For Heartwarming Haunts: 'Ghosts' (US)
When a couple inherits a sprawling country estate, they find it's already occupied by a delightful troupe of ghosts from different historical eras. After a near-death experience allows wife Sam to see
and hear them, a hilarious and surprisingly heartwarming sitcom unfolds. This show is the definition of charming, focusing on the quirky personalities of the spirits and their relationships. It’s all about the comedic chaos of the living cohabitating with the dead, making it a perfect pick for laughs instead of loud screams. It airs on CBS and is available for streaming on Paramount+.
For Classic Gothic Chills: 'The Others'
If you want a masterclass in atmospheric dread, look no further than this 2001 film. Nicole Kidman plays a mother living in a cavernous, fog-bound mansion with her two light-sensitive children. The film builds an overwhelming sense of suspense and mystery through shadows, sounds, and things left unseen. It’s a pure haunted house story that relies on psychological tension rather than a single drop of blood, proving that what you can't see is often the most terrifying. This is the movie for viewers who appreciate a slow-burn scare and a powerful story.
For Quirky Paranormal Policing: 'Wellington Paranormal'
From the minds behind "What We Do in the Shadows" comes a mockumentary series following two earnest but comically inept police officers in New Zealand. Officers Minogue and O'Leary investigate supernatural occurrences—from demonic possessions to alien encounters—with a hilarious deadpan sincerity. The scares are always played for laughs, as the mundane reality of police work collides with ghosts, werewolves, and other strange phenomena. It’s a brilliant, low-stakes comedy that delivers spooky themes with a very silly heart.
For Cozy Autumnal Fantasy: 'Over the Garden Wall'
This ten-episode animated miniseries is a modern cult classic and essential autumn viewing. Two brothers find themselves lost in a strange, magical forest and must journey through it to find their way home. The show has a beautifully eerie, fairytale-like quality, blending whimsical, folksy charm with genuinely unsettling moments. Each 11-minute episode introduces new characters and locations, from a town of pumpkin people to a talking horse. It’s charming, creepy, funny, and deeply melancholic—a perfect distillation of the fall season.
For Family-Friendly Frights: 'Hocus Pocus'
No Halloween viewing list is complete without this 1993 classic. Three witch sisters are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem, leading to a campy, chaotic, and endlessly quotable adventure. It perfectly balances comedy, adventure, and just enough spookiness to feel festive without being truly scary. The Sanderson sisters are more comical than menacing, making this a go-to choice for viewers of all ages. For a longer watch, you can make it a double feature with its 2022 sequel, also available on Disney+.
For Serious Psychological Horror: 'The Haunting of Hill House'
A word of caution: this one is genuinely scary. But if you want intense, emotional horror without the gore of a slasher film, this is peak television. Based on Shirley Jackson's novel, the series follows a family as they confront the horrifying memories of the summer they spent in a haunted mansion and the lasting trauma it inflicted. The horror is deeply psychological, built on atmosphere, grief, and expertly hidden ghosts. It’s a complex, character-driven drama where the haunting is as much internal as it is external. This is for viewers who want to be deeply unsettled, not just spooked.
