The Ultimate Halloween Movie Guide for a Spooktacular Family Night!

Highlights

Casper and Ghostbusters are brilliant Halloween classics that provide a tamer and more family-friendly alternative to scary movies.

Tim Burton's Corpse Bride retains his distinctive macabre aesthetic while remaining appropriate for a younger demographic.

Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, and Hotel Transylvania are family-friendly films that are both amusing and lighthearted.

The Halloween season has arrived and everyone is busy adding the finishing touches to their costumes, decorating their homes, and planning the perfect Halloween movie marathon. While many people will choose to rewatch the entire Halloween movie franchise, not everyone is interested in watching incredibly scary films. Some individuals may not be fans of the genre or have young children around, and they may prefer something milder that can be enjoyed by all. Fortunately, there are numerous fantastic classics that, while maintaining the festive atmosphere, won't cause any distress to younger viewers.

10 Casper

When it comes to movies about restless spirits, many people immediately think of terrifying films like Poltergeist or 13 Ghosts. However, not all movies in this genre follow that same pattern, just as not all ghosts are malicious beings seeking to frighten or harm those who reside in their homes.

An example of such a movie is Casper, a beloved Halloween film from childhood. Unfortunately, the Harvey family in the movie encounters more than just Casper's friendly ghost on their property. In a united effort, Casper and the Harvey family strive to rid their home of these malevolent spirits. Along the way, they also uncover the heartwarming story of Kat, a kind-hearted child who forms a special bond with the benevolent ghost.

9 Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters is hailed as an all-time great in the realm of movies, being a supernatural comedy film that combines genuine humor, an exceptional ensemble, and an iconic song that continues to resonate with audiences even today. Despite various attempts by reboots and sequels to replicate its success, nothing has managed to come close to its impact.

The plot of Ghostbusters revolves around a team of four parapsychologists who embark on a career of gracefully apprehending ghosts, as implied by the title. However, their occupation is far from a walk in the park, as these spectral beings refuse to vanish silently. With paranormal activity escalating throughout New York City, the team is faced with an overwhelming number of challenges.

8 Fantasia

Disney offers movies suitable for all age groups and occasions. Halloween is an ideal time to revisit Fantasia, a delightful Disney film that adds a lighthearted, family-friendly twist to the holiday's witch-centered themes. In this beloved Disney classic, Mickey receives a magical gift and employs it to enchant brooms and other household cleaning items, which then assist him in tidying up his wizard's tower.

Packed with humorous magical escapades, the trademark Disney charm, and an outstanding soundtrack, there is absolutely no shortage of reasons to adore this timeless gem. With a runtime exceeding two hours, this film is guaranteed to keep children entertained for a substantial amount of time.

7 Corpse Bride

Tim Burton, the master of macabre storytelling, effortlessly crafts unsettling and gothic films that manage to captivate a younger audience without crossing into the realm of too much darkness or discomfort. Such is the case with Corpse Bride, a mesmerizing stop-motion masterpiece that explores the sacredness of marriage and the afterlife, sprinkled with delightful humor and unforgettable songs.

In this enchanting tale, Victor, a wealthy heir, accidentally finds himself bound in matrimony to a restless and ethereal bride while practicing his vows in the eerie depths of a forest. To his dismay, he is unwillingly transported to the realm of the afterlife by his beguiling new bride, Emily, who remains blissfully unaware of his desperate desire to return to the land of the living. Meanwhile, the cunning Lord Barkis Bittern seizes the opportunity to occupy Victor's place and marry the lovely Victoria, harboring sinister intentions to eliminate her and claim her family's fortune.

6 Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus is an enduring film that delves into the lives of three Salem witches as they grapple with the challenges of the modern era. This enchanting movie guarantees laughter for the entire family, thanks to the undeniable charisma and chemistry among the leading trio. Viewers will find themselves torn between rooting for the protagonists or the wicked witches.

When two children inadvertently ignite the black candle, unlocking the witches' return to the living world, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary embark on a chaotic rampage just in time for Halloween night. This thematically fitting tale promises to captivate audience members of all generations.

5 The Addams Family

Based on the beloved black and white TV series, The Addams Family presents another wonderfully dark yet amusing tale about the eccentric family who embraces all things gothic and macabre. In this film, a cunning fraudster plots to steal the Addams family fortune by sending her son, Gordon, who remarkably resembles Gomez's lost brother Fester, to their abode. The brilliantly funny and elaborate scheme ultimately uncovers a surprising truth: Gordon was Fester all along.

With its delightful humor and irresistible allure, The Addams Family will captivate audiences of all ages, showcasing their quirky and amusing antics while also highlighting the significance of family.

4 Hotel Transylvania

Many writers, game studios, and moviemakers have taken advantage of Dracula's public domain status to create their own unique interpretations of the character and his legend, resulting in new and captivating narratives. While most of these adaptations explore darker themes, the Hotel Transylvania movies stand out as a family-friendly option.

The Hotel Transylvania movies offer a fresh and daring approach to the classic gothic tale. Count Dracula, in an effort to commemorate his daughter Mavis's 118th birthday and her coming of age in the vampire world, opens his hotel to all his spooky acquaintances. However, chaos ensues when an average human named Johnathan sneaks into the premises. Drac finds himself scrambling to keep his secret hidden from Mavis and the other guests, leading to hilarious consequences.

3 Goosebumps

Kids who grew up in the 90s will likely remember the Goosebumps book series. These books offer thrilling but child-friendly horror stories, usually centered around an American teenager who, along with their friends and family, faces supernatural threats ranging from werewolves to living dummies.

Goosebumps cleverly capitalizes on its popularity as a book series by featuring RL Stine, the author, who has a collection of his own terrifying creations. However, these books are not just for casual reading - they contain a trapped monster within their pages. When two friends trespass into Stine's house and inadvertently release the mischievous Slappy, they must join forces with Stine and his daughter to foil Slappy's wicked plans.

2 Scooby-Doo

The iconic animated series featuring the Mystery Gang as they unravel inexplicable incidents transitioned to the silver screen during the early 2000s, delivering a delightful Halloween treat. The Scooby-Doo film revolves around the familiar gang from the television show, each having embarked on separate paths in search of new opportunities.

However, their individual pursuits take an unexpected turn when they receive an invitation to a horror-themed paradise known as Spooky Island. While initially determined to solve the mystery individually, the Scooby gang cannot resist the urge to unite and uncover the truth, even if it means confronting their own demons. Devotees of the Scooby-Doo series will discover abundant enjoyment in this offering, which guarantees a spine-tingling experience suitable for the entire family.

1 The Nightmare Before Christmas

Debates continue to rage on whether The Nightmare Before Christmas is truly a Christmas or Halloween movie, but one undeniable fact remains: this film is so incredible that fans should indulge in it for both holidays. As a timeless Disney classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a must-watch, boasting an engrossing plot, a vibrant ensemble of characters, and undeniably one of the greatest movie soundtracks to ever grace our ears.

This eerie yet joyful movie centers around the tale of Jack Skellington, the beloved celebrity and Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who yearns for something fresh and exciting. In his quest for novelty, he stumbles upon Christmas Town, inadvertently leading to the capture of Santa Claus and his devoted admirer, Sally, by the nefarious Oogie Boogie, the film's primary antagonist.