25 Best Halloween Movies for Kids of All Ages
Halloween is a time for tricks and treats, costumes and candy, jack-o’-lanterns, and parties. But it’s also an excellent time for family movie night! If you’re looking for some family-friendly Halloween movies for kids to watch this year, we’ve got you covered. These films will surely get you in the Halloween mood, from spooky tales to laugh-out-loud comedies. So put on your favorite costume, hang the Halloween decorations and gather the family around the T.V. for some of our favorite Halloween movies!
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Best Halloween Movies for Kids: Fun, Family-Friendly Films
The Nightmare Before Christmas
PG (1993)
This stop-motion animation classic from Tim Burton tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. When Jack becomes bored with Halloween, he discovers Christmas Town and decides to kidnap Santa Claus and take over Christmas. But as Jack learns, Halloween and Christmas are very different holidays. With its spectacular visuals and memorable songs, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween favorite for kids of all ages.
RELATED: 31 Days Of Halloween Movies On Freeform – Updated 2022
Hocus Pocus
PG (1993)
This Halloween comedy follows three witch sisters (Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy) who are resurrected after 300 years and set out to terrorize the town of Salem. But they soon discover that times have changed, and they’re not as feared as they used to be. With Halloween candy and children’s laughter all around them, the evil witches must find a way to become scary again or face being destroyed by sunrise. Hocus Pocus is a Halloween movie classic that will have the whole family laughing. After you watch the original, check out the highly anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, coming to Disney+ this fall.
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
G (2013)
Your youngest pumpkins will fall in love with this instant classic starring the lovable little monkey as he tries to discover the truth behind a Halloween legend.
Halloweentown
PG (1998)
Marnie Piper is a teenage witch who discovers she comes from a long line of witches. When her grandmother Aggie invites her to Halloweentown, Marnie is eager to go and learn more about her magical heritage. But she soon discovers that Halloweentown is in danger from evil forces who wish to destroy Halloween. It’s up to Marnie and her family to save Halloweentown and keep Halloween alive! With its Halloween spirit and positive message, Halloweentown is an excellent film for the whole family.
Spooky Buddies
G (2011)
In this Halloween adventure, an adorable group of puppies set out to save their town from an evil Halloween witch. With the help of some new friends, the puppies must stop the witch’s plan and save Halloween! Spooky Buddies is a fun and festive film for the whole family to enjoy.
The Hotel Transylvania 1, 2, & 3
PG (2012, 2015, 2018)
Count Dracula (played by Adam Sandler) runs a hotel for monsters in Transylvania in this spooky comedy trilogy. But when humans discover the hotel, Dracula must do everything he can to keep them away. With its lovable characters and Halloween hijinks, The Hotel Transylvania trilogy will surely be a hit with the whole family.
The Addams Family
PG-13 (1991)
This Halloween comedy tells the story of the Addams family, a bizarre and eccentric family who are anything but ordinary. When they move to a new neighborhood, the Addams family must deal with their new neighbors, who are not thrilled to have them around. If you’re looking for a version for the P.G. crowd, check out 2019’s animated The Addams Family.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
G (1966)
This Halloween classic follows the Peanuts gang as they celebrate Halloween. Charlie Brown is determined to find the Great Pumpkin, while Linus waits patiently in the pumpkin patch for the arrival of the great pumpkin. With its timeless story and lovable characters, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a Halloween must-see for kids of all ages.
Casper
PG (1995)
In this Halloween movie, a young girl named Kat (Christina Ricci) moves into a new house with her father. The house is haunted by the friendly young ghost, Casper, who just wants to make friends. But when Kat’s father tries to rid the home of ghosts, he inadvertently unleashes three evil spirits who have their own plans for Halloween.
Monster House
PG (2006)
Three teens discover their neighbor’s house is a living, breathing, scary monster and they must stop it in order to save the town’s young trick-or-treaters.
Beetlejuice
PG (1988)
In this Halloween comedy, a couple of ghosts stuck in their house enlist the help of Beetlejuice, a “ghost with the most,” to rid their home of its new human occupants. But Beetlejuice’s idea of helping is not what the ghosts had in mind. Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is a Halloween classic that older kids will enjoy.
Edward Scissorhands
PG-13 (1990)
In this Tim Burton classic, a man named Edward has scissors for hands. When a kind family takes him in, he falls in love with the daughter. But when Edward’s Scissorhands cause accidents and mishaps, he is misunderstood and feared by the townspeople. With its Halloween atmosphere and touching story, Edward Scissorhands is a must-see for older kids.
Toy Story of Terror
G (2013)
Join the Toy Story gang in a frighteningly fun animated adventure. When the toys go on a road trip, they end up in a creepy motel where the manager is up to no good, and the toys find themselves in danger. Starring Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack.
Scared Shrekless
Not rated (2015)
Halloween is Shrek’s favorite holiday – instead of the usual tricks or treats, Shrek ups the ante and challenges the gang to spend the night telling scary stories. The last one to be scared wins.
Haunted Mansion
PG (2003)
Based on the iconic Disneyland attraction, a workaholic real-estate agent played by Eddie Murphy takes his family to a Haunted Mansion for a spooky vacation.
SCOOB!
PG (2020)
Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, and the whole gang face one of their toughest mysteries to date in this recent animated re-imagining of this spooktacular classic.
The Witches
PG (1990)
Based on the Roald Dahl book, a young boy is sent to England by his grandmother after being orphaned. He discovers a witches’ conference at their hotel, where they plan to rid the world of children.
The Worst Witch (The Movie)
G (1986)
Students vanish into thin air or turn into pigs by accident, and everyone blames Mildred, the school’s worst witch. She tries her best but can’t seem to get it right.
Monsters vs. Aliens
PG (2009)
Monsters vs. Aliens is about a group of monsters who have to band together to fight against aliens. The outcasts must learn to work together to save the world from an alien invasion.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
PG (1982)
In this Steven Spielberg classic, a young boy named Elliott discovers an alien stranded on Earth. Elliott helps the alien, whom he names E.T., to find a way home. But when the government learns of E.T.’s existence, they want to capture him. Elliot and his friends must find a way to get E.T. home before it’s too late.
Ghostbusters
PG (1984)
In this Halloween classic, a group of scientists who study the paranormal must rid New York City of ghosts. With its spooky ghosts and Halloween fun, Ghostbusters is an excellent film for bigger kids. Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, and Harold Ramis.
Frankenweenie
PG (2012)
In this Tim Burton film, a young boy named Victor brings his beloved dog Sparky back to life with science. But when the other kids in town find out, they want to do the same with their own dead pets.
Goosebumps
PG (2015)
In this Halloween comedy, a group of teens teams up to stop R.L. Stine’s (Jack Black) monsters from coming to life and terrorizing their town.
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
G (2005)
In this fun Halloween spin on classic characters, Pooh and his friends go on a hunt for a Heffalump. An excellent choice for little kids to enjoy some fun mischief without anything scary.
Double, Double Toil and Trouble
Not rated (1993)
In this Halloween comedy, two twin sisters who have always been close start to drift apart. But when they discover that they have the power to do magic, they must work together to save Halloween. Starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Have any fun-filled spooky movie picks we missed? Share your family’s favorite Halloween movies for kids in our Local Anchor Facebook group.
