LIST: 13 movies to get in the Halloween spirit without giving you a fright

Another black-comedy, "Addams Family Values", sequel of "The Addams Family" (1991), similarly leaves you rooting for grim characters that you wouldn't have otherwise. The Addams family becomes concerned as Uncle Fester, played by Christopher Lloyd, is quickly infatuated and seduced by Gomez and Morticia Addams’ new babysitter Debbie, played by Joan Cusack. If you don’t get a chance to watch this in October, Wednesday Addams’ woke,off-scripted lines at the Camp Chippewa’s production of “The First Thanksgiving” makes it a great watch in November too.

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This movie was inspired by one of the scariest non-thrill rides at the Walt Disney Theme parks - "The Haunted Mansion". It stars Eddie Murphy as a workaholic, realtor dad that insists that they need to make a stop to a mysterious mansion while on vacation with his family. “Haunted Mansion” has a really entertaining blend of practical and CGI effects. It will look fairly campy (half the movies on this list are),but it is still a really fun story.

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This black and white feature is one of the funniest Halloween movies that isn’t targeted towards kids. Made in the 1970s by Mel Brooks, this 1930s styled film follows Dr. Fredrick Frankenstein - or as he insist is pronounced “ Fronkonsteen” - as he visits Transylvania upon finding that he inherited the estate of his recently deceased, infamous grandfather, Dr.Frankenstein.

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"Hocus Pocus" is such a cult classic that a few channels always play it every year multiple times in October. Even some movie theaters play this adventure on the big screen. Set in Salem, it follows a immortal black cat helping three kids escape from an evil trio of witches they accidentally resurrected. Though not a musical, this movie was directed by Kenny Ortega and it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

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"What We Do in the Shadows" was the breakout hit that put Taika Waititi on the map and is thought to have been the reason leadership at Marvel Studios offered him the position of director to the best "Thor" movie("Thor: Ragnarok"!) Have you ever wondered what chaos would ensue if four bachelor vampires from different centuries lived together as roommates now? This mockumentary is a hilarious take on that unique premise.

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Just because Halloween is known for fright and terror, doesn’t mean that musicals don’t have a space in the celebration. Nothing is quite more terrifying than a threat you don’t expect - a singing plant. Whether you can or can't see the "Little Shop of Horrors" live, the 1986 movie adaptation worth a watch and features the talents of Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Bill Murray, John Candy and Steven Martin.

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No holiday movie marathon is complete without playing a Charlie Brown movie. This story explores different Halloween traditions like stressing in the search for the perfect costume, trick-or-treating and communicating with The Great Pumpkin. Well, that last one isn’t your average Halloween activity, but like the Christmas special Linus will explain it.  

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What is more Halloween themed than a movie about a ghost communicating with a child in a creepy mansion? Did I mention this movie ends at a Halloween party? This film adaption of the Casper the Friendly Ghost comics is a Halloween must watch just like "It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and "Hocus Pocus".

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The core of the story is centered around witches/wizards and enchantments - so the month of October is the perfect time to rewatch the third installment of the Harry Potter films. This movie’s plot is separate enough from the running story of the film series that you can just pick it up and watch without remembering much of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. If you haven’t seen the previous films in a minute, the first two make great watches near Halloween as well.

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"Clue" has all the tricks and terror of a Halloween movie without being actually scary. This film takes places in a mansion(sorry but this is a horror troupe) where lives are being taken and you, like all the characters, have to figure out who is the murderer. This is best watched with friends and family, who haven't seen it before, as you can make candy bets on who you think the murderer is. Just like the board game it was based on, "Clue" has three possible endings depending on how/where you are watching it.

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Arguably the best Scooby-Doo storyline ever, "Zombie Island" was the first Scooby Doo straight to home video and it followed the full-length mystery format of the show. The gang finds themselves in a situation they had never found themselves dealing with until that point - real supernatural danger. This film also features voice acting legends like Tara Strong and Mark Hamill.

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This would not be a proper Halloween list with at least one Tim Burton movie on it. To some people Michael Keaton is Batman or Vulture or Birdman, but to many, he is first and foremost Beetlejuice. This film tells the story of a couple stuck in purgatory that are being pushed out of their residence by a new family. They regretfully enlist Beet- Keaton’s character to help scare the people out of the house. Whatever you do, don’t say his name three times. Maybe especially as this year is the 30th anniversary of the horror-comedy.

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"The Babysitter" is a teen slasher-comedy centered around a bullied child finding out his beautiful high school babysitter is in a demonic cult. This is oddly also a coming of age story despite its ridiculous premise and it definitely not being suitable for all ages. Before it was bought and produced by Netflix, “The Babysitter” made the 2014 Black List, an annual list of “the best” yet-to-be-produced scripts.

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