If you find yourself hiding under the covers, too terrified keep your eyes open during Antichrist, then you probably aren’t the sort of person who’s particularly into horror movie marathons. Like, the kind that roll around during the scariest holiday of the year — Halloween.

But help is on the way! If you love movies but don’t want have your boat rocked too hard, these options are sure to give you and your friends a slightly more “relaxing” horror experience.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

This is a whimsical, stop-motion, dark fantasy set in Halloween Town — monsters, ghouls, goblins and other delights roam the streets. We follow the misadventures of a certain Pumpkin King as he discovers Christmas Town, and plots to kidnap Santa! The legendary Tim Burton came up with the story for this film with his mate Michael McDowell, who’s famous for writing Beetlejuice. Apart from a story that keeps you on your tippy toes, it features an incredible soundtrack by Danny Elfman — check out This is Halloween for a taste.

The Mist (2007)

This is a sci-fi horror film, adapted from a novella by the one and only Stephen King. It follows members of a small town who get stuck in a supermarket during a freak thunder storm. Soon they discover that there are strange monsters lurking “in the mist.” This film is a great character study of a man who’s not sure what he’s more terrified of: the new species outside or the peculiar people inside the supermarket.

Final Destination (2000)

Devon Sawa (what happened to that guy?) plays a high school student struck with a premonition that the plane he’s about to board is going to explode in mid air, killing everyone on board. It was so successful that it spawned four sequels, but really, the first one is all you need to care about. The sudden deaths are comedic and preposterous, and that’s what makes it worth your attention. Oh, and Kerr Smith (remember Jack from Dawson’s Creek?) plays one of the friends.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Simon Pegg can do no wrong — he’s perfectly hysterical in this horror-comedy as a 30-something loser who suddenly has to cope with a zombie apocalypse. If you like comedies about ordinary guys battling extraordinary creatures (and trying to keep their wits about them), this is a must-see. A bit on the gory side though.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

This was one of Sarah Jessica Parker’s first roles, and she’s full of personality as a young witch from Salem. Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy play her cheeky, scheming evil sisters. There’s lots to get excited about in this film, like a magical cat, a spell book that comes alive, the infamous black flame candle, teenagers who try to save humanity, and the greatest Halloween song ever in the history of time.

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

This film boasts an all-star cast, including Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon, and Cher! Need I say more? Well okay. It’s about a group of down-on-their-luck women who don’t know they’re witches until they get involved with the man of mystery.

E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)

Yeah, this is not technically a horror movie, but come on it’s a classic. Cherub-faced Henry Thomas plays a lonely boy who befriends an extraterrestrial stranded on Earth. The rest is sweet, sweet history. Watch the trailer to remind yourself of the adventure and magic that is E.T. Has there ever been another film like it? Ever?

What would you put on your list? Tell us in the comments below!

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IMAGES: Touchstone Pictures, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons