Our Ultimate Family Friendly Halloween Movie Checklist
Spooky, but never scary
I shared a list of our favorite family-friendly Halloween movies back in 2020 on Against All Grain, and it’s been a popular resource for many of you. While we still cherish the classics on that list (I will never stop watching Curious George Boo Fest and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown even when Kezia and Easton eventually roll their eyes!), we’ve added a few newer, more age-appropriate options as the kids have grown and new movies have been released.
Family Friendly Halloween Movie Picks
Here’s our updated list of family-friendly Halloween movies, with options for ages 2-10 years! I’ve also added where you can stream them to make it easy for your next movie night.
Spoiler Alert: You won’t find Hocus Pocus on the Walker family list. I know it’s a cult classic, but I didn’t grow up watching it, and when I tried to introduce it to Kezia and Easton a few years ago, we all gave it a thumbs down! I think it’s one of those movies that you need to have some nostalgia for, like Halloweentown (which I did grow up loving and still enjoy). Sorry, no Sanderson sisters here—but we’ve got plenty of other fun picks for your Halloween season!
Halloweentown – Rated: 6+ (Disney+)
I grew up with Halloweentown, and it brings back so many memories! I loved sharing it with Kezia and Easton, and it was so fun to see them get into the magical Halloween world that I loved as a kid. It’s one we watch every year now, and the nostalgia is just as good as the first time I saw it. It’s such an old movie that my kids found the spooky guys to be pretty comical, too!
Pirates of the Caribbean – Rated: 9+ (Disney+)
This one’s an adventure-packed favorite, even if it’s not specifically a Halloween movie. It has all the action without the scares, and it’s a fun way to bring a little Halloween spirit into our movie nights without anything too intense. Kez watched a bit but was ultimately too scared of the skeletons so we rated this one 9+!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – Rated: 7+ (Max)
We all love the magic and charm of the first Harry Potter. With its mystical creatures and enchanted setting, it’s great for a cozy, magical Halloween vibe—just enough spookiness for the season without being scary.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – Rated: 8+ (Max)
This one brings a bit more mystery, which Easton really enjoys. It’s darker than the first movie but still fits the magical adventure theme, keeping it festive but not too scary for family night. It was just a tad scary for Kez at age 7, but we watched it during the daytime instead and she did great. I don’t think we’ll move on to the rest of the movies until they’re quite a bit older, but the first two are fun!
Casper the Friendly Ghost – Rated: 6+ (Peacock)
I remember watching Casper when I was a kid, and it’s so fun seeing Kezia and Easton enjoy it now. It’s just the right amount of spooky without being too scary, and the lighthearted story holds up well for today’s kids. Perfect for a nostalgic Halloween night.
Captain Underpants Hack-O-ween – Rated: 5+ (Netflix)
Easton loves this one—it’s silly and quick, with lighthearted humor that keeps things fun. It’s great when we need something short and easy for the night.
Twitches – Rated: 6+ (Disney+)
A fun, magical story with twin witches—it’s an easy pick for us. Kezia and I love the sisterly bond, and it’s upbeat with just the right touch of Halloween magic to keep it lighthearted. Plus it brings the nostalgia of Sister, Sister from my childhood!
Monster House – Rated: 9+ (Netflix)
This one walks the line between spooky and fun. It’s an animated adventure with just enough thrill for the kids to feel the Halloween vibe, but it still keeps things light enough that I enjoy watching it with them.
Bad Guys Halloween – Rated: 5+ (Netflix)
When we want something goofy and light, this is Easton’s go-to. It’s more silly than spooky, which is perfect for a low-key Halloween movie night that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Sing : Thriller - Rated 6+ (Netflix)
Such a fun, short, video with all the moves and music from Thriller but kid friendly! Mom was dancing the entire 11 minutes. HA!
The Addams Family – Rated: 5+ (Paramount+)
The Addams family’s weird humor gets a lot of laughs from the kids, and it’s a fun one for all of us. A little spooky, but mostly strange in a way that keeps it light and funny for Halloween.
Hotel Transylvania – Rated: 4+ (Netflix)
We love the playful take on classic monsters in Hotel Transylvania. It’s funny, fast-paced, and perfect for a family night without anything too intense.
Coco – Rated: 4+ (Disney+)
With our love for musicals, Coco is always a family favorite. It’s heartfelt and beautiful, and though it’s not a traditional Halloween movie, the theme of family and tradition makes it perfect for this time of year.
Monster High 1 & 2 – Rated: 6+ (Netflix)
This one’s Kezia’s pick! It’s quirky and colorful, with lighthearted monster fun. Even though it’s a bit silly, it has its charm, and we can all enjoy it together without any real scares. The soundtracks are SO good as well and we’ve had it on all month.
Descendants – Rated: 5+ (Disney+)
We’re suckers for a good musical, and Descendants delivers. All 4 of them. The costumes and music are perfect for Halloween vibes without any real spookiness, and the franchise has become one of our yearly go-tos. Kez is even dressing up as Red this year for Halloween and was Mal another year.
Scoob! – Rated: 5+ (Max)
An updated take on Scooby-Doo with more adventure than scares. The kids love the mystery, and I appreciate that it’s not too intense for a casual family night.
The Berenstain Bears Halloween – Rated: 3+ (Prime Video)
A nostalgic classic from my childhood that the kids enjoy too. This Halloween special has a sweet message about not judging others by their appearance, which is a great lesson for kids during spooky season. Perfect for younger viewers who want just a touch of Halloween fun without the fright!
Curious George Boo Fest – Rated: 2+ (Peacock)
I’ll never stop watching this, even when the kids eventually outgrow it. It’s lighthearted, nostalgic, and a sweet way to celebrate Halloween with the littlest ones—or a mom who loves a little nostalgia herself.
Room on the Broom – Rated: 2+ (Netflix)
We used to watch this when the kids were little, and it’s still a sweet story about a kind witch and her friends. It’s perfect for families with younger kids who want a little Halloween magic without any scares.
The Nightmare Before Christmas – Rated: 5+ (Disney+)
The perfect mix of Halloween and Christmas, and we love the creativity in this movie. The music, the visuals—it’s become a favorite for all of us, and it’s just spooky enough without being too much.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – Rated: 3+ (Apple TV+)
A classic that we watch every year. It’s simple, sweet, and nostalgic, and it’s the perfect way to wind down with a family movie night after the Halloween excitement.
Girl vs. Monster – Rated: 7+ (Disney+)
This Disney adventure brings in just the right amount of Halloween excitement for the kids, while staying lighthearted and fun. It’s one of those movies where we all have a good time, and they love seeing some of their favorite Disney channel stars in it.
Hook – Rated: 6+ (Netflix)
Not a Halloween movie, but it’s still one of our favorite adventures. It’s a timeless classic that we love coming back to for family nights. And anything about pirates just feels right for Halloween.
Haunted Mansion – Rated: 9+ (Disney+)
More fun than frightening, this one’s a family favorite for its mix of ghosts and adventure. It’s a little spookier, so Kezia didn’t watch with us, but Easton got a kick out of all the Haunted Mansion Disneyland ride Easter eggs.
Muppets Haunted Mansion – Rated: 5+ (Disney+)
The Muppets always make Halloween fun. It’s got just the right amount of charm and humor to keep us all laughing, and it’s become a new tradition in our house.
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie – Rated: 3+ (YouTube)
A sweet and gentle Halloween movie that’s perfect for younger kids. It’s light on scares but big on heart, and we love how it focuses on friendship and bravery. A great choice for a cozy family night!
Winnie the Pooh (Thanksgiving special) – Rated: 2+ (YouTube)
After the Halloween fun, we settle into this sweet Winnie the Pooh story. It’s so sweet and comforting—just what we need to transition into the cozy, post-Halloween calm.
Happy Halloween watching!!
YES!! I have your Halloween playlist, too, so we’ll be party-ready. Thanks, Danielle! 🎃
This movie list is wonderful!!! O grew up on ET and later, Practical Magic (which gets kind of wild, so. I wouldn’t show to kids), but we’re saving this list with our Halloween decor…and using the hat idea until all these are watched (it’s my Mickey Mouseketeer hat 😃🎃)