The Ultimate Halloween Movie Marathon: Top 10 Spooky Disney Films to Watch

October heralds the arrival of Halloween, a holiday that has transformed from its pagan roots into a globally beloved celebration. With eerie decorations adorning buildings and the carving of pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, it is important to take the time to indulge in some thrilling Halloween-themed content.

Over the span of one hundred years, Disney has crafted a remarkable assortment of movies, shows, and shorts that perfectly capture the essence of this holiday. Some are set explicitly on Halloween, while others exude a chilling ambiance and delve into sinister themes. The cream of Disney's Halloween offerings have even achieved status as beloved autumn classics, ensuring audiences an annual dose of spine-tingling entertainment.

10. 'Pluto's Judgment Day' (1935)

Mikey's house was the setting for a chaotic chase between Pluto and a mischievous cat. This led to Pluto being scolded by his owner, who warned him about consequences on his judgment day. Falling into a deep sleep, Pluto embarked on a dream where he relentlessly pursued a cat all the way to the underworld. There, a sinister cat prosecutor presented unsettling evidence of Pluto's crimes against fellow felines.

Pluto's Judgment Day, despite lacking traditional Halloween elements, exudes a chilling ambiance that fits perfectly with the Halloween season. The 1930s short film boasts remarkable lighting, casting eerie shadows and creating an ominous atmosphere in the underworld. The demonic cat characters are impressively designed, while Billy Bletcher delivers a terrifying and menacing portrayal as the prosecutor.

9. 'Toy Story of Terror!' (2013)

While en-route to Bonnie's grandmother's house, Bonnie's toys decide to watch a horror film. Their plans are disrupted when they experience a flat tire, forcing them to seek refuge at a nearby motel until their tire can be fixed. Concerned for the safety of their friends, Woody, Buzz, and Jessie join Potatohead and the others as they explore the motel. However, their adventure takes a dark turn when they realize they are being hunted by a mysterious creature. As the group is picked off one by one, they uncover a disturbing secret about the motel.

"Toy Story of Terror!" is an entertaining short film that shines the spotlight on Jessie. The horror elements and eerie atmosphere provide an opportunity for the writers to address Jessie's claustrophobia, ultimately resulting in a heroic conclusion. Additionally, this short introduces new characters to the Toy Story universe, such as the updated Combat Car, portrayed by Carl Weathers, which serves as a playful nod to Weathers' character in "Predator," Dillon.

8. 'The Skeleton Dance' (1929)

To prepare his animators for the production of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney created the Silly Symphonies, a series of shorts that served as a testing ground for new animation techniques. One of the first shorts in this series is The Skeleton Dance, which takes place on a moonlit night. At midnight, skeletons emerge from their graves to dance and celebrate.

Ub Iwerks, Mickey Mouse's co-creator who had previously worked on Disney's early shorts such as Steamboat Willie, was responsible for animating the majority of this short. His creativity is evident in various aspects, such as perspective shots of a skeleton appearing to devour the camera and skeletons using their own bodies as musical instruments. The influence of The Skeleton Dance can be observed in numerous other works, including Disney shorts like The Haunted House and the animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy.

7. 'Lonesome Ghosts' (1937)

Four bored ghosts discover that Mickey, Donald, and Goofy have started the "Ajax Ghost Exterminators." Seeking some amusement, they hire them to clear out the house they are haunting. As the trio explore the building, the mischievous ghosts prepare an array of tricks for them.

Although more amusing than eerie, Lonesome Ghosts retains the atmosphere of a haunted house and features memorable ghostly characters, making it a Halloween favorite. The pranks range from traditional ghostly sounds and chains to a mirror scene reminiscent of the Marx Brothers. The impeccable comedic timing of Mickey, Donald, and Goofy shines in this short, aided by the exceptional voice acting from arguably the best actors to portray each character.

6. 'Trick or Treat' (1952)

On the night of Halloween, Witch Hazel (voiced by June Foray) spots Huey, Dewey, and Louie (voiced by Clarence Nash) going trick-or-treating at their uncle Donald's house. Donald decides to play a prank on his nephews by using firecrackers and a bucket of water, leaving them disappointed. In retaliation, after being pranked by Donald as well, Hazel joins forces with the boys and uses her magical abilities to get back at him.

Trick or Treat is a timeless Halloween short that boasts captivating music, imaginative magic, and entertaining characters interacting with each other. Hazel shines as the main character, thanks to her simple yet impactful design and Foray's enthusiastic performance. Rather than being a malevolent witch who unjustly curses others, Hazel is depicted as a cheerful individual who values the spirit of Halloween. Trick or Treat stands out as a Disney short because it doesn't feature Mickey, but Donald and Hazel more than compensate for his absence.

5. 'The Mad Doctor' (1933)

On a stormy night, Mickey wakes up to find that Pluto has been kidnapped by a mysterious figure. Determined to rescue his loyal companion, Mickey tracks them to a gothic castle, a labyrinth of twists, turns, and haunted by living skeletons. To Mickey's shock, the kidnapper is none other than the Mad Doctor, a sinister character named Allan Watson, who plans to conduct a disturbing experiment involving combining Pluto with a chicken.

Considered one of Disney's darkest films, The Mad Doctor skillfully incorporates various horror elements that create an eerie ambiance. The genuine fear experienced by Pluto and Mickey further intensifies the chilling atmosphere. Originally deemed too frightening for family audiences, The Mad Doctor was once banned but has now entered the public domain, providing a chance for a new generation of Disney enthusiasts to discover its spine-tingling tale.

4. 'The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad' (1949)

Image via RKO Radio Pictures

Disney's Wartime Era concludes with The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, a captivating fusion of British and American classics. Bing Crosby narrates The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the film's second half, which revolves around Ichabod Crane's arrival in a new village and his fateful encounter with the ghostly Headless Horseman, voiced by Billy Bletcher.

Towards the end of the story, the supernatural elements intensify. Bing Crosby's character, Brom Bones, delivers a vivid and lively song about the Headless Horseman, building anticipation for his impending arrival. The tension escalates as the Headless Horseman appears, chasing Ichabod in a thrilling climax that culminates with a blazing pumpkin. Bletcher's chilling laughter resounds from the decapitated figure, solidifying this segment as one of Disney's most sinister.

3. 'Hocus Pocus' (1993)

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

On October 16, 1693, the Sanderson Sisters, three witches played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, kidnapped and murdered Thackery Binx's sister. They then transformed him into an immortal cat. After being captured and executed for their crimes, the sisters made a vow to return from the dead if a virgin lit their candle on All Hallow's Eve. Three hundred years later, this oath is fulfilled by Max Dennison, his sister Danielle, and their classmate Allison.

Hocus Pocus effortlessly strikes a balance between silliness and darkness, resulting in a peculiarly lovable and charming film. Much of this charm emanates from the Sanderson Sisters themselves: they possess wicked ambitions to kill children to maintain their immortality, yet their clumsy personalities and remarkable banter make them villains you can't help but adore. Their immense popularity eventually led to the release of a sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, in 2022, with a third Hocus Pocus film currently in development.

2. 'Fantasia' (1940)

Disney wasted no time after the success of Snow White and quickly came up with new and innovative ideas for his animated collection. The most ambitious of these projects was Fantasia, a masterpiece that combined elegant classical music with Disney's exceptional animation. One of Fantasia's most iconic parts is the final segment, "Night on Bald Mountain," where the powerful demon Chernabog awakens in the dark hours of the night to summon demons and the spirits of the departed to dance for his entertainment.

Fantasia is always worth revisiting for its remarkable artistic beauty, but "A Night on Bald Mountain" is particularly fitting for a chilling autumn evening. The design of the creatures is appropriately terrifying, especially Chernabog, who commands attention whenever he appears onscreen. Animator Bill Tytla brilliantly brings Chernabog to life, drawing inspiration from the director of Fantasia, Wilfred Jackson, and the renowned horror actor Bella Lugosi. This combination results in the creation of perhaps the most remarkable animated devil ever portrayed.

1. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)

Image via Walt Disney Pictures

The people of Halloween Town dedicate their time to concocting innovative and frightful ways to scare children on Halloween each year. However, their leader, Jack Skellington, has grown weary of this repetitive routine and yearns for something different. By chance, he stumbles upon a holiday door and finds himself in Christmas Town. Overwhelmed by the novelty of this holiday, he decides that Halloween Town will take charge of Christmas festivities this year.

The Nightmare Before Christmas has garnered a cult following due to its distinctive blend of spooky yet not terrifying visuals and straightforward yet impactful storytelling. Jack's journey resonates with anyone who has ever felt trapped in a monotonous routine, and the passion that composer Danny Elfman pours into his vocal performance makes it difficult not to empathize with his plight. Every character and setting brims with imagination, having Halloween Town exude a dark and ominous ambiance while Christmas Town glows with warmth and cheerfulness. The Nightmare Before Christmas stands as an animated masterpiece and is an absolute must-watch for the Halloween season.