The Best Family Halloween Movies to Watch for a Fun Spooky Night In
When the nights grow longer, the air turns crisp, and pumpkin lights begin to glow on porches, nothing says “Halloween mood” quite like settling in with a cozy, spooky-friendly movie night.
Whether your family leans toward silly fun, gentle fright, or imaginative fantasy, there’s a perfect film for every age and taste. Below are some of our favorite picks to form your Halloween movie lineup. Grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and let the spook-tacular viewing begin.
Beetlejuice — A wildly imaginative comedy about a ghostly “bio-exorcist” and the family he’s hired to scare off.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown — A gentle, classic special where Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin while the Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween.
Coraline — A visually stunning stop-motion fantasy in which a girl discovers a parallel world that’s eerily perfect—until things go awry.
The Nightmare Before Christmas — Tim Burton’s musical tale of Jack Skellington trying to bring Christmas to Halloween Town, with haunting melodies and charming visuals.
Coco — Though more Dia de los Muertos than Halloween, this Pixar film celebrates memory, family, and the afterlife in heartfelt style.
Hocus Pocus — Mischief and magic collide when three witches are resurrected in modern times and three kids must stop them.
ParaNorman — A clever animated story about a boy who can speak to ghosts, and must save his town from a supernatural curse.
The Addams Family — (Any version works, but especially the quirky and macabre versions) A delightfully oddball family with a love for the macabre and a strong bond.
Corpse Bride — Another Tim Burton gem: a shy groom accidentally marries a ghostly bride and must negotiate the land of the living and the dead.
The Book of Life — A colorful, musical adventure set around Dia de los Muertos about bravery, love, and staying true to yourself.
Ghostbusters — Ghost-chasing fun and laughs as scientists take on paranormal investigations in New York City.
Frankenweenie — A heartwarming black-and-white stop-motion film about a boy who brings his dog back to life—with some spooky consequences.
Casper — The friendly ghost wins hearts as he befriends a girl who moves into a haunted house with her father.
Goosebumps — Based on R.L. Stine’s series, this film brings many monsters and scares in a fun (not too scary) ensemble adventure.
Monster House — Three kids realize their neighbor’s house is alive, and they must confront it before Halloween night ends.
Hotel Transylvania — A monster hotel run by Dracula becomes a hilarious setting when a human stumbles in.
Cruella — While not a traditional Halloween pick, its moody aesthetic, villainous flair, and dramatic visuals make it a stylish inclusion.
Halloweentown — A warm, magical classic about a family discovering a hidden realm where witches, goblins, and spirits live.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls — A young orphan helps his magical uncle track down supernatural clocks hidden in a creaky mansion.
The Haunted Mansion — Based on the Disney attraction, this spooky-fun story has ghosts, curses, and humor.
Scooby-Doo (various versions) — Mystery-solving fun with a lightly spooky bent.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit — Not inherently Halloween, but a delightful and quirky choice with a monster twist.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial — For families wanting a gentle sci-fi chill (sometimes included in Halloween lists).
Twitches — Magical sister witches discovering powers and fighting darkness.
Mad Monster Party — A classic claymation pick for old-school spooky fun.
Choosing the “right” Halloween movie for your family often comes down to balancing thrills with comfort. Younger children might prefer gentler stories like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or Casper, while older kids and teens may enjoy the spookier fantasy elements in Coraline or ParaNorman. A fun approach is to build a month-long Halloween “film calendar,” mixing lighter options with more adventurous ones, and always have a backup like Hocus Pocus or Hotel Transylvania ready to soothe any jump-scare jitters.
No matter which titles you choose, the most important ingredient is togetherness. Let the lights flicker, the cocoa steam, and the laughter—and occasional squeals—echo through your living room. 🎃🕸️