Looking for good Halloween movies for kids? We have the most extensive list, vetted by REAL kids. Here are over thirty movies gathered from over the years. Best of all? We're listing where you can stream our favorites!
Our favorite spots to stream good Halloween movies for kids are some of the most obvious: Disney+ is a goldmine of awesome titles, as is Netflix. If we can't stream any given movie, we often just rent it or buy it outright on Amazon. Digitizing our titles has been a slow process, but we really love having our favorites at our fingertips – especially when it comes to seasonal picks.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
My all-time favorite Halloween movie, this Tim Burton classic tells the tale of star-crossed lovers who get their holiday wires crossed. Our older kids always ask to watch this one on repeat, all season long. Find it on Disney+.
Hocus Pocus
Frankly, I'm never quite sure where to land on Hocus Pocus. Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker give unforgettable performances that truly stand the test of time. There are witches, black cats, ghosts and a trio of kids caught up in the middle. We stream it every time we carve pumpkins, BUT there are a couple of references that might make for uncomfortable family discussion. Namely: the main character's virginity is a hot topic throughout the movie. This tidbit went RIGHT over my head when I watched as a kid, but my very-perceptive children noticed immediately, and demanded to know the meaning of this new word. There just aren't enough mini Butterfingers in the entire world to distract from that insatiable curiosity. Find it on Disney+.
Casper
The daughter of a ghost therapist – yeah yeah, I said ghost therapist – moves into a haunted mansion and helps a friendly ghost button up his past. Find it free to stream on Amazon Prime.
The Harry Potter series
Sorcerers, magic spells, wizarding wonders and more. If your family hasn't gotten into Harry Potter yet, Halloween is the perfect time to start the series. Or to re-watch (and re-read) it all! The series isn't streaming on any of the usual services, so we just buy them on Amazon.
Ghostbusters
We're die-hard fans of the original. Yes, you'll find that this tends to be a consistent theme in our choices throughout this list of good Halloween movies for kids. Oldies tend to equal goodies, with a certain nostalgia-inducing graininess and old-school humor that parents and kids can both appreciate. Buy or rent it on Amazon.
The LAIKA Classics
We're long-time LAIKA fans and use their movies for learning. Many of their titles are perfect for Halloween, with larger-than-life villains. They even played a hand in producing Corpse Bride – which pops up later in our list – before landing on their signature look. Our Halloween favorites from them include:
- The BoxTrolls – rent or buy on Amazon.
- Coraline – find on Hulu.
- ParaNorman – rent or buy on Amazon.
Beetlejuice
An oldie but a goodie, this beloved Tim Burton classic is being reimagined into 4K this year! Danny Elfman's charming score is a must-hear for kids, and adults will love rewatching the antics of Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Geena Davis and more. Streaming on Peacock.
Monster House
What do you do when you discover that your neighbor's HOUSE is an actual real-life monster? You rescue your neighborhood! Find it on Amazon Prime.
The Corpse Bride
In the classic style of Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton tells the story of a groom who accidentally weds a corpse instead of his true bride-to-be. What happens next is a heartwarming – albeit creepy – tale about love and loss. Buy or rent it on Amazon.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
These well-known stories converge in an adorable tale that sweetly introduces kids to Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Bonus? It's also a perfect intro to Bing Crosby, making a couple of classics totally relevant to your children's interests. Find it on Disney+.
The Haunted Mansion
Based on the infamous Disney ride, Eddie Murphy brings this oh-so-familiar tale to life in a charming new way. Ghost, ghouls and goblins galore! Find it on Disney+.
The House with a Clock in its Walls
Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, and warlocks. Can't go wrong – and this seems to be one of the less-discovered movies on our list of good Halloween movies for kids. Find it on SHOWTIME, or buy or rent it on Amazon.
Toy Story of Terror
Woody, Buzz and the gang gather to find Mr. Potato Head after he mysteriously goes missing. Creepy conspiracies and mishaps collide while the group faces toy-tastic terror. With Tom Hanks and Tim Allen voicing, this seasonal adaptation is totally charming. Buy it on Amazon (though if you're inclined to wait, I have a feeling that Disney+ may bring this to their platform at some point).
Labyrinth
This bizarre Jim Henson fantasy follows a teenage girl on a quest to save her kidnapped little brother from a goblin. Find it streaming on Amazon Prime.
Coco
A boy adventures through the afterlife, while connecting to his roots. This sweet story shares the cultural concept of Dia de Los Muertos and earnestly explores society's relationship with and treatment of the dead. Find it on Disney+.
Edward Scissorhands
Another Tim Burton pick, this one's special because it marks his first pairing with Johnny Depp. The sweet story of a boyish creation who has scissor blades instead of hands features Winona Ryder as well. Stream it on STARZ or rent or buy it on Amazon.
Addams Family
Yet another pick where we prefer the first, 90s-version for its time-treasured actors and artful storytelling. This is our Halloween night go-to! Find it on Netflix.
Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Ware Rabbit
Our favorite stop motion, clay-animated, cheese-loving duo find themselves in an epic battle against garden sabotage! Rent or buy it on Amazon.
Witches
In this Roald Dahl adaption, a boy finds himself stuck on vacation in a hotel that's hosting a witch convention. Find it on Netflix.
Witches, the remake
Streaming exclusively on HBO Max starting October 22nd, this reimagining of Dahl's classic story features Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock and more.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Before Michelle Gellar became the massive teen heartthrob that had everyone saying, “I am the chosen one,” there was the movie. And it was epic. Find it on Hulu.
Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire
In a bid to skip out on being grounded, a couple of mischievous kids set their mom up on a date. There's just one problem: her dream dude may or may not be a vampire. Find it on Disney+.
Scoob!
Scooby and the gang are back in this adorable 2020 feature film. As usual, mysteries follow them everywhere they go and this time, there's an extra-special secret about one of their own. Find it on HBO Max or buy it on Amazon.
Fun Size
A teenage girl has BIG Halloween party plans that go completely awry when she's forced to babysit her brother – who quickly goes missing into a sea of trick-or-treaters! Can she find him before her mom finds out, and make it to the party in time before she totally ruins her social life forever? Find it streaming on Amazon Prime.
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween
Join Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and the whole gang as they embark on a Halloween adventure complete with trick-or-treating, ghoulish traps, monster-y mystery and more. This fun for all ages flick will have everyone smiling, from the littlest to the oldest fans of the Hundred Acre Wood. Rent or buy it on Amazon.
Halloweentown
A set of siblings travel with their ‘good witch' grandmother to Halloweentown and discover that one of them is endowed with supernatural powers as well! Will they be able to figure out how to properly wield this magic in time to stop an evil force from taking over the town? Find it on Disney+.
Don't Look Under the Bed
This Disney Channel Original Movie follows a teenage girl as she tries to figure out why mysterious occurrences are happening all over town. A strange friend eventually joins her in what can only be a battle with the real-life Boogeyman! Find it on Disney+.
Under Wraps
A couple teenage boys stumble upon a mummy and embark on a mission to return him to his sarcophagus before midnight on Halloween. Rent or buy it on Amazon.
ET
If you haven't watched this alien classic, Halloween is the perfect time to introduce it to the kids. It's got silly trick-or-treating antics and tons of nostalgia for folks who are missing the traditional festivity this season. Spielberg's sci-fi perfectly encapsulates the genre of 1908's spooky family flicks. Find it streaming on Amazon Prime.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
I don't know what it is about this movie, but my kids are utterly enthralled when I put it on. Maybe it's the wonk-wonk parent talk, or the charming relationships with Charlie and Snoopy. Whatever the case may be, this one's a must-watch if you're looking for one of the VERY BEST good Halloween movies for kids. Rent or buy it on Amazon.
Gremlins
A bumbling teenage boy inadvertently unleashes a gob-smack of mischievous goblins on his unsuspecting small town. Another Steven Spielberg pick, this early ‘horror movie' is absolutely essential Halloween viewing. It's streaming on HBO, or you can buy or rent it on Amazon.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
Students from ZOMBIEland are transferred to a high school in suburbia. Chaos – and amazing zombie dance scenes – ensue, with a deep, positive message focused on treating others the way you'd like to be treated. Our entire family is obsessed! Find it on Disney+.
Twitches
Teen witches separated at birth happen to meet on their 21st birthday and abruptly find themselves battling to save their hometown from dark forces. Mega bonus? These witches are played by Tia and Tamera Mowry! Find it on Disney+.
Room on the Broom
This sweet children's book from Julia Donaldson gets the short film treatment – and it's adorable! Rhyme along and be charmed by creatures that the whole family will fall in love with. Stream it on Netflix.
Hotel Transylvania Series
A fantastic return of Adam Sandler's comedic skill to a child-friendly family film. Enjoyable by both young and old who miss the old Sandler style. This is a great animated film to introduce your kids to scary movies that adults love but aren't appropriate to screen for kiddos yet: Frankenstein, Dracula, ghosts, goblins and even The Blob are here. This series lightly touches on all the classic to make them accessible to kids in a non-terrifying way. Find it on STARZ or buy / rent the series on Amazon.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
A family moves into a creepy house. Shenanigans ensue. As a die-hard mystery fan, this one kept me on my toes right along with my kids. Stream it on Netflix!
Hubie Halloween
The Halloween-obsessed Hubie – played by Adam Sandler – is Salem's biggest joke. But who'll be laughing last when the town finds itself under siege by an escaped criminal and mysterious figures? We haven't watched this one yet, but we'll be setting a reminder to stream this right when it releases on Netflix on October 7th!
Which good Halloween movies for kids will you be streaming with the family this year?