Halloween is a fantastic time to enjoy spooky season with your loved ones, and what better way to do so than by watching Halloween Movies For Family. At hudsonfamily.net, we provide a curated list of family-friendly horror films that strike the perfect balance between spooky and fun, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone. Dive into our comprehensive list and discover age-appropriate scary movies for kids and teens that promise gentle thrills and spooky fun.
1. A Note Before Diving Into Any Horror Films
Before you start selecting your family Halloween movies, it’s essential to consider a few key points to ensure everyone has a fun and enjoyable experience:
1.1. Avoid Traumatizing Young Children
According to research from the American Psychological Association (APA), children under five may not be able to distinguish between reality and fantasy, making them more susceptible to genuine fear from horror movies. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to avoid exposing very young children to the horror genre.
1.2. Know Your Child Best
Ultimately, you know your child best. Every child is different, and what might be perfectly acceptable for one might be too intense for another. Be mindful of your child’s sensitivities and choose films accordingly.
1.3. Do Your Due Diligence
Because I’m not a parent, my opinion on what’s good/safe for kids & tweens definitely needs to be double-checked by a real parent. Please do your due diligence to ensure your kid/tween has the absolute BEST time. Check websites like DoesTheDogDie.com for potential triggers to ensure your child has the best and safest viewing experience.
Traumatized Child in Bed with Nightmares
2. Classic Halloween Movies for Family
Here are some classic Halloween movies that are great for family viewing:
2.1. Ghostbusters (1984)
Ghostbusters is an excellent choice for introducing kids to horror. The film blends comedy with cartoonish special effects, making it lighthearted and fun. It follows a group of parapsychologists who start a ghost-busting business in New York City. The jokes help alleviate tension, and the plot is easy to follow.
Ghostbusters 1984 horror movie appropriate for tweens
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
2.2. The Addams Family (1991)
The Addams Family introduces a family with a creepy and kooky lifestyle. The film is a lot of fun, with memorable characters and scenes taken directly from the Charles Addams comic strips. Gomez and Morticia set an example of #MarriedCoupleGoals, openly sharing their loving relationship.
The Addams Famiy horror for kids
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes.
2.3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This stop-motion animation musical is perfect for both Halloween and Christmas. It tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, who discovers Christmas Town and decides to take over Christmas. The songs are great, and the visuals are stunning.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Lock Shock Barrel
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 16 minutes.
2.4. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus is a Halloween classic about three witch sisters summoned to modern times from 1693. The witches seek eternal youth, using quirky spells and slapstick humor. The film offers spooky thrills without being too scary, making it ideal for kids and tweens.
Hocus Pocus 1993 kid friendly horror
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 36 minutes.
3. Spooky and Sweet: Ghost-Themed Movies
3.1. Casper (1995)
Casper is a sweet and simple ghost story about a friendly ghost longing for friendship. The film is spooky yet heartwarming, with few things to be genuinely afraid of.
Casper 1995 Devon Sawa Christina Ricci
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes.
3.2. Halloweentown (1998)
Halloweentown is a great gateway into supernatural films. The movie follows 13-year-old Marnie, who discovers she’s from a family of witches. She visits Halloweentown, a magical realm where spooky characters reside, and embarks on an adventure.
Halloweentown Disney TV halloween movie
Rated TV-G. Runtime: 1 hour and 24 minutes.
4. Monster Mash: Movies Featuring Classic Monsters
4.1. Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Hotel Transylvania is a treat with its adorable renditions of classic monsters, fast pace, and sweet story. The film is tender and goofy, with plenty of monster-related antics. The father-daughter relationship between Dracula and Mavis is heartwarming.
Hotel Transylvania best kid horror movies
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes.
4.2. The Monster Squad (1987)
The Monster Squad is about a group of kids who love horror and monsters. When real monsters show up, the club becomes a monster-fighting squad, using their horror knowledge to defend against Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Mummy, the Gill Man, and Frankenstein’s monster.
The Monster Squad tween friendly horror films
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour and 19 minutes.
4.3. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
This horror-comedy features all the core movie monsters together with plenty of comedy. It’s fast-paced and silly, likely to ignite interest in the old Universal Monsters movies.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Not Rated. Runtime: 1 hour and 23 minutes.
4.4. Universal Monster Movies
Consider these old Universal monster films that are classics for a reason. They’re fine viewing for younger kids and tweens alike, and are great for their overall horror education:
- Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman. Runtime: 1 hour and 14 minutes.
- The Wolf Man. Runtime: 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Dracula. Runtime: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- Creature from the Black Lagoon. Runtime: 1 hour and 19 minutes.
- The Invisible Man. Runtime: 1 hour and 11 minutes.
- Frankenstein. Runtime: 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- The Bride of Frankenstein. Runtime: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- The Mummy. Runtime: 1 hour and 13 minutes.
frankenstein meets the wolfman publicity still
4.5. The Munsters (2022)
If you’re looking for modern Halloween movies for family, The Munsters is a live-action cartoon, vividly colored and filled with goofy scenarios. It offers a fresh take on iconic characters, making it an enjoyable watch.
The Musnters 2022 Daniel Roebuck horror films for tweens
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 49 minutes.
5. Creature Features: Movies with Spiders and Aliens
5.1. Eight Legged Freaks (2002)
Eight Legged Freaks is a fun and enjoyable movie where a toxic waste mishap transforms local spiders into gigantic monsters. The film blends humor with horror, creating moments that’ll make you jump and chuckle.
Eight Legged Freaks teen scarlett johanson spider horror film
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes.
5.2. Arachnophobia (1990)
Arachnophobia is a suspenseful film about mutant spiders taking over. The movie is tense with few jokes, but it might leave your tween with arachnophobia if you’re not careful.
Arachnophobia
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour and 49 minutes.
5.3. Super 8 (2011)
Super 8 is perfect for kids and tweens who love sci-fi, mystery, and spookiness. It blends sci-fi and horror elements, creating a thrilling mix.
Super 8 was filmed in Ohio
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes.
5.4. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is about kids who find an alien. It’s a worthy addition to this list, perfect for kids and tweens.
et the extra terrestrial
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour 54 minutes.
6. Animated Adventures: Spooky Fun for All Ages
6.1. Coraline (2009)
Coraline tells the story of a little girl with neglectful parents who finds an alternate dimension where doppelgängers give her plenty of love and attention. The stop-motion animation is phenomenal, making it a visual delight.
Coraline claymation horror film
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes.
6.2. Corpse Bride (2005)
Corpse Bride, also known as Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, is a stop-motion animated musical. Its complete lack of scares makes it a fine entry point for kids to get into horror, so long as they don’t get too bored.
Tim Burton Corpse Bride kids animated horror film
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 17 minutes.
6.3. ParaNorman (2012)
ParaNorman is a mix of humor, mystery, and eerie moments. The film features stop-motion animated zombies, witches, and ghosts.
Paranorman kid friendly horror movie
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 32 minutes.
6.4. Frankenweenie (2012)
Frankenweenie is a stop-motion animated interpretation of the classic Frankenstein story. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, who brings his dog back to life using electricity.
Frankenweenie 2012 horror remake
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 27 minutes.
6.5 Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Monsters, Inc. is that magical movie where the monsters under your bed turn out to be more goofy than scary. It’s a heartwarming and chuckle-worthy adventure, perfect for kids and tweens.
Monsters Inc 2001 cartoon monster movie
Rated G. Runtime: 1 hour and 32 minutes.
6.6 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is perfect for kids and younger tweens and loaded with funny moments. The British charm, the crazy contraptions, and the clever humor make it enjoyable for all ages.
wallace gromit in the curse of the wererabbit uk childrens horror film
Rated G. Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes.
7. Horror Meets Adventure: Thrilling Family Films
7.1. The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
Based on the book by John Bellairs, this film tells the story of 10-year-old Lewis being adopted by his warlock uncle. It has beautiful costumes and set dressing, and horror-fantasy movies are fantastic for introducing kids to the genre.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls Jack Black Eli Roth horror film based on a book
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 45 minutes.
7.2. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark takes place around Halloween of 1968. The main draw of this movie is the special effects, taken straight from the Stephen Gammell illustrations.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark horror movies based on books
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour and 48 minutes.
7.3. Monster House (2006)
Three adventurous kids discover that the creepy house across the street is alive. Monster House is a spooky adventure that teaches the value of courage and teamwork.
Monster House kid friendly horror films
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes.
7.4. The Mummy (1999)
The Mummy takes the spirit of the old Universal classic and updates it beautifully. It keeps the horror spirit alive while placing the audience on a fast-paced ride of special effects and elaborate action sequences.
The Mummy 1999 horror action movies
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes.
7.5 Goosebumps (2015)
Goosebumps stars Jack Black as children’s horror author R.L. Stine and is an energetic romp through the Goosebumps‘ universe. The monsters Jack Black’s R.L. Stine and the group of teens need to corral back inside their book prisons.
Goosebumps 2015 Jack Black horror films
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 43 minutes.
7.6 Disney’s Haunted Mansion (2023)
Haunted Mansion had a truly unfortunate release date, but hopefully it’ll find the love it deserves on streaming. It’s a perfect tween-friendly horror film you and your kids will enjoy immensely.
Haunted Manion 2023 tween friendly horror films
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 2 hours and 3 minutes.
7.7 Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Based on the 1962 Ray Bradbury novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes is about the circus coming to town! The two tween boys figure out what’s going on at the evil circus and Mr. Dark doesn’t take kindly to their nosiness.
Something Wicked This Way Comes Mr Dark hand tattoos
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 35 minutes.
7.8 Return to Oz (1985)
If your kid enjoyed The Wizard of Oz as a child, they’ll probably love Return to Oz as a tween. In Return to Oz, Dorothy gathers together a group of friends and faces off against the Nome King and Princess Mombi.
Return to Oz
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 53 minutes.
8. Family Fun with Witches
8.1. The Witches (1990)
Based on the Roald Dahl book, The Witches teaches tweens that witches are real and living among us. These witches are female demons who’re evil to the core, with the main goal of destroying all children.
The Witches 1990 Roald Dahl horror movies based on books
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes.
9. Spooky Musicals
9.1 Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrors is one of the absolute best horror movie musicals in existence.
Little Shop of Horrors 1986 best horror movie musicals
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour and 34 minutes.
10. Goofy Comedies
10.1 Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
Perhaps the real way to defeat evil trolls is through unconditional kindness.
Ernest Scared Stupid 90s childrens horror
Rated: PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes.
10.2 Scooby-Doo (2002)
Scooby-Doo (2002) and its sequel, Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004), are both great tween-friendly horror films.
Scooby Doo 2002 still holds up
Rated PG. Runtime: 1 hour and 26 minutes.
11. Great Halloween Shorts
11.1 “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949)
Included in The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949), the short segment “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is a Halloween Disney classic. It’s the animated story of the headless horseman!
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Disney Halloween short
Not Rated. Runtime: 34 minutes.
11.2 “Trick or Treat” (1952)
This short film is about Huey, Dewy, and Louie Duck making friends with a witch named Hazel. Check it out!
Trick or Treat 1952 huey dewey louie duck halloween
Not Rated. Runtime: 8 minutes.
12. Other Fun Spooky Films
12.1 Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Gentle Gizmo and the not-so-well-behaved Gremlins run riot, creating a rowdy blend of humor and zany Gremlin antics.
gremlins 2 the new batch horror movie sequel
Rated PG-13. Runtime: 1 hour and 46 minutes.
12.2 House on Haunted Hill (1959)
House on Haunted Hill is a fun, atmospheric tale of suspense, with twists and turns that’ll keep young viewers on the edge of their seats.
house on haunted hill william castle vincent price horror film
Not Rated. Runtime: 1 hour and 15 minute.
12.3 Mad Monster Party? (1967)
Mad Monster Party? is a stop motion animated Rankin/Bass holiday special with some of the most adorable renditions of the classic movie monsters you’ll ever see.
Mad Monster Party classic kids horror
Not rated. 1 hour and 34 minutes.
12.4 Any of the Monster High Movies
The “old” (2010-2016) Monster High films are a lot of fun.
Monster High Haunted
13. FAQ Section
13.1. What are some Halloween movies appropriate for young children?
- Casper (1995)
- Halloweentown (1998)
- Monsters, Inc. (2001)
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
- Trick or Treat (1952)
These films are lighthearted, fun, and less likely to cause genuine fear.
13.2. What are some Halloween movies suitable for tweens?
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- The Addams Family (1991)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
- Super 8 (2011)
These films offer a good balance of spookiness and adventure, making them enjoyable for older kids.
13.3. How can I ensure a Halloween movie is not too scary for my child?
Check ratings and reviews, watch trailers together, and consider your child’s sensitivities. Websites like DoesTheDogDie.com can help identify potential triggers.
13.4. Are there any Halloween movies based on children’s books?
- Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
- Goosebumps (2015)
- The Witches (1990)
- The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
These movies can also spark an interest in reading.
13.5. What Halloween movies can I show my family that feature classic monsters?
- Hotel Transylvania (2012)
- The Monster Squad (1987)
- Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
- Universal Monster Movies
- The Munsters (2022)
These movies offer a mix of humor and spooky fun with beloved monsters.
13.6. Where can I find more resources for family-friendly Halloween content?
Visit hudsonfamily.net for more curated lists, reviews, and articles on family-friendly entertainment.
13.7. What are some classic black and white horror movies that are good for kids?
Introducing your tween to black and white horror via a horror comedy is a great tactic. Consider Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein or House on Haunted Hill.
13.8. How do I choose between a PG and PG-13 movie for my child?
PG movies generally have content suitable for all ages, while PG-13 movies may contain material that parents might find unsuitable for children under 13. Always review the content beforehand.
13.9. Are there any new Halloween movies for families to watch this year?
- Disney’s Haunted Mansion (2023) is a great choice for families to enjoy.
13.10. How can I make Halloween movie night more fun for my family?
Create a themed snack menu, decorate the viewing area, and encourage costumes. Discuss the movie afterward to enhance the experience.
14. Conclusion
Choosing Halloween movies for family that everyone will enjoy can be a delightful yet challenging task. By considering the age, sensitivities, and preferences of your family members, you can create a memorable and fun-filled movie night. Visit hudsonfamily.net for more curated lists and resources to enhance your family’s entertainment experiences. From classic monsters to animated adventures, there’s a Halloween movie out there for every family to enjoy!
14.1. Ready for a Spooktacular Family Night?
Explore more articles, find recommendations, and connect with a community of families at hudsonfamily.net.
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