13 Halloween Movies to Show in Assisted Living
Spooky movies are a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. While there are many great horror movies out there, you have to be careful which ones you choose to show in an assisted living community – not all residents are likely to have the same tolerance level for blood and gore as others.
To stay safe while still getting into the spirit, here are some good spooky Halloween movies that won’t offend the sensibilities of your more sensitive residents:
1. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
This Halloween movie not only features “Frankenstein,” but also includes cameos from Bela Lugosi’s “Dracula” and Lon Chaney’s “The Wolf Man,” so it’s a great follow up if you’ve already watched the three classics.
Bonus: If your residents are really into this one, there was actually a whole series of movies with Abbot and Costello meeting various monsters. Check out “Abbott and Costello Meet The Invisible Man,” “Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” and “Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy.”
2. The Addams Family
The movie about a creepy family that loves all things dark and grim while also always taking care of each other isn’t set at Halloween, but nonetheless makes for fun Halloween viewing. Some of your residents may well have been fans of the classic TV show the movie is based on, which would make this one that much more fun for them. Be warned though: you may all get the iconic theme song stuck in your head.
3. The Addams Family Values
If your residents like the first “Addams Family” movie then there’s more where that came from. The sequel, “The Addams Family Values” follows the same family and brings the same sort of creepy fun.
Bonus: The original “Addams Family” show is currently on Hulu, so if your residents are into it and you have access to the streaming platform, you can revisit the 60’s classic.
4. Beetlejuice
Say his name three times and you’re stuck with him. “Beetlejuice” is another Tim Burton movie with characters you can’t help but love, ghosts and ghouls.
5. Dracula
You can’t go wrong with the classics. While the story of “Dracula” has been done and done again, the original with Bela Lugosi is still well worth a revisit. The black-and-white vampire movie fits right in with the Halloween season.
6. Frankenstein
Another classic worth watching together, the original “Frankenstein” is the movie that launched a thousand Halloween costumes (well by now, many more than that). The movie originated the look most associated with the famous monster today. Full of iconic moments (“It’s alive!”), you can enjoy the movie and then discuss who’s really the monster.
7. The Haunting
While it came a little later than the classics mentioned above, “The Haunting” holds a special place as one of the scariest classic movies. Based on Shirley Jackson’s chilling book “The Haunting of Hill House,” this one’s light on gore, but heavy on spooky atmosphere and scares.
8. Hocus Pocus
“Hocus Pocus” is a reliably fun Halloween movie with black cats, kids trick-or-treating and witches – it checks just about every Halloween box you can think of. It’s a fun movie that’s light on gore and serious scares, but heavy on Halloween atmosphere.
9. Nightmare Before Christmas
This one mixes up its holiday references (it’s part of the plot), but in spite of that other holiday being in the name, it makes for good Halloween viewing. It’s a Tim Burton movie full of creepy animation and beautiful spooky music for you all to enjoy.
10. Practical Magic
A little bit of romantic comedy mixed with witchcraft and great family relationships, this movie has a lot to offer. It has two generations of great actresses: Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, and Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing. It’s fun and sweet and the witchy parts of the story make it seasonally appropriate.
11. Something Wicked This Way Comes
Two young boys get caught up with something wicked that blows into town with a traveling carnival in this movie. It’s firmly set in the fall and includes plenty of spooky moments to satisfy those wanting some chills this Halloween.
12. The Wolf Man
Another of the main classic black-and-white horror movies, “The Wolf Man” introduces a werewolf into your Halloween viewing (it wouldn’t be complete without one). This is another one featuring Bela Lugosi, with Lon Chaney as the werewolf.
13. Young Frankenstein
If “The Haunting” leaves your residents shaken, you can lighten the mood with a lighter look at one of the iconic horror figures. “Young Frankenstein” parodies the classic Frankenstein movies with loads of jokes peppered into variations on familiar scenes.
Movies are a great way to get into the Halloween spirit with your residents. A good mix of fun and spooky, these movies should give you plenty to watch together and talk about this Halloween season.
Kristen Hicks
Kristen Hicks is an Austin-based copywriter and lifelong student with an ongoing curiousity to learn and explore new things. She turns that interest to researching and exploring subjects helpful to seniors and their families for SeniorAdvisor.com.