Not a huge fan of scary movies? Well, there are still plenty of things to watch that will keep you in the Halloween spirit without causing you to freak out. Some of these films are funny or sweet, a few are campy, and some are just really well done. Lauren Piester and Eleni Yannelis give you their picks for the best Halloween movies for wimps. Note: Films are listed in chronological order.

Lauren's Picks

"Young Frankenstein"
Rated PG
Released in 1974
Directed by Mel Brooks
The skeptical grandson of Dr. Frankenstein, who has spent years trying to overcome his grandfather's reputation, inherits his family castle and ends up redoing all of the old experiments. This is a great spoof, especially if you're a fan of the story of Frankenstein, and you may recognize some classic lines (or just things that sophomores find hilarious in English class). Roll in the hay, anyone?

"Ghostbusters"
Rated PG
Released in 1984
Directed by Ivan Reitman
Despite a serious lack of funding, three parapsychology professors (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis) start a ghost-removal business called "Ghostbusters." What begins as a routine trip to remove a pesky spirit turns into a possible apocalypse with all of New York City calling on the Ghostbusters to risk their lives to save everyone. This 1984 movie is funny with ridiculous special effects and one of the most iconic theme songs ever. Who ya gonna call?

Edward Scissorhands
Rated PG-13
Released in 1990
Directed by Tim Burton
Tim Burton and Johnny Depp rarely make a bad movie together, and while mildly creepy and disturbing, this film is an excellent example of their genius. Depp plays a young man with giant scissors for hands who falls in love with a teenage girl (Winona Ryder) while trying to be accepted in society. It may be creepy, but Edward is endearing and sympathetic, and this movie is a must-see for any fan of Depp or Burton.

"Hocus Pocus"
Rated PG
Released in 1993
Directed by Kenny Ortega
Don't let the fact that this movie was directed by the same guy who brought us "High School Musical" put you off, despite a little bit of cheesiness (it was the '90s). A kid lights a candle in an old abandoned house on Halloween, inadvertently bringing back to life three witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who were executed 300 years ago for stealing the souls of children. It's good creepy fun; chilling, but not too extremely scary, and one of my all-time favorite Halloween movies.

"Casper"
Rated PG
Released in 1995
Directed by Brad Silberling
A young girl (Christina Ricci) and her father (Bill Pullman), an expert on the paranormal, have just moved into an old mansion that happens to be inhabited by four ghosts, including Casper, who lived in the house as a young boy before he died. I've always loved old houses, and the one featured in this film is quite cool. It even has a giant laboratory in the basement full of intricate machines invented by Casper's inventor father. This movie is a great mix of funny, sweet, scary, and mildly disturbing, and it's fun for any age.

"Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost"
Rated NR
Released in 1999
Directed by Jim Stenstrum
I've always been a fan of Scooby Doo, and this is one of my personal favorites. Scooby and the gang visit Salem, Mass., where a portion of the town has been set up to look and function like it did in the 1700s. With the help of a horror story writer and a goth girl band, they investigate legends that have plagued the town since the witch trials. It's an unexpected detour from Scooby's usual man-in-the-mask adventures.

"The Haunted Mansion"
Rated PG
Released in 2003
Directed by Rob Minkoff
If you're a huge fan of the ride at Disneyland and Disney World, then you might not actually like this movie because, unlike other ride-based films like "Pirates of the Caribbean," it's über-disappointing. If you're not, then it's kind of fun. A couple of married real estate agents (Eddie Murphy, Marsha Thomason) and their two kids are summoned to an old Louisiana mansion that someone wants to sell. When a storm breaks out, the family is stuck in the house overnight, and they embark on various funny-scary adventures throughout the house and the grounds.

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"
Rated R
Released in 2007
Directed by Tim Burton
Johnny Depp plays a barber who was thrown into prison because the judge was in love with the barber's wife. He's just been released and goes back to his old barber shop, where he begins taking his revenge on the world. This film is totally disgusting and gory and pretty much awesome. There's a lot of blood and singing and wonderful British accents, and even though the songs and images will be burned into your mind for all eternity, this is an excellent movie and is not to be missed.

Eleni's Picks

"The Simpsons: Night of the Living Tree House of Horror "
Rated: TV-PG
Series started in 1989
Created by Matt Groening
A compilation of 18 Halloween stories from the greatest TV show ever, "The Simpsons," this features a variety of mini-episodes ranging from a takeoff on Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" to the Simpsons' new home on a former Indian graveyard to hungry aliens who kidnap Springfield's favorite family. Whichever you chose, they are all amazing. This is a good family pick that will spook and amuse you.

"The Addams Family"
Rated PG
Released in 1991
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
Ah yes, our beloved Wednesday and Morticia Addams. The perfectly twisted yet family-oriented film for Halloween! It's amusingly grim, and it reminds students of the beloved movie from our childhood and our parents of the beloved TV series from their childhood. Watch long lost Uncle Fester return to his family after being missing for 25 years. Even if Uncle Fester is trying to con his own twin brother, it's still a heart-warming film! My kind of family values …

"Sabrina, the Teenage Witch"
Rated TV-PG
Series started in 1996
Directed by Nell Scovell
What would Halloween be without our favorite witch? Nothing! Our perfectly mortal 16-year-old Sabrina is happy until her aunts tell her that she is in fact a witch! Whatever will poor Sabrina do? She has to keep her sorcery a secret from her boyfriend, Harvey, as well as her friends. But, magic does have its upside when you need to pass your driver's test!

"Scary Movie"
Rated R
Released in 2000
Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans
A parody about horror films is a must-see alternative to actual scary Halloween films. This film is about a group of irresponsible teenagers who accidentally hit a man while driving. The frightened teenagers try to dispose of the body instead of calling the police. Ever since this incident, the teens have been stalked by a creepy masked man — who is a serial killer. The killer will not rest until each teen is dead. How will the kids escape as the body count is rising? This really is a hilarious film, and I recommend it to any fan of "Date Movie."

"The University of Illinois vs. a Mummy"
Rated NR
Released in 2006
Directed by Chris Lukeman
Filmed right on our campus by U of I students, "The University of Illinois vs. a Mummy" is about some of our very own students fighting off a terrifying mummy. The film is a bit of a spoof on "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns." I strongly recommend the film, which was praised by Roger Ebert himself. It's available at That's Rentertainment (and it's always fun to visit that great place). The "special effects" are cheap and hysterical — and why not check some excellent work by fellow students! It's a great film to see with a group of friends.

"Zombie Strippers"
Rated R
Released in 2008
Directed by Jay Lee
What's the best way to scare your friends on Halloween? Tell them that the government has unleashed a deadly chemo virus at a strip club! Suddenly, strippers are being infected with the virus, but these zombie strippers are quickly becoming the hit of the club! How will the world, the strippers, the average Joes, and the government handle this situation? Watch and find out!