25 Essential Kids Halloween Movies For Family Movie Night
This post contains affiliate links which may earn Eco Mom Diaries a commission.
Family movie nights are the absolute best during the fall season! Why? Because of Halloween!
Sure, Trick-or-Treating and carving pumpkins is super fun, but what really gets everyone into the Halloween spirit is a good ole’ Halloween movie!
There are a ton of family-friendly Halloween movies that make autumn nights really special—and we’ve got a list of 25 essential Halloween movies for all ages that rock!
These movies are a mixed variety of G, PG-13 and PG. You will also find that they are a gun good mix of vintage classics and modern day fun—and your family will love them all.
Where Can I Watch Family-Friendly Halloween Movies?
All of these movies are available to rent on Amazon—and some are free with ads. If you have prime, most of these may even be free as part of your membership!
Don’t have Amazon Prime, but also don’t want a membership? Get a 30-day free trial, and enjoy these spooky movies all month long—then cancel before the next billing period!
25 Best Halloween Movies For The Whole Family
Hocus Pocus
Release Date: 1993
Rating: PG
Hocus Pocus is my favorite Halloween movie for kids, as well as adults. When the Sanderson sisters (who happen to be witches) accidentally get conjured up from 17th century Salem, three local kids have to get rid of them by sunrise. It’s fun, it’s exciting, and it’s so nostalgic!
Harry Potter
Release Date: 2001
Rating: PG
My kids and I adore all of the Harry Potter movies. At age 11, Harry Potter learns that he is the son of 2 powerful Wizards, and begins his own wizard studies at Hogwarts. If you love magic, ghosts and mythical beasts, this franchise is a must-see!
The Adams Family
Release Date: 1991
Rating: PG-13
They’re creepy, they’re spooky and all together ooky, the Adams Family is another family-friendly Halloween movie that should be on everyone’s fall bucket list of movies to watch. It’s a blast from the past that you don’t see much of today in the film world, and to be honest, the new animated version does not even come close to the original!
The Goonies
Release Date: 1985
Rating: PG
If you love movies about pirates and treasure hunting, then you’ll love this blast from the past! The Goonies is an all-American classic that definitely needs to be on your fall bucket list! A group of local misfits follow a treasure map to unearth abandoned treasure that saves their homes from being foreclosed. It’s fun and fast-paced, but it does have the Fratellis—an Italian crime family who are after the kids with guns—so take caution.
Casper
Release Date: 1995
Rating: PG
Christina Ricci stars in this Halloween classic alongside Casper, the friendly ghost, and it’s very fun to watch—especially if you were a 90s kid. Take caution though if you have little ones—this movie does have a focus on death and some mild bullying.
Ghostbusters
Release Date: 1984
Rating: PG
Three university parapsychologists lose their research grant and decide to open their own business, “Ghostbusters”. When they get summoned to investigate some strange happenings in a Central Park West apartment, they discover that all of Manhattan is being besieged by scary worldly demons. It’s not too scary though, and little kids will enjoy it. You can also opt for the 2021 version—Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Coraline
Release Date: 2009
Rating: PG
Coraline is a visually stunning stop-motion animated Halloween flick for kids and adults. It’s about a girl named Coraline Jones who finds a secret world that’s just like her own, but better. However, things eventually get a bit creepy, and she must escape from her “other” mother.
The Witches
Release Date: 1990
Rating: PG
I remember watching “The Witches” by Roald Dahl in the 4th grade, and it’s been a favorite Halloween movie of mine ever since. This movie might be a little too much for younger kids under 7, so take caution. You can even opt for the 2020 remake of The Witches with Anne Hathaway.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Release Date: 1993
Rating: PG
This family-friendly Halloween movie is a classic! Bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington longs to spread the joy of Christmas. But his merry mission puts Santa in jeopardy, and creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls everywhere!
Monsters Inc
Release Date: 2001
Rating: G
If you don’t want your kids to go to bed terrified, then Monsters Inc is the perfect Halloween movie for family night. This movie is all about spooky yet very cute professional monsters who scare kids in order to harvest screams. It’s told from a monster’s perspective and is very fun to watch!
Tim Burton’s Corpse bride
Release Date: 2005
Rating: PG
This stop-motion animation by Tim Burton is about a young man who gets whisked off to the underworld and gets wed to a mysterious corpse bride. It’s a pretty cool movie to watch around Halloween, but might be kind of slow and un-interesting for younger children under 12.
Frankenweenie
Release Date: 2012
Rating: PG
Frankenweenie is a fun family-friendly Halloween movie. It’s about a dog that comes to life—much like Frankenstein—only funnier. It has eerie vibes without over-the-top scares, and it’s great for kids age 8 and older.
Cruella
Release Date: 2021
Rating: PG-13
This movie is a fun watch for teens and adults. Disney’s CRUELLA follows the early days of one of cinema’s most notorious villains. It takes place during the 1970s London punk rock revolution, where a young grifter transforms herself into the raucous, revenge-bent Cruella de Vil.
Coco
Release Date: 2017
Rating: PG
In this Disney Pixar’s extraordinary adventure with visually stunning animation, a boy who dreams of becoming a great musician embarks on a journey to uncover the mysteries behind his ancestor’s stories and traditions. It takes place during Dia De Los Muertos (Day Of The Dead), and is a fun watch for kids 7 and up.
Hotel Transylvania
Release Date: 2012
Rating: PG
The Hotel Transylvania franchise is a ton of fun for the whole family, and mine loves all 4 installments. This movie centers around Dracula, his family and fun shenanigans that are always happening at his hotel for monsters.
Peanuts: It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Release Date: 1966
Rating: PG-13
If you want to show your kids a not-so-spooky Halloween movie with heartwarming scenes, look no further than Peanuts: It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. This movie is a classic, and has been a favorite among many since its release in 1966!
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them
Release Date: 2016
Rating: PG-13
This magical prequel to the Harry Potter series is about a magizoologist who must track down magical creatures (who inadvertently got loose) and put them back where they belong. It’s a fun movie that’s great for older children.
Gremlins
Release Date: 1984
Rating: PG-13
This blast from the 80s past is about a teenage boy who accidentally unleashes a horde of monsters on a small town. It’s not too scary, but probably best for older children who understand that Gizmo and his buddies are just puppets.
Beetlejuice
Release Date: 1988
Rating: PG
Beetlejuice is a fun ride, but best for older children (it might cause nightmares for the younger ones). It’s about a ghost couple who finds their now-vacant home invaded by an obnoxious family, and hires a sleazy ghost named Beetlejuice to help scare them away.
Labyrinth
Release Date: 1986
Rating: PG
This classic movie is best to watch around Halloween because it’s full of fun, magical creatures that your kids will love! It’s about a young girl who enters a world of her own creation, and must rescue her baby brother from the goblin king (played by David Bowie).
Paranorman
Release Date: 2022
Rating: PG
This family-friendly Halloween movie is a magically thrilling story of Norman, a boy who must use his ability to see and speak with the dead to save his town from a centuries-old curse
The Box Trolls
Release Date: 2014
Rating: PG
From the creators of Coraline, The Box Trolls is a fun stop-motion animated Halloween movie about boy who is raised by quirky creatures. Together, they must fight the town villain and save his family. It’s a cute movie that’s not too scary for little ones, and reminds me a lot of James And The Giant Peach.
Little Monsters
Release Date: 1989
Rating: PG
This blast from the past is about a sixth-grader named Brian who recently moved to a new town and befriends Maurice, the monster under his bed. While Brian and Maurice have a lot of fun making mischief, things turn serious when Brian’s brother gets kidnapped!
Little Shop Of Horrors
Release Date: 1986
Rating: PG-13
In this quirky Halloween flick, Rick Moranis plays a nerdy flower clerk who is forced to lure in victims for his bloodthirsty talking plant. It’s a musical comedy, and might be better suited for older kids.
E.T. —The Extra Terrestrial
Release Date: 1982
Rating: PG
Many people might argue that E.T. isn’t really a Halloween movie, but it does take place around Halloween, the characters go trick-or-treating, and the fun yet eerie vibes make this film a great one to watch during the fall.
- 10 Creative Ways To Reuse Your Bamboo Toothbrush
- Best Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Gifts | 2023 Edition
- Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Diapers [That Actually Don’t Leak]
- Best Non-Toxic Car Seats Without Flame Retardants In 2023
- 5 Best Natural Insect Repellents For Kids | 2023 Edition
Eco Mom Diaries 