is the best choice for Netflix movies to watch this Halloween; it’s hilarious, clever, and full of morbid jokes that’ll leave viewers crying with laughter. Not to mention the catchy theme song, this film is perfect for the spooky atmosphere of this month, without any of the actual fear that usually goes with it. Just as the Sanderson Sisters of Hocus Pocus are silly in their references to evil deeds and how poorly executed their plans are, The Addams Family does the same in that their deadly references are extremely funny and their favorite pastimes involve performing violent acts on one another or complete outsiders. It’s hilarious and enjoyable, making it completely rewatchable and a perfect Halloween film.