Five spooky Halloween movies for the faint of heart

Claire Darcy, Contributing Writer

While some may prefer watching a spine-chilling horror film to celebrate the upcoming holiday, others seek more mild doses of the season’s spooky themes. Below are five great family-friendly films to get you in the Halloween spirit. 

“The Addams Family” (1991)

Packed with an eccentric cast of characters, “The Addams Family” tells the story of Gomez Addams and his long-lost brother, Fester. A sinister con-artist, Abigail Craven, is owed money by the family’s lawyer. She uses her son Gordon to pose as the missing relative in hopes of acquiring the Addams’ fortune and is nearly successful in doing so. The story is engaging, and the humor is dark and witty — making this movie about a twisted, morbid family a Halloween must-watch.

“The Addams Family” is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Freeform and Vudu.

“Beetlejuice” (1988)

Halloween would not be complete without at least one Tim Burton film, and “Beetlejuice” is the perfect candidate. When a ghost couple finds their house overrun by trendy New Yorkers, they turn to notorious poltergeist Betelgeuse to scare away the newcomers. 

In what is arguably the film’s most iconic scene, a dinner party leads the mortal family and their guests to become possessed and perform “The Banana Boat Song (Day-O.)” “Beetlejuice” boasts an instantly recognizable cast — including Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder and Alec Baldwin — along with shocking special effects and bawdy humor. 

“Beetlejuice” is available on Amazon Prime Video, Freeform, Sling and Vudu.

“Coraline” (2009)

This stop-motion favorite tells the story of Coraline Jones, who feels bored and neglected in her family’s new house. She discovers a portal to an alternate universe that appears like the utopian version of her world, but she soon discovers there are more horrors than meet the eye — or button. The movie has a beautiful and eerie soundtrack, playful animation and fantastic twists, making it perfect for the Halloween season.

“Coraline” is available on Amazon Prime Video, Starz and Vudu. 

“Scooby Doo on Zombie Island” (1998)

After the Mystery Gang splits up to pursue individual passions, Fred Jones — the group’s level-headed leader — reunites the crew for a trip to Moonscar Island: home of pirate ghost Morgan Moonscar. The friends find more than what they hoped for as they are confronted by ghosts, werecats and zombies. 

This film is an action-packed adventure that will reunite viewers with familiar childhood characters. It features character development that displays the Mystery Gang as older and more sophisticated, along with a refreshing break from the “bad guy in a mask” plot line. Despite its TV-G rating, the film contains its share of frightening moments and has a creepy, unpredictable ending.

“Scooby Doo on Zombie Island” is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Boomerang and Vudu.

“Little Shop of Horrors” (1986)

This cult classic musical has it all — comedy, romance, catchy showtunes and a man-eating plant from outer space. When florist Seymour Krelborn finds a mysterious plant, he discovers that only human blood will help it survive. As the plant grows, Krelborn is skyrocketed into a world of fame and fortune but at the cost of sacrificing his morals and peers to feed the hungry monster. 

The film has two endings. The originally released version includes a happily ever after, while the director’s cut features a more sinister and heartbreaking conclusion. 

“Little Shop of Horrors” is available on Amazon Prime Video, HBO and Vudu. The director’s cut is available on Amazon Prime Video and HBO.