10 Family Friendly Halloween movies for Spooky Season

October is just around the corner, meaning Spooky Season is almost here! There’s nothing better than cozying under a blanket with a bowl of popcorn and watching a spooky movie, but not all spooky movies are the most kid-friendly!

We did the hard work for you and found (in our humble opinion) the best Halloween Movies your whole family will enjoy!

1. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Is there anything more Halloween than this Peanuts Gang masterpiece? With a cool soundtrack and so much wholesome nostalgia, this movie is great for the entire family!

2. COCO

This Disney hit follows the story of Miguel, a young boy with big dreams, as he accidentally enters the Land of the Dead on Dia De Los Muertos and goes on the search for his nearly forgotten great-grandfather. This movie will definitely get you in the feels as it explores the themes of family bonds. While there are some high-tension moments and the obvious theme of death, this movie is so visually stunning and heartwarming that we recommend it for all ages.

3. The Blob

This 1958 B-movie Horror film might seem like a surprising addition to this list, but trust us when we say that this is a top-tier comedy for modern audiences. Refreshingly wholesome, full of goofy gimmicks and special effects that will make you laugh, this movie also still offers a bit of suspense and jump-scares. If you are a classic horror fan looking for a way to introduce the genre to your kids, The Blob is the perfect film. 

4. Frankenweenie

This Tim Burton film is somehow both sweet and scary. When a young budding scientist loses his furry best friend, he decides to invent the machine to help bring his beloved pooch back to life. The stop-motion cartoon is filmed in black and white, with tons of nods to vintage horror films while still remaining fun. This film does touch on the topic of pet loss, love, and letting go, which may upset some children.

5. Wallace & Grommet: The Curse of the Warerabbit

This is the story of a British man and his dog who work as humane pest controllers. The village vegetable show is nearing when the pair discover a giant rabbit ruining the crops of their friends and clients. The two team up to catch the Ware-Rabbit and save the village vegetable show. A silly premise full of comedy everyone will enjoy, this movie is perfect for all ages.

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Yes, we know it’s hotly debated whether this is a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie, but we say it’s both, so why not enjoy it all season long? This dark holiday-themed fairytale should be great for the whole family. However, younger children, especially the more sensitive ones, may find a few of the images disturbing. We recommend this movie for kids 7 and older.

7. Casper

The 1995 live action Casper movie, based on the original cartoons, has become a cult classic. However, some parents might want to be cautious. There is mild language, talk about spirits, grief, loss, and some innuendo. While most kids won’t understand these comments, some might. We recommend this one for kids 10 and up.

8. Paranorman

Norman is a boy who can see the dead, and it’s up to him and his goofy group of friends to save the town they live in from an old curse. This film deals with subject matter that many children can relate to, like bullying and feeling like an outsider. While most small children will probably not pick up on the themes, the images of zombies, ghosts, and witches might be frightening to them. For us, this movie goes in the 10 and up category.

9. Hocus Pocus

Hocus Pocus is definitely a cult classic. This movie is full of nostalgia for adults; for kids it has plenty of suspense and thrills. Surprisingly dark for a Disney film of its time, this movie does deal with curses and spells and has some sexual innuendo that might not be appropriate for all ages. For us, we recommend this one for ages 10 and older.

10. Coraline

Coraline is definitely the darkest film on this list. This is the story of a young girl who moves to a new town with her parents and hates it. She’s angry at her parents and incredibly bored and decides to explore the old house she lives in. Once she discovers a secret door in her house that leads to a different reality, Coraline is caught up in a dark adventure. There is mild language and innuendo; however, the visuals can be quite scary. We’d recommend this for pre-teens and up.

We hope this list makes your Spooky Season a whole lot more fun! Get the popcorn popping and enjoy family movie night!