Getting out and about for Halloween does not suit everyone, especially if you have young children at home. Enjoying a child-friendly spookfest movie night at home is a great alternative family Halloween activity.
We have put together a list of 12 of the best family-friendly Halloween movies perfect for your family movie session:
1. ET: The Extra-Terrestrial (rated PG)
Image Credit: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Facebook page
E.T. was released in 1982, telling the story of a lost alien on earth and the friendship he forms with 10-year-old Elliot and his siblings. On Halloween night, they sneak E.T. out of the house, dressing E.T. as a ghost, in an attempt to make contact with his own family.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (rated G)
Released in 1993, this classic animation tells the story of Jack Skellington, a Hallow Town resident, who opens the portal to Christmas Town and decides to celebrate the festive holiday with comical consequences.
3. Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 (rated PG)
Image Credit: Hocus Pocus Facebook page
Hocus Pocus was first released in 1993, with the original three witches returning for a 2022 sequel. The comical story of three witch sisters mistakenly resurrected into modern-day Halloween by three curious teenagers, unaware of what their actions would cause. Chaos follows in an attempt to restore order. A good option for older kids and teenagers.
4. Halloweentown film series (rated PG)
Halloweentown was released in 1998. The first in the Disney film series, with the story of Marnie and her siblings, prevented from celebrating Halloween like their friends by their mother until their Grandmother turns up for her annual visit and encourages all things Halloween despite their mother’s attempts to hide the secrets that unfold. Three follow-ups to the original movie were also made – Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004), and Return to Halloweentown (2006).
6. The Little Vampire (rated PG)
The Little Vampire was released in 2000. A spooky comedy based on the book series of the same name, tells the story of a friendship between two children – one a vampire and the other an ordinary boy.
7. ParaNorman (rated PG)
ParaNorman was released in 2012. An animated film telling the story of Norman, an 11 year old boy who can speak to the dead, except hardly anyone believes him. His uncle informs him of a great responsibility he must take on to save their town, and Norman begins on his path, meeting many new ghosts along the way.
8. Casper (rated PG)
This heartwarming live-action story of Casper released in 1995, tells the tale of the friendly ghost, who becomes smitten with the daughter of a paranormal therapist hired to help remove Casper and his three ghost uncles from their home so treasure can be obtained. Features Christina Ricci and 90’s teenage heartthrob Devon Sawa.
9. Frankenweenie (rated PG)
Image Credit: Frankenweenie Facebook page
Frankenweenie was released in 2012. In this black and white stop-motion animated film, a boy named Victor loses his dog Sparky. He uses electricity to resurrect Sparky, but is blackmailed into sharing the resurrection secret, resulting in reanimated mayhem. Includes some sad themes relating to deceased pets.
10. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (rated G)
Released in 2005, this is the perfect choice for the youngest children. It is Lumpy’s first Halloween with Winnie the Pooh and friends, so they plan a night of trick-or-treating. They were alarmed by the story of a monster who turns people into Jack-o-lanterns, which results in chaos and adventure on Halloween.
11. Spooky Buddies (rated G)
Spooky Buddies was released in 2011. As part of the Disney ‘Buddies’ franchise, the team of adventurous dogs are on a school trip to a mansion with their owners. They find themselves on a Halloween adventure, off to save the day.
12. Hotel Transylvania (rated PG)
Image Credit: Hotel Transylvania Facebook page
Originally released in 2012, Hotel Transylvania sequels were also made (Hotel Transylvania 2 in 2015, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation in 2018, and Hotel Transylvania: Transformania in 2022). Count Dracula owns a hotel for monsters. He invites his closest monster pals to celebrate his daughter’s 118th birthday. An ordinary human traveller arrives to stay at the hotel, and much to Dracula’s horror, romance forms between the human and his vampire daughter.
13. Monster House
The Monster House, released in 2006, is an animated tale of 12 year old DJ Walters, his friends, and their neighbour’s ‘haunted house’. They find themselves in the house in an attempt to end the house’s evil reign, on a mission to destroy the ‘heart’.
Bucket list of family friendly Halloween Movies
If you’re planning on celebrating Halloween this year, why not check out the Kids’ Halloween Party Music and 17 Ideas for a Spooktacular Halloween Party and everything you need to know about Halloween Events in Brisbane?
