What ages are Halloween movies recommended for?

You know your own kid best! Some 5-year-olds I know think Freddy Krueger is funny and some were too scared to finish watching Coco. So, while we have included movie ratings and general spooky-factor recommendations to give you a basic guideline, the decision of what’s appropriate for your own kids is always up to you!

Best Halloween Movies for Kids of All Ages

1. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

What can I say about the ultimate Halloween classic? Continue this tradition with your family as you watch the Peanuts gang celebrate Halloween in their own awkward way. Watch as Charlie Brown is invited to his first-ever Halloween party and Linus patiently waits for the Great Pumpkin to visit.

2. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad 


Based on Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this animated short film is an often-overlooked Disney classic. Watch Brom Bones, disguised as the Headless Horseman, chase poor Ichabod Crane all around Sleepy Hollow.

3. Nightmare Before Christmas — PG

Poor Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is tired of the same ol' day in and day out. He decides to switch things up and try Christmas on for size. Predictably, it doesn’t quite work out in his favor, but this Tim Burton film is so visually appealing that we could watch him try all day.

Watch Miguel travel to the magical land of his ancestors in Coco. Photo courtesy of Disney Pixar

4. Coco — G

On the Day of the Dead, Miguel gets transported into the Land of the Dead and meets up with his deceased relatives while learning a bit more about himself and some tightly-held family secrets. This beautifully animated movie is a wonderful (and sometimes tear-jerking) tribute to teamwork and the powerful strength of family. If your kids like this, you may want to follow it up with Book of Life!

5. Halloweentown — G

This made-for-Disney-TV movie has become a modern classic with a tween who discovers her family’s magical heritage (she’s a witch!) on her 13th birthday. Before you relegate this to the “kids can watch it alone” list, know that Debbie Reynolds rocks it as a witchy Grandma.

6. Kiki’s Delivery Service — G

While not a typical Halloween movie, Kiki is another 13 year old witch, and this classic Hayao Miyazaki's anime adventure is a perfect film for the whole family. It’s a sweet coming-of-age adventure, and a perfect way to introduce kids to Miyazaki’s other films.

Spookley the Square Pumpkin sees the best in everyone. Photo courtesy of Holiday Hill Enterprises

Not-Too-Scary Halloween Movies for Younger Kids

7. Spookley Square Pumpkin

Spookley is the PERFECT Halloween movie for your preschooler. This short animated film is full of positive messages about fitting in—even if you are the only square pumpkin in the patch.

8. A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids

This animated collection of eight Halloween stories from Scholastic brings tales of witches, ghosts, and other spooky stuff alive for your children to enjoy. A Very Brave Witch is based on a book by Alison McGhee, which tells the tale of a little witch who is surprised to find out how humans really celebrate Halloween. It's all done in a very mild way, making it a good choice for little ones.

A gentle witch offers rides to a variety of animals in Room on the Broom. Photo courtesy of  Magic Light Pictures

9. Room on the Broom

When even the smallest trick-or-treaters need a movie to snuggle up with on a dark, stormy night, Room on the Broom is for you! Fly along with the witch and her cat on their Halloween flight as they pick up passengers along the way. Although most of the film is good flightless fun, there is one scene with a scary dragon. 

Can the Super Monsters save their favorite holiday? Photo courtesy of Netflix

10. Super Monsters Save Halloween

For the preschooler afraid of his own shadow, try the Netflix original series Super Monsters. It follows preschool-age monsters as they attend school to learn all about the best ways to be monsters in the least scary way. This Halloween movie special followed the mini monsters as they prepare for their favorite holiday and "best night of the year," including supporting a nervous buddy.

11. StarBeam Halloween Hero

Perfect for preschoolers, StarBeam Halloween Hero tells the story of Captain Fishbeard who is greedy and steals everyone’s candy. That is until StarBeam saves the day!

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, where monsters and their families can live it up. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures

Classic Family-Friendly Halloween Movies

12. Hotel Transylvania 1, 2, 3, and 4 — PG

Vampires, mummies, and werewolves! The gang's all here in these animated comedies that feature Dracula and his monster friends. Expect plenty of laughs, rather than frights.

13. Harry Potter Movies — PG and PG-13

Add some wizards, witches, and a terrifying dose of ‘He Who Shall Not Be Named’ and you have a perfect recipe for a crowd-pleasing, all-ages Halloween movie. Whether your kids have read the Harry Potter books or not, they'll likely love seeing other kids act out their greatest fears and wishes as Harry and friends battle good and bad magic. 

14. Goosebumps — PG

What if you accidentally released real monsters into the world while trying to help out a neighbor? Based on the popular young adult horror novels by R.L. Stine, Goosebumps is a fast-paced supernatural adventure.

15. The Goonies — PG

This may not be the most obvious Halloween movie, but this treasure hunt, pirate mystery, and coming-of-age adventure has been thrilling kids since the '80s.

16. Ghostbusters — PG


For a certain generation, Ghostbusters was pretty much the hilarious answer whenever anyone asked: "Who you gonna call?" To another generation, it's what the kids in Stranger Things dressed as for Halloween!

17. Beetlejuice — PG-13

Nothing seems to go right for the Maitlands. Not only did they die swerving to miss a dog on the road, but they also seem to be trapped haunting their own house and its new inhabitants. Naturally, they call Beetlejuice to help them get their home back. This 1988 film may be scarier than you remember, but Beetlejuice’s charm is undeniable. 



18. Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 — PG

This Halloween movie set in Salem, Massachusetts has all the elements of a modern classic: witches, magic, and a little mystery. Add in a really catchy musical number performed by Bette Midler, and it's no wonder that Hocus Pocus has been bewitching audiences since 1993. After almost 20 years, this Halloween classic has got a sequel. While not as great as the original, it makes for a fun double feature.

19. A Series of Unfortunate Events — PG

A twisty story of family secrets and, yes, "unfortunate events," this movie based on the classic book series is best viewed by tweens and up

20. The Addams Family — PG-13

They may be creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky, but the Addams Family provides a touch of dark comedy that will appeal to the teens in your house.

21. Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! — PG

This newer Scooby-Doo movie is the perfect pick for a family movie night. The gang's back and trying to solve the mystery of the monstrous flying jack-o-lanterns. There may be cell phones and apps, but it's still the same beloved characters we all love.

Slightly Spookies Halloween Movies for Tweens & Teens

22. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark — PG-13

Intended for older audiences, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is based on a series of classic books from the early 80s. This very entertaining scary story is just as dark as it is entertaining. Set in 1968, this ghost chase will leave viewers screaming for more.

23. The House With Clocks in Its Walls — PG

The House with Clocks in Its Walls is based on a children’s novel with the same title. Set in 1955, the story about tween orphans has a few jump-worthy scenes and is just spooky enough to entertain new horror fans.

24. Hubie Halloween — PG-13

Hubie takes Halloween very seriously, and that's no easy feat given that his hometown is Salem, Massachusetts, AKA the Halloween capital of the USA. This film definitely earns its PG-13 rating for adult humor and language.

25. R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls — PG

Dr. Hysteria’s Hall of Horrors is this year’s headline of the annual Halloween and Harvest Festival. There is one little problem ... some of the people who enter the creepy house never come out!

26. The Witches — PG


Some kids might find this movie disturbing, but others will love the bizarre tale of a young boy and his grandma who happen upon a convention of witches. (I personally found it disturbing, which is why it's in the older kid section!) Being turned into a mouse can't stop you from taking on the Grand High Witch, deliciously played by Anne Hathaway.

27. Coraline — PG-13


Despite its dazzling stop-motion animation and bright colors, this movie definitely layers on the "creepy" (and that may be an understatement). Coraline is a dark tale that recounts the pitfalls of wishing the grass was always greener. 



28. Arachnophobia — PG-13

A deadly spider makes its way from the jungles of South America to a sleepy California town in this not-for-the-squeamish Halloween movie! There is a healthy mix of humor in this thrilling flick, but don’t be fooled, you'll also enjoy a few "hide under the blankets" moments.

29. The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween — PG

That Melvin is always trying to ruin the fun. And, this year he’s trying to CANCEL Halloween. Of course, Harold and George have a plan just crazy enough to work. This isn't spooky for teens, but some parents of younger kids don't love the attitudes of the kids in Captain Underpants, which is why we placed it in the tween/teen category.

30. Edward Scissorhands — PG13

This Tim Burton classic can be a little disturbing for younger kids, but is a hauntingly sweet movie for tweens and teens. Themes of fitting in, coming-of-age, and kindness to people that are different elevate the boy-with-scissors-for-hands tale.

31. Death Becomes Her — PG13

With its renaissance on Broadway, it’s time to revisit the movie! With campy, hilarious performances from Merly Streep and Goldie Hawn, kids and parents alike will enjoy the campy dark comedy with friends turned rivals taking a mysterious potion that grants eternal life to keep the man of their dreams (Bruce Willis).

Under cover of darkness, with a roaring fire and some blankets, prepare for a movie that might scare you silly. Photo by Ally Noel

Where to Watch Halloween Movies for Kids (Streaming Options)

No more waiting for the one night a year you can watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on your local TV station. Now there are loads of streaming services with kid-friendly Halloween films, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime. Perfect for setting up your Halloween movie night whenever it’s convenient for you!

Tips for Hosting a Family Halloween Movie Night

Pick a night, pick the movie that’s perfect for your audience, and pick some snacks. We’ve got Halloween treat suggestions that pair perfectly with these Halloween movies. Serve Vampire Donuts alongside a viewing of Hotel Transylvania or Witch Hat Cookies to accompany Room On the Broom. For more traditional movie snacks, check out our Candy Board or Movie Night Board from our list of Irresistible Dessert Board Recipes for Kids.

More Family-Friendly Halloween Fun

• Best Halloween Party Games for Teens

• Best Ghost Stories and Spooky Stories for Kids

• Halloween Crafts for Kids

• Check our calendar of events for libraries and children’s museums that host Halloween joke contests, story hours, and other Halloween activities.

FAQs About Halloween Movies for Kids

Q: What is the best Halloween movie for little kids?

A: A great Halloween movie for little kids who scare easily is either It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or Spookley the Square Pumpkin.

Q: Are there Halloween movies for kids on Netflix?

A: Yes! There are plenty of Halloween movies for kids on Netflix, and the streamer is great about promoting them in October. We don’t want to list out which movies you can see this year, as availability on various streamers changes year to year, but there’s always something streaming on Netflix for the spooky season!

Q: Which Halloween movies are safe for toddlers?

A: Animated, non-scary films with friendly characters are a good bet from toddlers: most of your kid’s favorite characters will have a Halloween special, and those are great introductions to Halloween fare.

Q: What are some classic Halloween movies kids still love?

A: Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown are classics that kids still love, and most parents remember from their own childhoods and adore watching with their kids!

Q: Can Halloween movies for kids also be educational?

A: Yes, some carry lessons about bravery, friendship, and kindness.

A version of this article first published in 2018.

This article contains some affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you make a purchase. There is no extra cost to the reader. We only recommend products and services that we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.