Fall is officially here, which means it’s time for pumpkin spice lattes, sweater weather, decorative gourds… and zombies?! For all the spooky season lovers out there, we’ve compiled a list of the best gore-free horror movies to stream from the comfort of your own home.
5 Frightfully Entertaining Gore-Free Horror Movies
So, whether you’re a screamer, jumper, or scaredy cat, pop some popcorn and settle in as you make your way down the list of our favorite gore-free horror movies.
1. Beetlejuice Is a Gore-Free Horror Movie for the Whole Family
Do you happen to have house guests that never know when to leave? Well then. You might want to take a page out of Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” and scare them away. Available on Netflix, this 1988 family-friendly Halloween classic has it all: death, spirits, and comedy. However, if you truly want to evict your houseguests, I suggest asking them politely rather than conjuring up a spirit from the netherworld. Since this film is PG and features only a few monsters, it’s definitely one of the best gore-free horror movies out there.
2. The Rocky Horror Picture Show Invites Audience Participation
If you’re throwing a viewing party, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the way to go. It’s one of the good gore-free horror movies available on Disney+. There’s nothing like a movie that encourages you to dress up and yell at the screen. Enjoy the music, romantic intrigue and unsettling revelations of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the homicidal extraterrestrial that is Tim Curry’s most iconic role. Just don’t forget to say your lines. There’s almost no blood in this one, so rest assured you can watch it without hiding behind your blanket.
3. Warm Bodies Is a (Mostly) Gore-Free Horror Movie With Heart
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True love always warms the heart and does quite literally in Amazon Prime’s “Warm Bodies.” If you’re looking for a compromise on date night, may I suggest this romantic horror story? It’s a genre you won’t find very often and it’s well worth the watch. It’s zombies versus humans… until love finds a way. Be prepared for the horrific shootouts, and the classic rom-com makeover montage. And while I may be looking for a Halloween date, I draw the line at anything that eats brains for dinner. Note: there’s a wee bit of blood/brains in here because, well, zombies, but otherwise it’s quite tame, so it still makes our list of gore-free horror movies.
4. Black Swan Is a Twisty Psychological Thriller
Searching for your doppelgänger? You might think twice about finding them after watching “Black Swan” on Crave. One of the darker films on this list, get ready for your mind to be unraveled all the way until the final act. It’s a twist sure to make you go back and watch it all over again to see if you missed anything. It also may give you a new appreciation for how far people will go to achieve their dreams. This is a great option if you’re looking for gore-free horror movies, just note there are depictions of self-harm in this one.
5. Get Out Gives a New Perspective on Horror Movies
Meeting your significant others’ parents will never quite be the same again after Jordan Peele’s “Get Out.” A best screenplay winner at the Academy Awards, “Get Out” is not your average horror movie, as Peele subverts the horror genre by moving beyond the splashy gore and violence to bring you a chilling look into racism. While not currently available on any streaming platform, it’s well worth using your Scene points to rent the film through the Cineplex Store. Note: there’s some violence in the end, but the blood is kept to a minimum.
Cheers to spooky season 🥂! We’re toasting to arts and culture this fall with classic Halloween movies and the best fall books you won’t be able to put down.
