31 Buzz-Worthy Movies for Your Family Halloween Countdown!

The autumn leaves are falling, the pumpkin spice is brewing, and it’s time to find the perfect cinematic backdrop for your family’s spooky season! Whether you’re looking for a gentle, giggle-inducing cartoon for the little bumblebees or a classic ’90s flick for your pre-teen queens (and nostalgic parents), we’ve curated the ultimate list of 31 family-friendly Halloween movies.

Grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and settle in for a month of family movie magic—no nightmares required!

The Article: 31 Family-Friendly Halloween Movies

Category 1: Nostalgic & Essential Classics (Ages 8+)

These films are the cornerstone of any proper Halloween season. They are perfect for family viewing, though some may be a touch too spooky for the youngest viewers.

Hocus Pocus (1993): Three Salem witches are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night. A timeless, hilarious must-watch!
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022): The Sanderson Sisters return in this long-awaited sequel that honors the original’s legacy.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, discovers Christmas Town and tries to take over the holiday. A visually stunning classic.
Ghostbusters (1984): Who ya gonna call? A perfect blend of comedy and supernatural adventure. (PG rating)
Beetlejuice (1988): A quirky, stylish dark comedy about a deceased couple who hire a “bio-exorcist” to scare away the new tenants. (PG rating)
Casper (1995): A friendly ghost falls for the teenage daughter of a ghost therapist living in a haunted mansion.
The Addams Family (1991): Delightfully macabre and funny, featuring the ultimate eccentric family.
Addams Family Values (1993): A sequel where Wednesday and Pugsley meet their match—and hilarity ensues.

Category 2: Disney Channel & Modern Magic (Ages 7+)

These often involve kids discovering their own powers or entering fantastical realms during the spooky season.

Halloweentown (1998): Marnie discovers she’s a witch and follows her grandmother to a secret place where supernatural beings live.
Twitches (2005): Twin witches, separated at birth, meet on their 21st birthday and discover their magical heritage.
Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021): Gonzo and Pepé the King Prawn spend a terrifying night in the iconic Haunted Mansion.
The Haunted Mansion (2003): Eddie Murphy stars in this adaptation of the Disney park ride.
ZOMBIES (2018): A fun, musical series about a world where zombies and humans must learn to coexist in high school.
Tower of Terror (1997): A made-for-TV movie based on the ride, starring Kirsten Dunst.

Category 3: Animated Scares & Silly Spooks (All Ages)

These are great for movie nights that need a lower scare factor and high laugh volume.

Hotel Transylvania (2012): Dracula runs a resort for monsters, but things get complicated when a human boy stumbles upon the hotel.
Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015): The monster family tries to bring out the inner vampire in Mavis and Johnny’s half-human, half-vampire son.
Monsters, Inc. (2001): The world of monsters generates energy by scaring kids, until one little girl changes everything.
Frankenweenie (2012): Tim Burton’s black-and-white stop-motion film about a boy who reanimates his beloved dog.
ParaNorman (2012): A boy who can speak to the dead must save his town from a centuries-old curse. (Note: Can be intense for very young viewers.)
Spooky Buddies (2011): The Disney dogs go on a spooky adventure to stop a warlock and save the town from a ghost dog.
Vampirina (2017): Disney Jr. series about a young vampire girl adjusting to life in Pennsylvania. (Check out the holiday episodes!)
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966): The classic half-hour special that must be watched every year.

Category 4: Spooky, Mysterious, and Adventurous (Ages 9+)

For the slightly older kids who love a good mystery with some thrilling moments.

Coraline (2009): A young girl finds a mysterious hidden door in her new home, leading to a sinister alternate world. (Stop-motion animation, but very creepy.)
Monster House (2006): Three teens discover their neighbor’s house is actually a living, breathing monster.
The Witches (1990): Based on the Roald Dahl book, this features some genuinely frightening moments as a boy stumbles upon a convention of real witches.
Goosebumps (2015): The monsters from R.L. Stine’s books are accidentally unleashed on a small town. Great fun for middle schoolers.
Gremlins (1984): A cautionary tale about following rules when caring for a cute new pet—with hilarious and chaotic results.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998): A fan-favorite animated mystery that features real monsters!
Practical Magic (1998): Two witch sisters raised by their aunts must confront a family curse. (More of a family drama/romance with spooky themes.)
Labyrinth (1986): While not strictly Halloween, this fantasy classic featuring puppets, goblins, and a spooky maze is a perfect choice for late October.
The Little Vampire (2000): A lonely American boy moves to Scotland and befriends a family of vampires.