Halloween is a favourite time of year for kids of all ages. It’s a season to dress up, eat lots and lots of sweets, and spend time on the couch watching spooky movies with the family. In the spirit of this, we’ve decided to share our favourite family Halloween movies of all time.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
There is some debate about whether this animation is a Halloween or Christmas movie. Our answer is, it’s both! This Tim Burton classic should be re-watched over and over again between Halloween and Christmas. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, gets tired of being spooky and dreams of something new. He discovers the cheerful Christmas Town and tries to take over the holiday, leading to hilarious mishaps. Jack must then work hard to fix his mistakes and save the joy of Christmas!
The Addams Family
We know you can hear the theme song in your head as you read this! Starring Christina Ricci, this timeless classic follows a quirky family as they navigate love, mischief, and family chaos. Filled with unforgettable characters and dry humour, it’s a perfect Halloween watch, along with The Addams Family Values. Check out the spinoff series and animated movies when you’re done!
The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween
This addition to the popular Captain Underpants universe follows George and Harold as they dream up a brand-new holiday after Halloween is banned in their town. Their invention, “Hack-A-Ween,” swaps out trick-or-treating for “sneak or snacking” and traditional costumes for quirky disguises. They try to make this spooky substitute just as thrilling as the real thing, all while navigating the chaos that comes with Captain Underpants joining the adventure.
ParaNorman
Set in Blithe Hollow, ParaNorman is a stop-motion animation about young medium Norman, who struggles to fit in. After losing his uncle, Norman must perform a ritual to protect the town from an ancient witch. With zombies, bullies, and townsfolk in his way, he discovers empathy, helps the witch find peace, and saves the town. We love this spooky, heartwarming Halloween adventure, and it’s suitable for the whole family!
Wicked
This magical musical is based on the hit Broadway show and has a sequel coming soon! Misunderstood because of her green skin, a young witch named Elphaba forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda, a student with an unflinching desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their relationship soon reaches a crossroad as their lives begin to take very different paths.
Monster House
This 2006 horror-comedy follows D.J. and his friends, Jenny and Chowder, as they try to rescue their lost toys from their grumpy neighbour, Mr. Nebbercracker. Along the way, they discover the house is alive and haunted by Mrs. Nebbercracker’s spirit. Together, they team up to save the day in this spooky, fun adventure that’s all about not judging a book by its cover.
Frankenweenie
This charming stop-motion take on Mary Shelley’s classic, produced by Tim Burton, tells the story of young Victor Frankenstein, who tries to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life. When his classmates get hold of his formula, they accidentally create a horde of monsters that terrorise the town—and Sparky takes the blame. In a heroic twist, Sparky sacrifices himself to save everyone, earning his place as a true hero. Heartwarming and full of laughs, this black-and-white gem is a tear-jerker you won’t forget, so keep the tissues close!
Wendell & Wild
Mischievous demon brothers Wendell and Wild love causing trouble. But their biggest challenge comes in the form of Sister Helly, a fearless nun who banishes demons, and her rowdy altar boys. Packed with spooky laughs, wild antics, and magical mischief, this animated adventure is a treat for the whole family.
Coraline
This Tim Burton stop-motion film delivers just the right amount of heebie-jeebies for older kids. Lonely Coraline moves to a new city and discovers a mysterious alternate world where doppelgangers of her family shower her with love. But the seemingly perfect world hides dark secrets that threaten everything she holds dear. This animation has stood the test of time and will always be one of our favourites!
Coco
Rooted in the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition, rather than Halloween, this film follows young Miguel, who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s strict ban on music. When he’s magically transported to the Land of the Dead, Miguel must win a relative’s blessing to return home. Along the way, he uncovers surprising truths about his great-great-grandfather and his family’s history.
Hotel Transylvania
Perhaps the most lighthearted depiction of Count Dracula, this film follows the story of the famous vampire. In this version of events, Dracula married, but lost his wife at the hands of an angry mob of humans. Seeking to protect his daughter, Mavis, he builds a monsters-only hotel in Transylvania. Soon, a human finds his way to the hotel, and the ensuing drama is bound to leave your family in stitches. This movie is followed by 3 sequels, and there are rumours of a fifth!
Casper
This 1995 film stars Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Malachi Pearson and follows friendly ghost Casper. When father and daughter James and Kat Harvey move into a haunted mansion, Casper tries to befriend them while the mischievous Ghostly Trio causes chaos. Through spooky adventures, surprising twists, and acts of kindness, everyone comes together to live happily ever after.
Monsters Inc.
This beloved animated classic will never go out of style. Monsters, Inc. follows monsters Mike Wazowski and Sulley, who work at Monsters, Inc., a factory that turns children’s screams into energy. But the monsters have a secret: children are actually dangerous to them! When they accidentally bring a human girl, Boo, to Monstropolis, fear turns to friendship, and Mike and Sulley must protect her while uncovering a hidden plot at the factory.
