As Halloween draws near, families are on the lookout for kid-friendly horror movies that offer just the right amount of thrill. While watching a classic violent slasher with a group of friends is always a solid plan, those kinds of films may not be the best choice for little Bobby. The following titles blend fun and mild scares for children of all ages and allow them to participate in the festivities without the overwhelming fear that might come from more mature horror films. These films strike a great balance between providing the spooky ambiance of Halloween and maintaining age-appropriate content.
Here are 9 of the best kids horror movies to check out this Halloween season.
Beetlejuice
When recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara (who are still adjusting to their new state of being dead), discover that their home is being taken over by obnoxious rich people looking to turn it into a haunted tourist attraction, they become desperate. They seek the assistance of Beetlejuice, a mischievous demon who claims to be a "bio-exorcist" capable of frightening the new owners away. Tim Burton's Beetlejuice offers a captivating visual experience and Michael Keaton's rapid-fire humor is disgustingly charming. The film features a cast including Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara and Winona Ryder.
Where To Watch: Beetlejuice is available to stream on Max.
Hocus Pocus
On Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts, a skeptical loner named Max lights a magical candle, which brings three wicked witches, the Sanderson Sisters, back to life after three hundred years. These clever witches ultimately go up against three kids and their talking black cat. The Sanderson Sisters want to steal the life energy from the town's children before sunrise and only Max, his sister Dani, and his crush Allison can prevent this from happening. Directed by High School Musical’s Kenny Ortega, Hocus Pocus is a fun and spooky watch that celebrates the Halloween season with a fantastic cast including Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Omri Katz and Thora Birch.
Where To Watch: Hocus Pocus is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Addams Family Values
Barry Sonnenfeld's follow-up to his 1991 adaptation of The Addams Family still stands as a memorable and quotable addition to his filmography. This sequel reunites most of the original cast and centers on Debbie Jellinsky, a serial killer who weds Fester Addams with the sinister intent of inheriting his fortune after his (planned) untimely death. Meanwhile, the Addams teenagers, Wednesday and Pugsley, find themselves shipped off to a summer camp. The enduring on-screen chemistry between Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia continues to captivate more than three decades on, while Joan Cusack delivers an outstanding performance as Debbie. The film features a stellar cast including Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack, Christina Ricci and Carol Kane.
Where To Watch: Addams Family Values is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
For the past thirty years, one of the biggest questions for film fans has been whether The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie. Henry Selick's film is a beloved classic that blends both holidays, creating a delightful stop-motion animated musical. In the story, Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and becomes enchanted by its mysterious elements such as snow, gifts, carols and flying reindeer. Jack decides to put his own spin on the holiday so his minions kidnap "Sandy Claws" and he rocks a red suit to deliver presents to unsuspecting children around the world. This creative fusion of holiday traditions and Danny Elfman’s iconic soundtrack makes it a delightful family film to enjoy. The film stars Chris Sarandon, Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix and Paul Reubens.
Where To Watch: The Nightmare Before Christmas is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Casper
Brad Silberling's 1995 supernatural-comedy Casper centers on a lonely young ghost named Casper who longs for companionship. He lives in Whipstaff Manor with his three troublesome uncles, living peacefully until a wealthy heiress discovers a hidden treasure in the mansion. In an attempt to remove the spirits, she hires "paranormal therapist" Dr. James Harvey and his daughter Kat. However, Kat unexpectedly forms a unique friendship with the young ghost boy. Although the story delves into themes of death and the afterlife, it remains entirely suitable for children and features an outstanding performance by a young Christina Ricci. The film also stars Bill Pullman, Malachi Pearson, Cathy Moriarty and Eric Idle.
Where To Watch: Casper is available to stream on Netflix.
Halloweentown
The Disney Channel Original Movie Halloweentown tells the story of Marnie, a teenager from a family of witches and warlocks. Together, they confront numerous evil forces that pose a threat to both the magical world of Halloweentown along with the human world. This 1998 film gave rise to three sequels: Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown, where Sara Paxton took on the role of Marnie. The on-screen chemistry between Kimberly J. Brown and Debbie Reynolds, who portrays Grandma Aggie, is undeniably heartwarming. It also has some pretty stunning set pieces, with the universe of Halloweentown genuinely feeling like a lived-in place. The film stars Debbie Reynolds, Judith Hoag, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman and Phillip Van Dyke.
Where To Watch: Halloweentown is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Twitches
Another Disney Channel Original Movie exploring witch-centric themes is Twitches, which made its debut in 2005. The film follows twin witches, Alex and Camryn, who were separated at birth and reunite on their 21st birthday. Together they must harness their magical abilities to rescue the world of their birthplace which is confronting a menacing Darkness that only they can vanquish. With the genuine bond between real-life sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry showcased in the film, Twitches continues to be an excellent choice for families to enjoy during the Halloween season. The film stars Tia and Tamera Mowry, Kristen Wilson, Patrick Fabian, Jennifer Robertson, Jessica Greco and Arnold Pinnock.
Where To Watch: Twitches is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Monster House
Monster House is an often overlooked film from the past few years, brilliantly transforming a familiar childhood experience into a hair-raising journey. The story revolves around a 12 year old named DJ who lives opposite a scary-looking ancient house. This house is anything but docile, however, because when an unsuspecting child gets too close, its front door suddenly opens wide and pulls them in. Since DJ and his friends seem to be the only ones privy to the house's sinister nature, they must work together to free their neighborhood from its curse. The film's voice cast includes Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kevin James, Jason Lee, Kathleen Turner and Catherine O'Hara.
Where To Watch: Monster House is available to stream on Hulu.
Goosebumps
2015’s Goosebumps serves as a film adaptation of the popular children's horror book series by R.L. Stine; Jack Black takes on the role of the author himself in this adaptation. Within this rendition, Stine's creations from his vivid imagination break free and bring chaos to the fictional town of Madison, Delaware. Together with his teenage daughter, Hannah, and their neighbor, Zach, the author must join forces to protect their hometown from the unleashed monsters causing havoc in the real world. The film stars Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan, Ryan Lee and Jillian Bell.
Where To Watch: Goosebumps is available to stream on Netflix.
With October coming to an end and the eagerly anticipated trick or treating soon to kick off, these films will make sure the young ones stay thoroughly entertained. Whether they're busy sorting through their sweet Halloween loot or opting for a cozy night in, these titles promise to provide the perfect Halloween delight.
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