As someone with experience being both a scaredy cat and a horror fan, I am familiar with the plight of finding a film that fits my scare tolerance for the day. You need not worry about running out of movies this spooky season because here are some recommendations based on scariness levels.

Level 1 – Scaredy Cat

If you do not like to be scared, you do not have to feel like you are out of movies to watch. Some of the most beloved Halloween movies are suitable for any age or scare tolerance. 

Casper

“Casper” is a great movie for those who scare easily, as it is intended for families and Casper is a friendly ghost. This movie is a sweet, found-family tale about discovering a new home where you least expect it, so it is sure to endear anyone who watches. 

Addams Family (1991-1993)

Many people forget the Addams Family movies from the 1990s and the television show from the 1950s. The Addams are not scary – they never harm anyone, nor does anyone harm them; they just like things dark, kooky and offbeat. You never feel afraid of them because you can feel their familial love and loyalty through all of their films and shows over the decades.  If you like this TV show, you may also enjoy “The Munsters,” which has a similar concept but follows Frankenstein’s monster and his family.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Perhaps the most well-known and loved movie in this category is “Hocus Pocus.” This cult classic follows three resurrected witches navigating their evil ways in a very different world from the one they died in and the teens who have to stop them before the night is over. The three witches, while evil, are constantly making unintentional jokes that disarm the audience whenever you start to fear them. Their vocal talent also helps their case and will make you want to hire them as a Halloween party act, regardless of the threat they pose.

Level 2 – Entry-Level Eerie

You are now ready to turn it up a notch – or maybe this is just where you like it! If you desire Halloween fun with a minor scare, these movies are for you.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1992)

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a beloved Halloween classic that puts you slightly on the edge of your seat as you watch Jack Skellington’s rather insane quest for fulfillment that includes stealing Christmas, kidnapping someone and being pursued by the military—don’t ask. This film is popular for a reason, and if you give it a try, you’ll quickly understand why so many, including myself, love it.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Don’t say his name! “Beetlejuice” is an eerie comedy flick that follows a recently deceased pair of ghosts attempting to get their house’s new living residents to leave. However, someone is trying to trick them into accepting his help: a bio-exorcist poltergeist named Beetlejuice who can be summoned if you say his name three times. As both an antagonist and a creep, the titular character is this film’s main source of chills, but the core focus of this movie is one of a found family. If you’d like some laughs and hearts with a bit of eerieness, “Beetlejuice” is perfect for you. Oh no, I said it three times!

Coraline (2009)

The last movie in this section is the perfect stepping stone for someone who wants to be scared but not too uncomfortable. Staged as a horror film, the children’s movie “Coraline” follows a young girl as she discovers a different reality from her own that appears better in every way. But nothing is as it seems, and Coraline has to outwit the Beldam to escape the realm alive. “Coraline” was directed by the same person who directed “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—Henry Selik, not Tim Burton—so if you like Nightmare and want to amp up the scariness, “Coraline” is perfect for you.

Level 3 – Spooky Starters 

If you are at this point, you’ll probably want something scary but not something that completely falls into what we deem as horror today. These films will be perfect in that regard and there are many to choose from so you can choose what type of monster you want to engage with!

Universal Monsters (1932-1954)

They are the most recognizable monsters to western audiences, yet many have never seen them in their original films. The “Universal Monsters” movies are among the few older films from the black-and-white era that retain their popularity today. To this day, I’m impressed by the actors’ performances in their famous roles. If you are unfamiliar with the list of monsters that Universal has given us in film, they are as follows: Dracula from “Dracula,” Frankenstein’s Monster from “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein,” the Invisible Man from “The Invisible Man,” the Mummy from “The Mummy,” the Gil Man from “Creature From The Black Lagoon,” and the Wolf Man from “The Wolf Man.”

These movies revolutionized cinematography by exploring new camera angles, meaningful imagery, and pushing the boundaries of what could be portrayed on screen. They truly withstand the test of time and are sure to put you on the edge of your seat. 

Level 4 – Bit of a Scare 

This is a similar level to the one before it, but they include slightly more gore. Most of the violence is portrayed through shadows and brief moments for gore before the camera tears away. These movies also balance out their scares with jokes, so they are more comedy horror than horror comedy.

Lisa Frankenstein (2023)

Do you want to try out a slasher but do not want to dive headfirst into that subsection of horror? Then you will enjoy “Lisa Frankenstein” as a gateway into the slasher category. Lisa isn’t like other girls. Instead of going to the movies with her boyfriend, their dates include axes, cemeteries and severed body parts. Did I mention that the boyfriend is a recently resurrected corpse of a Victorian man? This is an excellent starter slasher with lots of humor to accompany the horror. 

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

A cult classic that is instantly quotable and has the perfect amount of scariness for this category is “Jennifer’s Body,” the cult classic from Diablo Cody. It follows the popular teenage Jennifer’s transformation into a succubus and her best friend’s quest to stop her from feeding on her boyfriend before it’s too late. This movie is sure to hit the spot if a comedy horror is what you seek. 

The Craft

“The Craft” is a film about girls gone witchy as teenagers play with powers beyond their knowledge. It’s all fun and games until things go horribly wrong and horror ensues. If you want a fun, witchy flick this spooky season, be sure to check out “The Craft!”

Level 4.5 – Suspense but No Gore

Halloween (1978)

Do you have a craving for classic horror but a dislike for gore? The original “Halloween” has surprisingly little gore: no more than a bit of blood at the beginning. This is actually because it was a small-budget indie film, but it resulted in a masterclass of suspense that scares the audience with tone alone. This movie debuted the iconic figure of Michael Meyers / The Shape, actress Jamie Lee Curtis as a scream queen, and one of the simplest yet most eerie musical themes that a horror movie could have. This movie is genuinely scary and is sure to be enjoyed by any type of horror fan.

Level 5 – Call Me Maybe? 

“Halloween” is obviously a horror movie, but it has no gore; now, we are in full horror mode, gore included. However, these movies aren’t pure terror, as some of them have a touch of comedy or good will.

Carrie (1974)

I’m sure most have heard of the king of horror, Stephen King. While he has written many iconic horror tales that have been turned into films, one that I enjoyed still holds up from the 70s, just like the original “Halloween.” Based on King’s first novel, the movie “Carrie” immediately captivated filmgoers through its brutal examination of American high school and religious paranoia. Everything climaxes in a bloody carnage that has haunted pop culture to this day. There is a reason that movie adaptations of future King novels were launched into production after the success of this movie, as it is a genuinely chilling film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep. A movie that is sure to leave you with nightmares—or at least make you question going to bed at night—is Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” that debuted the sleep demon with gloved knives: Freddy Krueger. This film, like “Halloween,” was made with a shoestring budget and an amazing premise. This film showcases impressive practical effects to produce its scares and makeup for Krueger so terrifying that it scared the actor when he saw himself in a mirror. As a film that relaunched the slasher genre while allowing its villain to engage in a few jokes; this movie is sure to be a hit for years to come. 

Scream (1996)

What’s your favorite scary movie? Well, Mr. Ghostface, one of mine is the original “Scream,” also directed by Wes Craven, as it is the perfect horror comedy. The opening scene is horrifying even if you know what’s coming, and only after scaring your pants off does the movie reveal its funny, self-aware side as a meta critique on the dying horror genre in the 1990s. Of course, the movie continues to scare and showcases excellent characters brought to life by Courtney Cox, Neve Campbell, Matthew Lillard and Skreet Ulritch. If you are up for it, this standout slasher would be a great pick for this Halloween. There are sequels to this acclaimed horror flick if you wish to make this a marathon as well!

Level 6 – Terrify Me With Elevated Horror and Suspense

If you are at this level, you can handle a bit of gore. This will serve you well for all three of these movies, which scare you with both the kills and the movies’ implications beyond the bloodshed.

Us (2019)

“Us” is a horror film directed by Jordan Peele about doppelgangers who are intent on killing those that they believe to be their “shadows.” There is a lot of symbolism, most obviously on classism and the United States’ homeless population, as well as Oscar-worthy double performances from all of the actors, especially Lupita Nyong’o, who plays the two main characters. This movie will leave you haunted and shocked, so if you like horror movies and complex films, give it a shot.

Get Out (2017)

“Get Out” is Jordan Peele’s directorial debut film. A seemingly ordinary tale about meeting his white girlfriend’s parents at their estate turns into a nightmare for Chris as he realizes that everyone residing in the estate wants to trap him there and he must survive their sinister plot. A scathing look at racism and the injustice for missing people in marginalized communities, this film will leave you horrified both at the movie’s chilling premise and the real issues facing people of color every day.

Talk to Me (2022)

“Talk to me.” “I let you in.” In those seven simple words and the grasp of an embalmed severed hand, you will allow a deceased spirit to enter your body. But you must make sure someone takes the hand away from you after sixty seconds; otherwise, the spirit will want to stay. One of the signs of a great horror movie is that it will consume your thoughts and leave you unsettled, and “Talk to Me” will do just that. 

Level 7 – I Love G-O-R-E

These movies are not for the faint-of-heart, as the gore in these movies are off the charts. Only watch these movies if you’re up for it. 

Terrifier Series (2016-2024)

“Terrifier” stars a silent clown named Art and details his malicious murder spree as he finds various ways to gruesomely kill his victims. You are sure to be horrified by his asinine disregard for human life while he smiles as if he’s heard the funniest joke on Earth. Again, watch at your own risk. 

Saw Series (2004-2023)

What would you do to survive? Well…the sadistic John Kramer wants you to do awful things to others and yourself to survive his torture traps. The main trap in the first movie in this series involves a saw, hence the title of the movie and later series, but perhaps the most iconic trap from this is the reverse bear trap, also from the first film. This series is also not for the squeamish, as it is basically a non-stop gore fest. But if that is your thing, you’ll love it.

To conclude our masquerade of Halloween movie options, there are many Halloween and horror movies to choose from and this list was just the start. If you didn’t find a movie on this list that appeals to you, check out the YouTube channel and podcast Dead Meat! It provides far more recommendations than allotted here, and provides humorous horror movie summaries for those who do not want to sit through the actual film while enjoying a laugh.