Not everyone is a fan of gory scenes and gruesome characters. Whether you've got little eyes and ears in the room or you just prefer a light-hearted take on a spooky tale, there are plenty of family-friendly Halloween movies that will get you in the spirit—without giving you nightmares. Whether you are in the mood for a classic, a spooky comedy, or an animated adventure, there is something for everyone on this list of the best family Halloween movies. So grab your popcorn, invite the family over, and get ready to have a frightfully fun movie night.
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We've got kid-friendly takes on magical witches, fantastical alternate dimensions taking our heroes on epic quests, seasonal Disney classics with (happy) monsters and ghosts, and just the right amount of Halloween spirit that won't keep little ones up at night. It's a win-win for everyone looking for a festive watch this holiday season.
From classic stories to new takes on old favorites, here are 16 of the best family Halloween movies for you and your crew to binge. And don't worry, we've linked to where you can stream each and every one.
Spirited Away (2002)
Studio Ghibli
IMDb: 8.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Moving to a new home in the suburbs may feel like the adventure is ending, but for 10-year-old Chihiro, it's just the beginning. When she accidentally stumbles upon a mysterious spirit world where humans are changed into beasts, she must find a way to save her parents and escape the realm.
Coco (2017)
Disney/Pixar
IMDb: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
This Disney Pixar classic is a celebration of the Day of the Dead. It follows Miguel, an aspiring musician, as he crosses over into the Land of the Dead in search of his great-great-grandfather, who's a legendary singer himself.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Disney/Pixar
IMDb: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Mike and Sulley, two monsters who work at Monsters, Inc., are tasked with scaring children in order to power their city. However, when a little girl named Boo sneaks into their world, they discover that all the rumors of children being toxic to monsters may not be true.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)
1966 United Feature Syndicate
IMDb: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
You can't have a Halloween movie marathon without this classic Peanuts special. Join Charlie Brown and the gang as they prepare for Halloween—wait to catch the elusive Great Pumpkin.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Twentieth Century Fox
IMDb: 8
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Mel Brooks' classic comedy is a madcap re-imagining of Mary Shelley's gothic horror story. When an American neuroscientist travels to Transylvania to take over his grandfather's lab and prove he's not crazy, he ends up bringing a monster back to life—with hilarious results.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Sunset Boulevard/Getty
IMDb: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
When an alien gets left behind on Earth, a young boy named Elliot must find a way to get him home. This classic tale of unlikely friendship across galaxies features a young Drew Barrymore and is an all-time favorite for family movie nights.
Coraline (2009)
Focus Features
IMDb: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Coraline may live in a seemingly perfect new home, but she soon discovers that it's anything but. After discovering a secret door leading to a mysterious parallel universe, she has to battle dangerous creatures and risk everything to save her family from the Other Mother's wicked plan.
Beetlejuice (1988)
The Geffen Company
IMDb: 7.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
When a family moves into their new home, they quickly find out it's haunted by the former occupants. The deceased couple believes they're being harassed by the new inhabitants, so they hire a mischievous and crude poltergeist who comes to the rescue—for a price.
Gremlins (1984)
Sunset Boulevard/Getty
IMDb: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
One of the most iconic horror-comedy movies, Gremlins follows a young man who receives an unusual pet for Christmas. But when he breaks the three rules he's given, it unleashes a horde of mischievous creatures on his small town.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Special Anti-Pesto Still
IMDb: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
This Oscar-winning movie features a dynamic duo of lovable inventors, Wallace and his dog, Gromit. When the beloved village's giant vegetable contest is threatened by a mysterious beast, they must find a way to save the town.
Monster House (2006)
Columbia Pictures
IMDb: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
This animated movie follows three teens as they investigate a suspicious house that they suspect is alive. With the help of some unexpected allies, they must unravel the mystery and put a stop to its sinister plan.
ParaNorman (2012)
LAIKA-Focus Features
IMDb: 7
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
When a small town is overrun by undead, it's up to Norman—a misunderstood and lonely boy with the ability to speak to ghosts—to save the day. With the help of his friends, Norman must face his fears and defeat the town's centuries-old curse.
The Witches (1990)
Richard Blanshard/Getty
IMDb: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
This new adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic novel features a brave young boy who accidentally waltzes into a witch convention. When they turn him into a mouse, he's determined to stop their nefarious plans. There's also a 2020 remake starring Anne Hathaway that you can binge, but it didn't get as good reviews as the original.
Frankenweenie (2012)
Disney
IMDb: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
This stop-motion comedy-horror film tells the story of a young scientist who brings his dog back to life. When his experiment works, other kids steal it and resurrect other long-gone animals—and they may be more than the town can handle.
Labyrinth (1986)
Getty
IMDb: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Who doesn't want to see David Bowie as a Goblin King? In this classic fantasy flick, a teenage girl wishes her baby brother would be taken away by the Goblin King. When he actually does, she must brave an enchanted labyrinth and outwit the King to save him.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Paramount Pictures
IMDb: 6.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Based on a series of children's books, this family-friendly fantasy movie follows three siblings who move into the run-down Spiderwick Estate. When they discover a field guide to encountering magical creatures, they unlock an incredible world of faeries, goblins, ogres—and danger.
