Spooky decorations, chilly weather, giant bags of candy lining the aisles--October is in full swing, people.

If you're anything like me, Halloween is hands-down one of your favorite times of the year, with just one twist: the horror movies. Call me a wimp, but I just can't watch one unless I'm in a certain mood. If you too want to get in the Halloween spirit without the jump-scares and gore, here are a few of my favorite October movie-night picks.

1. Paranorman

Norman sees ghosts, and nobody believes him--except the ghosts, of course, who visit with him just like regular people. Paranorman is a constant surprise: there are zombies, ghosts, and scares, but at its heart this is a surprisingly emotional story about empathy and loss. A thoughtful twist, and unconventionally beautiful stop-motion, make Paranorman a must-watch.

2. Coraline

Bored and ignored by her busy parents, a girl explores her new house--and discovers the door to a parallel world, one in which she can live the life she's always wanted. Brilliant stop-motion, a creative storyline, and a genuinely frightening last act combine in this creepy tale.

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3. Edward Scissorhands

A classic, gentle story about kindness and acceptance. Practically all of Tim Burton's movies are great Halloween fare (cue The Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, and Nightmare Before Christmas), but this one's my personal favorite: Johnny Depp, in the title role, is almost unrecognizable, transforming a role with barely any lines into a sympathetic and innocent character.

4. Song of the Sea

Two siblings who live in a lighthouse wind up in a breathtaking world of Irish mythology and magic. While not strictly a Halloween movie, Song of the Sea's autumn landscapes and lovely charm make it more than fitting for October.

5. Over the Garden Wall

Two brothers are lost in a vast forest called The Unknown; how they wound up there is a question only answered after adventures through a world of pumpkin fields, apple orchards, bizarre characters, and 19th-century steamboat rides. It's quirky and strange, but stick with this short miniseries and you're in for an experience unlike anything else.

6. Hocus Pocus

Centuries-old witch sisters are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts, and it's up to three kids and an immortal cat to defeat them. One of Disney's classics, Hocus Pocus feels like a live-action fairy tale; cool practical effects, funny moments, and a musical number make this one enchanting from start to finish.