Not So Scary (but Thrilling) Movies to Watch in October

Happy Halloween! Grab the popcorn and turn off your phone. It’s this month’s watch list!

Tis the season for spooky and fun things! If you’re a horror fan but don’t like movies that are too scary, these are for you! Expect a little bit of a scare but mostly thrilling, unexpected plots and nice productions.

October Movie Watch List

Harry Potter Series – Easily one of the best of all time. Themes of Halloween, wizards and spells, this is a fun nostalgic movie for the season! There are a few films so make it a marathon!

Shutter Island (2010) – Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film follows a U.S. Marshal as he investigates strange occurrences at a mental institution on an isolated island. Starring Leonardo Dicaprio, it’s a thriller with an interesting ending. Nice production too!

It (2017) – A modern adaptation of Stephen King’s novel about Pennywise the Clown. Both the first and second are great! Spooky, creepy but not that scary.

The Shining (1980) – Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel set in a haunted hotel. Basically a classic!

The Prestige (2006) – Looking for magic? This suspenseful drama revolves around rival magicians who engage in a deadly competition. Not scary at all but an interesting watch. Great actors and a story line that is easy to stick with.

The Illusionist (2006) – Similar to The Prestige and another drama. Based in the 1900s in Vienna, the movie revolves around mesmeric entertainer Eisenheim’s magical abilities, with an act that ranges from mere tricks to an apparent ability to raise the dead. 

Annihilation (2018) – If you enjoyed the first “Annihilation,” don’t forget that it’s part of a trilogy. The other two books, “Authority” and “Acceptance,” were not adapted into films but are worth exploring if you want to dive deeper into the story. A thrilling sci-fi that will make you want to watch a second time.

Arrival (2016) – You can’t mention Annihilation without mentioning Arrival too. Both are amazing films and very similar! Arrival is a cerebral science fiction film that deals with communication, language, and the arrival of extraterrestrial visitors.

The Village (2004) – Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this film is set in a 19th-century village with a dark secret and features a sense of mystery and isolation.

The Witch (2015) – A slow-burning period piece with eerie and supernatural elements. This is kind of an odd movie, but the production and editing make it worth watching!

Looking for something?