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Halloween is the perfect opportunity for kids all over the world to get dressed up in costumes, go Trick or Treating, and spend time with friends and families, and few children will claim not to like this spooky time of the year! For us as parents, few things compare to seeing our kids enjoying themselves and having fun, so why not set up a little movie night to get them in the mood for Halloween?
It can be a challenge to find appropriate Halloween movies for children because, when it comes down to it, not everyone has the time to sit down and pre-screen the movies we plan to expose our kids to. That’s where we come in! We have put together a list of spooky Halloween films that kids will love.
Choosing Age Appropriate Movies
The best advice you can get is to choose movies that are made for your child’s age. Your child might seem like they could handle a movie for older kids; perhaps he or she seems older than they are, but disregarding age recommendations are rarely a good idea. It’s not just about the movie potentially being too frightening for a child younger than recommended. It’s also about what movies are easy to comprehend for a child of a certain age.
Watch as a Family
Halloween has become a chance for many families to get together. Why not make movie night a part of this? Just because it’s a children’s movie, it doesn’t mean adults and older kids can’t enjoy them too. The movies listed below are all great for watching together with the kids. So sit down as a family and choose your favorite! Or pick one out and surprise your kids with it! Halloween can be so much more than just knocking on doors and asking for candy, and why not work on making it a tradition to enjoy this day as a family?
Movies for Children Aged 3+
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
This is an adorable film for the youngest Trick or Treaters, where we get to follow Pooh Bear and his friends as they prepare for Halloween. There is a scary Gobloon in the woods, according to Tigger. When Pooh eats all the Halloween candy, the group sets out to catch it, as it supposedly grants one wish if you do. The film is cute and not frightening, which makes it perfect for 3-year-olds and older.
Curious George: A Halloween Boofest (2013)
During a visit to Renkin’s farm, George hears a very scary story! The story is that of a scarecrow who – if you are to believe the myth – only goes after people wearing hats! This is bad news for the duo, and they take it upon themselves to search for an explanation.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
There’s a lot going on in this animated movie from 1966, but one thing is that Charlie Brown gets a very unexpected invitation to a Halloween Party. The host of this Halloween party is none other than Violet! Could it be real? Or has someone made a mistake?
Room on the Broom (2012)
This movie is based on a children’s book for the youngest. It tells the story of a witch who is eager to make some new friends! Despite her cat’s objections, she starts inviting different animals to come with her on her broomstick. The story takes a turn when the witch and her new animal friends come across a dragon.
Movies for Children Aged 5+
Casper’s Scare School (2006)
Casper is the friendliest ghost in the world, and he’s not very good at being scary. In this movie for young children, he is sent to scare school, to learn to be the spooky ghost he was born to be. It’s a cute story about trying to be yourself in a world where everyone tells you it isn’t enough.
Halloween is Grinch Night (1977)
Almost everyone has heard about ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas,’ but this lesser-known prequel is just as charming and fun to watch! Instead of revolving around Christmas, this story takes place on Halloween, and it’s a true Dr. Seuss classic!
Spooky the Square Pumpkin (2005)
It’s okay to look a little different, and that is something a square-shaped pumpkin needs to learn. It’s Halloween, and he gets some help from a spider and a scarecrow to accept himself the way that he is, and to stop feeling like there is something wrong with him.
Spooky Buddies (2011)
Once again, it’s time for these adorable buddies to save the world, and this time they are roaming around the halls of a somewhat spooky house, where they encounter one adventure after the other. These furry friends even encounter a friendly ghost!
Movies for Children Aged 7+
Dear Dracula (2012)
Dracula himself receives a fan letter from a child who is a monster movie lover. When it becomes clear that he needs some help to feel better about himself, Count Dracula steps in. Dracula goes to visit the child, where he lives with his grandmother.
The Dog Who Saved Halloween (2011)
For kids that love dogs, this movie will be an instant hit! It’s the story about a dog that, despite a troubled past saves Halloween, and becomes the family hero (as he should be). Who doesn’t want to watch a real dog run around among pumpkins and Halloween decorations?
Monster Family (2017)
The story kicks off when Emma accidentally calls Count Dracula instead of a costume store, and the story unravels from there. Despite this being a cute children’s movie, it also deals with quite a few relevant subjects and the importance of family.
Monsters, Inc (2001)
Monsters, Inc has everything you need in a Halloween movie for kids! There are monsters in the closet that scare children to power their own world. Then the tables are suddenly turned, and a child comes through the door and terrifies the monsters! This is an incredibly charming story that will put a smile on any child’s face!
Movies for Children Aged 10+
Hokus Pokus (1993)
When three witches are resurrected after 300 years, children and their souls are no longer safe! This sets off a series of (quite funny and exciting) events, and despite the plot sounding quite terrifying, it isn’t. It’s a great movie for children over the age of 10.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Monsters need a break too, and they need a break from humans from time to time. Count Dracula runs a hotel where all the monsters can relax and be themselves, but then one day, a human accidentally enters the castle! Dracula now has a difficult task – getting the human out without any of the other monsters realizing, as this could wreck his business.
ParaNorman (2012)
A witch cursed a smalltown in Massachusettes over 300 years ago, and it’s up to Norman – a boy who can talk to ghosts – to save the day. This is an adventurous animated film that is funny, easy for children to relate to, and perfect for Halloween!
Goosebumps (2015)
This low key spooky movie is based on the book series with the same name, and it stars Jack Black in the leading role. It’s a child-friendly ghost story that takes you on an adventure full of monsters and mysteries, and it’s something that both older and younger children can enjoy together with their parents.
Movies for Children Aged 13+
The Addams Family (1991)
Gomez Addams’s missing brother Fester returns – or at least a man who claims to be Fester. At first, the Addams family is thrilled, but they soon start to suspect that he isn’t who he makes himself out to be. Who is he? And what does he want?
ET (1982)
This is a classic you will want to introduce your kids to when they are old enough! A small alien with long fingers gets left behind by his peers and ends up making friends with Elliot, a young boy who turns out to be incredibly brave when faced with the struggles of trying to keep ET safe.
What About Kids Younger Than Three?
As you may have noticed, all movies listed here are for children over three and older, so perhaps you are left wondering what to do for kids younger than three? The reason here is that a one – or a two-year-old – is unlikely to grasp the concept of Halloween fully, and might therefore not benefit from watching a Halloween themed movie over any other toddler appropriate show. A better idea would be to play a game or perhaps even take them trick or treating. Save the spooky movies for when they are a little bit older.
Keep In Mind
All children are different, and just because a movie is fine for one child, that does not mean another will like it. It’s advisable to pay attention to how your child reacts to the Halloween movie you choose to screen. This applies to any children’s movie, and not just to Halloween films.
If you plan to show movies to a group of kids, such as your own kids and their friends, you might also want to ask their parents for permission. None of the movies listed here is scary per se, but perhaps another child is extra sensitive, and therefore it’s always smart to reach out to the parents first.
