Not-So-Spooky Halloween Movies for Kids

The Spiderwick Chronicles
Book-based family fantasy is magical fun but also scary.

Recommended for ages 8 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Paramount Pictures, 2008)

Barney Halloween Party

Kids' favorite purple dinosaur teaches about fall fun.

Recommended for ages 2 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Lyons Group, 2009)

Coraline
Cool but creepy animated fantasy too scary for young kids.

Recommended for ages 9 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Focus Features, 2009)  

Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

George finds mischief in mildly spooky Halloween tale.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2013

The Bride of Frankenstein

A riveting, funny, and suspenseful horror classic.

Recommended for ages 9 and older

Quality: 5 out of 5

(Universal Pictures, 1935)

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Monster Musical

Gently spooky tales focus on music and problem solving.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Disney Junior, 2015)

Goosebumps

Action, monsters, humor in R.L. Stine adaptation.

Recommended for ages 9 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Columbia Pictures, 2015)

Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie

Sweet-as-honey Halloween story with Pooh and pals.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Walt Disney Pictures, 2005)

Trick or Treaters

Charming German folktale has English subtitles, some scares.

Recommended for ages 9 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Animation X, 2007)

Eloise's Rawther Unusual Halloween

Halloween mystery has some mild frights.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2008)

The Canterville Ghost

TV movie version of Oscar Wilde classic has mild scares.

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Vivendi, 1996)

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Halloween isn't complete without this classic.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Quality: 5 out of 5

(American Broadcasting Company, 1966)

Daddy, I’m a Zombie

Zombies learn about friendship; lots of cartoonish violence.

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Peace Arch Trinity, 2013)

A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids

Animated Scholastic tales offer mildly spooky fun.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Scholastic, 2009)

Hocus Pocus

Rollicking Halloween fun for tweens and up.

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 1993)

Dear Dracula

Sweet, funny story of friendship is a treat for the family.

Recommended for ages 5 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Arc Entertainment, 2012)

Monster House

Frightful fun for tweens and up.

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Sony Pictures, 2006)

Mickey's House of Villains

Celebrate Halloween with Disney's creepiest.

Recommended for ages 5 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Walt Disney Pictures, 2002)

ParaNorman

Cool-but-creepy monster flick is too scary for little kids.

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Focus Features, 2012)

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Two classic stories told in the best Disney st‌yle.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Quality: 5 out of 5

(Walt Disney Pictures, 1949)

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride

Magical, with scares most 10-year-olds can handle.

Recommended for ages 10 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Warner Independent, 2005)

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein

Spooky adventure mixes silly songs with scares.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Universal Studios, 1999)

Ghostbusters

Paranormal '80s classic has some scares, innuendo.

Recommended for ages 11 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Sony Pictures, 1984)

Young Frankenstein

Brooks' corniness still yields plenty of belly laughs.

Recommended for ages 12 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Twentieth Century Fox, 1974)

Casper Meets Wendy

Hilary Duff's silly spook-fest is good tween fun.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Twentieth Century Fox, 1998)

Scared Shrekless

Halloween "scary tale" is a real treat for families.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(DreamWorks Animation, 2011)

Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King

Silly Scooby fun, but watch for spooky characters.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Warner Bros, 2008)

Toy Story of TERROR!

Horror film-themed TV special is a sweet treat for families.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Quality: 5 out of 5

(Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2014)

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

Classic comedy-horror will delight older kids and teens.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Universal Pictures, 1948)

Casper & Friends

Kindly spirit's charming tales have some iffy retro content.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(The Harvey Entertainment Company, 1990)

Girl vs. Monster

Fun family Halloween flick has some frightful moments.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Disney Channel, 2012)

Halloweentown

Tween brew: Witchy fun, a pinch of fright.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Walt Disney Pictures, 1998)

Hotel Transylvania

Father-daughter comedy works as intro to monster movies.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 3 out of 5

(Sony Pictures Animation, 2012)

Monsterous Holiday

Clever Halloween tale has fun with science, stereotypes.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

(Arc Entertainment, 2013)

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton magic with just a touch of scariness.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Quality: 5 out of 5

(Touchstone Pictures, 1993)