20 Non-Horror Halloween Movies People With Anxiety Love

For people with anxiety who dislike horror movies, finding a non-scary movie to watch during the Halloween season may feel like a tricky undertaking.

Maybe the thought of someone jumping out to scare you makes you feel panicky. Maybe your child has anxiety and you are looking for kid-friendly Halloween movies to show. Or you’re so sick of fighting anxious thoughts all day you don’t want to watch something that will set you more on edge.

If you find yourself wanting less blood and gore, and more sugar, pumpkin spice, and everything nice, this one’s for you.

We asked members asked our mental health community who live with anxiety to share non-scary movies they watch during the Halloween season.

Here’s what they had to say:

1. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

“I love watching ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ and not just because if its catchy music. I love this movie because it recognizes that you can question who you are, but the questioning of yourself doesn’t mean you are no longer yourself. You’re still you, your perspectives, ideas, and feelings have just changed, and that’s OK.” — Aurora W.

2. “Monsters Inc.”

“Not really a Halloween movie, but ‘Monsters Inc.’ It’s such a cute movie.” — Kadie A.

3. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”

“I like this movie because it’s funny and both adult and kid-friendly. It has the Halloween spirit in it with no horror.” — Kimberly L.

4. “Hocus Pocus”

“’Hocus Pocus’ of course! It’s the best Halloween movie there is. Lots of jokes, only a little bit of ‘scare,’ and it’s OK for kids because many of the more adult jokes go over their heads. I watch this every year!” — Elizabeth K.

5. “The Addams Family”

“I usually hate regular horror movies with a passion because they don’t have anything lighthearted about them. I cope with my anxiety a lot with dark and morbid humor, so I can handle [this movie].” — Janelle C.

6. “Halloweentown”

“All three of the ‘Haloweentown’ [movies] made by Disney. I watched them all growing up and they remind me of my childhood.” — Kay S.

7. “Hotel Transylvania”

“It’s just a sweet movie about a dad and a daughter trying to understand each other, all while running a hotel for other famous monsters.” — Elsa J.

8. “Practical Magic”

“There are some tearful moments, but no anxiety moments to endure!” — Koroleva V.

9. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

submitted by Bailey S.

10. “The Haunted Mansion”

“’The Haunted Mansion,’ starring Eddie Murphy. I have panic attacks and anxiety, so I’m unable to watch scary movies of any kind. However, this one is actually funny and enjoyable.” — Jean K.

11. “Scooby-Doo: The Movie”

“’Scooby-Doo’ is my go-to, no matter if it’s Halloween or not. It’s funny and brings comfort of my childhood. It’s about friends [who] become family and rely on each other.” — Camille R.

12. “Beetlejuice”

“Is Beetlejuice considered a Halloween movie? I love it!” — Mena F.

13. “Twitches”

“[It’s a] Disney Channel movie, so [it’s not] too scary.” — Kat K.

14. “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

“Maybe it’s not a Halloween movie, but there’s never wrong time to watch this movie! It makes me much calmer when I have bad days.” — Miska M.

15. “Edward Scissorhands”

“It’s not only a great gothic style feel to get into the positive side of gloom, it’s a movie that reminds us there is love for everyone and it has a lot of forms.” — Andy S.

16. “Scary Godmother”

“It’s a childish movie, but it’s so cute I love it. It makes me smile and lets my mind go silent. It helps me forget for a just a bit.” — Savannah V.

17. “ET”

“A movie the whole family can watch. I don’t like scary movies at all and never have.” — Lisa M.

18. “ParaNorman”

“’ParaNorman’ is a fantastic movie with an important message that can relate to those of us with mental illnesses. It always helps me feel less alone and heal from losing my best friend to suicide. It portrays a boy who can speak to and see the dead. He is stereotyped and shunned by society and all the adults in his life for being ‘crazy,’ before everyone finally realizes they’re in the wrong.” — KellyAnn N.

19. “Rise of the Guardians”

“It really incorporates several different seasons/holidays, but the premise is beautiful. Jack Frost struggles with being invisible until he finds his ‘center,’ and realizes why he was chosen to be a Guardian. He learns how his past impacted his present, and how it can further impact his future. He is helped by the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Santa Claus.” — Kristy H.

20. “Elf”

“I don’t like scary movies, I usually watch movies like ‘Elf” around Halloween.” — Claire W.

What would you add?