Top 20 Least Scary Horror Movies
Sometimes you want monsters, ghosts, or zombies without the nightmares that follow. These movies lean on humor, adventure, or family-friendly storytelling while keeping familiar horror tropes like haunted houses, witches, vampires, and shambling undead. They are packed with recognizable stars, approachable ratings, and straightforward plots that make them easy to enjoy with a wide range of viewers.
You will find live action, animation, and even a musical in the mix. Many of these films became box office successes or long-running cult favorites, spawned sequels and TV spinoffs, and introduced younger audiences to spooky themes in accessible ways. They also cover subgenres like horror comedy, supernatural fantasy, and creature features, often landing in PG or PG-13 territory.
‘Ghostbusters’ (1984)
Ivan Reitman directs a New York City tale about a team of parapsychologists who start a ghost removal business and face a skyscraper-sized showdown. The cast includes Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Rick Moranis, with practical effects and memorable theme music that became part of pop culture. The movie carries a PG rating and runs about 105 minutes.
The film opened strong in the summer of 1984 and became one of the highest-grossing releases of its year. Its success led to an animated series, multiple sequels, a video game, and an enduring brand that continues across new installments and merchandise.
‘Gremlins’ (1984)
Directed by Joe Dante and produced with Steven Spielberg’s involvement, this creature feature follows a small-town teen who receives a mysterious pet with three strict rules that get promptly broken. Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates star, and the chaos unfolds with animatronics and miniatures that highlight the film’s practical effects. It was released with a PG rating, prompting discussions that helped usher in the PG-13 category soon after.
The movie performed strongly at the box office and established a tone that blends mischief with light horror. It generated a sequel, video games, and ongoing references in toys and holiday programming, keeping its mogwai and gremlins recognizable to new audiences.
‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)
Tim Burton’s supernatural comedy centers on a recently deceased couple who enlist a bio-exorcist to scare off the living. Michael Keaton leads the cast with Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and Catherine O’Hara, and the film runs roughly 92 minutes with a PG rating. Its stop-motion and makeup effects gave it a distinct visual identity.
The movie’s popularity led to an animated TV series and a Broadway musical, along with a long legacy in costumes and themed attractions. Its characters and set pieces remain staples of seasonal programming and retro screenings.
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (1986)
Frank Oz directs this musical adaptation about a florist who discovers a carnivorous plant that craves more than water. Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, and Steve Martin headline, with memorable songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The film is rated PG-13 and typically runs around 94 minutes in its theatrical cut.
It earned critical praise for its practical creature effects and stage-to-screen translation and later received a director’s cut with an alternate ending. The property continues to thrive in live theater revivals and home video releases, keeping the man-eating plant in the cultural conversation.
‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)
Kenny Ortega directs this Salem-set story about three resurrected witches navigating modern Halloween. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star, joined by Thora Birch and Omri Katz. The movie is rated PG and runs about 96 minutes, balancing supernatural elements with family adventure.
While its initial box office was modest, annual seasonal broadcasts turned it into a perennial favorite. The film later inspired a sequel, extensive merchandise, and themed events that helped cement its place in October viewing traditions.
‘Casper’ (1995)
This family-friendly ghost story follows a father-daughter duo who move into a haunted mansion to help spirits cross over. Brad Silberling directs, with Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman leading the cast and state-of-the-art visual effects bringing the title character to life. The film holds a PG rating and runs about 100 minutes.
Released by a major studio in the mid-1990s, the movie performed well worldwide and spurred direct-to-video follow-ups and animated projects. Its blend of live action and CGI helped set a template for later family supernatural films.
‘The Addams Family’ (1991)
Barry Sonnenfeld brings the iconic macabre clan to the screen with Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, and Christina Ricci. The story revolves around inheritance schemes and a long-lost relative subplot, with production design emphasizing the family’s gothic mansion and eccentric gadgets. The film carries a PG-13 rating and runs around 102 minutes.
The movie’s strong performance led to a sequel and ongoing adaptations across TV and animation. Costumes, catchphrases, and the theme became evergreen fixtures at conventions and seasonal parties.
‘The Witches’ (1990)
Adapted from Roald Dahl’s book, this film follows a boy who stumbles upon a convention of witches plotting to transform children. Nicolas Roeg directs, with Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, and Jasen Fisher starring. The practical makeup effects and puppetry highlight the transformation sequences, and the film is rated PG with a runtime near 91 minutes.
The movie developed a following through home video and TV airings and later inspired a new adaptation decades afterward. Its seaside hotel setting and distinctive costume design remain memorable elements for viewers revisiting family-oriented spooky fare.
‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974)
Mel Brooks directs this black-and-white homage to classic Universal monster films, co-written with Gene Wilder. The plot follows a descendant of the original doctor who returns to Transylvania and resumes experiments, with Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, and Teri Garr in key roles. The film is rated PG and often runs about 106 minutes.
It became a major box office hit for a comedy of its time and remains a frequent entry on lists of genre parodies. The film’s set replicas, playful lab apparatus, and memorable musical interludes have kept it active in repertory screenings and academic discussions of horror comedy.
‘Army of Darkness’ (1992)
Sam Raimi’s third entry in the series sends its chainsaw-armed hero back to the Middle Ages to retrieve a cursed book. Bruce Campbell returns in the lead, with a focus on slapstick action, stop-motion skeletons, and inventive camera work. The film is typically rated R and runs around 81 minutes in its U.S. theatrical cut, with several alternate edits available.
Though it posted modest theatrical numbers, it thrived on home video and became a cornerstone of convention culture. Multiple cuts, collector’s editions, and tie-in comics broadened its reach and kept the franchise active for new projects.
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2014)
Co-directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, this mockumentary tracks the day-to-day lives of vampire roommates sharing a flat. The production uses a documentary style with improvisational moments, and it runs about 86 minutes with an R rating. The cast features the directors alongside a New Zealand ensemble.
The film’s reception led to a television spinoff that expanded the premise for multiple seasons. Festival play and word of mouth pushed it into international distribution, where it continued to gain fans through streaming and home release.
‘Shaun of the Dead’ (2004)
Edgar Wright’s contemporary London tale follows friends navigating a sudden zombie outbreak while trying to reunite with loved ones. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost star, with a lean 99-minute runtime and an R rating. The film’s quick-cut visual style and pop-culture references became part of its signature.
Released as part of the so-called Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, it performed well relative to its budget and grew through international word of mouth. It remains a staple in film courses exploring genre blending and modern British cinema.
‘Zombieland’ (2009)
Ruben Fleischer directs a cross-country road movie set after a zombie apocalypse, featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. The film is rated R and runs about 88 minutes, with a structure that highlights travel rules, unique set pieces, and cameo appearances.
It opened at number one in North America and sustained interest through home media and later a sequel that revisited the main quartet. The brand extended into video games and themed marketing that kept it present in pop culture.
‘Warm Bodies’ (2013)
Jonathan Levine adapts a young-adult novel about an unusual bond between a zombie and a human survivor. Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer lead the cast, with support from Rob Corddry and John Malkovich. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs about 98 minutes, blending post-apocalyptic settings with a romance arc.
The film debuted at the top of the domestic box office on its opening weekend and played strongly with teen and young adult audiences. Its soundtrack and marketing emphasized a lighter tone, helping it travel internationally and perform well on home platforms.
‘Tucker and Dale vs. Evil’ (2010)
This rural set story flips slasher expectations as two well-meaning friends are mistaken for villains during a string of accidents. Eli Craig directs, with Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine starring, and the film carries an R rating with a runtime near 89 minutes. Practical gags and location photography support the setup.
The movie premiered at festivals and found wider audiences through digital and home release. Over time it built cult status, with frequent midnight screenings and a steady presence on lists of inventive horror comedies.
‘Happy Death Day’ (2017)
Christopher Landon directs a time-loop story in which a college student repeatedly relives the day of her murder until she uncovers the killer. Jessica Rothe leads the cast alongside Israel Broussard, and the film is rated PG-13 with a runtime around 96 minutes. The campus setting and masked antagonist give it a recognizable visual hook.
The movie became a financial success for its production company and quickly led to a sequel that expanded the premise into sci-fi territory. Its performance made it a go-to recommendation for introductory slasher fans who prefer a lighter touch.
‘The Final Girls’ (2015)
This meta narrative follows friends who get pulled into a classic slasher film and try to rewrite the rules from inside the story. Todd Strauss-Schulson directs, with Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Nina Dobrev, Adam DeVine, and Alexander Ludwig. The film is rated PG-13 and runs about 91 minutes.
It premiered at festivals and moved to digital platforms, where it built a dedicated audience. The movie is often cited in discussions of self-aware genre entries, thanks to its blend of nostalgic production design and modern pacing.
‘Goosebumps’ (2015)
Based on R. L. Stine’s book series, this adventure places a suburban teen next door to the author as his creations escape their manuscripts. Rob Letterman directs, with Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, and Odeya Rush, and the film holds a PG rating with a runtime near 103 minutes. Creatures are realized through CGI with occasional practical elements.
The movie opened strong in October and generated a sequel that returned to similar suburban settings and anthology-style monsters. It introduced younger viewers to a wide sample of the book franchise’s characters in a single feature.
‘Hotel Transylvania’ (2012)
Genndy Tartakovsky’s animated comedy assembles classic monster archetypes at a resort run by Dracula. The voice cast includes Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, and Andy Samberg, with a PG rating and a runtime of about 91 minutes. The film uses energetic animation and slapstick across a family-oriented story.
It became a global hit and launched a successful series with multiple sequels and shorts. The franchise expanded into merchandising and holiday programming, keeping its characters in rotation across kids’ networks and streaming.
‘ParaNorman’ (2012)
This stop-motion feature from Laika follows a boy who can speak to the dead as he attempts to resolve an old town curse. Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler, it features voice work from Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. The film is rated PG and runs around 92 minutes, with handcrafted sets and puppets that showcase detailed practical artistry.
It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature and earned praise for its craftsmanship and message. The production’s behind-the-scenes materials and exhibitions highlighted the design process, helping it find a long tail in educational and family viewing.
‘The Addams Family’ (1991)
Barry Sonnenfeld’s film introduces the eccentric household through a plot involving a supposed long-lost brother and a fortune at stake. Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia lead the ensemble with Christina Ricci and Christopher Lloyd, and the movie runs about 102 minutes with a PG-13 rating. Elaborate sets and costumes recreate the family’s signature look.
Its commercial success led to a direct sequel and continued adaptations across formats. The characters remain favorites in animation, live action, and seasonal events, demonstrating the property’s cross-generational appeal.
‘The Final Girls’ (2015)
This entry follows a group of friends trapped inside a classic slasher movie and learning the tropes as they fight to survive. Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson, it stars Taissa Farmiga and Malin Akerman alongside a supporting ensemble. The film is rated PG-13 and clocks in around 91 minutes.
Festival buzz and streaming access helped it develop a loyal audience. The movie is frequently discussed for its affectionate nods to vintage camp settings and rules-driven plotting.
Share your picks for gentle spooky watches in the comments so everyone can add a few more to their queue.