40 Best Family Halloween Movies to Stream for Kids

From Hocus Pocus to The Addams Family, there are tons of great Halloween films the entire family can watch together

While dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating may only be reserved for one night each year, the spirit of Halloween starts long before then. One of the best ways to celebrate the season? Watching a scary movie, of course!

While Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees may be the holiday’s unofficial mascots, there are plenty of films with just enough spook and thrill for kids to enjoy. Families can watch everything from animated tales like It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to Disney Channel Original Movies like Halloweentown. Star Wars and LEGO lovers can even get a dose of Halloween with LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales, streaming on Disney+.

Related: The 31 Best Non-Scary Halloween Movies to Stream

Whether you choose a newer film like Muppets Haunted Mansion or classic must-sees like Hocus Pocus and Ghostbusters, the whole family will feel the spooky spirit of the season.

Here’s a guide to the best family-friendly movies to stream this Halloween.

Halloweentown (1998)

Premiering in 1998 as one of the very first Disney Channel Original Movies, Halloweentown has become a perennial favorite. In the film, Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) discovers that her grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) lives in Halloweentown — where all the spooky creatures live together in harmony ... until an evil force threatens fantasy land and its residents. The movie is campy, iconic and undeniably fun.

Watch Halloweentown on Disney+

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

With a story by Tim Burton, the stop-motion classic The Nightmare Before Christmas has been a favorite ever since it premiered in theaters back in 1993. In the film, the worlds of Halloween and Christmas collide, all set to some fantastic music sung by the likes of Catherine O’Hara and composer Danny Elfman. The movie is also surprisingly emotional, thanks to its complex yet kid-friendly characters.

Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+

Ghostbusters (1984)

While most ghost-hunting movies go for scares, Ghostbusters went for laughs. The movie follows a ragtag team of ghost hunters as they try to stop the evil spirit Zuul. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Annie Potts, Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, Ghostbusters was a smash hit and featured one of the most hilarious climaxes in cinema history: a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man terrorizing Manhattan.

Watch Ghostbusters on Peacock

Ghostbusters II (1989)

The entire cast returned in 1989 for Ghostbusters II, and this time around, Slimer has a much bigger role after gaining fame in the animated series The Real Ghostbusters, which premiered in 1986. Though the movie wasn’t received as warmly as the original, it has amassed a large fan base throughout the years.

Watch Ghostbusters II on Peacock

Hocus Pocus (1993)

After its original theatrical run in 1993, Hocus Pocus developed a massive following over the years, in part due to its annual TV airings during October. Thanks to scene-stealing performances by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who star as three resurrected 17th-century witches, the movie continues to entertain year after year.

Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+

Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

In 2022, almost 30 years after the Black Flame Candle first brought back the Sanderson sisters, the sisters returned once again. While Hocus Pocus 2 doesn’t have the same nostalgia factor as the original, it’s still incredibly fun to watch the Sandersons adapt to the modern world — like riding robotic vacuum cleaners instead of brooms.

Watch Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+

Goosebumps (2015)

Jack Black stars as iconic horror writer R. L. Stine in the 2015 film Goosebumps. When a new neighbor accidentally opens one of Stine’s locked books, he unleashes all of the author’s famous villains — including the Abominable Snowman, the haunted mask, Slappy the ventriloquist’s dummy, the lawn gnomes and more.

Watch Goosebumps on Netflix

Werewolf by Night (2022)

Marvel’s Werewolf by Night is a great choice for kids who like superheroes. Set on a dark night in a mysterious mansion, a group of monster hunters gather to search for an elusive werewolf. However, no one is who they seem, sparking a great cat-and-mouse chase. The film stars Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly.

Watch Werewolf by Night on Disney+

The Scream Team (2002)

In 2002, Najimy returned to Disney’s Halloween lineup in The Scream Team. The Disney Channel Original Movie follows two kids who help their late grandpa cross to the other side. But to do it, they’ll need the help of three cantankerous, bickering ghosts (played by Najimy, Eric Idle and Tommy Davidson). The movie also featured Kat Dennings in one of her first major roles.

Watch The Scream Team on Disney+

LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales (2021)

In typical LEGO style, Terrifying Tales lampoons classic horror movies with tons of dad jokes and cheesy puns. In the movie, Poe Dameron and BB-8 explore Darth Vader’s creepy old castle after they crash land nearby. The film spoofs The Shining (1980), The Lost Boys (1987) and A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) with the blocky LEGO characters.

Watch LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales on Disney+

Nightbooks (2021)

Two kids are trapped in an infinite time loop by a witch (Krysten Ritter). The only way for the kids to survive — and escape the witch’s magical realm — is to tell her a new spooky story every night. Nightbooks is more fantasy than horror, making it a great watch for families with kids.

Watch Nightbooks on Netflix

Frankenweenie (2012)

Disney goes full-blown Frankenstein with Tim Burton’s 2012 remake of Frankenweenie, in which a young boy brings his dog back from the dead. Despite its morbid premise, the movie is lighthearted and humorous while exploring the relationship between families and their pets. Frankenweenie also has a great voice cast that includes Martin Short, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara.

Watch Frankenweenie on Disney+

Toy Story of Terror! (2013)

A family road trip goes terribly wrong one stormy night in a haunted roadside motel. Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the rest of the gang must survive the night in this hilarious Halloween special. At just 25 minutes long, it’s also a great option for anyone who doesn’t have the time for a full film but still wants to get into the spooky spirit.

Watch Toy Story of Terror! on Disney+

Igor (2008)

Everyone knows the mad scientist ... but nobody ever thinks about the trusty assistant. In this 2008 film, Igor (John Cusack) decides he’s done being a sidekick and becomes an inventor himself. Thanks to an outstanding supporting voice cast that includes Jennifer Coolidge, John Cleese, Jay Leno, Eddie Izzard and Steve Buscemi, Igor is loaded with quirky characters and laughs.

Watch Igor on Netflix

Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

Disney’s iconic Haunted Mansion ride has spawned several film adaptations — including the 2023 theatrical release Haunted Mansion. This inventive and charming version follows Gonzo after he gets invited to a mysterious event at a haunted mansion. Naturally, Muppet hijinks ensue, and audiences can see Miss Piggy take a turn as fan-favorite Madame Leota.

Watch Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

The famed cheese-loving British duo Wallace and Gromit had their biggest film ever with The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. In the movie, the pair are tasked with capturing a menacing beast who’s been eating the veggies from everyone’s gardens. The culprit? A were-rabbit! It’s a great family-friendly twist on a classic werewolf tale.

Watch Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit on Netflix

DreamWorks Spooky Stories (2009)

The anthology series DreamWorks Spooky Stories comprises three short films: two centered on the Shrek gang and one from Monsters vs. Aliens. From a spooky night in Lord Farquaad’s haunted castle to an alien invasion, it’s a fun way to celebrate the occasion with everyone’s favorite characters. These stories are available to watch all at once or in three installments.

Watch DreamWorks Spooky Stories on Netflix

Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)

Can’t decide which is spookier, monsters or aliens? Why not have both in this Reese Witherspoon-led animated hit? In the movie, a woman gains superpowers after being struck by a meteorite and suddenly finds herself caught in a battle between monsters and aliens. Joining Witherspoon in the voice cast are Hugh Laurie, Paul Rudd and Stephen Colbert, among others.

Watch Monsters vs. Aliens on Max

Monster House (2006)

In 2006’s Monster House, a group of kids (Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke and Mitchel Musso) and their babysitter (Maggie Gyllenhaal) are forced to fight a haunted house that’s literally come to life after being possessed by a spirit. The movie became a hit in theaters, received an Academy Award nomination for Animated Feature Film and even spawned video game and novel adaptations.

Watch Monster House on Hulu

Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

Inspired by The Phantom of the Opera and the Golden Age of Hollywood, Phantom of the Megaplex follows a teenage boy who gets his first job at a movie theater — only to discover that someone is sabotaging every screening at the theater. This Disney Channel film includes many sly jokes about Hollywood and stars like the late Mickey Rooney.

Watch Phantom of the Megaplex on Disney+

The Munsters (2022)

Rob Zombie is known for his gory horror films, but he took a much lighter approach with this PG remake of The Munsters in 2022. Lily, Herman and Grandpa all return with the help of some horror legends like Dee Wallace and Cassandra Peterson — better known as Elvira — to bring the wacky romp back to life in vibrant color.

Watch The Munsters on Netflix

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

In Hotel Transylvania, a human gets more than he bargained for when he checks into a hotel that happens to be built solely for monsters’ enjoyment. The movie boasts a fantastic voice cast, including Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon and Kevin James, who bring the quirky and hilarious characters to life.

Watch Hotel Transylvania on Hulu

Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)

In 2022, Amazon released the fourth installment of the Hotel Transylvania franchise. This time around, a new invention turns all the monsters into humans and the humans into monsters. It’s a fun twist on the classic body-swapping trope made famous by Freaky Friday. The original film’s voice cast reprised their roles.

Watch Hotel Transylvania: Transformania on Amazon Prime Video

The Addams Family (2019)

In 2019, the Addams Family returned to the big screen in animated form. In this adaptation, Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley and Uncle Fester fight to keep their home after the town tries to bulldoze it to make room for a new planned community. Starring in the voice cast are Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron and Chloë Grace Moretz, among others.

Watch The Addams Family on Amazon Prime Video

The Addams Family 2 (2021)

In the 2021 sequel, the Addams decide to take a road trip across the U.S., but Wednesday starts to fear she might not actually be an Addams. From there, the family are forced to confront their fears. The original voice cast returned for this film, with the additions of Bill Hader and Wallace Shawn.

Watch The Addams Family 2 on Amazon Prime Video

The Canterville Ghost (1996)

When an American family moves into an ancient English castle, their daughter (Neve Campbell) discovers that the property is haunted by the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville (Patrick Stewart). It’s a great modern take on the classic Oscar Wilde tale.

Watch The Canterville Ghost on Amazon Prime Video

Scooby-Doo (2002)

Scooby-Doo’s live-action adaptation featured an absolutely perfect cast who truly personified the Mystery Inc. crew, with Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Linda Cardellini as Velma and Matthew Lillard as Shaggy. The crew are called to investigate a remote island amusement park, but they discover that the villains aren’t just bad guys in masks.

Watch Scooby-Doo on Max

Scoob! (2020)

For a more modern take on Scooby-Doo, the gang returned to screens in 2020 with the animated film Scoob!. This incarnation recounts Shaggy and Scooby-Doo’s origin story, how they meet the gang and how they begin to solve juicy mysteries. Leading the voice cast are Zac Efron, Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried and Frank Welker, who has been voicing Scooby-Doo characters since the show’s debut in 1969.

Watch Scoob! On Max

Coraline (2009)

Based on the Neil Gaiman novella of the same name, Coraline centers on a young girl who escapes her dull life through a portal to another world. Everything seems perfect ... until she discovers it’s all a trap to capture her soul. The film was written by director Henry Selick, known for his stop-motion work in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and James and the Giant Peach (1996).

Watch Coraline on Max

Casper (1995)

Casper the Friendly Ghost may have been around since 1945, but the live-action 1995 film introduced the character to a whole new generation. When a young girl (Christina Ricci) moves into a haunted house, Casper befriends her and the two become inseparable. The movie includes cameos by Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield and Dan Aykroyd, who reprises his role from Ghostbusters.

Watch Casper on Netflix

Monster Family (2017)

In this British animated comedy, one family’s ordinary Halloween gets turned upside down when they’re all suddenly turned into monsters. With a voice cast that includes Emma Watson, Nick Frost and comedy legend Catherine Tate, this feel-good comedy is perfect for anyone who wants to celebrate Halloween without any scares.

Watch Monster Family on Peacock

The Addams Family (1991)

In 1991’s The Addams Family, a con artist gets more than he bargains for when he tries to infiltrate the Addams house by impersonating Uncle Fester. The cast remains iconic, with Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, Christina Ricci as Wednesday and the late Raul Julia as Gomez. Huston received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance.

Watch The Addams Family on Paramount+

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

One of the first great Halloween specials, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown follows the Peanuts gang as they prepare to celebrate the spooky holiday. While the main story follows Linus hoping to see the Great Pumpkin, the special is an ode to the spirit of autumn: falling leaves, buying costumes and celebrating with friends.

Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on Apple TV+

Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

Jim Varney’s iconic character Ernest P. Worrell appeared in numerous movies throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, and Ernest Scared Stupid is one of the most memorable in the franchise. In the film, Ernest must save his town from a troll uprising. The character’s antics and a fantastic supporting performance from none other than Eartha Kitt make the movie a silly Halloween romp.

Rent Ernest Scared Stupid on Amazon Prime Video

The Witches (1990)

Before Hocus Pocus, there was The Witches, based on the book by Roald Dahl. In the film, a young boy moves to England with his grandmother after the death of his parents. The pair take a seaside vacation, where he soon finds out their stately hotel is hosting a coven of witches. With special effects by The Jim Henson Company and a fantastic performance from Anjelica Huston, the film is a true spectacle perfect for the Halloween season.

Rent The Witches on Amazon Prime Video

100% Wolf (2020)

In this animated Australian comedy, a young boy in a family of werewolves gets ready to transform for the first time ... only to find out that instead of being a ferocious werewolf, he becomes a poodle. Now, he’s got to prove himself to the pack while embracing who he truly is. The voice cast includes Jane Lynch and Samara Weaving.

Watch 100% Wolf on Hulu

ParaNorman (2012)

In ParaNorman, a young boy can talk to the dead. However, nobody, not even his family, believes him ... until he’s forced to save the town from a great evil. On top of being a great family-friendly Halloween film, it’s also an excellent story about acceptance and self-esteem.

Rent ParaNorman on Amazon Prime Video

Addams Family Values (1993)

Addams Family Values was well received by critics and is even more iconic than the original thanks to Wednesday’s hilarious and pointed school play about the first Thanksgiving and Uncle Fester’s conniving new girlfriend, Debbie (Joan Cusack). Carol Kane joins the cast as Grandmama Addams, and Nathan Lane, Cynthia Nixon and Christine Baranski make cameos.

Watch Addams Family Values on Paramount+

The Halloween Tree (1993)

Based on Ray Bradbury’s novel of the same name and narrated by the master storyteller himself, this classic animated film follows a group of kids who journey through time and learn of Halloween’s origins to save their friend’s soul. Through its adventures with Celtic druids to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, the film is exciting, scary and enlightening. Plus, the villain is voiced by the late great Leonard Nimoy.

Rent The Halloween Tree on Amazon Prime Video

The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)

While Eli Roth is best known for his grotesque horror films like Hostel (2005), he’s also behind the family-friendly dark fantasy The House with a Clock in Its Walls. In the movie, an orphaned boy moves in with his reclusive aunt and uncle (Cate Blanchett and Jack Black) only to discover they both have magic powers. On Halloween night, a spell goes wrong and the family must fight together to return peace to the world.

Rent The House with a Clock in Its Walls on Amazon Prime Video

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