55 Best Halloween Movies for Kids and Families
From ParaNorman to Casper, this is the ultimate list of kid-friendly Halloween films.
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For parents, there comes a time when kids want to watch scary movies. And surprisingly, research shows it's actually okay to let kids be scared by spooky films — if you do it in an age-appropriate way. One way you can do this while making sure they're at home and safe is to get together and watch some of the best family-friendly Halloween movies for kids.
So, which scary movies for kids are ideal for them to watch? Even if they have great tolerance, they're probably still too young to view most classic horror films. Leaving those aside, there are plenty of spooky options kids can watch without feeling too afraid. Some choices are perfect for younger kids, as they are gentle with no monsters, ghosts or ghouls in sight. Others are stop-motion animated classics, Disney originals and other classic Halloween movies that may bring up nostalgia from when you were a kid. And then there are those movies that are perfect for teens and tweens. They might be scarier than other kid-friendly movies, but they don't have the same level of gore and horror that come from movies for adults.
So grab some popcorn, maybe a blanket or two, and get ready for a spooky night in with the kiddos. Then, after the kids go to bed, you can check out the scariest movies on Netflix, the best haunted house movies, the best witch movies or the best ghost movies for yourself.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
The hit Disney/Pixar animated movie follows two monsters whose job is to scare children in their bedrooms. But what happens when a little girl named Boo finds her in their world instead? It's a heartfelt comedy that makes monsters look not as scary as kids may make them out to be!
The School for Good and Evil (2022)
Based on the hit fantasy novel, this movie follows two best friends who go to the same magical school. When they are separated into two divisions (good and evil), the two must overcome hardships in order to keep their long-standing camaraderie intact.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
When Jake's grandfather leaves him with a series of clues to solve a mystery, he discovers a place called Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children. As the students there learn more about their powers, terrifying enemies also lurk about with Jake needing to figure out how to save his new friends.
Now You See It... (2005)
This Disney Channel Original Movie follows a teenage TV producer trying to find contestants for a reality competition magic show. When she meets a young boy who seemingly knows magic, she discovers there's more to him than what appears on the outside ...
The Amazing Maurice (2023)
This one definitely has eerie elements, but they're not your typical Halloween witches and ghosts. Instead, a cat named Maurice leads a crew of rats and one musician in a Pied Piper-style con — only to go up against a real evil entity that's taking a town's food. It's based on the book The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett.
We Have a Ghost (2023)
This is for the older ones out there, the teens and upper tweens. It's about a family who moves into a house only to find out that it's haunted — and that the ghost might be their ticket to social-media fame and riches. And while it's good for families with older kids, the director has a pedigree in adult horror, having made Happy Death Day and Freaky.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
it just isn't Halloween until the Great Pumpkin descends and brings this sincere 25-minute holiday special to TV screens. Lots of Halloween movies for kids delve into the excitement and joy of the holiday, but only the Peanuts can cover the disappointment of it, too, and still have it be entertaining for families.
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Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki's Delivery Service is from legendary animation director Hayao Miyazaki — director of Princess Mononoke and other acclaimed films from Japan's Studio Ghibli — so it's never a bad time to throw on one of his films for kids. But this one, about a good witch who uses her flying broom to start a delivery service, is perfect for Halloween and isn't scary in the least. Plus, it's got a cute cat. All this makes for an excellent first Halloween film for new movie-watchers.
Coco (2017)
This movie is filled with skeletons — but in a good way that won't always scare kids. It's actually about the Day of the Dead, and not Halloween, so it's a perfect way for kids to learn more about that special holiday. In it, a kid named Miguel accidentally finds himself in the Land of the Dead, and he needs to rely on his (deceased) family to help him get back to the world of the living. Along the way, he learns more about his own family history and gets a greater appreciation for his family's past.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
What's this, what's this? It's the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, told by macabre master Tim Burton and stop-motion animation legend Henry Selick. When Jack decides he wants to head up Christmas instead of Halloween, things don't go as he planned. Since it spans two holidays, you can watch it any time between October and December.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Older kids hankering for something other than little-children Halloween movies may be placated by this one, which is certainly more grown-up — watch out for some sexual situations — but is just as much a comedy as it is ghost story. If they like it, they can move on to the sequel, the 2016 reboot with Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy or Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which finally lets kids strap on the proton packs for themselves. The sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, is now streaming on Netflix.
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Coraline (2009)
Coraline is a good one to watch with family because it's actually about the relationship between parents and kids. Based on the 2002 children's book by Neil Gaiman, the stop-motion film is about a family that moves to a new apartment complex. Busy with unpacking and work, Coraline's parents don't always have time for her. One day, she discovers a magic door that takes her to a parallel universe where an "other mother" promises her everything her heart desires. But kids should be careful what they wish for, right? This one is also directed by Henry Selick, who made The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
Fans of 2023's The Muppets Mayhem can enjoy more felt antics with this Muppet/Disney Parks mash-up. In it, Gonzo agrees to spend the night in a haunted house, and runs across certain spooky elements that may seem familiar if you've even been on The Haunted Mansion ride. (Two words: "Madam Pigota.") Taraji P. Henson, John Stamos, Yvette Nicole Brown and Darren Criss all guest star.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Before they wrote the music for The Little Mermaid, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman wrote the songs for this '50s B-movie-inspired musical about a flower-shop worker and his man-eating plant. Yes, the murderous antics of the vegetation are terrifying, but the music is so catchy, it kind of takes the sting out of it all.
Spirited Away (2002)
Another one from director Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away was nominated for a Best Animated Feature Academy Award when it came out for its dazzling visuals. In it, a family gets lost and winds up in a world of spirits, which turn the parents into pigs. Their daughter goes on a mission to turn them back, running into hungry ghosts, difficult witches and soot sprites along the way. It does get scary at times. If kids want the otherworldly creatures without the peril, they might prefer Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro, about a friendly troll-like being who mostly looks like a woodland creature (and also some more soot sprites).
Toy Story of Terror (2014)
Back to the little ones: This one is only 20 minutes long, and it's definitely for the kids who love Woody, Buzz and all their friends (along with adults who will recognize the B-movie conventions). When Mr. Potato Head goes missing at a roadside motel, Woody and the rest of the toys go on a spooky and mysterious adventure to bring him back before Bonnie and her family check out and leave him behind.
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E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982)
Who could forget the scene of E.T. trick-or-treating with a blonde wig, hat and dress? For something with a nostalgic appeal, this Steven Spielberg classic has a lot of peril and suspense, but there are no ghosts, ghouls or witches, which might make it a good choice for family movie night.
The Scariest Story Ever: A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular (2017)
In this 22-minute special, done in the style of the excellent The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, Mickey is challenged to tell the scariest Halloween tale. When his and Donald's nephews deem his first yarn too tame, he tells two more, each dialing up the fear factor. And yet, they all have a lot of zany humor to cut the tension.
The Addams Family (1991)
Calling all Wednesday fans! Before Jenna Ortega, Christina Ricci starred as Wednesday Addams — alongside world-class actors like Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd — in this '90s update of the classic sitcom. If the kids like this one, show them The Addams Family Values at Thanksgiving.
ParaNorman (2012)
One thing we know for sure: stop-motion animation goes hand-in-hand with spooky scares. This movie, from the makers of Coraline, follows the story of a boy who can communicate with the dead, and he uses the power to unravel a town-wide mystery.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
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