Halloween movies for kids is a holiday gift presenting from iMEDIABUZZ for children. The college kids might have used it as a reason to host keg parties in costumes, and the fortysomethings could make it an excuse to add pumpkin spice to everything.
Still, at the base, All Hallow’s Eve is predominantly about tweens and elementary schoolers dressing up as their favorite superheroes eating candy and allowing their children to experience a few harmless scares.
1: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
There’s a reason that this cartoon is a staple of the 1960s. The best Halloween cartoon captures the excitement and disappointment more effectively than the Peanuts group.
2: Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
In this hour-long musical special, the daring Gonzo takes on the most challenging assignment: to spend the time inside The Haunted Mansion.
The result blends the fun Muppet spirit with the enjoyable moments that make it a Walt Disney World ride an absolute delight. (Piggy is “Madam Pigott.”) The guest stars comprise Taraji P. Henson, John Stamos, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Darren Criss.
3: Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Kiki is part of the pantheon of the most renowned Good Witches: Kiki uses her broom and her ability to fly to begin the delivery service.
A film with animation from the famous Studio Ghibli, the same studio that produced the films My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away. This film is perfect for kids as Kiki isn’t in any difficulties.
4: Coco (2017)
Miguel is a young aspiring musician who aspires to emulate Ernesto de La Cruz, Miguel’s idol. In pursuit of his musical ambitions, Miguel finds himself in the Land of the Dead and begins a journey in which the family he is with grows.
Although the film tells the story of The Day of the Dead and is not tied to Halloween, it’s an excellent film to watch on Halloween night, the night before it becomes the Day of the Dead, to help children understand the holiday’s significance.
5: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The debate is always over whether Tim Burton’s acclaimed stop-motion animated film is a Halloween film or a Christmas movie. The answer is: You can watch the film every year from October to December.
6: Ghostbusters (1988)
Ghostbusters includes a variety of weird ghosts and paranormal villains that make it appear like a Halloween film; however, there’s also plenty of laughter to ease the tension.
You can follow it by watching its sequel, the 2016 reboot that stars comedy superstars Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy or the last film, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which young viewers might like more since it brings some kids’ heroes into the mix.
7: Coraline (2009)
The dark and sinister film made from the 2002 children’s book illustrates to children to be cautious about when they make their wishes known.
The stop-motion animated film tells about a girl called Coraline. She uncovers a frightful hidden truth about a parallel universe in which an alternative model of her family entices her with many promises. But, the more enticing reality turns out to be far more hazardous than she had hoped.
8: Paranorman (2012)
One thing we are sure of is that stop-motion animation is a perfect match for scary movies. This film, produced by the creators of Coraline, is the tale of a young boy who can talk to the dead. He utilizes his powers to unravel the mystery city-wide.
9: Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
This comedy-musical-horror film about a flower-shop worker and his man-eating plant has the word “horror” right there in the title, but music by Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman — the guys that did the best Disney songs — lightens the mood. It has the look of a 1950s B-movie instead.
10: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
This scary-but-not-too-scary movie follows the delightfully British Wallace and Gromit trying to figure out what’s been destroying a town’s vegetable gardens. The culprit is revealed to be something else, but not one would be expected — it’s a rabbit changing from a bunny into a beast.
11: Gremlins (1984)
The film is indeed set around Christmas; however, the Gremlins director Joe Dante pulls off a difficult task in this film. The creature he creates is so adorable and cuddly, yet it turns into frightening critters. Their hijinks blend suspense, thrills, and action equally. ( The sequel tilts the scales toward comedy.)
12: Hocus Pocus (1993)
We’ve already discussed our anticipation for the sequel, but it’s hard to beat the first. Watch the eerie Sanderson Sisters wreak havoc over Salem on Halloween night while teenagers -with other supernatural allies attempt in vain to stop them.
13: The Book of Life (2014)
Much like Coco Like Coco, this is more like more of a Day of the Dead movie than a Halloween-themed movie. However, it’s a delightful story of a journey across The Land of the Remembered for love, so we’ll go with the opportunity to watch it.
In the book, the rulers from the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten agree that creates ripple consequences for the lives of all mortals and, in particular, Manolo, who must journey across the world to reconnect with his real love.
14: Beetlejuice (1988)
A film makes a living like villains, while the dead are the heroes. Beetlejuice tells the story of two ghosts that are determined to scare away the family who moved into their home following their deaths.
A second Tim Burton masterpiece, it features outstanding performances by the A-list of actors, including Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Winona Ryder.
15: Labyrinth (1986)
A clever method to transform your children into David Bowie fans, Labyrinth is an account of a young girl who accidentally wishes her infant brother away.
He is sent back to the realm of Goblin King (Bowie), and she is forced to get him back before the time is up, and he is turned into one of the king’s spies for eternity. Jim Henson’s team fills Goblin King’s realm with incredible puppets.
16: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad (1950)
Disney provides the perfect introduction if your children don’t become familiar with the classic of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Bing Crosby and Basil Rathbone have a voice as well.
The movie also comes with a not-at-all-Halloween-related adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, which can provide comic relief after you watch the scary Ichabod story.