When Halloween Isn't Scary: Famous Halloween Scenes from Non-Horror Films

It's officially the spookiest night of the year and you're probably getting slapped in the face with internet articles like "The Scariest Movies of All Time" or "Top 10 Horror Villains" or some repetitive stuff like that. Everybody loves to jump on the bandwagon this time of year and since we celebrate horror all year round here at Fright Club we thought it might be fun to pick some of our favourite non-horror, non-scary films that all have some sort of a link to Halloween.

The Karate Kid (1984) - Gavin

John G. Avildsen's 80s classic is full of memorable scenes but outside of the legendary competition that ends the film where Daniel LaRusso finally gets one up on his Cobra Kai rivals or the famous "wax on wax off" training montages, the most iconic sequence in the entire film surely has to be the Halloween Party. Daniel, being careful not to be noticed by Johnny Lawrence and his posse, has arrived dressed as "man taking a shower" and tries to swoon Ali, played by Elisabeth Shue. After playing a prank on Johnny (who was just minding his own business rolling a joint in the cubicle) Daniel legs it out of the party with Johnny and his skeleton crew giving chase. What makes this sequence so memorable is, well first of all, the fact that Johnny as his Cobra Kai mates are all kitted out in matching skeleton costumes complete with white face paint, and second of all, the fight that takes place when they catch up to Daniel.

Daniel almost makes it over a wire fence but is dragged down and kneed in the stomach before Johnny teaches him a lesson KARATE style. In true Cobra Kai fashion, Johnny and Dutch want to show no mercy and end Daniel there and then but they are intercepted by Mr Miyagi, everyones favourite drunken odd job man/karate expert killing machine. It's a fucking brilliant scene and an extremely important one that lays the groundwork for the rest of the movie.

Mean Girls (2004) - Victoria

Tina Fey’s iconic ‘Mean Girls’ may not be the first film that comes to mind when you think of Halloween, but the holiday plays a crucial role in both the plot and our protagonist Cady’s character development. Cady is not used to America’s teenage world and approaches Halloween as many kids would – “in the regular world, Halloween is where children dress up in costumes and beg for candy”, she says in her voiceover narration where we see her getting her costume ready with the help of her mother. This sharply contrasts with the next shot of Queen Bee Regina George in her Playboy bunny-inspired costume, with Cady explaining as Regina’s mother takes photographs that “in girl world, Halloween is the one night a year where a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.”  

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Cady turns up at the Halloween party in full-spooky mode, her zombie bride costume accompanied by a terrible black wig and fake, gnarly teeth. The POV shots help the audience sympathise with Cady as she walks through the party, slowly realizing that she is way out of her depth. When Karen is startled by her appearance and asks, “why are you dressed so scary?”, Cady simply replies, “it’s Halloween.”  Regina uses Cady’s perceived social awkwardness – her inability to understand what Halloween actually involves and not read social cues – to kiss Cady’s crush Aaron. Leaving the party and removing her fake teeth, Cady laments on how much she now hates Regina, providing the audience with the ‘inciting incident’ that sets the rest of the plot in motion. The Halloween party is a crucial part of ‘Mean Girls’ because, while Regina would’ve found a way to take Aaron back regardless, it highlights just how naïve how Cady is and provides the catalyst for her dramatic emotional shift towards her friendship with Regina. Plus we couldn’t resist a chance to talk about Karen’s iconic costume – “I’m a mouse, duh!”

Batman Forever (1995) - Joseph

When you think about Batman and Halloween the first thing that probably springs to mind is the image of a child dressed up as the caped crusader or one of the villains from his rogue gallery going tick or treating.  The irony is how this simple bit of Halloween fun forms the basis for a crucial plot point in the Joel Schumacher film, 'Batman Forever'.  A departure from the dark and gothic overtures of Tim Burton’s films, Schumacher goes for a more neon drenched grandiose approach that sees Batman squaring off against Two-Face and The Riddler to save Gotham once again.  The scene that can define it as being a Halloween movie sees Two-Face and The Riddler rocking up to Wayne Manor disguised as trick or treaters to destroy the Batcave.  There isn’t a lot production design wise to give Halloween vibes except for a few sparse decorations and pumpkins but you can’t deny the influence the villainous pair’s costumes had for revellers of the season for years to come.  Also, is there anything more scary than the image of Jim Carrey in a skin tight unitard?

Fanboys (2009) - Danny

Fanboys, directed by Kyle Newman and released in 2009, opens with a perfect dose of nostalgia and mischief — a Halloween night in 1998, where a group of lifelong friends don stormtrooper costumes. It’s a fitting opening for a film that feels like a love letter to Star Wars fans everywhere: a mix of playful rebellion, geeky devotion, and the kind of friendship forged through countless shared obsessions.

The friends’ road trip to break into Skywalker Ranch and watch 'The Phantom Menace' before its release is both ridiculous and heartfelt. From that Halloween party onward, 'Fanboys' taps into the energy and excitement that defines being part of a fandom. As a Star Wars fan, it’s such a fun ride — the cameos alone (Carrie Fisher! Billy Dee Williams! William Shatner!) make it a treasure hunt for fans, and every reference feels like it’s made with real affection. Beneath the laughs and the endless stream of references, though, lies a surprisingly touching story about friendship, loss, and holding on to what connects us when life begins to pull us apart.

Jack (1996) - Adam

Francis Ford Coppola's 'Jack' was a film I loved as a kid! The idea of a kid who ages 4 times the normal amount felt like a fantasy scenario, but it’s a real-life condition. I don’t think I would have even watched the film if it wasn’t for the main star, Robin Williams, natural warmth in the role. Williams was like that trusted uncle to people of my age, and we’d watch anything he was in, no matter how bad it was (I’m looking at you, Patch Adams.) The film always stood out to me as a kid, because not only was Jack born on Halloween, but the idea of it happening is quite terrifying especially when you’re a kid.

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The thing Williams brings to the role that is so relatable as a kid, is the feeling of being left out or laughed at, and Williams plays the vulnerability of a child so well. While it's not the best film in the world and the whole Bill Cosby of it all, I think it’s definitely a film worth revisiting from time to time. 

We almost included 'ET: the Extra Terrestrial' too whose Halloween trick 'r treat scene is iconic to this day for various reasons, most notably a nod the Spielberg's mate George Lucas and one of his most famous creations, Yoda.

What other non-horror, non-scary films have scenes at Halloween? Let us know your favourites.