Full of ghostly tales and magical mysteries, Halloween stands firm as one of the most cinematic holidays. Stories of monsters, ghosts, and witches have been adapted for the screen as long as movies have been around! As a favorite holiday of many kids, family-friendly Halloween movies abound! Here are a few examples of movies to watch with your family, separated by age-appropriateness.

Family-Friendly Halloween Movies for Younger Kids

While some of these movies are live-action, all of them have atmosphere and writing suitable for younger children (5-9 or so). Halloweentown is especially magical for kids, but don’t skip older movies like Escape to Witch Mountain and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

Casper (1995)

In her first of many appearances on this list, 90s Halloween darling Christina Ricci stars alongside Bill Pullman and Eric Idle star in this delightful film. As a therapist for ghosts, Dr. Harvey (Pullman) has dragged his daughter Kat (Ricci) all over the country in pursuit of integrating ghosts. They get their most challenging assignment yet at the huge Victorian mansion of a former inventor, haunted by three horrible ghosts and a kind-hearted young boy – Casper.

Casper Meets Wendy (1998)

While it’s unclear how this direct-to-video movie relates to the blockbuster above (how does a ghost go on vacation?), it’s nonetheless a silly, fun movie for young children. A young witch named Wendy teams up with a friendly ghost named Casper to defeat an evil warlock stalking her family. Starring a tiny baby Hilary Duff, this movie is a 90s blast from the past.

Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

Orphaned twins Tia and Tony have a special gift – magic. The only way to escape the clutches of a millionaire who wants to exploit their powers is to get to the top of Witch Mountain. This movie was remade as a Disney Channel original movie with Elisabeth Moss, but I prefer the original.

Frankenweenie (2012)

The first of many Tim Burton films on the list, this animated offering is perhaps the most heartwarming. When his dog dies, a young boy tries to reanimate his beloved pet. The following predictable consequences are equal parts spooky and silly. For a fun aesthetic twist, much like Young Frankenstein, this film is entirely black and white.

Halloweentown (1998)

This classic Disney Channel Original Movie doesn’t have great writing, acting, or costumes. However, what it lacks in quality, it more than makes up for in charm and nostalgia. Young Marnie Cromwell and her siblings follow their grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds!) to a mysterious town where it’s Halloween all the time. The movie was filmed in St. Helens, Oregon, which decks itself out in a Halloweentown festival every year!

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Though it was remade in 2021, the original with Eddie Murphy is my favorite! Based on the ride of the same name at Disney World, an ambitious realtor is attracted to the challenge posed by a beautiful, but neglected mansion. Obviously it’s chock full of ghosts, and obviously he learns to appreciate his family more through a series of ghostly shenanigans.

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

In 1895, Dracula built a five-star resort to give monsters a chance to relax away from the suspicions of humans. The hotel has successfully provided a safe haven, until a human boy falls in love with Dracula’s daughter, Mavis. Full of an a-list cast and charming antics, this film is the definition of “fun for the whole family.”

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)

Charles Schulz made a splash when he insisted on casting actual children, not adults imitating children, in the Peanuts movies. The result? Short animated films that have resonated for generations. In addition to introducing crucial parts of Charlie Brown lore (the Red Baron, Lucy moving the football), the movie follows Charlie to his first Halloween party, and Linus as he awaits the arrival of the Great Pumpkin.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

In Kiki’s world, 13-year-old witches leave home for 1 year find their way in the world and discover their strengths. With her cat Jiji in tow, Kiki makes her way to a bakeshop, where she helps the baker and makes deliveries around town. Zany, quirky Kiki meets a fascinating cast of characters, and the animation is absolutely smashing.

Monster House (2006)

The screen grab and title should tell you all you need to know: Monster House tells the story of three kids dared to spend a night in a haunted house. But this house is more than merely creepy, it actually comes to life. Be warned: while this movie is rated PG, the imagery is actually pretty darn scary.

Scooby-Doo (2002)

While the first live-action adaptation of Scooby-Doo doesn’t take place at Halloween, it still fits perfectly with spooky season! When the gang is invited to a tropical resort, they think nothing of it at first. However, they can’t ignore the mysterious happenings going on around them.

Teen Witch (1989)

Fifteen-year-old Louise Miller doesn’t have a great life. Her crush barely notices her, her parents buy her dorky clothes, and her English teacher constantly antagonizes her. Until her 16th birthday, when she discovers she’s actually blessed with magic powers. Though technically a teen movie, this film is so cheesy and perfectly appropriate for young kids.

Family Friendly Halloween Movies for Pre-teens

As a super sensitive kid, I likely wouldn’t have been able to handle some of the visuals in movies like Gremlins and The Nightmare Before Christmas, so I put them farther up the list! You know your own kid best, and if they’re less of a weenie than I was (am) they may be able to handle these movies earlier than 9. You can always watch a movie on your own to be sure!

The Addams Family (1991)

You can practically hear the iconic theme song for this piece of IP in your head, can’t you? First a cartoon in the 1930s, the Addams Family is indelible to the American Halloween experience. The film from 1991 perfectly encapsulates this creepy and kooky family.

Addams Family Values (1993)

In the follow-up film to the Addams Family, uncle Fester becomes enamored with the nanny hired for the new baby. There’s something about Debbie Jellinsky that doesn’t seem quite right. Joan Cusack’s bimbo performance stands in perfect comedic contrast to the rest of the star-studded cast.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Featuring two more queens of Halloween, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara, this movie follows a wasp-y couple that unwittingly moves into a haunted house. But this time, it’s the living antagonizing the dead. It’s up to the eponymous Beetlejuice to drive them out and leave the ghosts in peace.

Coraline (2009)

Based on a picture book by Neil Gaiman, this stop-motion film is the ultimate cult classic among Tim Burton’s catalogue stuffed with cult classics. Young Coraline and her family have just moved to a new town. Bored out of her gourd, Coraline starts to explore her new house, and discovers a portal to a new world. But if she wants to stay there, she must make a choice more terrible than she could’ve imagined.

Corpse Bride (2005)

A shy young groom is terrified to recite his vows on his wedding day. He goes to the woods to practice, and accidentally raises the corpse of a beautiful young bride, who assumes the vows meant for her. Zombies meet romance in this surprisingly whimsical film.

Goosebumps (2015)

As one of the bestselling children’s book series of all time, we all knew they’d eventually adapt Goosebumps into a movie. Starring Jack Black as the author R.L. Stine, the movie follows his teenage daughter and her friends as they deal with the fictitious monsters loosed on their town by his imagination.

Gremlins (1984)

Technically a Christmas movie (weirdly), I think we can agree as a society that Gremlins is more appropriate Halloween fare. A teenage boy gets a unique present: a sweet, cuddly gremlin. But if you get them wet, feed them after midnight, or expose them to bright light, they turn into maniacal little imps.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

A young orphan boy named Harry Potter finds out that not only is he magical, but he’s meant to attend the prestigious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The first in the famous 7-book (8-movie) series follows Harry through his introduction to the wizarding world.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Three hundred years after their supposed execution, the Sanderson Sisters are back in Salem, Massachusetts – and looking for revenge. This is bad news for teenager Max, who’s simply doing his best to fit in at a new school. With a precocious talking cat, Max and his sister vanquish the sisters and end a centuries-old curse.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

Based on the wonderful young adult novel of the same name, the movie follows a young boy named Jacob. After accidentally discovering a home for children with…unique capabilities, Jacob realizes only he can protect them from their powerful enemies.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

As the king of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington has grown quite accustomed to his life. One day, he accidentally discovers Christmastown – and all its inherent delights. Itching for something new, Jack takes it upon himself (and his attendant ghosts and ghouls) to put on Christmas. Only, things go spookily awry.

The Witches (1990)

Based on the famous Roald Dahl book of the same name, young Luke has grown up hearing spooky tales of evil women from his grandmother his whole life. He accidentally stumbles upon a witch convention at a hotel. Despite being turned into a mouse, Luke is determined to stop them.

Family Friendly Halloween Movies for Teens

Some of the movies listed here can be seen by younger kids, but teens will more likely enjoy them! As kids’ senses of humor grow more adult, they can handle some more of these silly, Halloween-esque movies.

The Craft (1996)

The clarion call for goth girls everywhere, The Craft is a classic movie of what happens when teen angst meets magic. New girl Sarah Bailey falls into an unusual crowd at her Catholic high school. Together, all four girls realize the power they have in the Craft, and begin exercising their power.

Clue (1985)

Based on the board game (yes, really) this hilarious, irreverent movie can be enjoyed all year long, but I have a particular affection for Halloween. Six strangers attend a party with a mysterious host. When he ends up murdered, no one is safe from suspicion.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Created by a mad scientist, a strange young man must venture into a bucolic town after his “father” dies. Incomplete, he has scrap metal scissors for hands. While at first the town welcomes his gifts, his lack of guile and dangerous hands soon get him into trouble.

Ghostbusters (1984)

After losing their jobs at Columbia, three parapsychologists turn their study of the phantasmagorical into a profession. Together, they assist the citizens of New York in subduing ghosts. Things turn south, however, when their patented technology runs afoul of the EPA.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Man-eating plants, catchy show tunes, what more could you want? Shy young florist Seymour is in love with Audrey – only he can’t tell her. When he discovers a new plant he names Audrey II, things turn cheekily bloodthirsty.

Practical Magic (1998)

The Owens women have lived for centuries with a curse – none of them can live happily with a man. Sisters Sally and Gillian can’t be more different – Sally, shy and kind-hearted, Gillian, wild and vivacious. When Gillian turns up after years away, dead boyfriend in tow, it’s up to Sally and their aunts to hide the body and reverse the curse.

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

This campy horror musical has entranced theater kids for decades and cemented Tim Curry’s status as the king (queen?) of Halloween. When a young engaged couple is stranded in a storm, they take shelter the closest place they can. That place turns out to be the incredible, bizarre, overwhelming, fantastical lab of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

After the death of his grandfather Victor, young Dr. Frederick Frankenstein goes to his castle in Transylvania. He learns from his grandfather’s notes how to reanimate a corpse, and soon does. But rather than terrorize the town, his plans are more…ritzy.

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What movie would you add to this list? Tell me in the comments!