Who doesn’t love watching spooky movies when the Halloween season is upon us? That being said, finding the right spooky content that’s safe for young audiences can be a challenge. Some movies are too scary to just plain inappropriate for them. There are plenty of creepy films out there that are perfect for kids to watch in October. Here’s just a small sampling of them.

Hocus Pocus

This Disney classic introduced the world to the Sanderson Sisters; three witches who return from the grave to wreak havoc on Salem, Massachusetts. The kids who set them free must put them back to where they came from while being hunted by the witches themselves. This film captures all things Halloween. Kids trick-or-treat, teens play pranks, and adults party. There are witches, black cats, zombies, and an overall fantastically spooky time.

Hotel Transylvania

For a fun, animated twist on the Universal monsters, like Dracula and the Wolfman, look no further than Hotel Transylvania. Count Dracula opens a hotel for monsters so they have a place for them to be safe from being hunted by humans. To Dracula’s surprise, a human stumbles into his hotel and his daughter falls in love with him. With creative animation, clever dialogue, hilarious slapstick, and a touching message about accepting others, this is a phenomenal way to introduce kids to the classic monsters. If they like it, there are a few sequels that are also a blast.

Coraline

Coraline, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, is a dark fantasy that follows the journey of a little girl who finds an alternative dimension in her new house where everything, including her Other Mother, is off. In her quest, Coraline must learn that it’s okay to be afraid and that it shouldn’t stop her. This twisted tale is equal parts whimsical, charming, and creepy. 

ParaNorman

In this stop-motion epic, a new spin is put on classic monsters like witches, zombies, and ghosts. Norman can see and talk to ghosts, making him a bit of an outcast in town. But when a witch with a grudge and a handful of zombies start causing some trouble, it’s up to Norman to save everyone. It’s a touching story of acceptance that is perfect for Spooky Season. 

Halloweentown

This Disney Channel Original Movie has become a staple for many folks to watch in October, and it’s no surprise. A young girl discovers that she comes from a family of powerful witches. She travels to the fantasy realm of Halloweentown to save the werewolves, vampires, skeleton taxi drivers and every other monster from an evil sorcerer. It’s an adventure for the whole family and an absolutely delightful watch. It’s even spawned a few sequels.

Scary Godmother: Halloween Spooktakular

This all-ages computer-animated comedy is aired on Cartoon Network almost every Halloween. A little girl goes trick-or-treating for the first time, being chaperoned by her older cousin and his friends. When her cousin decides to scare her so badly she no longer wants to trick-or-treat with them, she’s met by her protective Scary Godmother and her monster friends who help her get him back. This unique animation style and lighthearted take on monsters make this one a family-friendly treat.

Scooby-Doo

There are dozens of Scooby-Doo movies out there. From Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island to Scooby-Doo and the Reluctant Werewolf, almost all of them are fantastic. Scooby and the rest of the members of Mystery Inc. search for clues, solve spooky mysteries, and come face to face with monsters. The characters are iconic and the stories are memorable. Who wouldn’t want to have a Scooby-Doo movie marathon during the spookiest month of the year?

Casper

It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of Casper the Friendly Ghost. This movie, based on the classic comic book, shows the lives of a girl and her father who move into a new home only to find out that it’s haunted by ghosts: a little boy ghost named Casper and his three uncles. Thankfully, Casper is immediately friendly with the humans even if his uncles aren’t. As the human characters bond with the ghosts, shenanigans ensue and two thieves try to steal a treasure hidden somewhere within the house. This ghostly adventure is extraordinarily heartfelt and easily enjoyed by young and old audiences alike.

The Addams Family

There are quite a few versions of The Addams Family, but the 90s movies are exceptionally spectacular. Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, and the rest are all at the top of their game. Uncle Fester, played by the iconic Christopher Lloyd, especially stands out. These characters may be creepy and live in a rather zany house, but they’re a family who genuinely loves each other and stands up for each other despite however others may view them. These flicks are filled with fantastic spooky elements and even better comedy. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated masterpiece that is perfect for both Halloween and Christmas. Jack Skellington and the other residents of Halloween Town attempt to have their first Christmas, but their tendencies to focus on all things Halloween get in the way a bit. The songs are catchy, the characters are spooky, and the aesthetic is both eerie and beautiful. This is a must-see for any fans of the Halloween season.

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