It’s that time of year again – the season of pumpkins, costumes, and spooky delights. Watching family friendly movies with a fall or Halloween theme are the perfect way to spend some time together while enjoying the season. Whether you’re snuggled up on the couch with your little ones or hosting a movie night with the whole family, October brings a perfect opportunity to enjoy some amazing movies that capture the essence of Halloween and spooky season.
From heartwarming tales of friendship and courage to hair-raising adventures with ghosts and ghouls, this post is your guide to the best family movies and which steaming service you can watch through. So grab your popcorn, cozy blankets, and perhaps a flashlight to add an extra touch of ambiance, as we go through a selection of films that will make October nights truly magical for the whole family.
Please note that the availability of these movies on streaming platforms may vary depending on your location and subscription.
Disney+: Best Family-Friendly Movies Halloween Season
This list of Disney Halloween movies are great for the entire family. Many of these hold a special place in my heart and are some of my favorite Halloween movies. Check out Disney Channel for more Halloween movies and TV shows playing during the month of October.
- Hocus Pocus (1993) – Three witches are resurrected in modern-day Salem and wreak havoc on Halloween night. This popular movie features Sarah Jessica Parker and is considered one of the best Halloween movies. The Sanderson sisters are alive again in Hocus Pocus 2.
- Coco (2017) – Great for all ages, this movie is less spooky than some of the other scary movies on this list. This Pixar movie has an amazing film score as well. You’ll find yourself with a catchy tune stuck in your head afterwards for sure! In this movie, a young boy named Miguel embarks on a journey to the Land of the Dead to uncover his family’s history and follow his dreams of being a musician.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, discovers Christmas and tries to bring his own twist to the holiday. Popular cast members include Catherine O’Hara and Danny Elfin.
- The Incredibles (2004) – A family of superheroes must come out of retirement to save the world from a supervillain. This Disney movie is less scary than some of the others on the list, but has the perfect blend of action, humor, and heart that makes every family movie night memorable.
- The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010) – A young apprentice teams up with a master sorcerer to stop an evil plot that threatens the world.
- Frankenweenie (2012) – A young boy brings his beloved dog back to life through a science experiment, but his creation leads to unexpected consequences. This black-and-white stop-motion animated film is a heartwarming tale of friendship and acceptance. It is rated PG and may be better suited for elementary aged children. This movie features stars like Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder and is great fir this that love Tim Burton movies.
- Alice in Wonderland (2010) – Featuring Johnny Depp in a whimsical setting, this is a creative twist on the Disney classic. This movie is loaded with action, adventure, and special effects in bright, vibrant scenes. Main character Alice embarks on a journey to discover the world of her youth and learns her true destiny.
- The Haunted Mansion (2003) – Eddie Murphy stars in this thriller as a real estate agent. He and his family find themselves trapped in a haunted mansion and must unravel its mysteries to break the curse. They encounter spooky ghosts and hilarious misadventures along the way in this spooky family-friendly film.
- Halloweentown (1998) – This comedy tells the story of a girl and her siblings as they follow their grandma into Halloweentown, a small town where witches, goblins, and vampires live peacefully. In this coming of age film, the main character must protect Halloweentown from an evil force all while learning she herself is a witch.
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – Four siblings enter a magical wardrobe and find themselves in the land of Narnia, caught in an epic battle between good and evil. This movie is very fun to watch and features a lot of CGI and special effects.
Netflix: Best Spooky Movies To Watch With Family
With little ones in mind, Netflix has a great assortment of family-friendly movies to watch throughout October. There are also many TV series for kids that feature fall or Halloween-themed episodes.
- Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Count Dracula runs a hotel for monsters, but his world gets turned upside down when a human stumbles upon the establishment. This is a silly movie but does feature different kinds of animated monsters, so steer clear if your little one is easily scared.
- Monster House (2006) – Three kids discover that the creepy house across the street is alive and must find a way to stop it from swallowing everything in its path. This movie is geared towards older kids and teens as the haunted house is pretty vivid.
- Corpse Bride (2005) – A groom-to-be mistakenly marries a deceased bride, leading to a wild and spirited adventure in the Land of the Dead.
- ParaNorman (2012) – A young boy with the ability to communicate with ghosts must save his town from an ancient curse. This animated film is meant for kids, but can get a little spooky. Little kids might find this movie to be a bit too spooky.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – In this classic film, a young boy befriends an alien and helps him find a way back home while avoiding government agents. This movie doesn’t have a Halloween theme, but it definitely goes with the paranormal theme. This story of best friends is good for all age groups.
- Coraline (2009) – A young girl discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to an alternate world with an eerie version of her life.
- Matilda (1996) – Matilda, a gifted girl with telekinetic powers, uses her abilities to stand up against her wicked school principal. While this movie isn’t spooky or scary, Matilda’s powers go with the theme of magic and paranormal activity.
- The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) – Three siblings discover a hidden world of magical creatures after moving into an old house.
- The BFG (2016) – A young girl teams up with a friendly giant to stop the man-eating giants from invading the human world.
- Jumanji (1995) – Two kids discover a magical board game that brings jungle creatures and challenges into the real world. This movie can be really scary for little kids as it feels as though it could be real with the special effects.
- Ghostbusters (1984) – Three eccentric scientists start a ghost-catching business in New York City and must save the city from a paranormal threat. The original movie was such a hit, that there are now several sequels.
Best Halloween Movies On Hulu
Watching movies is a great way into the spirit of spooky season! Enjoy these scary stories on Hulu all through the fall.
- Casper (1995) – This is a classic movie that the whole family will love. A friendly ghost named Casper befriends a young girl and helps her solve the mystery of his own death.
- The Addams Family (1991) – A poplar movie that is great during spooky season. The eccentric Addams family faces off against a con artist who claims to be their long-lost Uncle Fester.
- Hotel Transylvania (2012) and Hotel Transylvania 3 (2018) – Watch Count Dracula and his family as they get themselves into funny and surprising situations. This animated film is loaded with silly and comedic moments, making it enjoyable for kids and adults alike. Featuring the voices of famous actors like Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, and Keegan-Michael Key, this film will be enjoyed by the entire family.
- Beetlejuice (1988) – A couple hires a bio-exorcist ghost named Beetlejuice to scare away the new occupants of their new house.
- The Secret Garden (1993) – A young girl discovers a hidden garden and magical secrets within her uncle’s estate.
- Monster House (2006) – Three teens discover that the creepy house across the street is alive and must find a way to stop it from swallowing everything in its path. It’s a thrilling and humorous animated tale perfect for Halloween.
- Monster Family (2018) – When a witch’s curse turns a regular family into monsters, they embark on a hilarious and heartwarming adventure to break the spell and become human again. This is the perfect Halloween film to watch with your family.
- Monster Family 2 (2021) – Turn October movie nights into a two part event! In Monster Family 2, the Wishbone family must transform into different spooky characters to try to save the Lock Ness Monster and King Conga.
Related: Halloween Activities – 45+ Fun Ideas For Toddlers & Kids
Family Halloween Movies Apple TV+
If you have Apple TV+ streaming service, you’ll be able to find the perfect movie to watch with the kids to really get onto the Halloween spirit! Charlie Brown is a great choice if you want a little nostalgia, while Coraline is a good Halloween movie if you want something a bit newer.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) – The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween, with Linus eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Great Pumpkin. This is one of those classic Halloween movies that young kids can enjoy without being scared.
- Coraline (2009) – A young girl discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to an alternate world with an eerie version of her life. Also available on Netflix.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – A young child named Harry Potter learns he’s a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, encountering many adventures, people, and dangers along the way. This is a great film for older kids that love magic, but is a long film that may not be suitable for little kids. Also streaming on Peacock and HBO Max.
- Scoob! (2020) – A Scooby-Doo adventure about lifelong best friends Scooby and Shaggy and how they teamed up with other young detectives to form Mystery, Inc. Scooby and the gang must work together to solve their biggest mystery yet in this animated film. There are approximately 30 Scooby-Doo films on Apple TV+ that are perfect to watch with the family.
On HBO Max: Family Movies To Watch In October
Curl up with some pumpkin spice lattes and celebrate your favorite holiday! These movies on MAX are a fun way to get in the Halloween spirit and are best for school-age children.
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – A young child named Harry Potter learns he’s a wizard and attends the enchanted school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, encountering many adventures, people, and dangers along the way. This is a great film for older kids that love magic, but is a long film that may not be suitable for little kids. Also streaming on Peacock and Apple TV+.
- Trick Or Treat Scooby Doo! (2022) – The gang is together again, this time to solve a mystery involving an enemy seeking revenge on Mystery, Inc.
Note: MAX has lots of Scooby Doo movies and shows if that is something your family can all enjoy! - Coraline (2009) – A young girl discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to an alternate world with an eerie version of her life. Also available on Netflix.
- Monsters vs. Aliens (2009) – The movie follows the story of Susan Murphy, a woman who is hit by a meteorite on her wedding day and grows to be 49 feet 11 inches tall. Renamed Ginormica, she’s captured by the government and placed with a group of other monsters, each possessing unique abilities. When Earth is threatened by an alien invasion led by the villainous Gallaxhar, the government unleashes the monsters to save the day.
Related: 165+ Halloween Would You Rather Questions (+ FREE DOWNLOAD)
Best Movies To Watch In October: Amazon Prime Video
While Amazon Prime seems to have a smaller collection than other streaming services for family friendly films, they do have horror movies available for a braver and older crowd.
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) – Wallace, an eccentric inventor, and Gromit, his loyal dog run a pest control business, Anti-Pesto, dedicated to saving the town’s vegetables from hungry rabbits. However, their latest invention goes awry, resulting in the creation of a gigantic werewolf-like rabbit that wreaks havoc on the local vegetable competition.
- The Goonies (1985) – A group of kids embark on a treasure hunt, facing perilous traps and a notorious family of criminals. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
- Casper Meets Wendy (1998) – Casper befriends a young witch named Wendy, and together they face off against an evil warlock. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Family Friendly Movies: Peacock
Enjoy these movies all October long, year after year! These classic Halloween movies are great for the whole family.
- Harry Potter Series – Young Harry Potter learns he’s a wizard and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, encountering adventures and dangers along the way.
- Casper (1995) – This is a Halloween classic that the whole family will enjoy. A friendly ghost named Casper befriends a young girl and helps her solve the mystery of his own death.
- The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween (2016) – A Halloween-inspired version of Dr. Seuss’ Cat In The Hat, where the Cat helps Nick and Sally through fun Halloween adventures.
- Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom (2016) – The movie follows a young Howard Lovecraft as he accidentally finds a mysterious book that transports him to a frozen and magical world. This family-friendly film combines elements of fantasy and horror, introducing younger audiences to Lovecraft’s universe in a captivating and age-appropriate way.
- A Monster in Paris (2011) – Set in 1910, this story revolves around an accidental experiment that transforms a flea into a large yet gentle, guitar-playing, and singing monster. The film follows the monster’s unlikely friendship with a kind-hearted projectionist and a talented cabaret singer. As the three navigate a city gripped by fear, they must prove that appearances can be deceiving, and that the true nature of a monster lies in the kindness it shows. With a mix of humor, music, and adventure, “A Monster in Paris” offers an enchanting and heartwarming tale for audiences of all ages.
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) – A delightful animated film featuring characters Wallace, an eccentric inventor, and Gromit, his loyal dog. In this quirky comedy, the duo runs a pest control business, Anti-Pesto, dedicated to saving the town’s vegetables from hungry rabbits. However, their latest invention goes awry, resulting in the creation of a gigantic werewolf-like rabbit that wreaks havoc on the local vegetable competition.
- Ghost Squad (2017) – The story centers around a young boy named Alex, who discovers a top-secret organization known as the Ghost Squad. Led by a skilled agent named Miss Applebee, the squad consists of kids with exceptional abilities, each possessing a unique talent. When a villain threatens the world with a powerful device, Alex and his newfound friends must band together to prevent disaster.