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Best Halloween Movies for Kids

Best Halloween Movies for Kids

If you prefer a cozy Halloween night at home instead of trick and treating, why not watch a Halloween movie at home for your family as your Halloween activity this year?  Here is our pick of the 35 best kid-friendly Halloween movies available on Netflix, Google Play, Apple TV, Primevideo, Disney+ and/or Neon. Whether you’re seeking a spooky adventure or something more light hearted and amusing for younger children, there’s a perfect Halloween movie for everyone to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

1. Goosebumps

Upset about moving from a big city to a small town, teenager Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) finds a silver lining when he meets the beautiful girl, Hannah (Odeya Rush), living right next door. But every silver lining has a cloud, and Zach’s comes when he learns that Hannah has a mysterious dad who is revealed to be R. L. Stine (Jack Black), the author of the bestselling Goosebumps series. 

It turns out that there is a reason why Stine is so strange… he is a prisoner of his own imagination – the monsters that his books made famous are real, and Stine protects his readers by keeping them locked up in their books. When Zach unintentionally unleashes the monsters from their manuscripts and they begin to terrorize the town, it’s suddenly up to Stine, Zach, and Hannah to get all of them back in the books where they belong.

Rated: PG

Watch now on primevideo, NEON Rentals, Google Play or Apple TV.

2. Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)

Three teens spend their Halloween trying to stop a magical book, which brings characters from the “Goosebumps” novels to life.

Rated: PG. Recommended for ages 7 years plus.

Watch now on Netflix, NEON rentals, Google Play or Apple TV.

3. Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

On Halloween night, Gonzo is challenged to spend one night in The Haunted Mansion.

Rated: PG

Watch now on Disney+.

4. A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2021)

This movie is about when high school freshman Kelly Ferguson reluctantly agrees to babysit on Halloween. She is recruited into a secret society of babysitters who protect kids with special powers from monsters.

The film is based on the popular book series “The Babysitter’s Guide”.

Recommended for ages 7 years plus.

5. Bettlejuice (1988)

Tim Burton’s Bettlejuice movie staring Michael Keaton is perfect for a family Halloween movie night. The Deetzes family move into a home that is haunted by the couple who used to live there.  They hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.

6. ET: The Extra-Terrestial (1982)

A classic Halloween movie E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the beloved masterpiece from Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg. Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore and Robert MacNaughton star in the unforgettable story of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy who helps him find his way home. Digitally remastered for optimal picture and sound, this astounding story is sure to thrill viewers of all ages again with its timeless message of trust, courage, and the overwhelming power of friendship.

7. Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Dracula who is the owner of the five-stake resort Hotel Transylvania pulls double duty as an overprotective dad when an unwelcome suitor shows interest in his teenage daughter in this heart-warming animated comedy film.

One special weekend, Dracula  played by Adam Sandler has invited all his best friends – Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more – to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s  played by Selena Gomez 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!

Recommended for kids aged 7 years plus. Rated PG.

Streaming now on Netflix, Google Play and Apple TV.

8. Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

See Drac, Johnny, Mavis and Dennis on a whole new human / monster adventure in Hotel Transylvania 2!

Dracula’s rigid monster-only hotel policy has finally relaxed, opening up its doors to human guests. But behind closed coffins, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis is busy visiting her human in-laws with Johnny – and in for a major cultural shock of her own – “Vampa” Drac enlists his friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp. But little do they know that Drac’s grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad is about to pay a family visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood – and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania – things are going to get batty!

Rated: PG, violence and scary Scenes. Recommended for ages 7 years plus.

Watch now on Apple TV.

9. Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation.

Mavis surprises Dracula with a family voyage on a luxury Monster Cruise Ship so he can take a vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. The rest of Drac’s Pack cannot resist going along. But once they leave port, romance arises when Dracula meets the mysterious ship Captain, Ericka. Now it’s Mavis’ turn to play the overprotective parent, keeping her dad and Ericka apart.

Rated: PG, violence and scary scenes. Recommended for ages 7 years plus.

Watch now on Apple TV.

10. Halloweentown (1998)

On her 13th birthday, Marnie learns that she comes from a family of witches and that she too is a witch. Soon she and her young siblings return with their estranged grandmother, a good witch to her home in Halloweentown where witches, goblins and vampires lead normal lives.

Watch now on Apple TV.

11. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton’s jolly and macabre family adventure The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, as he discovers Christmas Town and decides to celebrate the holiday himself.

Rated PG.

Watch on Disney+, Google Play and Apple TV.

12. Addams Family Values (1991)

Watch the original Adams Family spooky movie that won’t give the kids nightmares.  The family’s future grows bleak when the no-good nanny marries Fester and has the kids shipped off to summer camp. But Wednesday sill has a Thing or two up her sleeve.

Rated PG. Recommended for older tweens and young teenagers.

Streaming now on Apple TV and Google Play.

13. The Addams Family (2019)

The first family of Halloween, the Addams Family, is back in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbour.

You may think your family is weird but the outlandish, bizarre, and completely iconic Addams Family, will have you thinking again.

Rated: PG, coarse language. Recommended for ages 7 years plus.

Watch now on NEON, Apple TV or Google Play.

14. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Hocus Pocus is a class movie about three witches directed by Kenny Ortega from High School Musical. The witches are resurrected on Halloween by boy who wants to impress a girl. 

Rating: PG. Recommended for tweens aged 10 years plus and younger teens.

15. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

An adaptation of the first of J.K. Rowling’s popular children’s novels about Harry Potter, a boy who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses unique magical powers of his own. He is summoned from his life as an unwanted child to become a student at Hogwarts, an English boarding school for wizards. There, he meets several friends who become his closest allies and help him discover the truth about his parents’ mysterious deaths.

Rating: PG, Fantasy Themes, Violence and occasional coarse language.  Recommended for ages 7 years plus.

Watch now on NEON, Apple TV or Google Play.

16. Open Season : Scared Silly (2015)

Boog and Elliot are back in an all-new fun-tastic adventure in Open Season: Scared Silly.  When Elliot tells a campfire story of a monster in the woods, Boog – who has never been the bravest of bears – becomes very scared. His best friend Elliot comes up with a crazy plan to scare the fear out of Boog! With the help of Mr. Weenie, McSquizzy and more forest friends, they venture on a hilarious journey where the power of friendship helps Boog overcome his fears with lots of laughs and some surprises along the way!

17. Casper (1995)

Casper is a friendly ghost who is looking to be loved.  A teen who lost her mother befriends a friendly ghost named Casper while staying at the haunted masion of a mean heiress. Starring Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman and Devon Sawa.

Rated PG. Recommended for kids aged 8 years plus. 

Streaming on Apple TV

18. The Little Vampire (2000)

The Little Vampire is a fun, imaginative, exciting fantasy adventure story based on the bestselling novels by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg, which has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The story unfolds as Rudolph, a 13-year-old vampire, needs help saving his vampire clan that is being threatened by a notorious vampire hunter. Rudolph meets Tony, a mortal of the same age, who is fascinated by old castles, graveyards and… VAMPIRES! Tony jumps at the chance to help Rudolph in this hilarious and action-packed battle to save his family. United by their new friendship they ultimately vanquish the evil hunters and free their relatives at last!

Rated PG.

Watch now on Apple TV or Google Play.

19. ParaNorman (2012)

In ParaNorman, a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he’ll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, moronic grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits.

Watch now on Apple TV.

20. Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)

Its a hilariously haunting Halloween in the 100 Acre Wood. Roos best new pal, Lumpy, is excited to trick-or-treat for the first time until Tigger warns them about the dreaded Gobloon wholl turn you into a Jaggedy Lantern if he catches you. But if they catch the Gobloon before it catches them, they get to make a wish! With Roo by his side, Lumpy knows he can face anything. So when Pooh eats all the Halloween candy, Lumpy and Roo decide to be “brave together, brave forever” and catch the Gobloon so they can wish for more. When the two friends become separated, however, Roo decides to wish for something even more important. Filled with adventure, unconditional friendship and lots of laughter, Poohs Heffalump Halloween Movie is a sweet treat for the whole family.

Rating: G. Recommended for kids of all ages including toddlers.

Watch on Apple TV

21. Frankenweenie (2012)

Tim Burton’s 3D stop-motion animated film about young Victor, who conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences. Over 200 puppets were created for the movie (shot in black and white), which began life as a short film in 1984.

After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life — with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor’s fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new ‘leash on life’ can be monstrous.

Watch on Disney +, Google Play or Apple TV.

22. Nightbooks (2021)

When Melvin tries to cancel Halloween, clever best friends Harold and George create their own spooky holiday — and it’s a huge success.

Rating: PG. Recommended for tweens and younger teens due to violence.

Watch now on Netflix.

23. Monster House (2006)

A trio of friends sets out to expose the terrors of a vacant neighbourhood house, which appears to have a craving for people — and a life of its own.

This spooky tale from exec producers Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg scored an Oscar nom for Best Animated Feature.

Rating PG. Recommended for tweens aged 10 years and up.

Watch on Apple TV.

24. The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-A-Ween

When Alex (Winslow Fegley), a boy obsessed with scary stories, is trapped by an evil witch (Krysten Ritter) in her magical apartment, and must tell a scary story every night to stay alive, he teams up with another prisoner, Yasmin (Lidya Jewett), to find a way to escape.

Nightbooks is based on a book by JA White and the movie demonstrates why being true to themselves and a good friend matters.

Nightbooks can be scary for younger kids which is why it is rated PG for violence and fear. There are scary witches, spooky ghosts, scary music, creepy dolls and other creepy things in the film that may frighten children and give them nightmares. 

We think that this fantasy horror tale movie is suitable for older tweens and young teenagers who don’t scare easily.

Streaming now on Netflix. 

25. The Witches (2020)

Witches are real, and they are everywhere!   From Oscar-winning director Robert Zemeckis comes the fantasy adventure “Roald Dahl’s The Witches.”

The film stars Oscar winners Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer, Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci , with Kristin Chenoweth and award-winning comedy legend Chris Rock.

Reimagining Dahl’s beloved story for a modern audience, Zemeckis’s visually innovative film tells the darkly humorous and heart warming tale of a young orphaned boy (Bruno) who, in late 1967, goes to live with his loving Grandma (Spencer) in the rural Alabama town of Demopolis. As the boy and his grandmother encounter some deceptively glamorous but thoroughly diabolical witches, she wisely whisks the young hero away to an opulent seaside resort. Regrettably, they arrive at precisely the same time that the world’s Grand High Witch (Hathaway) has gathered her fellow cronies from around the globe—undercover—to carry out her nefarious plans.

Based on the book by Roald Dahl, the screenplay is by Robert Zemeckis & Kenya Barris (TV’s “black-ish,” “Shaft”) and Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro (“The Shape of Water”). 

Rating: M, supernatural themes and violence.Recommended for tweens aged 10 years plus and teenagers. 

Watch now on Apple TV, Google Play or Netflix.

26. The Corpse Bride

Set in a 19th century European village, this stop-motion, animated feature follows the story of Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp), a young man who is whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride, while his real bride, Victoria, waits bereft in the land of the living. Though life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colourful than his strict Victorian upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this world, or the next, that can keep him away from his one true love.

Rating: PG.  Recommended for kids aged 10 years plus.

Watch now on Apple TV or Google Play.

27. Coco (2017)

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Rated: PG. Recommended for kids aged 7 years and upwards.

Streaming now on Disney+. Rent on Google Play or Apple TV.

28. Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2014)

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is a fantasy adventure that picks up several years after “Maleficent,” in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora.

The film continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within.

Rating: M, Fantasy violence.

Streaming now on Disney Plus and rent or buy now on Google Play and Apple TV.

29. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands is a classic movie to watch at Halloween. Jonny Deep stars as the man with scissors for hands who is a hairdresser, but is cast as a monster by the cruel locals in town. Edward Scissorhands is a love story about someone who isn’t human or a monster and is trying to be loved and fit in.


30. Labyrinth (1986)

Another Halloween classic movie is the Labyrinth. David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly invite you into a magical universe where nothing is what it seems! Babysitting infant stepbrother Toby on a weekend night isn’t young Sarah’s (Connelly) idea of fun. Frustrated by his crying, she secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, Labyrinth, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).

Recommended for ages 8 years plus.

SUITABLE FOR YOUNG TEENAGERS

31. Cruella (2021)

Academy Award® winner Emma Stone stars in Disney’s “Cruella,” an all-new live-action feature film about the rebellious early days of one of cinemas most notorious – and notoriously fashionable – villains, the legendary Cruella de Vil. “Cruella,” which is set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets. 

One day, Estella’s flair for fashion catches the eye of the Baroness von Hellman, a fashion legend who is devastatingly chic and terrifyingly haute, played by two-time Oscar® winner Emma Thompson. But their relationship sets in motion a course of events and revelations that will cause Estella to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous, fashionable and revenge-bent Cruella.

Rating: PG, thematic elements and some violence. Recommended for teenagers aged 13 years plus.

32. Gremlins

A small town is besieged by some furry and not so cute little creatures after a young man ignores the warnings of a wise elder regarding their care and feeing.

Rating PG: Recommended for ages 13 years plus.

Watch now on Apple TV.

33. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

The film that came out before the TV show is often forgotten about as it was overshadowed by the shows success. The movie follows the shopping-obsessed high school girl Buffy as she learns via her watcher that her destiny is a slayer. 

Rating PG. Recommended for teenagers.

Streaming now on Disney+ and  Apple TV.

34. Hubie Halloween

Hubie Dubois (Adam Sandler) thanklessly spends every Halloween making sure the residents of his hometown, Salem, celebrate safely and play by the rules. But this year, an escaped criminal and a mysterious new neighbour have Hubie on high alert. When people start disappearing, it’s up to Hubie to convince the police and townsfolk that the monsters are real, and only he can stop them. 

Hubie Halloween is a hilarious family film about an unlikely hero with an all-star cast including Julie Bowen, Ray Liotta, Noah Schnapp, Steve Buscemi and Maya Rudolph, produced by Happy Madison.

Recommended for ages 13 years plus.

35. Ghostbusters (1984)

This original classic movie is about a team of paranormal scientists who team up to fight the ghosts in their neighbourhood was released in 2016. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and dozens of memorable one-liners made 1984’s No. 2 hit a cultural phenomenon.

Recommended for ages 13 years plus

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