20 family-friendly Halloween movies for boos big and small

THE MONSTER SQUAD; Hubie Halloween; HOCUS POCUS — Photo: TriStar Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection; Scott Yamano/NETFLIX; Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Halloween is the greatest holiday ever. There. It's been said. It's probably... maybe true.

Come on: You get to dress up, show off a little creativity, enjoy the wild costumes of others, and it's the only holiday explicitly advocating for free candy. (Are we still bobbing for apples?) It's a great time, and it's only natural that you'd want to share it with the whole family. Unfortunately, most Halloween movies are nightmare fuel. Fortunately, we've pulled together a list of the absolute best family-friendly Halloween fare.

Read on to find Halloween movies that are good for all ages, from bona fide classics like Beetlejuice to Disney delights like Halloweentown.

20. Monster House (2006)

This Oscar-nominated animated feature takes the classic "Get off my lawn!" war cry and spins it into a paranormal cautionary tale for families to not mess with their cantankerous older neighbor. After the creepy, child-loathing recluse Nebbecracker (Steve Buscemi) suffers a heart attack, three fearless teens — curious DJ (Mitchel Musso), quivering Chowder (Sam Lerner), and brainy Jenny (Spencer Locke) — are swallowed by his possessed house that "mocks them with its houseness," and they must band together to defeat the ravenous dwelling. For a PG-rated movie, it's a visually intense ride that might just have you keeping the lights on for the little ones, and, let's face it, the not-so-little ones, too. But it's also an uproarious and emotionally poignant Halloween treat that's bound to tug at your heartstrings. (And don't forget the voice-acting: Kevin James and Nick Cannon deliver a quippy cop duo while Maggie Gyllenhaal flawlessly captures the essence of a goth teen babysitter.) —James Mercadante

Where to watch Monster House: Hulu

19. Wendell & Wild (2022)

Wendell and Wild — Lyric Ross stars in 'Wendell & Wild' as an Afro-punk teen whose tricked into summoning two demon brothers to the land of the living. Netflix

Thirteen years post-Coraline, director Henry Selick reemerged from the shadows, teaming up with horror auteur Jordan Peele to pen this stop-motion spectacle. Peele and Keegan-Michael Key star as the titular demon brothers residing in the underworld, where they're forced to restore the hairline of their power-hungry father (Ving Rhames) while fantasizing about building an amusement park. When Wendell and Wild discover the hair cream can also revive the dead, they convince their "hell-maiden" — an orphaned, punkish schoolgirl named Kat (Lyric Ross) — that they can resurrect her deceased parents on the condition of being summoned to the Land of the Living, where they'll make their dreams come true. A moody, innovative flick overflowing with riveting plotlines and stunning visuals, Wendell & Wild boldly shatters the mold of conventional spooky stop-motion animations by featuring predominantly Black characters and the genre's first trans character. —J.M.

Where to watch Wendell & Wild: Netflix

18. Beetlejuice (1998)

Film and Television — Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

By now, the Tim Burton film Beetlejuice is a Halloween staple, with its creepy character designs, gonzo humor, and one particularly iconic singalong moment. Given how its stars like Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara have had major career resurgences in PG-13 fare such as Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Stranger Things, and Schitt's Creek respectively, right now is a good time to introduce the film to a newer, younger audience — especially before the sequel hits theaters on Sept. 6, 2024. —Marcus Jones

Where to watch Beetlejuice: Max

17. Bell, Book and Candle (1958)

Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak are best known for starring opposite each other in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (a different kind of spooky film from the same year), but they also made this supernatural rom-com. Novak is a witch, Gillian Holroyd, who casts a love spell on Shep (Stewart) when she discovers his fiancée is her old college enemy. But things get complicated when Gillian starts falling for him for real — especially because witches who fall in love lose their powers. This film is actually set at Christmastime, but with its witchy hijinks, it's a fun Halloween escape. And it's worth watching if for no other reason than the fact that Jack Lemmon plays a bongo-playing warlock. —Maureen Lee Lenker

Where to watch Bell, Book and Candle: Tubi

16. Casper (1995)

Taking a page from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) before it, 1995's Casper is a family-friendly tale of a young girl meeting a lovable yet shy outsider, this time in Casper the friendly ghost. Casper remains a spooky treat around Halloween for really having more to do with a movie like My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) than a standard ghost movie. Starring Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Eric Idle, Devon Sawa, and more, Casper ends up being an "overbearing in-laws" fiasco (see: Casper's three uncles Stinky, Fatso, and Stretch) filled with shenanigans and adorable one-liners. You may never see your uncles the same way again. —Omar Sanchez

Where to watch Casper: Netflix

15. Coraline (2009)

Coraline offers up a fantasy almost every child imagines at some point: What if dreary, no-fun parents are replaced with brighter, more colorful versions of themselves (never mind they now have buttons for eyes)? When Coraline — voiced by Dakota Fanning — follows a doll that looks just like her through a small door in her family's new home, she thinks she's found a magical new world where playing with mud is encouraged, there are cakes with dinner, and pianos that can help anyone play music. But it is when Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) and Other Father (John Hodgman) encourage her to stay with them forever by giving up her own eyes, Coraline sees the real nightmare if she accepts their offer and must find her way home. —Sarah Sprague

Where to watch Coraline: Max

14. Ghostbusters (1984)

GHOSTBUSTERS, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Bill Murray, 1984 — Everett Collection

This is who you call for a spooky evening! Ghostbusters, both the 1984 original and 2016 reboot, are ghost-hunting comedy fun that the whole family can enjoy. Sure, there are ghouls for the team to track down, and some are downright scary, but what sets these films apart is the comedy. Both Ghostbusting line-ups are full of great comedy icons, including Bill Murray, Rick Moranis, Kate McKinnon, and Melissa McCarthy; but please note that the modern reboot is PG-13 to the original's PG rating and might not be suitable for younger kids. Either way, get ready for some hilarious ghost-fighting hijinks and make sure to catch the sequels Ghostbusters II (1989) and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021). —Alamin Yohannes

Where to watch Ghostbusters: Peacock

13. Halloweentown (1998)

Don't lie — as children, we all wished we had secret magical abilities, and Halloweentown let us vicariously live out that dream through Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) and her siblings (Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske). The trio discover that their grandmother Aggie, played by the incomparable Debbie Reynolds, is a witch and they follow her back to her home in Halloweentown, where Frankenstein monsters mingle with skeletons and talking jack-o'-lanterns. Reynolds' warmth and mischievous twinkle in her eye as Aggie cemented her as an icon to a new generation of movie fans, who missed out on her star turns in Singin' in the Rain (1952) and Will & Grace. Watching the flick — and its subsequent sequels — was a holiday tradition for so many kids, who reveled in mixing potions and fighting the evil Kalabar (Robin Thomas) to save Halloweentown alongside Marnie and Aggie. —Rachel Yang

Where to watch Halloweentown: Disney+

12. Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001)

Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (screen grab)CR: Disney Channel — Disney Channel

We are not here just to straight up recommend all four Halloweentown movies — the quality does eventually go downhill — but this sequel does a good job of building on the plot of the first film, as well as expanding on the types of stories Disney Channel Original Movies can tell. There are twists and turns, interesting visual effects, and a bit of time travel, with a few scares that will even make some parents shield their eyes. —M.J.

Where to watch Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge: Disney+

11. The Harry Potter series (2001–2011)

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". Peter Mountain/Warner Bros.

Sure, you could consider the Harry Potter movies (all eight of them!) as Christmas movies. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson), and the rest of the Wizarding World certainly go all out for the winter holidays in every single one. But let's not forget one of the biggest moments in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) happens during the Hallowe'en Feast when Quirinus Quirrell (Ian Hart) sneaks a troll into the dungeons, the event which cements the trio's friendship forever. And while the other seven films don't explicitly showcase the Hallowe'en Feast with props and decor, book readers know that some of the most major moments take place during the holiday — like the Chamber of Secrets reopening, Sirius Black's (Gary Oldman) first Hogwarts break-in, and Harry's name coming out of the Goblet of Fire. And a world full of wizards, witches, potions, magic, werewolves, trolls, and more spooky creatures automatically makes it the perfect October viewing binge, so go ahead and marathon them all! —Sydney Bucksbaum

Where to watch the Harry Potter series: Peacock

10. Hocus Pocus (1993)

HOCUS POCUS, from left: Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, 1993, © Buena Vista/courte — 'Hocus Pocus'. Everett Collection

Cinematic excellence continues to run amok (amok, amok, amok, amok, amok!) decades after Kenny Ortega's Halloween classic first enchanted audiences with its bewitching humor, charming ensemble cast, and family-friendly (mildly spooky) fare. Following a band of *clears voice in the fashion of Winifred Sanderson* children who unwittingly resurrect a trio of nefarious witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) in '90s-era Salem, Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween staple for generations new and old. The film combines seasonal magic (who can forget Najimy riding through the night sky on a vacuum cleaner instead of a broom, and the infamous one-eyed spellbook the witches use to steal the souls of innocent kids?), peak 1993 fashion (leather jackets, flannel shirts, cardigans abound), and musical merriment (Midler's cover of "I Put a Spell on You" is eternally great) for one of the campiest, most satisfying Halloween treats of all time. —Joey Nolfi

Where to watch Hocus Pocus: Disney+

9. Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Count Dracula in 'Hotel Transylvania'. Sony Pictures Animation

Here's your chance to see how Count Dracula is living in Transylvania. Hotel Transylvania is a place where monsters of all kinds — werewolves, mummies, and even Frankenstein himself — can get some rest without having to deal with humans. Dracula invites ghouls and creatures from all over to celebrate his daughter's birthday when a human named Johnny shows up. From Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg to Selena Gomez and Fran Drescher, the cast is stacked with actors every family member will be happy to hear. Hotel Transylvania is fun and a boon for kids, perfect for a family movie night during spooky season. It is a monster mash. —A.Y.

Where to watch Hotel Transylvania: Hulu

8. Hubie Halloween (2020)

It turns out that Adam Sandler's 2020 Netflix offering isn't the "so bad on purpose" movie he threatened to make if he didn't win an Oscar for Uncut Gems, but Hubie Halloween is the perfect family middle ground between Charlie Brown's night with the Great Pumpkin and Michael Myers' night with a knife. All of the classic Sandler ingredients that his young fans love are present, from his Grown Ups (2010) costars to unexpected vomiting to Sandler putting on a strange voice. But at the heart of the film is a sweet character who loves nothing more than Halloween. Also, teens will surely get a kick out of June Squibb's love of raunchy T-shirts featuring sayings like "I'd hit that" and "If you can read this, you're in fart range."

Where to watch Hubie Halloween: Netflix

7. Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire (2000)

Mom's Got A Date With A Vampire Promo 2007 (screen grab) CR: Disney Channel — Disney Channel

Battling vampires is never easy, but when the Hansen kids realize their mother Lynette is on a date with one, things get even more complicated. Lynette's life is threatened after she is hypnotized by the vampire Dimitri Denatos, but her three children quickly realize that true love conquers all, and they are able to defeat him with a little help from Van Helsing. Stacked with talented stars like Caroline Rhea, best known for her role as Aunt Hilda Spellman in Sabrina the Teenage Witch; Charles Shaughnessy, a.k.a. Mr. Sheffield from The Nanny; and Robert Carradine from Lizzie McGuire, Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire could arguably be the most underrated Disney Channel Original Movie of all time. —Jessica Leon

Where to watch Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire: Disney+

6. The Monster Squad (1987)

When you're a kid, a lot of time is spent pretending to be an adult and dealing with dangerous emergencies, most of which will never come to pass, like fighting dragons or diving to the center of the earth. But what if you and your friends have spent time strategizing how to defeat vampires, werewolves, and other various monsters by studying the works of Dr. Van Helsing? Well, if you happen to live in a town where, hundreds of years after he has been driven from Europe, Count Dracula (Duncan Regehr) has decided to set up his creature court, those after-school activities will certainly pay off. Lost in the '80s as a PG-13 release, Monster Squad has become a cult classic with horror fans of all ages. However, the film is very much of its time, and filmmakers Fred Dekker and Shane Black very much wrote for kids from that era. The language is a bit salty, but provides an opportunity to connect with a new generation of kids on how much has changed — for the better.

Where to watch The Monster Squad: Showtime

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Is it a Halloween movie? A Christmas flick? You can make arguments for both, but the truth is there's no wrong time of year to watch Tim Burton's darkly delightful stop-motion classic. The story of "Pumpkin King" Jack Skellington discovering a love of Christmas — and then trying, disastrously, to introduce Yuletide cheer to the citizens of Halloween Town — has plenty of spooky elements (a villainous bogeyman, a literally two-faced mayor, some very mischievous kids), but director Henry Selick wraps it all into an endearing film that's more treat than trick, with Danny Elfman's songs and score as the bow on top of it all. (Jack's "What's This?" tune, upon discovering Christmas Town, is just one endearing highlight.) Call it a gem that goes well with both pumpkin and peppermint. —Jessica Derschowitz

Where to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas: Disney+

4. ParaNorman (2012)

GRANDMA, SANDRA BABCOCK, PERRY BABCOCK, NORMAN BABCOCK, COURTNEY BABCOCK — LAIKA

Teen angst is relatable for the entire family! The stop-motion style animated film ParaNorman is about a teenager named Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who can talk to dead people and just wants to fit in. Being a teenager is hard enough without communing with the dead: There's an evil witch, zombies, and mayhem to deal with too in Norman's small town. —A.Y.

Where to watch ParaNorman: Starz

3. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

PHANTOM OF THE MEGAPLEX, (top): Mickey Rooney, (bottom from left): Caitlin Wachs, Taylor Handley, — Everett Collection

Working at a movie theater as a teenager seemed like the perfect job for Pete Riley (Taylor Handley)…that was until a "phantom" starts roaming the halls and terrorizing moviegoers. Phantom of the Megaplex is another Halloween Disney Channel Original Movie that delivers tricks and treats for all ages. Although the 2000 film is rated G and there isn't any life-threatening danger in the plot, the story is still filled with enough twists and turns to keep audiences wondering who the phantom is that's bringing all the terror out of the movies and into the theaters in which they were being shown. —J.L.

Where to watch Phantom of the Megaplex: Disney+

2. Practical Magic (1998)

Nicole Kidman, Goran Visnjic, and Sandra Bullock in 'Practical Magic'. Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock

Based on Alice Hoffman's novel of the same name, this film features Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witchy sisters Sally and Gillian Owens. The movie's got a little bit of everything: tragic romance, necromancy, female empowerment, and midnight margaritas. While it is a love story and a heartwarming tale of sisterhood, it's also genuinely scary in places — the undead specter of Gillian's abusive boyfriend is a powerful metaphor. Practical Magic is supernatural, but it's also a reminder of women's power when they come together. Come for the spooky witchcraft, stay for the reminder to fall in love as often as you can. —M.L.L.

Where to watch Practical Magic: Hulu

1. Young Frankenstein (1974)

First, let's be clear: It's pronounced "Fronkensteen." Mel Brooks' comic masterpiece tells the tale of the original Dr. Frankenstein's grandson, Frederick (Gene Wilder), who wants nothing to do with his grandfather's legacy. That is until he moves into the family estate in Transylvania, where he soon creates his own monster (Peter Boyle). Considered by Brooks himself to be his finest work, Young Frankenstein has aged much better than some other entries in his catalog — "Puttin' on the Ritz" will never get old — and makes for a terrific Halloween watch if you want spooky-season atmosphere (and plenty of laughs) with no actual spooks. Well, almost none. —Tyler Aquilina

Where to watch Young Frankenstein: Max