Halloween is the perfect holiday to cozy up and watch a spooky movie with friends and family. However, the paranormal, gore and goblins just aren’t for everybody. So, instead of watching movies that will make you turn on a nightlight for the next few sleeps, here are three, maybe not-so-scary, movies to watch this Halloween season: “Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare (2010),” “Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).”
“Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare (2010),” written by Gavin Breunig
Recently, I was asked what my favorite Halloween movie was. I considered the question for a long time, partially because of the many variations of contending movies: maybe “The Conjuring” for some demons, perhaps “Friday the 13th” for a slasher or maybe “The Nightmare Before Christmas” to skip November entirely.
But when I eventually settled on an answer, it was the unconventional, and decidedly not scary, “Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare.”
As one of my childhood favorite movies, “Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare” will always hold a special place in my heart, not just as a Halloween movie, but as a movie in general.
If you haven’t heard of this movie, I don’t blame you. With a direct-to-video release in 2010 and as the 15th “Scooby-Doo!” movie released, it doesn’t have the same cultural impact of many Halloween movies. Heck, it doesn’t have the biggest impact of all “Scooby-Doo!” movies.
However, it’s my personal favorite of all the “Scooby-Doo!” movies (including the live-action ones) mostly due to the comedy and the mystery as a whole.
As a kid, watching the Mystery Inc. gang interact with the three Camp Little Moose campers was cool because I could see myself in their shoes. Looking back, I guess I may have had a parasocial relationship with all the main “Scooby-Doo!” characters, but that’s not important here.
The extreme differences between Camp Little Moose and Camp Big Moose have always been so funny to me (like why does Camp Big Moose need so many jet skis?). However, using those notably comedic differences in different plot points and to teach the campers about friendship and the outdoors is clever and goes to show the depth that the movie has overall.
The extent that the mystery affects the area surrounding the two camps makes it feel more impactful as a whole than many other mysteries the Mystery Inc. deals with in other “Scooby-Doo!” movies.
The usage of three distinct monsters in three distinct areas alone makes the world feel massive, and is part of what makes this a Halloween movie to me.
If you’re over the age of 7, you won’t be scared at all, but there are definitely parts that I remember being super scary when I was a kid and you can tell are supposed to be scary.
This is one of my all-time favorite movies and I highly recommend it. Although it’s not a traditional Halloween movie, I watch it almost every fall for Halloween because of all the good memories I associate with it.
I’d rate “Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare” an extremely biased 10 out of 10 because of the mystery, the comedy and the joy and whimsy that it fills me with every time I watch it. It also has a post-credit scene so blame this movie for the MCU.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023),” written by Sylvia Freire
A classic childhood game turned into a movie, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” became truly a favorite for me, regardless of its silliness.
Although, I would never say this is the best or greatest film of all time, I can say without doubt it stands true to the nostalgia that comes with incorporating old topics into newer mediums.
Some may be turned away from the idea of the movie, especially people who have never touched the game, but its entire purpose is and will always be its character development and history of what the game means.
The movie follows along a similar progression as the game does with a few differences, but even then it gives a new angle that fans deserve.
With new characters to learn about, the original lore is simply added onto and not dragged. Even if you don’t enjoy horror movies, this is right up anyone’s alley.
Rather than fear, this movie gives a new edge to a mystery movie. Regardless of jump-scares, it simply builds tension organically.
Though “Five Nights at Freddy’s” is not seen as a traditional halloween horror movie, the mystery and tension gives it just the right vibe to fit in with the halloween season.
A second part to the film is coming this December and I can only hope for it to bring the same amount of attraction as this one did for me.
Regardless, this film is able to pay homage to its origin while also remaining authentic to itself. It is truly an absolute must-see for both fans and non-fans.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993),” written by Melanie Schouppe
It can feel like there aren’t many movies for the people who don’t enjoy being scared during the Halloween season.
Here is a movie for the people who think the same: “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” written by Tim Burton.
As a musical lover and as a person who patiently waits for the Christmas season, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is the perfect Halloween movie with catchy songs such as “This is Halloween” and “What’s This.”
On top of great music, it was made using impressive stop motion animation, and has just enough spookiness to give the Halloween feeling, but not want to hide under a blanket.
