Halloween is a time for scary movies, but it isn’t just that. It’s also a time for perfect weather that isn’t too hot or too cold, pumpkin spice everything, and a great deal of candy. And though there aren’t movies about exactly those things, there are indeed movies that capture the Halloween spirit without terrorizing viewers.
Because Halloween is not just a time of the year, it’s a vibe. And though a lot of that vibe is, indeed, spooky, the vibe has space for people who don’t actually want to be terrified. Halloween isn’t just horror, it includes mystery, murder, pumpkins, people in costumes, and a ghost or two. And the entertainment industry has figured out how to find a balance where everyone can still get into the spirit of the season.
In that vein, here are 10 movies featuring actors from our communities to check out this Halloween if you don’t like scary movies!
1
Coco (2017)
In Coco, “despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.”
It stars Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Gabriel Iglesias, Jaime Camil, Alanna Ubach, Reneé Victor.
2
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Hocus Focus 2 focuses on three young women who “accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern-day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.”
It stars Latine actors Froy Gutierrez and Belissa Escobedo.
3
Knives Out (2019)
In Knives Out, “the circumstances surrounding the death of crime novelist Harlan Thrombey are mysterious, but there’s one thing that renowned Detective Benoit Blanc knows for sure — everyone in the wildly dysfunctional Thrombey family is a suspect. Now, Blanc must sift through a web of lies and red herrings to uncover the truth.”
It stars Cuban actress Ana de Armas.
4
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
Vampires vs. the Bronx follows a trio of friends who “discover a sinister plot to destroy their neighborhood. They decide to band together to save their town from vampires.
It stars Latine actors Gregory Diaz IV, Vladimir Caamaño, The Kid Mero, Zoe Saldaña, and Judy Marte.
5
The Addams Family (1991)
In the iconic The Addams Family, “when a man (Christopher Lloyd) claiming to be Fester, the missing brother of Gomez Addams (Raul Julia), arrives at the Addams’ home, the family is thrilled. However, Morticia (Anjelica Huston) begins to suspect the man is a fraud, since he cannot recall details of Fester’s life.”
It stars the iconic Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia.
6
Fun Size (2012)
Fun Size follows Wren, “a high-school senior who can’t wait to get away from her dysfunctional family. On Halloween, Wren’s mother decides to go out with her much-younger boyfriend, leaving Wren to look after little brother Albert. When Wren is distracted by an invitation to the party of the year, Albert disappears into a sea of trick-or-treaters. Enlisting the aid of her sassy friend, April (Jane Levy), and two other classmates, Wren sets out on a frantic search for her sibling.”
It stars Victoria Justice, who is of European and Puerto Rican ancestry.
7
The Book of Life (2014)
The Book of Life follows three friends, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana), and Joaquin (Channing Tatum). “In a bid to save the love of his life, Manolo sacrifices himself and is transported to the Land of the Remembered, where he reunites with his dead ancestors and strives to get his life back.”
It stars Latine actors Diego Luna, Zoe Saldaña, Jorge R. Gutierrez, Kate del Castillo, Guillermo del Toro, and Gabriel Iglesias.
8
Scooby Doo (2002)
In Scooby Doo, “two years after a clash of egos forced Mystery Inc. to close its doors, Scooby-Doo and his clever crime-solving cohorts Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) and Velma (Linda Cardellini) are individually summoned to Spooky Island to investigate a series of paranormal incidents at the ultra-hip Spring Break hot spot.
It stars Freddie Prinze Jr., who is of Puerto Rican ancestry.
9
Haunted Mansion (2023)
In Haunted Mansion, “a woman and her son enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.” It’s inspired by the classic theme park attraction “The Haunted Manion” from Disneyland.
It stars Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican actress Rosario Dawson.
10
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Hotel Transylvania is set on a lavish resort where monsters can be themselves, without humans around to bother them. “On one special weekend, Dracula invites creatures like the Invisible Man, the Mummy, and others to celebrate the 118th birthday of his daughter, Mavis. However, an unforeseen complication unfolds when an ordinary human unwittingly crashes the party and falls in love with Mavis.”
It stars Mexican actress Selena Gomez, who also has Italian ancestry. She has voiced Mavis in four Hotel Transylvania movies.