When you get in a Halloween mood, sometimes all you want to do is draw the curtains, turn out the lights, pop some popcorn and settle in for a Halloween movie. But if there are kids who want in on the fun, you have to figure out what level of spookiness they can handle. With so many streaming services and rentals available, however, you can definitely find something that fits your family’s preferred level of terror.
These Halloween flicks for kids are all suitable for family movie night, and evoke the ineffable Halloween mood. There are short specials for the littlest ones who are too young to handle any real scares. There are stop-motion animated films that make the most of how creepy that style can look. There are Halloween comedies that are sure to please anyone in the family, even if it doesn’t scare everyone, per se. And then for the older kids, there are some movies that definitely provide some shocks and scares without reaching Poltergeist levels of horror yet. Gather the children, carve the family pumpkin, whip up some Halloween desserts and watch one of these family-friendly Halloween movies! (And don’t forget to let us know your faves in the comments!)
Cruella (2021)
Cruella isn’t specifically a Halloween movie, and it isn’t frightening in a goblins, ghouls or witches sense. But it has that Halloweeny goth vibe (mixed with some cool punk fashions). And in delving into the events that turned Estrella into Cruella, some horrifying things happen, explaining how she became one of the all-time great Disney villains. (The events can be violent, so this is a PG-13 film more suitable for the older kids.) Cruella is available on Disney+ for a premium fee at the moment, but it will become included with all Disney+ subscriptions starting August 27.
The Witches (2020)
It’s kids (and mice) vs. witches, but who will be the victor? Anne Hathaway stars as the Grand High Witch in Rober Zemeckis’ adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic book, and Octavia Spencer, Chris Rock and Stanley Tucci round out the cast.
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
For tweens, this film posits that there’s a secret society of babysitters who go around fighting the monsters that threaten their charges. Best of all, it takes place on Halloween night!
The Addams Family (2019)
They’re creepy and they’re kooky, but they’re also plenty of fun. This animated take on the Addams clan also looks more like the old Charles Addams cartoons. A sequel is due out this October, just in time for Halloween.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
This PG-13 movie is for the in-betweeners: Kids who have aged out of the most family-friendly scary movies, but aren’t yet old enough for Nightmare on Elm Street. Based on the series of books that used to terrify you as a child, this movie follows a group of kids who have to investigate a bunch of local legends — before the legends wind up getting the better of them. (Note: This movie is much darker/more mature than a lot of the others on this list — it’s really for the older ones.)
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The House With a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
Based on the excellent YA novel by John Bellairs, this movie follows the story of a young orphan sent to live with his eccentric uncle — only to be pulled into a world of witches, warlocks and ancient rivalries. Jack Black and Cate Blanchett ham it up as the boy’s two magical guardians.
Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2018)
Just when you thought you’d seen every movie about a magic school for new witches, another pops up to add to your list. This one, about a girl who picks a special flower that brings her to the enchanted Endor College, does have some suspenseful scenes where characters are in peril, but it also has a theme of learning to be brave.
Super Monsters Save Halloween (2018)
For the littlest Halloween fans, Netflix offers this Super Monsters half-hour special, which actively shows preschoolers how the holiday’s scares are mostly make-believe. The characters explain the tricks behind haunted houses and spooky decorations so they don’t seem quite so horrifying anymore. Super Monsters: Vida’s First Halloween, one of the many Super Monsters specials, is a good one to watch afterward.
Toy Story of Terror (2014)
Room on the Broom (2013)
This short film, an adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson, stars a witch, but she’s by no means scary: She’s quick with a smile and a laugh, and kind to the animals who all ask her for a ride. This one’s so good, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013)
Everyone’s favorite cartoon monkey heads to a Halloween festival in this movie, where he tries to find a rumored hat-stealing scarecrow, attempts to make the perfect costume and searches for a perfect pumpkin to bring home — pretty gentle all-around.
Fun Size (2012)
For older kids, this PG-13 Halloween-themed caper comedy feels like a step toward more adult fare — but there’s still no ghouls or gore. It’s about a teenager who’s tasked with babysitting her brother during trick-or-treating, only to lose him in a crowd of kids.
Paranorman (2012)
One thing we know for sure: stop-motion animation goes hand-in-hand with spooky scares. This movie, from the makers of Coraline, follows the story of a boy who can communicate with the dead, and he uses the power to unravel a town-wide mystery.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Drama and hilarity ensues when a human discovers Dracula’s faraway resort for monsters and other mythical creatures. The movie is from the POV of the monsters (drawn by beloved animator Genndy Tartakovsky), so they come across as the good guys. And, if your kids love this one, there are two sequels that follow it, plus a fourth movie coming this summer.
Frankenweenie (2012)
This black-and-white, stop-motion movie from director Tim Burton is a clever twist on the classic Frankenstein story. Instead of a human subject, the young scientist in this movie re-animates a pet dog.
Monster House (2006)
This charming movie is about three friends who discover that their neighbor’s house is a living, breathing monster — and they have to figure out how to stop it before the neighborhood goes to hell.
Corpse Bride (2005)
This Oscar-nominated stop-motion movie follows a young man who accidentally married a ghost. If you couldn’t already guess, the movie is directed by Tim Burton (again), and it’s done in his trademark macabre style.
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
Tag along with Pooh’s pal Lumpy, who’s trick-or-treating for the first time. Just beware of the scary Gobloon, who turns anyone he catches into a Jaggedy Lantern.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
This scary-but-not-too-scary movie follows the delightfully British Wallace and Gromit as they try to figure out what’s been destroying a town’s vegetable gardens. It turns out to be a monster, but not one that you’d expect — it’s a were-rabbit, transforming from a bunny to beast.
Twitches (2005)
This Disney Channel original features Tia and Tamara Mowry as — what else? — twins. Separated at birth, they reunite on their 21st birthday and realize that they have magical powers, which they must use to protect their world from “the darkness.” Fans can move on to Twitches Too.
Spookley the Square Pumpkin (2004)
For preschoolers who just want a hint of Halloween, this musical 47-minute special is just the thing. There’s a lesson about acceptance as Spookley has to learn to be proud of his square shape.
Halloweentown (2004)
As all ’90s kids will attest, Disney Channel Original Movies do it best when it comes to Halloween — and this one starring the late, great Debbie Reynolds is the ultimate. And if it’s a hit, all three sequels are available to stream on Disney+.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Based on the popular Disney attraction, Eddie Murphy stars in this film as a real-estate agent who finds himself in a world of grim, grinning ghosts.
Spirited Away (2002)
From acclaimed animated movie director Hayao Miyazaki comes this tale of a girl who travels to a world of witches, spirits and other creatures in order to save her parents, who have been placed under an enchantment. The otherworldly beings may be scary for the littlest ones, who might prefer the gentleness of Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro, about a friendly troll.
Don’t Look Under The Bed (1999)
Under Wraps (1997)
When three 12-year-olds accidentally revive an ancient mummy, chaos and adventure ensues — until they discover he needs to be back in his resting place by midnight on Halloween to find his long-lost love.
Casper (1995)
Christina Ricci — who was basically the It Girl of vintage ghoul movies as a kid — stars as Kathleen Harvey, the daughter of ghost therapist Dr. James Harvey. She’s recruited by the friendliest ghost of all time to help him handle some unfinished business.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Debate always rages about whether or not Tim Burton’s groundbreaking stop-motion animated movie is a Halloween movie or a Christmas flick. The answer: Watch it every year from October through December.
Double, Double, Toil & Trouble (1993)
Throwback to the days when the Olsen twins were direct-to-video superstars with this cutesy Halloween flick. The plot: The family business is losing money and they’re at risk of losing their home, until the twins use a little magic to save it.
The Addams Family (1991)
Featuring an all-star cast that includes Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci, this film update of the iconic TV show exceeds all expectations. Your kids will probably love Cousin It just as much as we do. Once they get hooked, show them The Addams Family Values at Thanksgiving.
The Witches (1990)
Before Anne Hathaway came to challenge her crown in the remake, Angelica Houston gave a the most hair-raising performance as the Grand High Witch. Some seriously spooky witch makeup makes for some delightfully gruesome scenes.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki belongs in the pantheon of the great Good Witches out there — she uses her broom and her flying ability to start a delivery service. An animated film from the famed Studio Ghibli — the same studio that made My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away — this movie works for the little ones, because Kiki doesn’t run into much trouble.
Labyrinth (1986)
A sneaky way to turn your kids into David Bowie fans, Labyrinth tells the story of a girl who accidentally wishes her baby brother away. He gets sent to the realm of the Goblin King (Bowie), and she has to save him before time runs out and he becomes one of the king’s minions forever. Jim Henson’s company fills out the Goblin King’s world with amazing puppet creatures.
Gremlins (1984)
Sure, it’s set around Christmas, but Gremlins director Joe Dante pulls off a difficult feat in this movie: The creature he makes is so cute and cuddly — but it spins off into critters that are truly terrifying. Their hijinx mix suspense, action laughs and scares in equal measure. (The sequel is definitely tips the scales more towards comedy.)
E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
You may remember this movie as more sweet than scary, because of young Elliott’s connection to the expressive alien. But there’s lots of peril that comes for E.T., and if you’re looking for thrills that don’t necessarily have ghosts or ghouls, Steven Spielberg’s classic could be a suspenseful pick for an intense family movie night.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Routinely named one of the funniest movies of all time, Mel Brooks’ over-the-top comedy still stands up.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
There’s a reason this has stuck around since the ’60s. No cartoon better captures Halloween excitement — and possibly disappointment — better than the Peanuts gang.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1950)
King Kong (1933)
Introduce your kids to the world of classic cinema with this groundbreaking movie. You’ll have to talk to them about some of the ways this movie is dated (especially the outdated the portrayal of natives), but the special effects look ahead of their time, and the monster-on-monster action is still thrilling today.
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