As Halloween approaches, you may be looking for some new favorite movies to add to your family's movie night. Since scary movies are not exactly kid-friendly, we developed a list of forty movies that will get you and your family in the mood for Halloween without frightening the kids.
Get ready for a family movie night during the upcoming "spooky season" with this well-rounded list of motion movies. Everything listed below is rated G or PG so you will not have to worry about finding the perfect movie that will be suited for the entire family. October, here we come!
1. Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005)
Johnny Depp is taken away to a new world in this lovely PG film. He is unexpectedly married to a new woman while his other wife waits for him to come back home. This is a great family-friendly film for all ages.
Learn more: Amazon
2. Casper
This movie brings back so many memories for me. I once watched this friendly ghost six times in one day! I even watched it on my 21st birthday. Christina Ricci gets close with the friendliest ghost in a haunted mansion after she moves in with her dad. See how she can connect with her deceased mother in this PG film. Comic relief is offered as the other ghosts act rudely.
Learn more: Amazon
3. Night at the Museum
The Night at the Museum is similar to Toy Story in that fake items come alive. Watch this PG film to see how Ben Stiller handles the museum coming alive while he is on guard for the night. Special effects are used to make the museum exhibits move and talk.
Learn more: Amazon
4. Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice starring Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton, and Geena Davis is such a classic! If your child is over the age of seven, this might be appropriate for them. A ghost couple is annoyed when humans move into their house. See what they do to make them go away.
Learn more: Amazon
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling's book series is turned into its first film in this PG movie. After watching Harry discover his special gift of magical powers, your child might be inspired to read the series of books! Other films in the series are rated PG-13, so just be careful before watching Harry Potter marathon style.
Learn more: Amazon
6. Hocus Pocus
Remember those witches in Salem back in the 1600's that we all learned about in history class? Well, they have come back to haunt us! This PG film stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and the beautiful Sarah Jessica Parker as they wreak havoc on Halloween night.
Learn more: Amazon
7. Frankenweenie
Looking for a different kind of movie? This rated PG black-and-white film starring Winona Ryder shows what happens when a boy makes his old dog, Frankenweenie, come back to life.
Learn more: Amazon
8. Halloweentown
Marine goes to visit her grandparents in this rated G film. Watch her and her siblings as they parade around Halloweentown. This original movie is starring Judith Hoag.
Learn more: Amazon
9. Charlotte's Web
Looking for a rated G musical? Turn on Charlotte's Web starring Debbie Reynolds. While it isn't necessarily a "Halloween" movie, it nicely tells the tale of a sweet spider and may get your child's imagination going about friendly spiders before diving into more extreme Halloween fun.
Learn more: Amazon
10. Hotel Transylvania
Watch the Drac-Pack in this animated film. This rated PG film will have you and your family laughing out loud all night!
Learn more: Amazon
11. Jaws (1975)
This scary classic is rated PG and is directed by Steven Spielberg. Jaws may be more suitable for slightly older kids. I know I was afraid to swim after watching this shark hunt!
Learn more: Amazon
12. Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie
Walt Disney Pictures takes you through the hundred-acre woods in this rated G film. The characters work together to solve problems courtesy of Disney Enterprises Inc. Pooh Bear is so cute and friendly!
Learn more: Amazon
13. Monster House (2006)
What would you do if the house next door was actually a scary monster? Watch what these three friends do to deal with this house in this rated PG movie.
Learn more: Amazon
14. Scooby-Doo!: The Movie (2002)
Everyone in the Scooby-Doo clan is brought to Spooky Island separately in this PG film. See how they use their silly investigative skills to solve why paranormal activities have been occurring.
Learn more: Amazon
15. Tarzan (2014)
Watch this PG film starring Spencer Locke to get some great costume ideas! While not necessarily a "Halloween" movie, Tarzan is action-packed with adventure and is always an easy costume. If your child is having trouble figuring out what they want to be for Halloween, you can show them this movie and encourage a simple outfit.
Learn more: Amazon
16. The Monster Squad (1987)
The mummy, Frankenstein, and Dracula must all be taken down by the Monster Squad. Watch Robby Kiger and other teenagers who are crazy about monsters.
Learn more: Amazon
17. The Halloween Tree (1993)
An oldie but goodie starring Ray Bradbury. This film is not rated, so be sure to review it before letting the littles watch this story about four kids who attempt to save a spirit.
Learn more: Amazon
18. Eerie, Indiana (1993)
Super weird things are happening in Eerie, Indiana. Watch this to see how Omri Katz investigates.
Learn more: Amazon
19. ParaNorman (2012)
Here is a rated PG film starring Kodi Smit-McPhee. Norman's town is under a curse and he must use his ghost-speaking abilities to save everyone.
Learn more: Amazon
20. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013)
Curious George is by far one of my favorite characters. Rated "all" for the whole family to watch this silly yet mysterious adventure.
Learn more: Amazon
21. Labyrinth (1986)
Jim Henson's Labyrinth stars Jennifer Connelly and is directed by Jim Henson. Watch this young lady suffer the repercussions of falling in love.
Learn more: Amazon
22. Little Monsters (1989)
Check out this rated PG family-friendly Halloween film starring Howie Mandel and Fred Savage. A middle schooler named Brian becomes friends with the monster who lives under his bed. The pair must work together to find Brian's brother.
Learn more: Amazon
23. Monster Family (2018)
Here is a rated PG film starring Emily Watson. This family starts out human and is later put under a curse that turns them into monsters. Will they return to their human form?
Learn more: Amazon
24. Monster Family 2: Nobody's Perfect (2021)
As a sequel to the original Monster Family, this rated PG film takes a new twist as the family must transform into monsters to save King Conga.
Learn more: Amazon
25. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
Super old school but classically amazing! This rated G Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures starring Bing Crosby and Basil Rathbone is one every kid should watch!
Learn more: Amazon
26. Roald Dahl's The Witches (2020)
Here is a rated PG film starring Anne Hathaway to watch with grandma! A boy's grandmother interacts with witches in this one-hour and forty-four-minute film. But wait, there's more! Read on to see the original The Witches.
Learn more: Amazon
27. The Witches (1990)
If you're looking for the original The Witches, here it is! Watch this original film starring Angelica Houston, (but actually spelled Anjelica Huston) right after the 2020 version to see which one the kids like better!
Learn more: Amazon
28. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
This monster movie is rated G for the whole family. Watch this young girl enter the scream factory and bond with the monsters. Everlasting friendship is shown through this super cute movie.
Learn more: Amazon
29. Burnt Offerings (1976)
Burnt Offerings is rated PG and stars Bette Davis. It is about a family who moves into a mansion. Is their new home haunted? Watch this to find out!
Learn more: Amazon
30. Goosebumps (2015)
Did you read the Goosebumps book series when you were a kid? I know I did! See how the books come alive with this film adaptation. Jack Black stars in this rated PG film. Can these teenagers put the monsters back where they belong?
Learn more: Amazon
31. The House With a Clock In Its Walls (2018)
Lewis is forced to move in with his uncle in this rated PG film. After hearing a tick-tock noise, Lewis finds out the house has the heart of a clock. What will he do with this information?
Learn more: Amazon
32. Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo (2022)
Warner Bros. has not yet rated this film, but we all know Scooby-Doo is always a hilariously silly time. I am so happy this TV show has decided to branch out into the world of movies. Will Scooby-Doo and his clan be able to save trick or treating in time for Halloween?
Learn more: Amazon
33. The Addams Family (2019)
Want to give your kids a taste of Raul Julia and Christopher Lloyd but don't want to show them a PG-13 movie? This aminated Addams Family spin-off may offer the perfect rated PG solution. Caring, sharing, and learning that those who are "different" need to be treated equally are all important life skills learned in this film.
Learn more: Amazon
34. The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Eddie Murphy stars in this haunted rated PG film. Watch this real estate agent as he brings his family to a mansion. He doesn't realize it is haunted until it is too late. What kind of creepy characters will they encounter?
Learn more: Amazon
35. The Dog Who Saved Halloween (2011)
Find a true canine companion in this rated PG film. Dogs speak up in this spooky adventure when they notice something is amiss across the street. Who knew bringing baked goods to your neighbor would lead to such a wild discovery?
Learn more: Amazon
36. Arthur and the Haunted Tree House (2017)
Does your child love reading Arthur books? My son certainly does. Bring these book characters to life by allowing your little one to watch this cute tale. Arthur and his friends plan to have a sleepover in the tree house only to discover it is haunted. See how they work around this obstacle in this rated G film.
Learn more: Amazon
37. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween! (2016)
This movie brings the Cat and the Hat books to life in this rated G film. Nick and Sally go on yet another adventure with Thing One and Thing Two. Will this unwanted and impromptu trip allow Nick and Sally to find the Halloween costume they have been looking for? What will they tell their mother when she asks what they did today?
Learn more: Amazon
38. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
This old tale is rated "all" by the whole family. There is nothing scary about this movie, just lots of smiles and dialogue that will make you feel good.
Learn more: Amazon
39. Spooky Buddies (2011)
Are you looking for something that is rated G but has a tiny element of "spooky" in it for the little ones? This short one-hour and twenty-eight-minute movie might offer the perfect mix of not scary, but definitely, Halloween, feel. Watch these pup buddies as they discover a mansion that is haunted.
Learn more: Amazon
40. CoComelon and Friends Halloween Special (202)
Catchy tunes, here we come! Sometimes a whole movie is just too much or may mean your child exceeds their screen time limit for the day. Check out this CoComelon Halloween Special that is only 29 minutes long. Your child will be satisfied with a little tablet time, and you won't feel guilty for letting them watch a whole 90-minute plus movie.
Learn more: Amazon