Spooky Content for Scaredy Cats 👻🐱

Hello fellow bookworms 👻 As you might have noticed I LOVE Halloween with all my heart … but I’m a big scaredy-cat 🐱 I don’t do horror movies or anything with large jumpscares ever as it would shoot my anxiety through the roof and make me unable to sleep for days. I also don’t much enjoy jumpscare heavy content as I can’t personally enjoy it. What I do like is some spooky content though that’s a bit scary but not too much … so today I want to recommend some Spooky Content to fellow Scaredy Cats! I choose Shows and Movies that aren’t full of jumpscares, but rather have a spooky, atmosphere and a few scary scenes that didn’t leave me frightened or scarred for life. That’s my subjective list though, meaning that what too scary means will differ for you individually! I’ve tried to provide some content warnings as best as I could (it has been a while since I watched some of them, so this is not a complete list) because some of the content deals with a few heavier topics – I do find it hard to tell you what episode exactly they are featured in so this is just in general.

However, I found this amazing Jumpscare Database that I’m currently using, as I’ve started watching the Haunting of Hill House on Netflix! (It’s really good but definitely has some scary scenes that I wanted to be aware of). As far what’s available in what country on Netflix (I only provided where I watch the shows here in Germany, though there are a ton of Netflix originals mentioned) there’s this great site that lets you search for a movie/show and provides a list of countries that has it available on Netflix!

TV Shows

Supernatural (14 Seasons, especially S1-3)

➽ CW’s: Murder, Violence, Torture, Alcoholism, Abuse, Gore

➽ Available On: Amazon Prime (DE)

I couldn’t go into this post without mentioning my favorite Show: Supernatural! I’m the first to admit that it’s far from perfect but it was the first show I completely fell in love with and have stuck with for longer than any other Show 🥰 It’s also the maximum amount of scary I can handle, especially the first three seasons as they mainly operate with the Winchester Brothers hunting Supernatural creatures. The later seasons are more heavily plot-focused so I find the first seasons a lot spookier 👻 You’ll quickly see that the episodes operate according to a structure/formula, so it’s usually possible to know when the scariest moments will be (e.g. the first 5 minutes are usually the scariest). Apart from that it’s super addictive and has all the sinister creatures you can imagine, so I still love this a lot! Don’t be intimidated by the number of seasons currently out, like I said, the first season makes for a great Halloween appropriate binge-watch 😄

Dark (2 Seasons)

➽ CW’s: Graphic On-Screen Suicide (beginning of S1 E1; directly after opening monologue), Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Parental Abuse, Incest, Mentions of Self Harm, Cancer & Sexual Assault

➽ Available On: Netflix (Original)

Another favorite!!! Dark isn’t so much spooky, it’s rather brilliant and really, really creepy 👀 That’s why I think it makes the perfect binge-watch for October, as it had that certain dark vibe to it. I meant there are mysterious kidnappings, murdered boys and a huge mystery spanning a German small town so the Show has a lot to offer and is brilliant with its clues and intricate plotline. The cinematography is spot on and especially Season 1 has a very distinct sinister vibe to it that did get me feeling a bit queasy. I don’t want to give too much away, but this is one of the most well-crafted shows I have ever seen and I immediately got addicted to the story and was overcome with the urge to read all the theories online! So if you’re in the mood for a more atmospheric show that will make you scream with its great twists, you should definitely watch Dark, it deserves all the hype that’s out there! 🖤

Castlevania (2 Seasons)

➽ CW’s: Self-Harm, Blood, Violence, Death

➽ Available On: Netflix (Original)

I don’t watch as many animated Series as I should, but I discovered this last year and it turned out to be fantastic!! Castlevania isn’t scary but has got vampires and an interesting storyline, so it’s the perfect binge-watch for anyone who looks for something that isn’t too gory or jump scares heavy! I’ve always loved vampires, even when they slowly started disappearing from publishing again, so a show dealing with vampires and Dracula was right up my alley! 🦇 There are only 12 episodes (a 20ish minutes) out, so you can watch the show in one day if you want to. Plot-wise it’s a bit on the slower side but the characters make up for it big time” Especially the main trio is a mix of absolutely lovable dorks that couldn’t be more different from each other 🥰 If you like vampires, definitely go check this out!

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2 Seasons)

➽ CW’s: Murder/Death, Gore, Violence, Bullying, Transphobic comments, Arachnophobia

➽ Available On: Netflix (Original)

I still vividly remember last year around this time when this reboot of Sabrina the Teenage Witch came to Netflix: it was literally everywhere (there was this big poster at my bus station)!! In itself, this was great as it got me so excited to watch the show and it’s truly the most atmospheric Halloween show on this list! I have to admit that I prefer Season 2 (it aired back in April, but would be perfect for October too) because it’s faster-paced and stronger plot-wise, but what the eginningof Season 1 lacked in pacing it made up in atmosphere. As it’s set right at Halloween, it has got a great spooky, creepy vibe especially with the witches being sworn to the devil – I love that concept a lot!! In general, I’m all here for witches so you can imagine my excitement 🥰 Plus, there’s Salem, the cat familiar, who stole my heart. Unlike the original character the cat doesn’t talk but it’s cute! So while the new Sabrina isn’t my favorite show ever (I’m very picky in general), it’s very seasonally appropriate 🎃

Movies

Hocus Pocus

➽ CW’s: Animal Death, Death

➽ Available On: // (used to be on German Netflix but they recently took it down 😭)

An absolute classic that I didn’t discover soon enough!! I’m so glad I checked it out because it has become mandatory Halloween watching 🎃 Again, we have more witches involved in the movie, because witches are cool, except those are truly evil. The movie is just SO much fun! From the ancient legend of the black candle to the banter of the Sanderson Sisters and the fun of them navigating the present, I always have a great time watching it. Since it’s also set during Halloween, it’s the perfect movie to cozy up with during the late evening of the holiday! Like I said, this one is rightly very well-loved and an iconic movie for a lot of people, including me. It also has a talking black cat and that always gets extra points. So much Halloween, witches, spells and adventure, this one has a special place in my heart 🥰

The Nightmare Before Christmas

➽ CW’s: Death, Dismemberment, Kidnapping

➽ Available On: // (also used to be on German Netflix)

I cannot believe I only discovered this movie a couple years ago despite jamming to the This is Halloween Song for years – 10/10 still the most iconic Halloween Song of all time! 🎃 The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween movie in my eyes (though it does have Christmas, I like that a lot as well)  and the songs are truly fantastic. The atmosphere is off the charts and the way Tim Burton directed the movie is just perfect and really makes it stand out. The entire concept of the Holiday Towns (with Halloween and Christmas Town playing a huge role) spoke to me and the citizens of Halloween Town really give the setting its life and originality! I cannot wait to watch this again 🦇

What are your favorite spooky shows/movies that are perfect for scaredy cats like me? Feel free to leave your recommendations down below! ✨

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