My kids love family movie nights, especially during the Halloween season! It’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy week and get into the spooky spirit together. As Halloween approaches, we’ve been binge-watching family-friendly Halloween movies so that we could give you the lowdown on the best Halloween movies for kids!
Since every child has a different tolerance for spooky content, I’ve put together a list of our favorite Halloween movies that balance fun with just the right amount of fright. For the littlest ones, cute animated films like Monsters Inc., It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and Toy Story of Terror are great choices. For a touch of nostalgia, we love watching classics like Ghostbusters, Hocus Pocus, and Casper. And while Harry Potter, Coco and movies like The Book of Life aren't traditionally Halloween movies, we love watching them every Halloween season.
Looking for more movie suggestions? Check out these blog post on Non Animated Family Movies, the Best Family Sports Movies or the Best Movies for Tween Girls.
Before I jump into our recommendations for family friendly Halloween movies, a note:
Ali's Pro Tip: Before watching a new movie with your kids, I always recommend checking out movie reviews on Common Sense Media. I use my best judgement before sitting down to watch a movie with my own kids, as I hate to be surprised by content that is not age appropriate for them.
Parent Perspective Scare Level Guide:
💚 Green = No real scares, completely gentle
🧡 Orange = Mild scares/content to consider
❤️ Red = More intense (would be for older kids/teens)
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Best Halloween Movies for Ages 2-5 (Toddlers & Preschoolers)
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who want Halloween magic without the scares
Monster's Inc
Best friends Mike and Sulley work at a factory where monsters scare kids for energy, but their world is turned upside down when a little girl accidentally enters the monster world. The two must find a way to return her home while keeping her presence a secret. (2001: G)
Parent Perspective: 💚 Perfect introduction to "friendly monsters" - teaches that what seems scary can actually be kind.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
The ultimate timeless Halloween special where the Peanuts gang celebrates with costumes, trick-or-treating, and Linus's earnest wait for the Great Pumpkin. This charming and gentle classic is perfect for introducing young children to the fun of Halloween. (1966: G)
Parent Perspective: 💚 Absolutely no scary content - pure Halloween joy and tradition.
Toy Story of Terror
A spooky and fun Halloween special where Woody, Buzz, and the gang face a spooky adventure in a roadside motel. While there are a few suspenseful moments, the familiar characters and lighthearted humor make it perfect for younger children. (2013: G)
Parent Perspective: 💛 Mild suspense but familiar characters keep little ones comfortable.
Double Double Toil & Trouble
Twin sisters Kelly and Lynn, played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, as they try to save their family from their evil aunt's curse. With the help of a magic moonstone, they embark on a magical adventure full of spells and fun Halloween mischief. (1993: G)
Best Halloween Movies for Ages 6-8 (Little Kids)
Time-tested Halloween movies that balance fun with just the right amount of spook
Hocus Pocus
THE Halloween classic about three mischievous witches, the Sanderson sisters, who are accidentally resurrected by a teenager in modern-day Salem. As they wreak havoc, a group of kids teams up with a talking cat to stop their wicked plans. Be warned, there are a few spooky scenes and mild scares involving witches and dark magic. (1993: PG)
Parent Perspective: 🧡 A few spooky scenes involving witches and dark magic, but mostly comedic. Great for kids who can handle mild scares.
Hotel Transylvania
Dracula runs a lavish resort for monsters works to keep his daughter safe from the human world. Chaos ensues when a human stumbles into the hotel, sparking a series of hilarious events as Dracula tries to hide the truth. It's an enjoyable watch for the whole family, especially younger kids. (2012: PG)
Parent Perspective: 💚 Comedy-focused with loveable monster characters - no real scares.
Coco
Young Miguel dreams of becoming a musician. He embarks on an adventure in the Land of the Dead to discover his family's past and pursue his love for music, despite his family's ban on it. Along the way, he uncovers hidden truths about his ancestors and learns the importance of family, tradition, and following his heart. (2017: PG)
Parent Perspective: 💚 Beautiful exploration of Day of the Dead traditions - educational and emotional.
The Book of Life
Manolo is a young man torn between his family's expectations and following his own dreams. Set during the Day of the Dead, his journey takes him through the Land of the Living, the Land of the Remembered, and the Land of the Forgotten, where he faces his fears and discovers the true meaning of love and tradition. (2014: PG)
Parent Perspective: 💚 Colorful celebration of Mexican culture with positive messages
Best Halloween Movies for Ages 9-12 (Tweens)
Perfect for kids ready for more complex stories and mild thrills
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
This might be my favorite Harry Potter movie. And while we watch this series all year long, I love this series even more around Halloween. Fall in love with Harry Potter, an orphaned boy who discovers he’s a wizard and begins his magical education at Hogwarts School, along with new friends. He begins to learn spells and unravels the mystery of a hidden magical object. Once you have watched this movie, you will want to see them all! (2001: PG)
Parent Perspective: 🧡 Some intense scenes but magical adventure outweighs scares. Perfect gateway to the series.
Casper
I loved watching the movie Casper as a kid. A friendly ghost befriends a young girl named Kat when she moves into a haunted mansion with her father. Together, they face Casper’s mischievous uncles and a greedy treasure-hunter, leading to some spooky but mostly lighthearted moments. (1995: PG)
Parent Perspective: 🧡 Some spooky moments and themes about death, but ultimately sweet and touching.
My kids think this classic movie is hilarious. A group of scientists start a ghost-catching business in New York City after discovering the paranormal is real. Their battle against a powerful ancient spirit brings plenty of humor and excitement, with some spooky moments involving ghosts and supernatural threats. (1984: PG)
The Haunted Mansion
A real estate agent takes his family to a creepy estate he’s trying to sell, only to discover it’s haunted by ghosts seeking to break an ancient curse. Spooky spirits, eerie settings, humor and adventure keep this movie fun and family-friendly. (2003: PG)
Parent Perspective: 🧡 Mild scares with ghosts but ultimately heartwarming story.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, loves to frighten people. When he stumbles upon Christmas Town and tries to bring the holiday to his own spooky world. (1993: PG)
Parent Perspective: 🧡 Tim Burton's unique style may be intense for sensitive kids, but musical numbers are delightful.
The Little Vampire
Tony, a young boy befriends a kid vampire named Rudolph, and helps him and his family regain their lost humanity. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure to stop a vampire hunter and break an ancient curse. (2000: PG)
Frankenweenie
A young boy named Victor brings his beloved dog Sparky back to life using science, with unexpected and spooky results. When others in the town learn of his experiment, chaos ensues as reanimated pets and creatures cause havoc. Set in a quirky, black-and-white world, this stop-motion film is a tribute themes of friendship and loss with a fun, eerie twist. (2012: PG)
A brilliant young girl with telekinetic powers uses her abilities to stand up to her cruel parents and terrifying school principal, Miss Trunchbull. With the help of her kind teacher, Miss Honey, Matilda finds the courage to embrace her gifts and create her own happy ending. (1996: PG)
Halloween Movies on Our List to Watch
- Halloweentown
- Monster House
- Paranorman
- The Addams Family
- Mickey's House of Villains
- Beetlejuice
- Gremlins
- Scooby Doo
- Teen Witch
- Edward Scissorhands
- The Mummy
- The Witches
- Tower of Terror
- Alvin & Chipmunks
- Goosebumps
- E.T.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Halloween Movies
What are the best Halloween movies for 3-year-olds?
For toddlers, stick with G-rated options like Monster's Inc, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and Toy Story of Terror. These have minimal scares and focus on fun rather than frights.
What Halloween movies are available on Disney Plus?
Disney+ has an excellent selection including Hocus Pocus, Monster's Inc, Coco, Nightmare Before Christmas, The Haunted Mansion, Frankenweenie, and Toy Story of Terror.
Can these movies be educational?
Absolutely! Movies like Coco and The Book of Life teach about Day of the Dead traditions, while classics like It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown introduce Halloween customs in a gentle way.
What's the best Halloween movie for a family with mixed ages?
Hocus Pocus is often the perfect choice for families with kids ranging from 6-12. It has enough humor for little ones and adventure for older kids, plus nostalgic appeal for parents.
