If you are a horror aficionado who gets their kicks from horror films, then your favourite time of the year, AKA Halloween, is right around the corner. While Netflix has a splendid selection of horror films now streaming on the platform, there are many that will entertain fans who are terrified of the dark.
A lot of fans of horror actually hate the genre. They thrive in the adrenaline rush and then barely make it to their washrooms at night. The horror films that they select are usually a hybrid of horror and comedy where the former is balanced by gallons of the latter.
Even the horror in such films makes one fall about in fits of laughter. While you might think that finding such films is impossible, there are plenty of them.
From the likes of Tim Burton and Todd Durham, we, at Best of Netflix, have compiled a list of Halloween films that are not really horror films:
5 best Halloween films that aren’t horror films
Goosebumps (Rob Letterman, 2015)
While reading the delicious and scary R.L. Stine stories as a child, did you ever think what it would be like to meet the author in person? And what would happen if all the monsters in the books came alive? That is the premise of this horror comedy film that abounds in laughs and gags that balance out the emotional content and the scares.
A conglomeration of all of Stine’s greatest works, the film will surely take you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Watching a burgeoning friendship and blossoming romance unfolds amidst the horrifying premise of all the monsters being unleashed from the pages of the book is oddly funny.
Starring Jack Black and Dylan Minnette, watch out for a Stine cameo in the film!
Beetlejuice (Tim Burton, 1988)
Tim Burton is known for his obsession with the idiosyncratic, macabre and bizarre. And his film Beetlejuice is one such dark comedy with a star ensemble comprising Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Catherin O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones and Michael Keaton as the titular character. An Award-winning film, it is a must-watch for those who enjoy genre hybrid films like this.
Keaton plays a revolting and obnoxious poltergeist who is hired by a recently deceased couple to drive out a family that has moved into their now-empty home. Despite Burton’s occasional waltz with existentialism, the occult and death, the film is a unique and entertaining film that saw Keaton in a never-before-seen role and established his prowess as a versatile actor.
Burton’s ingenious imagination results in creating a memorable supernatural comedy that abounds in exorcism and laughter.
Hotel Transylvania (Todd Durham, 2012)
Starring the likes of Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez, the ensemble cast itself should indicate the hilarity that ensues in the first film of the franchise. Although the title alludes to the deadly Count Dracula, in the film, Sandler voices the Count with an Italian accent who runs a hotel that houses monsters when suddenly Samberg’s human named Johnny ventures into the hotel and falls in love with Dracula’s daughter.
In a total riot, the film sees the Count trying to scare off Johnny but appearing extremely adorable in the process. This funny and innocent take on Dracula’s story makes the notorious vampire appear less scary and almost adorable.
Lovingly called Drac, he and his band of supernatural delinquents spread a lot of warmth and laughter amidst the spooky season.
ParaNorman (Chris Butler, Sam Fell, 2012)
A boy who is misunderstood due to his ability to communicate with the dead by all has to battle zombies, ghosts and distrusting adults to save his town, Blithe Hollow from a curse that has plagued it for centuries.
An animated flick with a balance of odd sentiments in a grim and mature context, the film is filled with comedic elements with a certain emotional depth. With a creepy and interesting premise, the film is a great adventure comedy that abounds in paranormal elements and is worth watching.
Hubie Halloween (Steven Brill, 2020)
Adam Sandler appears yet again as the affable and kind town idiot who is bullied and harassed by all who take advantage of his amiable nature. However, when his town risks losing Halloween, Hubie has to act as their saviour and help save Halloween despite being a scaredy-cat.
Utterly devoted to his hometown of Salem, Sandler, as usual, shines as the figure of laughter, amusement and mockery. Despite the constant barrage of malice and scorn, he decides to act on the situation. A lovable doofus in this Netflix comedy, despite having the spookiest festival of the year as its premise, the film is filled with good, old slapstick humour.
Sandler could have toned down a bit on the voices to be more comprehensible is what we feel.
