Halloween is here! For most of us, that means we’ve been playing on full-tilt horror movies, but when it’s time to fire something spooky up for the kids and the family, it’s probably not the best time to break outThe Exorcist.But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole arsenal of outstanding family-friendly Halloween movies to fire up during the All Hallows season, from animated classics to the most recenthorror movies for scaredy-cats.
But if you’re not sure what to watch, or you’ve already showed the kids your old standby a few too many times, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best Halloween movies for kids and families to enjoy together. So once the costumes are on, the candy is cracked open, and it’s time to throw on a film, here’s our go-to guide for your Halloween must-watch movies.
And if you want something a little scarier after you put the kiddos to bed, be sure to check out our picks for thebest horror movies to watch on Halloween that aren’tHalloween. Or if youarein the mood for some Michael Myers, check out our picks foreveryHalloweenmovie ranked.
Hocus Pocus
If the Black Flame Candle were right in my backyard as a kid, there’s no doubt I would have taken a cue from Max Dennison (Omri Katz) and lit that baby up at the risk of bringing back the Sanderson sisters.Hocus Pocusis a family-friendly Halloween classic. The movie very successfully captures the spirit of the holiday with an alluring urban legend, delicious performances fromBette Midler,Sarah Jessica ParkerandKathy Najimy, and just enough of a creepy, threatening kick to give the scenario some real suspense. This one’s been a Halloween must-watch in my book ever since its release back in 1993 and you can bet the first chance I get, I’ll be sharing it with my niece. —Perri Nemiroff
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
ArguablytheHalloween special for the youngins,It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brownis a bonafide classic for all generations, overflowing with that sweet seasonal spirit. The Peanuts have always been a bit deeper than they seemed, and this gem is no different, a moving parable of faith played out in the pumpkin patch with sweet little Linus, who waits dutifully for the Great Pumpkin while his friends go trick ‘r treating. Sincere without being saccharine, as delightful as it is meditative, and just downright heartwarming in the end, overflowing with All Hallows spirit and that classicPeanutscharm that has entertained us for generations. –Haleigh Foutch
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly film to watch with the kids this Halloween, look no further than the 1995 live-action/computer-generated animation film,Casper. Based on the Harvey Comics character of Casper the Friendly Ghost, created bySeymore ReitandJoe Oriolo, this movie kept the character’s core conceit, but darkened up the tone considerably. It’s kid-friendly, but there are certainly still some scares to be found.
The plot centers on a conceited heiress who wants to rid her inherited house of Casper and his obnoxious (and dangerous) uncles, the Ghostly Trio, so that she can get to the treasure hidden away within its walls. The treasure hunt is pretty goofy. The better story is the father-daughter dynamic that exists between Dr. Harvey (Bill Pullman) and Kat (Christina Ricci), which is told in parallel to the young love story that develops between Kat and the title character. It’s still-impressive technical effects may show a little wear more than 20 years later, but its story remains a delight. –Dave Trumbore
Hotel Transylvania
A silly, playful, and of course, spooky animated treat for the holiday,Hotel Transylvaniais a great way to introduce the kids to the classic monsters. The film featuresAdam Sandleras Dracula, who runs a monsters-only hotel where all kinds of creeps can take their vacay away from humans, until a young boy sneaks in and falls for the count’s daughter. Giddy and goofy,Hotel Transylvaniais a sweet story about what happens when daddy’s little ghoul grows up that’s also jam-packed with all the creatures and critters a kid could hope for in a Halloween watch. –Haleigh Foutch
The Nightmare Before Christmas
IsThe Nightmare Before Christmasa Christmas or Halloween movie? You know what? I say it’s both! And that’s a beautiful thing for two reasons; one, that gives us an excuse to prioritize the movie twice a year and, two, it beautifully plays into the fact that Halloween and Christmas are both unique and special. DirectorHenry Selickand his team craft a stop-motion Halloween-lover’s dream with the stunning, creative and highly detailed Halloween Town. Then the story lets us soak in Jack Skellington’s admiration for Christmas while also highlighting the beauty of Jack coming to realize that what he’s been searching for has been right in front of him all along, Halloween Town.Nightmare Before Christmasis a celebration of both holidays, so consider it a must-watch for both! —Perri Nemiroff
Beetlejuice
Odds are, you’re going to see some folks dressed up as Beetlejuice on Halloween, but one of the most exciting things about the character is how many costume options are out there! Sure, you could go with the classic pinstripe suit, but there’s also the wedding look, you can try to recreate the snake, or what about the kooky carnival look? The point is, Beetlejuice is a character who embraces the diabolical and zany, and in a filmmaker likeTim Burton’s hands, that result is a delightfully whacky movie that digs into mortality and darkness.Beetlejuiceis a one-of-a-kind frolic through the rules of the afterlife that’s brimming with so much creativity, craftsmanship and unforgettable performances that 30 years later, the movie is still a Halloween top priority and likely will be for decades to come. –Perri Nemiroff
One of the many reasons I love Halloween is because it celebrates uniqueness through costume, whether it’s by dressing as someone completely different from you or by celebrating a personal favorite character through costume. And you know what movie aces its approach to recognizing uniqueness?Edward Scissorhands. Per usual,Tim Burtonpaints a vibrant, detailed picture with just the right tinge of eeriness and a whole lot of heart. It’s a lush fantasy romance loaded with highly creative curiosities at every turn but also with the importance of simple human kindness and acceptance at its core. (Oh, and just likeNightmare Before Christmas, I classifyEdward Scissorhandsas a Halloween movie and a Christmas must-watch, too.) —Perri Nemiroff
Ghostbusters
Who you gonna call? Am I right?Ghostbusters, the 1984 modern comedy classic fromDan AykroydandIvan Reitmanis perfect for any season, not just Halloween. The film tells the story of three Columbia University scientists who explore the paranormal in an effort to prove that ghosts exist and that they’re the guys uniquely qualified to catch them. Along the way, we are treated to a Gozer the Gozerian, Zuul, a Stay Puft marshmallow man and the threat of dogs and cats living together.
Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman andSigourney Weaver’s Dana Barrett share a sweet romance throughout the movie much to the chagrin of Moranis’s Louis Tully. Paranormal events start occurring all over their home city of New York City and they form the Ghostbusters company. They get so many clients thatAnnie Potts’s Janine is hired as their receptionist andErnie Hudson’s Winston joins the team as the fourth Ghostbuster.Ghostbustersis one of the most quotable comedies in film history regardless of genre. It’s a franchise with enduring as we saw in 2016 with the all-female team reboot and we’ll see again in next year’s Ghostbusters 2020.
The original is the reason why. It’s irreverent, hilarious, playful, and nutty vibe appeals to people of all ages. It even manages to slide in a message about friendship and sticking together in the face of adversity to defeat it. Do your duty this Halloween season and introduce someone to this movie and see if they’re ready to believe you. –John Rocha
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollowis one ofTim Burton’s most underrated efforts. The film was Burton’s follow-up to the much-deridedPlanet of the Apes, and materialized after the filmmaker had just comethiscloseto makingSuperman Lives. After a lengthy stint with big budgets and studio interference,Sleepy Hollowwas something of a return to form for the filmmaker, and the result is a horror mystery of the very best sort. ScreenwriterAndrew Kevin Walker(Se7en) crafts a wonderfully engaging spin on the Ichabod Crane tale that dips its toe into witchcraft, legend, and even early American politics—albeit all with a slight wink.Johnny Deppis in top form here, delivering a performance that’s humorous without the over-the-top mugging that permeates his work post-Pirates of the Caribbean, and the supporting cast is a swell ensemble full of esteemed actors. Visually, this was Burton’s one and only time working with Oscar-winning cinematographerEmmanuel Lubezki, and the partnership on this particular piece of material proves to be a match made in heaven.Sleepy Hollowis sumptuous, frightening, and darkly funny, and the Halloween setting makes it holiday-perfect. –Adam Chitwood
Death Becomes Her
Death Becomes Heris a black comedy that squarely takes aim at the people who pursue outer beauty at the expense of inner beauty or, ya know, a Tuesday in Hollywood.MerylStreepandGoldie Hawnplay friends Madeline and Helen whose lifelong unhealthy competition with each other for everything. The two actresses have great, comedic chemistry which comes into play as this film descends into some wacky territory. Willis takes on a rare character role as Ernest Menville, a young, up and coming plastic surgeon who transforms into a middle-aged, balding alcoholic working as a mortician and stuck in a loveless marriage with Madeline.
The ladies’ desperate desire to one-up each other leads them toIsabellaRossellini’s Lisle von Rhuman, a mystical and mysterious woman, who gives them a potion that promises eternal life and youthful beauty, but the catch is that they will decay from the inside out. The potion’s effects on their bodies inspire some hilarious physical comedy in the latter half of the film. DirectorRobert Zemeckisgives this film an old school Hollywood B movie mystery feel complete with soft lighting, awkward camera angles and antique furniture that decorates each room. It’s an interesting film to view with 2019 eyes as it uses women competing with each other as the foundation for its humor. It still works, in my opinion, because of the quality of the actors and the director involved here who never manage to insult the characters while they comment on their shallow natures. –John Rocha
