20 Halloween-Ready Kids' Movies: Spooktacular Fun Without the Full Fright!

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Oct 02, 09:12 am

Halloween is synonymous with spookiness, and nothing beats snuggling up with the family to watch a creepy yet kid-friendly film. While adult horror flicks might be too intense, there are plenty of movies that strike a balance, offering chills without the nightmares. Here's a compilation of 20 movies perfect for a family movie night this Halloween.

For the Tiny Tots (ages 3 and up):

Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013): Join George, the endearing monkey, as he embarks on a fun-filled Halloween adventure, confronting a mischievous scarecrow along the way.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Monster Musical (2015): When Mickey and friends find themselves near a haunted mansion, they face spooky versions of themselves in a delightful musical mystery.
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005): After Pooh Bear consumes all the Halloween candy, the adventure unfolds as he tries to replenish the stash.
Eloise's Rawther Unusual Halloween (2008): At the Plaza Hotel, Eloise spins a ghostly tale, trying to convince others of a haunting presence.
A Go! Go! Cory Carson Halloween (2020): Cory and pals set their sights on king-sized candy, leading them to a spooky mansion.

School-Age Scares (Ages 7 and up):

Halloween Town (1998): Dive into a town of witches, ghosts, and vampires as three siblings discover their mystical heritage.
Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! (2020) Scooby and the gang are back, this time solving the mystery of villainous pumpkins.
Hotel Transylvania (2012): Dracula's secluded resort for monsters faces chaos when a human accidentally discovers it.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Jack Skellington attempts to blend Christmas with Halloween, resulting in enchanting chaos.
Goosebumps (2015): Monsters from beloved childhood books come to life, presenting challenges for a group of teenagers.

Tween Thrills (Ages 10 and up):

Monster House (2006): Three friends stumble upon a house that is, quite literally, a living monster.
Coraline (2009): Coraline's discovery of an alternate universe seems perfect until its dark side emerges.
Hocus Pocus (1993): Three witch sisters resurrected in modern Salem embark on a hilarious quest for immortality.
The House with a Clock in its Walls (2018): Magic and mystery collide as a young boy discovers secrets in his uncle's enchanted house.
Ghostbusters (1984): A team of ghost-catchers embarks on a mission to rid New York City of supernatural entities.

Teen Terrors (Ages 13 and up):

Beetlejuice (1988): A ghostly trickster causes mischief and mayhem for a recently deceased couple and the new inhabitants of their home.
The Strange House (2021): A new town, a new home, and a haunting mystery waiting to be unraveled
ParaNorman (2012): Norman, a boy who can converse with ghosts, must save his town from a zombie apocalypse.
Frankenweenie (2012): The heartwarming and spine-chilling tale of a boy and his (resurrected) dog.
The Addams Family (1991): This darkly comedic film portrays the bizarre and beloved Addams family as they navigate a world that finds them incredibly strange.

This Halloween, pick any of these films to enjoy the right amount of spookiness and fun with the entire family. Just remember, it's all in good fun, and the only thing to truly fear is running out of popcorn!