The best Halloween movies for families to watch together during the month of October as they celebrate Halloween. Over 37 ideas for movies to watch this Fall. Get movie ideas for young children, movies for tweens, and movies for teens.
Family movie night is always a relaxing way to spend an evening as a family. It is fun to watch movies with kids, but it can be hard to find something appropriate for them that you will also enjoy.
This is especially true at Halloween since so many movies can be too scary.
There are not many Halloween movies we will watch. Many movies are aimed at scaring or at least creeping people out. I am not into horror movies. I don’t want to scare my children. I don’t want a creepy Halloween, I want a happy, clean, wholesome Halloween.
>>>Read: How To Have a Wholesome Halloween
We don’t watch a lot of Halloween movies, but it can be nice here or there through the month of October, especially if you do any sort of Halloween party with friends or family and want some movie ideas.
It gets even harder as you get children in various stage of life–trying to appease a teenager and a 6 year old at the same time isn’t easy.
This list can help you get ideas for what you can watch together this Fall!
Halloween Movie List for Young Children
There are some Halloween movies that are fun for children. Below is our list of our favorite Halloween movies for young children. We primarily watch Hotel Transylvania as a family and all of us enjoy those shows.
Make sure you think about what your kiddo can and cannot handle. Just because the vampire or ghosts are friendly in a movie doesn’t mean they won’t scare your child.
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown Rated for All
Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang celebrate Halloween while Linus waits faithfully for the Great Pumpkin. A timeless classic full of charm and nostalgia.
Hotel Transylvania Rated PG
Count Dracula runs a resort for monsters, but chaos erupts when a human stumbles in and falls for his daughter. Silly, spooky fun for the whole family!
Hotel Transylvania 2 Rated PG
Drac becomes a doting grandpa trying to bring out his grandson’s monster side. Lighthearted and full of laughs about family and acceptance.
Hotel Transylvania 3 Rated PG
Drac takes a monster cruise vacation—until he falls for the ship’s mysterious captain! Fun, colorful, and packed with monster mayhem.
Halloweentown Rated G
A girl discovers she’s from a family of witches and must save a magical town from evil. Wholesome Disney Halloween adventure!
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Rated G
Wallace and Gromit must catch a giant, veggie-loving beast before it destroys the town’s garden show. Clever, funny, and delightfully British.
Monster’s Inc Rated G
This is not a Halloween movie traditionally, but it can work! Two monsters discover laughter is more powerful than screams as they protect a little girl from their own world. Sweet and imaginative fun!
Book of Life Rated PG
A vibrant, music-filled tale inspired by Día de los Muertos as Manolo embarks on a journey through the Land of the Dead. Heartfelt and visually stunning.
Frankenweenie Rated PG
A boy brings his beloved dog back to life with unexpected consequences. Classic Tim Burton style—sweet, spooky, and heartfelt.
Monster House Rated PG
Three kids discover a neighborhood house that’s actually alive! Suspenseful yet fun adventure for brave older kids.
ParaNorman Rated PG
A boy who can talk to ghosts must save his town from a centuries-old curse. Spooky humor with a message about courage and kindness.
Coco Rated PG
Miguel journeys to the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s story. A touching celebration of love, music, and remembrance.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Rated PG
Jack Skellington brings Halloween to Christmas—with mixed results! A stop-motion masterpiece full of catchy music and creative charm.
Casper Rated PG
A friendly ghost tries to make friends with a girl who moves into his haunted mansion. Gentle ghost story with heart and humor.
Hocus Pocus Rated PG
Three witchy sisters are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night. Mischief, magic, and laughs for the whole family!
Halloween Shows from Favorite Characters
Sometimes a movie is too intense for children and a Halloween themed show about a favorite character is the way to go. Here are some short shows featuring favorite characters from books and shows on PBS, Nickelodeon, Disney, and other places.
Spookley: The Square Pumpkin Rated G
Spookley is teased for being square until he saves the pumpkin patch on a stormy night. A sweet story about courage, kindness, and embracing what makes you different.
Curious George: Halloween Boo Fest and Spooky Fun Not Rated
George celebrates Halloween with costumes, pumpkins, and a mystery about the “Legend of No Noggin.” Gentle Halloween excitement for little ones.
Paw Patrol: Halloween Heroes Not Rated
The pups take on spooky rescues, haunted houses, and silly scares in Adventure Bay. Full of teamwork, bravery, and Halloween fun for preschoolers.
Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets Tricked and Thomas’ Halloween Adventure Not Rated
Thomas learns about bravery, friendship, and a few playful scares on Sodor. Wholesome train-themed tales for young viewers.
Room on the Broom Not Rated
A kind witch and her cat make room for new friends on their broom—until trouble strikes! A beautifully animated tale about friendship and generosity.
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie Rated G
Roo and Lumpy set out on a “heffalump hunt” and learn that Halloween is about friendship, courage, and fun—not fear. Gentle and heartwarming.
Madeline’s Halloween and Other Spooky Tales Not Rated
Madeline and her friends enjoy lighthearted Halloween adventures in Paris, full of charm, courage, and a touch of spooky fun.
Toy Story of Terror! Rated TV-G
Buzz, Woody, and the gang face mysterious disappearances at a roadside motel in this short, suspenseful, and funny Toy Story adventure.
Halloween Movie List for Preteens and Teens
Now for some fun ones for the older crowd. Use judgment when deciding when your child is ready for something more intense or if you think he/she needs to.
So just because a movie is on this list doesn’t make it a good idea for every ten year old out there. Consider the movie and decide if your individual child can watch it.
And remember, some shows are surprisingly scary. For example, Scooby Doo really creeped my kids out for a long time as younger kids even though it seems like a loveable cartoon.
I wouldn’t do anything PG-13 with a child under the age of 13.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Rated PG (the first one is)
A young boy discovers he’s a wizard and begins his magical journey at Hogwarts. Full of wonder, friendship, and just the right amount of spooky charm for kids and tweens.
Disney ZOMBIES Rated G
At Seabrook High, cheerleaders and zombies learn to coexist through music, dance, and acceptance. Fun, colorful, and packed with positive messages.
Roald Dahl’s The Witches Rated PG
A clever boy uncovers a plot by witches to turn children into mice. Whimsical and a little creepy—best for older kids who enjoy a good spooky twist!
The Haunted Mansion Rated PG
A realtor and his family get trapped in a haunted estate full of ghosts. Funny, mysterious, and a little spooky—classic Disney Halloween fun.
Ghostbusters Rated PG
This is the original. You could also watch the new one! Who you gonna call? A group of quirky scientists fight supernatural chaos in New York City. Iconic 80s comedy that mixes humor and mild scares.
Goosebumps Rated PG
When R.L. Stine’s monsters come to life, teens must save their town! Adventure-packed and funny, perfect for older kids who love a little thrill.
Beetlejuice Rated PG
A ghostly couple hires a mischievous spirit to scare off new homeowners. Weird, witty, and packed with Tim Burton’s signature dark humor.
A lonely boy befriends an alien stranded on Earth. Heartfelt, magical, and emotional—perfect for family movie night.
Labyrinth Rated PG
A teenage girl must navigate a fantastical maze to rescue her baby brother from the Goblin King. Enchanting, imaginative, and just spooky enough.
Addams Family Rated PG-13
The delightfully dark Addams family brings spooky humor, creepy charm, and heartwarming weirdness. Great for older kids and teens.
Young Frankenstein Rated PG
A hilarious spoof of classic monster movies as Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson reawakens his family’s legacy—with absurd results!
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Rated PG-13
A boy discovers a hidden world where gifted children live under Miss Peregrine’s protection. Dark fantasy with mystery and adventure for teens. I wouldn’t do this with a child under 13.
Little Shop of Horrors Rated PG-13
A nerdy florist finds fame with a man-eating plant. Campy, musical, and weirdly fun—best for teens who enjoy quirky dark humor.
Conclusion
There you have classic to new Halloween movies to watch this October or Halloween night! Grab your popcorn, candy, and treats and have a fun family movie night!
RELATED HALLOWEEN POSTS
This post originally appeared on this blog in October 2019