The Best Halloween Movies for Kids

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: 

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.

G-Rated Movies

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)

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)

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)

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)

PG-Rated Movies

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)

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)

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)

Ghostbusters

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)

Coco

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)

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)

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.