It’s October 1st, which means it’s officially spooky season! This is the time of year horror fanatics live for; the candy flows freely, pumpkin spice is all the rage, and the Netflix queue is full of horror films to help set the mood. Horror fans are getting spoiled with the upcoming films Terrifier 2, which releases on October 6th, and Halloween Ends, which premieres on October 14.
But what if you’re a scaredy cat who still wants to enjoy the Halloween season without losing your sanity? Films like Halloween Ends (and Terrifier 2, which is a film I’m too scared to watch) are titles scaredy cats might want to avoid. Never fear, however, because I have a list of horror movies even scaredy cats can enjoy. I’ll try to avoid some of the common titles that end up on lists like these. So lock all the doors, arm yourself with a knife, and let’s dive into Five Horror Movies for Scaredy Cats.
Final Exam
Final Exam is a 1981 slasher film about an almost entirely arbitrary killer as he stalks and murders a group of students left at a college campus just days before summer vacation. Final Exam sets itself apart from the slue of 1980s slasher films with a slow build-up and establishment of the lead characters. Its slow story might not be for everyone, but it’s light on gore and features no jump scares. Final Exam is a fantastic film for people looking to dip their toes into the slasher subgenre of horror films.
Scary Movie
Scary Movie is a parody film from 2000 which pokes fun at horror movies like Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Halloween, and Friday the 13th. Heavy on the laughs and slapstick comedy and light on scares, Scary Movie is a type of film you might want to get drunk first before watching. Regina Hall plays Brenda Meeks and is the true MVP of the film. Scary Movie features all the tropes of the horror genre but turns them on their heads for plenty of laughs.
Hocus Pocus 2
The first Hocus Pocus film is a true classic and a perfect entry for scaredy cats who want to experience all the joys of Halloween, but its 2022 follow-up, Hocus Pocus 2, is a sequel done right. The film brings the iconic Sanderson sisters (played to perfection by the impeccable trio of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker) back to the screen. The film is hilarious and has a heartwarming message about family. Unlike the previous entries on this list, which aren’t scary but still feature adult themes, Hocus Pocus 2 is a film the whole family can enjoy.
The Final Girls
The Final Girls is a 2015 horror comedy film starring Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story), Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), and Alia Shawkat (Search Party), following a group of high school students who are transported into a 1980s slasher flick called Camp Bloodbath. The film is smart, hilarious, and heartwarming as it pokes fun at the various tropes of the horror genre. I like The Final Girls because it’s full of nods to iconic slashers like Halloween and Friday the 13th, but there’s a lot of emotion to the film as it explores the relationship between mothers and daughters set to the backdrop of a camp slasher.
The Addams Family Values
Is there a family in all of pop culture quite like the Addams Family? Well…the Munsters, but that’s a conversation for another time. The Addams Family Values is a 1993 comedy horror film following the exploits of the wonderfully macabre Addams Family. Anjelica Huston, Raoul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, Carol Cane, and Jimmy Workman shine as the family of oddballs who love each other and navigate the tricky waters of romance. Throw in Joan Cusack as the delightful serial killer Debbie Jelinsky (seriously…I would love to watch a movie centered around her character), and you have a heartwarming flick perfect for the entire family to enjoy.
What are your favorite horror movies for scaredy cats? Let me know in the comments. For all things horror and pop culture, check out my website. Stay nerdy!
Mack's Musings 