Best Kid’s Halloween Movies: Finding the Perfect Kid’s Halloween Movies for Your Family
There’s something special about Halloween. Maybe it’s the excited anticipation in the air, or the chance to dress up in fun costumes, but for many people, October 31st is one of their favorite days of the year. If you’re looking for some family-friendly Halloween viewing options, this list of the best kid’s Halloween movies will have you covered.
This list of the best kid’s Halloween movies will spotlight the top movies for kids that have a fun Halloween theme to watch and enjoy. With age-appropriate content, these films are a great way to have fun at Halloween and get into the spirit of the season.
Looking for more Halloween-related lists? If so, visit our lists of the best Halloween movies, best homemade Halloween costumes, and best appetizers. All of these lists will provide even more great Halloween content and movie night resources for you to enjoy.
Top 25 Kid’s Halloween Movies:
1. Hocus Pocus
Release Date: 1993
Main Actors: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
About Halloween Movie: Three mischievous witches from the 1600s are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem. As they try to steal the youth from children to live forever, a group of kids must stop them before it’s too late.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Release Date: 1993
Main Actors: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
About Halloween Movie: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, becomes bored with the same annual routine and stumbles upon Christmas Town. Enthralled by the new holiday, he attempts to bring Christmas to Halloween Town, leading to unexpected consequences.
3. Casper
Release Date: 1995
Main Actors: Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty
About Halloween Movie: A friendly young ghost named Casper inhabits a mansion with his mischievous uncles. When a paranormal expert and his daughter move in to communicate with the spirits, Casper forms a friendship with the girl, leading to heartwarming and spooky adventures.
4. Coraline
Release Date: 2009
Main Actors: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman
About Halloween Movie: A young girl named Coraline discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to an alternate universe mirroring her own life but seemingly better. However, this other world harbors dark secrets, and Coraline must use her resourcefulness to return to her real family.
5. Hotel Transylvania
Release Date: 2012
Main Actors: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
About Halloween Movie: Dracula operates a high-end resort away from the human world, where monsters can relax safely. His world turns upside down when a human boy stumbles upon the hotel and falls for his teenage daughter, Mavis.
6. The Addams Family
Release Date: 1991
Main Actors: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd
About Halloween Movie: The eccentric and macabre Addams family faces a con artist who poses as their long-lost Uncle Fester in an attempt to steal their fortune. The family’s unique charm and spooky antics make for a delightful Halloween watch.
7. Monster House
Release Date: 2006
Main Actors: Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke
About Halloween Movie: Three teenagers discover that a neighbor’s house is actually a living, breathing monster. They must find a way to stop the house before it devours trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.
8. Frankenweenie
Release Date: 2012
Main Actors: Charlie Tahan, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara
About Halloween Movie: A young boy named Victor brings his beloved dog, Sparky, back to life through a science experiment. However, Sparky’s revival leads to unintended and monstrous consequences in their small town.
9. ParaNorman
Release Date: 2012
Main Actors: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
About Halloween Movie: Norman, a boy who can see and speak to ghosts, is tasked with saving his town from a centuries-old curse. He must use his unique abilities to confront zombies, witches, and skeptical townsfolk.
10. Goosebumps
Release Date: 2015
Main Actors: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush
About Halloween Movie: Teenager Zach teams up with his neighbor, Hannah, and her father, R.L. Stine, to capture the monstrous creatures from Stine’s books that have been accidentally released into the real world.
11. Halloweentown
Release Date: 1998
Main Actors: Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag
About Halloween Movie: Marnie Piper discovers she’s a witch on her 13th birthday and follows her grandmother to Halloweentown, a magical place where supernatural beings live. She must embrace her heritage to help save the town from dark forces.
12. The Witches
Release Date: 1990
Main Actors: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher
About Halloween Movie: A young boy stumbles upon a convention of witches who despise children and plan to turn them into mice. With the help of his grandmother, he must stop their nefarious scheme.
13. Beetlejuice
Release Date: 1988
Main Actors: Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis
About Halloween Movie: A recently deceased couple haunts their former home and enlists the help of a mischievous ghost named Beetlejuice to scare away the new inhabitants. However, Beetlejuice’s antics become uncontrollable, leading to chaotic results.
14. Corpse Bride
Release Date: 2005
Main Actors: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson
About Halloween Movie: Victor accidentally proposes to a deceased bride and is pulled into the Land of the Dead. A romantic and spooky story with gothic flair.
15. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island
Release Date: 1998
Main Actors: Scott Innes, Billy West, Mary Kay Bergman
About Halloween Movie: Scooby-Doo and the gang travel to a haunted island to investigate ghostly happenings, but they encounter real zombies for the first time, adding a spooky twist to their adventures.
16. Ernest Scared Stupid
Release Date: 1991
Main Actors: Jim Varney, Eartha Kitt, Austin Nagler
About Halloween Movie: Ernest accidentally unleashes an ancient troll that turns children into wooden statues. With the help of a magical book and the town’s kids, Ernest must stop the troll and save Halloween.
17. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
Release Date: 2005
Main Actors: Jim Cummings, John Fiedler, Nikita Hopkins
About Halloween Movie: Roo and Lumpy prepare for their first Halloween together but must muster the courage to face their fears while hunting for the Gobloon, a creature that grants wishes.
18. Mickey’s House of Villains
Release Date: 2002
Main Actors: Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Jim Cummings
About Halloween Movie: Mickey and his friends face Disney’s classic villains, who take over the House of Mouse during Halloween night. The film blends Halloween fun with Disney nostalgia.
19. Room on the Broom
Release Date: 2012
Main Actors: Gillian Anderson, Rob Brydon, Martin Clunes
About Halloween Movie: Based on the popular children’s book, this short film follows a kind witch who invites animals onto her broom, despite the objections of her grumpy cat, leading to a magical and heartwarming adventure.
20. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Release Date: 2005
Main Actors: Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes
About Halloween Movie: Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, must save their town’s vegetable competition from a monstrous rabbit in this clever and spooky claymation adventure.
21. The Haunted Mansion
Release Date: 2003
Main Actors: Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker
About Halloween Movie: A realtor and his family get trapped in a haunted mansion, where they uncover spooky secrets and must help the ghosts resolve their unfinished business.
22. Igor
Release Date: 2008
Main Actors: John Cusack, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi
About Halloween Movie: In a world where evil scientists rule, Igor, a lowly lab assistant, dreams of becoming an inventor. His creation leads to an unexpected heartwarming adventure.
23. Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space
Release Date: 2009
Main Actors: Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie
About Halloween Movie: The monsters return to save Earth from an invasion of mutant pumpkins in this hilarious and action-packed Halloween short.
24. Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Release Date: 2004
Main Actors: Sonja Ball, Craig Francis, Rick Jones
About Halloween Movie: Spookley, a square pumpkin, feels out of place in a world of round pumpkins but discovers his uniqueness is a strength when a storm threatens the pumpkin patch.
25. The Dog Who Saved Halloween
Release Date: 2011
Main Actors: Dean Cain, Gary Valentine, Elisa Donovan
About Halloween Movie: A talking dog named Zeus and his family unravel a spooky mystery involving their creepy new neighbor in this lighthearted Halloween adventure.
Editor’s Picks for the Best Kid’s Halloween Movies
With so many fun family films on this list, a few rise to the top as must-watch Halloween classics. Hocus Pocus is a perennial favorite, combining humor, adventure, and a spooky Salem backdrop that’s perfect for Halloween. The Nightmare Before Christmas remains iconic with its unique blend of eerie visuals and catchy music. For younger kids, Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie offers gentle frights and a heartfelt message about facing your fears.
Tips for Watching Kid-Friendly Halloween Movies as a Family
1. Choose movies based on age appropriateness.
Some Halloween movies may be too spooky for younger kids. Be sure to check the rating and theme before choosing a film to ensure it’s right for your child’s comfort level.
2. Make it a themed movie night.
Add to the fun with Halloween-themed snacks like popcorn with candy corn, apple cider, or pumpkin-shaped cookies. Let kids wear costumes or build a pillow fort for added excitement.
3. Preview the movie if needed.
If you’re unsure about a film’s content, consider watching it first. This way, you’ll know when to pause for questions or skip scenes that might be too intense.
4. Mix in educational or moral stories.
Films like Spookley the Square Pumpkin deliver positive messages about acceptance and uniqueness, making them both entertaining and enriching.
5. Use short films for younger attention spans.
Shorter features like Room on the Broom or Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space are perfect for younger viewers who may not sit through a full-length movie.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kid’s Halloween Movies
What’s a good Halloween movie for toddlers?
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie, Room on the Broom, and Spookley the Square Pumpkin are all excellent options. They’re gentle, colorful, and have easy-to-follow storylines with positive messages.
Are there any educational Halloween movies for kids?
Yes! Spookley the Square Pumpkin teaches lessons about acceptance and being different, while Igor includes themes about identity and creativity. Even Wallace & Gromit incorporates problem-solving and teamwork.
Can these movies be watched outside of Halloween?
Absolutely. Many of these movies, like Casper and The Addams Family, are enjoyable year-round. While they feature Halloween themes, their core stories are entertaining for any season.
What’s the best way to watch these movies online?
Many of these films are available through streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, or rental services like Apple TV. Check your preferred service for availability before your movie night.
Best Kid’s Halloween Movies Conclusion
Halloween is a great time to watch fun, family-friendly movies. And whatever your preference is, this list of the best kid’s Halloween movies will have something for you and your family.
From cartoons to children’s movies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So curl up with some popcorn and get ready for a spooky good time.
Please make sure to comment below if you have any reviews on any of these kid’s Halloween movies (no spoilers, please). We know that all of our readers would appreciate your comments.
