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Are you looking for Halloween movies to watch with your kids that won’t have them clamoring to your bedroom in the middle of the night? All kids are different and what’s scary for one child may be just fine for another, so it’s hard to know what’s safe to watch on a Halloween-themed family movie night. Most of the following Halloween movies for kids are perfect for all ages, and some are geared toward older children and tweens.
Classic Halloween movies to watch with kids
No one wants middle-of-the-night visits to your bed because they’re feeling scared after watching a Halloween movie. These Halloween movies for kids are perfect for your youngest viewers.
“Around five to seven years old, they have a great understanding of the difference between fantasy and reality and are more likely to be ready to try a very mild scary movie, parenting expert, author and psychologist Reena B. Patel told Mom.com.
1. Spookly The Square Pumpkin
Kimberly Stroh, a mom of three from Atlanta, recommends Spookly The Square Pumpkin, a 2004 movie geared toward preschoolers.
“It’s a seasonal favorite you can find on Disney Junior or Disney Plus, that is full of songs and has a great message about feeling different,” Stroh told Mom.com about the movie that is based on Joe Troiano’s book, The Legend of Spookly the Square Pumpkin.
Mom of two Karla Harmer shared her family’s top three favorite movies to watch during Halloween:
2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
It really doesn’t feel like Halloween until you watch, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, but unfortunately in 2021 — when Apple TV+ purchased all rights to the Peanuts holiday specials — Charlie Brown and the gang weren’t airing on network TV. Thankfully PBS and PBS Kids was granted rights to air the specials.
3. Spooky Buddies
Your animal-loving kiddo will enjoy the Disney Buddies franchise Halloween film from 2011 called Spooky Buddies. Coming in at just under 90 minutes long, Spooky Buddies is ideal for your young children.
4. Monsters Inc.
You can’t beat Billy Crystal and John Goodman as Mike and Sully, respectively, in the 2001 Disney classic, Monsters Inc. Halloween falls on a Monday in 2022, so consider a Monsters Inc. weekend marathon with fun movie-themed snacks and a screening of the original movie on Friday night. Follow it up with the prequel, Monsters University on Saturday afternoon. Then, finish off the marathon on Sunday with ten, twenty-minute episodes of the 2021 series, Monsters at Work, for the perfect lead-up to Halloween.
5. Halloweentown
“Everyone loves a wholesome Halloween movie,” Sadie Smiley told Mom.com. Smiley, a mom blogger in Mexico, described the Disney Channel Original Movie, Halloweentown, as “super cute and not scary.” It’s currently streaming on Disney Plus.
6. Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktakular
While it may be difficult to find, Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktakular is a classic kids’ Halloween movie. It is no longer being aired by Cartoon Network and can’t be found on any streaming service, but the full movie is currently on YouTube.
7. Haunted Mansion
Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. If that phrase rings familiar, you’ve likely already shared a ride with the hitchhiking ghosts at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. The 2003 movie based on Disney’s spooky attraction, does not disappoint.
“Even though it does have zombies and ghosts, it’s silly enough that everyone from my 6-year-old to my tween asks to watch it on repeat,” mom of three Leslie Ibanez told Mom.com about the Disney classic.
Coming soon: Family Halloween movies on Netflix
Fall 2022 seems to be the season of nostalgia and an opportunity to introduce your older kids to some of your favorite after-school shows. Netflix makes it easy with new adaptations of the classics.
8. The Curse of Bridge Hollow
Coming to Netflix on October 14, The Curse of Bridge Hollow follows a teen — portrayed by Priah Ferguson of Stranger Things fame — and her father (Marlon Wayans) who are charged with saving their town after a mischievous spirit brings Halloween decorations to life.
9. The School for Good and Evil
Based on the young adult book series by Soman Chainani, this movie adaptation stars Kerry Washington and Charlize Theron as faculty members at The School for Good and Evil. Heroes and villains are trained at this magical school to help keep the balance of good and bad in check.
10. Wednesday
Tim Burton and Netflix team up for the first season of this 8-episode comedy series that follows Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, as she navigates the mainstream world of her New England boarding school.
11. The Munsters
The Munsters in movie form is coming to Netflix in September. Written and directed by Rob Zombie, this movie acts as a prequel to Lily and Herman’s love story as it blossomed in Transylvania. The Munsters origin story stars Zombie’s wife, Sheri Moon, as Lily, and Jeff Daniel Phillips as her adoring beau, Herman.
Halloween movies for family: Watch these with your older kids
As someone who had difficulty watching scary movies as a child, to this day, the horror genre is just not my cup of tea. But, if you’re considering sharing your love of all things horror with your kids and want a gentle introduction to the genre, the following movies are a good start.
12. Coraline
Adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novella, Coraline has a cult following. It is an entertaining dark-fantasy story geared for children that may be too scary for some. (It’s me, I’m “some”.)
13. Monster House
Three teens realize their neighbor’s house is an actual monster determined to eat trick-or-treating kids on Halloween night and they need to investigate to save their friends. This may be another one just for the older kids, especially if your family is planning on trick-or-treating this year.
Tips for watching horror movies with kids
Patel offers some tips for watching horror movies with kids. She suggests talking to your children about themes that may be scary for them and if they’re easily frightened or have anxiety, to hold off on certain movies.
“Some negative outcomes for a kid being exposed to content that is too scary are some transient fears such as increased fear of the dark and strangers, trouble sleeping, and nightmares,” Patel explained.
If your child is interested in watching a movie you deem too scary or you want to include your child in your scary movie family night, Patel suggests first asking them how they feel about watching. Get their permission and if they’re on board, start with a mild show or movie to gauge their comfort level.
“Observe them during the movie or show and if they present fear, model how you would cope; cover your eyes, talk about it, and understand the somatic feelings they have,” she advised.
Families who wish to have some insight into the appropriateness of certain movies can utilize Common Sense Media. The site provides detailed information about movies and technology based on their suitability for children. Feedback includes insight from experts, parents, and kids and is designed to help caregivers make informed decisions about the content their children consume.
