by Terri Robar, Learning & Research Services
Laugh Away Your Fears
Some people like to watch scary movies at Halloween but some of us like to laugh. So here’s a list of movies that have plenty of spooks and monsters but are unlikely to give you nightmares.
The following films are a part of Richter Library’s DVD collection. In addition to the thousands of DVDs spanning comedy, drama, sci-fi, horror, documentary, and other genres, UM Libraries also houses film-related materials such as screenplays, soundtracks, musical scores, and original book titles. Search the catalog to browse music and print resources related to these films.
Ghostbusters (1984)
When three college professors lose their jobs, they decide to go into the freelance “paranormal investigation and elimination” business. When ghosts go on a rampage, only these men can save the world. Soon every spook in the city is loose and our heroes face the supreme challenge. Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!
Ghostbusters II (1989)
Sidelined after their spectacular save of New York City five years ago, the heroes of the hereafter once again answer the call when an underground river of ghoulish goo threatens to rot the Big Apple to the core.
Ghostbusters (2016)
And one more time: Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, four women band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Nightmare Before Christmas
The story of Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king, who decides to bring the magic of Christmas back to Halloween Town.
Shaun of the Dead
When flesh eating zombies go on the hunt for a bite to eat, it is up to Shaun and his best pal to save their friends and family from becoming the next entree.
Young Frankenstein
Summoned by a will to his late grandfather’s castle in Transylvania, young Dr. Frankenstein soon discovers the scientist’s step-by-step manual explaining how to bring a corpse to life. Assisted by the hunchbacked Igor and the curvaceous Inga, he creates a monster who only wants to be loved.
Beetlejuice
A couple of likable ghosts contact the afterlife’s bio-exorcist to rid their home of a trendy New York family that moves in.
Mars Attacks
Earth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor.
American Werewolf in London
David and Jack are two American youths who just want to see a bit of Europe. A trek across the moors of northern England leads to an attack by a werewolf. Jack is killed, but returns as an undead corpse to warn David that he, too, will morph into a werewolf when the full moon rises.
Gremlins
A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Zombieland
In a world that has become overrun with zombies, two men must figure out how to survive. Wimpy Columbus is afraid of his own shadow, while Tallahassee is the biggest, baddest, gun-toting zombie-slayer who ever lived. When they meet two sisters, Wichita and Little Rock, the four strike out for an amusement park that is said to be zombie-free. This mismatched group will have to rely on each other to survive, which could be worse than surrendering to the zombies.
Tremors
Natives of a small isolated town defend themselves against strange underground creatures which are killing them one by one.
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