Halloween Movies to Watch with Your Kids: Spooky, Fun, and Family-Friendly

Blog | September 30th, 2024

October is the perfect time to gather the family for a fun movie night in anticipation of Halloween. Whether you’re looking for something cute and magical for little ones or a spooky adventure for older kids, we’ve got you covered. Here we’ve gathered a list of family-friendly Halloween movies, with suggested age ranges, content warnings, and streaming availability. 🎃

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966)

Age Range: 3+
Streaming On: Apple TV+
Content Warnings: None

This timeless classic follows Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang as they celebrate Halloween. With Linus eagerly awaiting the Great Pumpkin and the rest of the gang trick-or-treating, this is a sweet, nostalgic film that introduces young children to the fun of Halloween without any scares.

“Room on the Broom” (2012)

Age Range: 3+
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: None

Based on Julia Donaldson’s beloved children’s book, this short film tells the heartwarming story of a kind witch who makes room on her broom for her animal friends. It’s a delightful, gentle introduction to witches and Halloween for young kids, with no scary moments. Parents may also recognize several of the voices in the movie – including Simon Pegg as the narrator and Gillan Anderson as the witch.

“The Addams Family” (2019)

Age Range: 6+
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: Mildly spooky themes, cartoon violence

This animated version of the iconic Addams family introduces kids to their wonderfully weird world. With funny and spooky moments, the movie delivers a message about accepting individuality in a way that’s entertaining for both kids and adults. This one also features an all-star cast of voices parents and caregivers are sure to recognize with Oscar Isaac as Gomez, Charlize Theron as Morticia, Bette Midler as Grandma, and Snoop Dogg as It!

“Coco” (2017)

Age Range: 7+
Streaming On: Disney+
Content Warnings: Discussion of death, some emotional moments

While not a traditional Halloween film, “Coco” is perfect for the season, as it explores the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). This visually stunning movie is a beautiful celebration of family and memory, though it does involve themes of death, so it’s best for children who are a little older and ready to handle those concepts.

“Halloweentown” (1998)

Age Range: 7+
Streaming On: Disney+
Content Warnings: Mild peril, some magical mischief

In this Disney Channel classic, Marnie learns she’s a witch and visits the magical Halloweentown, where she helps save the town from a dark force. The movie is packed with fun Halloween vibes, witches, goblins, and family adventure, making it a great pick for kids ready for a little magical mystery.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)

Age Range: 8+
Streaming On: Disney+
Content Warnings: Some scary images, dark themes

Tim Burton’s iconic stop-motion film mixes Halloween and Christmas for a delightfully spooky musical adventure. While it features some creepy imagery, its whimsical style and quirky characters make it more fun than frightening. It’s great for kids who love a little bit of eerie fun but aren’t quite ready for real scares.

“Casper” (1995)

Age Range: 8+
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: Mild spooky elements, references to death

This family-friendly ghost story is about a sweet, friendly ghost who longs to make human friends. While it has a few emotional moments and a mild ghostly theme, it’s mostly a lighthearted movie about friendship and kindness, perfect for children who enjoy slightly spooky but heartwarming stories.

“Goosebumps” (2015)

Age Range: 10+
Streaming On: Tubi
Content Warnings: Scary creatures, some jump scares

Inspired by R.L. Stine’s famous book series, “Goosebumps” brings many of the franchise’s spookiest creatures to life. The movie is fast-paced, adventurous, and offers some fun frights, though nothing too intense. It’s a great pick for kids who love excitement and mild thrills. Note: There are also two “Goosebumps” series floating around so make sure you find the right one.

“Monster House” (2006)

Age Range: 10+
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: Intense scenes, scary images

“Monster House” tells the story of three kids who discover that their creepy neighbor’s house is alive—and dangerous! This animated movie balances humor with thrills, but it can be intense for younger kids. It’s perfect for pre-teens who want a spooky adventure without going too far into horror territory.

“Hocus Pocus” (1993)

Age Range: 10+
Streaming On: Disney+
Content Warnings: Mildly scary scenes, some language

In this Halloween classic, three witches are accidentally resurrected in modern-day Salem, and it’s up to a group of kids to stop their mischievous plans. With plenty of laughs, fun performances, and Halloween spirit, “Hocus Pocus” is a must-watch for families with kids ready for a little bit of spooky shenanigans.

“The Witches” (1990)

Age Range: 12+
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: Frightening scenes, transformations

Based on the Roald Dahl novel, this film tells the story of a young boy who discovers a coven of witches with plans to turn children into mice. While it’s a fun and imaginative story, the witches and transformations may be too frightening for younger viewers, making this one better suited for older kids who enjoy a good scare. Note: There is also a 2020 remake of the film.

“Coraline” (2009)

Age Range: 12+
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: Creepy imagery, frightening themes

“Coraline” is an animated fantasy about a girl who discovers a parallel world that seems perfect at first but soon turns nightmarish. This movie has a spooky and eerie vibe, with some dark and intense moments. The story and visuals are mesmerizing but can be quite creepy, making it more appropriate for tweens and teens.

“Ghostbusters” (1984)

Age Range: 12+
Streaming On: Starz, Amazon Prime
Content Warnings: Scary ghosts, mild language, some innuendo

“Ghostbusters” is a funny and adventurous ghost-hunting classic, perfect for tweens and teens who want a mix of spooky and comedy. While the ghost scenes can be a bit intense for younger viewers, it’s overall a fun, light-hearted movie that will appeal to kids 12 and older.

From sweet witches to silly ghosts, this Halloween movie list has something for every age group. Whether your kids are toddlers just learning about Halloween or tweens ready for a good thrill, these movies are perfect for creating fun, spooky memories together. So, gather the family, make some snacks, and settle in for a night of festive fun!