You want to give the kids a taste of October fun without having them see anything too scary? We got you covered. Here are ten great Halloween movies the whole family can enjoy, and where to find them!
- Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – This stop-motion animated classic has been a favorite of audiences for over 25 years now, riding the line between the spooky and the festive just like Jack Skellington riding on a line of Christmas lights. Available on Disney+.
- Casper (1995) – This charming live-action adaptation of the classic “Friendly Ghost” animated shorts stars Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman. Available on Sling TV.
- Hocus Pocus (1993) – Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker’s turn as three witches from the bad old days of Salem, MA wasn’t a big hit when it first hit theaters, but has become a favorite of family audiences in the decades since. Available on Disney+.
- Ghostbusters (1984 & 2016) – The original Bill Murray/Dan Aykroyd/Harold Ramis comedy is still as hilarious as ever, but younger audiences may enjoy the modern reboot with Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, too. Both are available on fuboTV.
- Goosebumps (2015) – Jack Black stars in this hit adaptation of the popular RL Stine books that are a staple of any young horror fan’s childhood. Available to rent on demand.
- Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998) – Scooby and the gang reunite to take on a ghostly pirate and his crew of zombies in this animated flick, considered by many fans and critics to be the best movie ever made based on the characters. Available on Netflix.
- Monster House (2006) – Three kids become convinced that an area house isn’t just haunted— it’s a living thing that wants to hurt people. Nominated for Best Animated Film in 2006. Available on Peacock.
- The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018) – Speaking of weird houses, this adaptation of John Bellairs’ classic childrens’ book was based on a script by Toledo native Eric Kripke. Available on fuboTV.
- The Addams Family (1991 & 2019) – The first family of comedy horror have always been popular with kids. Both the 1991 live action film and the 2019 animated adaptation are creepy, kooky, spooky and ooky fun. Both available on Amazon Prime.
- Spirited Away (2001) – Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece of animation is one of the very best children’s movies ever. Creepy and beautiful, the film is an unforgettable adventure through a mysterious land as a young girl tries to save her parents (who have been turned into pigs). Available on HBO Max.
