Not every movie about ghosts and witches is meant for a sleepless night. Below are twelve films that people love for their atmosphere, mystery or humor rather than for blood and shock: stop-motion animations, comedies with otherworldly characters, family adventures with a slight chill, and two atmospheric ghost stories. This is not a guarantee that you won’t be scared, but a hint on where to start. MPA ratings (PG and PG-13) are taken from Wikidata, and where Wikidata has none, we don’t list one. Runtimes and facts are from Wikipedia pages checked on October 17, 2026. No spoilers.
Coraline
Official trailer · “Coraline” (2009)A stop-motion animated film that Wikipedia describes as a gothic dark fantasy with elements of horror. It is based on the novella by Neil Gaiman: a girl finds a perfect parallel world behind secret doors in her new home, not knowing that something sinister is hiding there. What to expect: an unsettling fairy-tale atmosphere, since this is an animated fantasy, not a slasher. In the real world the palette is muted, and in the parallel one it is brighter.
ParaNorman
Official trailer · “ParaNorman” (2012)An animated horror comedy from the Laika studio. Norman, a boy who talks to ghosts, must lift a 300-year-old witch’s curse on his hometown in Massachusetts. What to expect: a ghost comedy and, according to Wikipedia, conversations about the difficulties of growing up: this is exactly what screenwriter Chris Butler wanted to show.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Official trailer · “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)A stop-motion musical fantasy about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who accidentally stumbles into Christmas Town and becomes fascinated with the holiday. The music and songs were written by Danny Elfman. What to expect: songs and a gothic mood. Disney released the film under the Touchstone label, because it considered the tone too dark for children, but today it has a cult following.
Hocus Pocus
A fantasy comedy about three comic witches who are accidentally brought back to life by a teenager in Salem on Halloween. At its 1993 premiere the film got mixed reviews and did not recoup its costs, but annual October broadcasts on Disney Channel and Freeform turned it into a cult favorite. What to expect: witchy pranks and comedy, not horror.
Beetlejuice
Official trailer · “Beetlejuice” (1988)A gothic horror comedy: the recently deceased Maitland couple cannot leave their home and turn to a “bio-exorcist” named Beetlejuice to scare off the new residents. The film won an Oscar for Best Makeup and three Saturn Awards, including Best Horror Film. What to expect: a gothic comedy about the afterlife.
Ghostbusters
Official trailer · “Ghostbusters” (1984)A supernatural comedy about three eccentric parapsychologists who open a ghost-catching business in New York. The screenplay was written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, and Bill Murray plays one of the characters. Wikipedia praises the film for combining comedy, action and horror, and in 2015 the Library of Congress selected it for the National Film Registry. What to expect: a mix of comedy, action and horror.
The Addams Family
Official trailer · “The Addams Family” (1991)A supernatural black comedy based on the comics by Charles Addams. The macabre aristocratic family greets a man they believe to be a long-lost relative. For the director, this was a feature-film debut, and the film earned nearly seven times its production budget. What to expect: black comedy; the rating here is PG-13. If you like it, there is also a series about Wednesday, which we cover in our selection of series like “Stranger Things”.
Casper
Official trailer · “Casper” (1995)A fantasy comedy based on the cartoon character Casper, a friendly ghost. He peacefully “lives” in the Whipstaff mansion in Maine, where a paranormal specialist moves in with his teenage daughter. Wikipedia notes that this is the first feature film with a fully computer-generated character in the lead role. What to expect: a family story, although Casper’s image here is darker than in the old cartoons: the plot includes the story of his death.
Goosebumps
Official trailer · “Goosebumps” (2015)A horror comedy based on the children’s book series by Robert Lawrence Stine. Jack Black plays a fictional version of the writer, and the monsters from his manuscripts magically break free. The writer, his teenage daughter and their new neighbor must save the town. What to expect: an adventure comedy with monsters. A sequel came out in 2018.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
Official trailer · “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” (2018)A dark fantasy comedy based on John Bellairs’ 1973 book. A boy named Lewis is sent to live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black) in an old creaky house where a villainous wizard once lived. Cate Blanchett also stars. Wikipedia notes that critics mostly praised the actors but felt the film did not fully realize its potential. What to expect: dark fantasy with a comedic mood.
The Sixth Sense
Official trailer · “The Sixth Sense” (1999)A psychological thriller: a child psychologist takes on the case of a boy who says he can see and hear the dead. The film received six Oscar nominations, including for Best Picture and Best Director, and Shyamalan has since become known for his love of unexpected endings. What to expect: tension and mystery, not a slasher. It’s best not to read about the ending in advance.
The Others
Official trailer · “The Others” (2001)A psychological and gothic horror set in 1945 on the island of Jersey: a woman with two children who cannot tolerate light notices supernatural occurrences in her estate after new servants arrive. Wikipedia notes that critics praised the atmosphere, Nicole Kidman’s performance and the plot twist. The film won eight Goya Awards, including Best Film. What to expect: a gothic atmosphere and unsettling tension, since this is a horror film, not a comedy.
What to pick by mood
| What you want | What to pick |
|---|---|
| A fairy tale with an unsettling atmosphere | Coraline, ParaNorman, The Nightmare Before Christmas |
| Laughs and otherworldly characters | Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, The Addams Family, Hocus Pocus |
| A family movie with a slight chill | Casper, Goosebumps, The House with a Clock in Its Walls |
| Mystery and atmosphere for adults | The Sixth Sense, The Others |
Tip. Newcomers should logically start with the animated films and comedies from the list, and save the ghost stories for adult audiences for last: they rely on tension, not jokes.
PG means parents are advised to watch the film together with children, while PG-13 asks parents to be especially careful if children are under 13. This is the American MPA system, and your service may label films differently.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start if I’m scared of horror films?
With the animated films and comedies: “Coraline,” “ParaNorman,” “Beetlejuice,” “Ghostbusters.” According to Wikipedia, these are animated horror fantasy, horror comedy or supernatural comedy, not slashers.
Can I show these films to children?
It depends on the child’s age. Even Disney, according to Wikipedia, considered “The Nightmare Before Christmas” too dark for children, so check the rating and it’s best to watch together.
What should I watch when I want something scarier?
You can move on to slashers: “Scream” or “Halloween”. These are films about killers, and they are meant for a different mood.
Where do the age ratings come from?
From Wikidata (the “MPA film rating” property). If there is no value for a film there, as with “The Others,” we don’t list a rating.
Sources
- Coraline (Wikipedia)
- Beetlejuice (Wikipedia)
- The Sixth Sense (Wikipedia)
- The Others (Wikipedia)
- MPA film rating (Wikidata)
Data was checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata on October 17, 2026.
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