Halloween Family Movies
49 Not-So-Scary Picks for Movie Night Magic
When the weather turns crisp, the pumpkins come out, and your kids start plotting their costume masterpieces… you know Halloween season is officially here. And if your family’s anything like mine, there’s nothing better than curling up together under a fluffy blanket, snacks in hand, and watching a good ol’ spooky (but not too spooky) movie.
But here’s the thing picking a Halloween movie that everyone can enjoy is a bit of an art form, especially when you’re balancing little ones who still sleep with a night light and tweens who roll their eyes at “baby stuff.”
So I’ve rounded up 45 of the best Halloween family movies that bring just the right mix of fun, magic, mystery, and mild thrills, all without the nightmare fuel. Perfect for a weekend movie marathon, a Halloween party wind-down, or a simple weeknight treat.
Why Family Halloween Movies Are the Best
Let’s be honest Halloween can get a lot. Between the sugar highs, costume chaos, and late nights, it’s nice to have a moment that brings everyone together to slow down. Movie night does exactly that. You can all share a laugh (or a little scream), talk about your favorite characters, and soak up the cozy autumn vibes.
And hey, no judgment if you’re still in your PJ pants from 3PM. That’s part of the magic.
Tips for Hosting a Halloween Family Movie Night
Before we jump into the list, here are a few little tricks to make movie night feel extra festive:
- Set the scene: Add pumpkins, fairy lights, or even a few fake spiders around the room. Kids eat that stuff up.
- Pick themed snacks: Popcorn “witch hats,” orange jello “monster eyes,” or just good old candy corn in cute bowls.
- Dress cozy: Encourage everyone to wear onesies, Halloween pajamas, or fuzzy socks.
- Use a movie ticket printable: You can hand out “tickets” and let the kids trade them for popcorn or treats. Super easy, but makes the night feel special.
49 Halloween Family Movies (Broken Down by Vibe)
Classic Halloween Favorites
- Hocus Pocus – Three witchy sisters, a talking cat, and loads of 90s charm.
- Hocus Pocus 2 – The Sanderson sisters return for more chaos and cackles.
- Casper – A sweet ghost who just wants a friend… and a heart-melting moment or two.
- The Addams Family – Spooky, kooky, and full of unforgettable characters.
- Addams Family Values – Funnier, weirder, and honestly, even better than the first.
- Beetlejuice – Wild, wacky, and just the right amount of weird.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas – Equal parts Halloween and Christmas magic.
Witchy and Magical Movies
- Twitches – Twin sisters discover they’re witches… with destiny to fulfill.
- Twitches Too – More magic, more sisterhood, more sparkly amulets.
- The Worst Witch – A clumsy girl at witch school? Totally relatable and charming.
- The House with a Clock in Its Walls – Mysterious, magical, and a little spooky.
- Matilda – Not Halloween-y, but pure magic (and Miss Trunchbull gives Halloween villain vibes).
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Wizards, ghosts, and a Halloween feast, yes please.
Ghosts, Vampires & Monster Fun
- Monster House – A haunted house with a real personality. Spooky fun for older kids.
- Monster Family – A family accidentally turned into monsters. Oops!
- The Little Vampire – A lonely boy makes friends with a vampire adorable and harmless.
- Frankenweenie – A boy brings his beloved pup back to life… with some creepy consequences.
- Hotel Transylvania – Monsters on vacation and a dad who just wants to protect his daughter.
- Hotel Transylvania 2 – Grandkid drama, more monsters, same lovable chaos.
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – The cruise that goes a bit off course.
- Hotel Transylvania: Transformania – Body-swapping, freak-outs, and laughs.
- Goosebumps – Jack Black + R.L. Stine = spooky creatures leaping off the page.
- Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween – Slappy the dummy returns with more trouble.
Shorter Specials for Littler Littles
- Toy Story of Terror! – Buzz and Woody face a spooky motel mystery.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – The Halloween tradition we all know and love.
- Scared Shrekless – Shrek and friends compete to tell the scariest tale.
- Mickey’s House of Villains – Disney villains take over the club kids love it.
- Mickey’s Monster Musical – Singing, dancing, and not a single actual scare.
- Spookley the Square Pumpkin – The cutest little lesson about being different.
For Tweens and Brave Kids (But Still Family-Safe)
- Edward Scissorhands – Bittersweet, quirky, and visually beautiful.
- The Spiderwick Chronicles – Magical creatures and a strong sibling trio.
- Coraline – Creepy button-eyed “Other Mother” and a brave little girl.
- Paranorman – He talks to ghosts… and might be the only one who can save the town.
- The Witches (1990) – Dark and funny with just the right amount of weird.
- The Witches (2020) – A modern retelling with glam and spooky flair.
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events – Mysterious, darkly funny, and full of odd surprises.
- Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire – Disney Channel cheese in all the best ways.
- My Babysitter’s a Vampire – More vampires, more trouble, more fun.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman – Music + monsters = adorable chaos.
- Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein – Classic monster meets chipmunk mayhem.
Fun for Grown-Ups Too (Yes, You Deserve It)
- Corpse Bride – Tim Burton at his finest — haunting, lovely, and surprisingly tender.
- Monsters, Inc. – Not a Halloween movie, but full of monsters and heart.
- Monsters University – A college prequel with lots of laughs and monster shenanigans.
- Ernest Scared Stupid – Slapstick, ridiculous… and kind of a cult classic.
Bonus Picks You’ll Be Glad I Mentioned
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit – Clever, British, and so much fun.
- Spirited Away – Magical, mysterious, and a true visual masterpiece (for older kids).
- Coco – Not Halloween, but Day of the Dead-themed with music and heart.
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Disney short) – A classic tale with old-school animation.
- Room on the Broom – A gentle, rhyming tale of friendship and one very overloaded broomstick.
One of my favorite traditions is doing a “31 Nights of Halloween Movies” countdown. Each night in October, we pick a different movie, from silly shorts to longer features. The kids look forward to it all day, and it gives us an easy way to wind down together. You can even hang a paper calendar and let them mark off each night with stickers!
There’s just something so comforting about Halloween movies they wrap up everything we love about the season into one cozy, couch-worthy experience. Whether your kids are tiny pumpkins or growing ghosts and ghouls, there’s a movie on this list that’ll bring the whole family together for laughs, snuggles, and maybe a squeal or two.
So pop the corn, grab the candy stash (no shame in raiding the “trick-or-treat bowl” early), and enjoy some spooky season magic one family movie night at a time
