Halloween is a holiday that is beloved by people of all ages. Kids love the candy and the costumes, and plenty of adults either dress up themselves or get really into the decoration. Another great way to celebrate Halloween is to check out a movie or two, but it can be tough to find titles that will work for the whole family.
If you want to find a Halloween movie that will work with kids, we recommend checking out the movies on this list. There’s something for every kind of kid, from one that doesn’t want any scares to one that doesn’t mind getting just a little bit spooked.
When you’re done here, check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best new shows on Max, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
It’s true that Kiki’s Delivery Service isn’t really about Halloween at all. Nonetheless, its chill vibes and its focus on a witch trying to find her way in the world make this the perfect film to pull out every October. The Hayao Miyazaki movie follows Kiki, a young witch preparing to leave home for the first time so that she can find a town in need of assistance.
She eventually lands in a coastal town and opens a delivery business, and we follow her as she delivers several items and deals with the travails of striking out on your own. It’s a gentle, deeply moving film that should resonate with any young witch that checks it out.
You can watch Kiki’s Delivery Service on Max.
Coraline (2009)
Coraline has some moments that could be genuinely freaky to younger kids, so proceed with caution. If you’re fairly confident that your kid can handle something a little bit edgier, though, then Coraline might be right up their alley. The film follows a young girl who is dissatisfied with her move to a new town, and discovers an alternate reality that seems to be better than her own.
When she’s eventually trapped there, though, Coraline must figure out how she can return to her home. Filled with brilliant, hugely inventive stop-motion animation, Coraline is a great movie for kids of all ages.
You can watch Coraline on Tubi.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Adam Sandler in dad mode is often Adam Sandler at his best, and Hotel Transylvania gives him a chance to do exactly that. The film follows his version of Dracula as he assembles a variety of other icons of horror at his hotel, where they go to get away from their daily grind.
The group is assembled to celebrate Dracula’s daughter’s birthday, but things get complicated when a human shows up and falls in love with her. Filled with genuinely funny bits and remarkably light on scares, Hotel Transylvania is sure to delight your kids and probably won’t scare them.
You can watch Hotel Transylvania on Peacock
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
There are two movies from stop-motion legend Henry Selick on this list, but given his emphasis on both animation and spooky adjacent topics, that makes some sense. The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween, as he discovers that there are a variety of other holiday-themed towns.
When he decides to take over Christmas, he realizes that he might be less well-equipped for that holiday than the one he has experience managing. Featuring great songs from Danny Elfman, The Nightmare Before Christmas is iconic for a reason, but it might be a little too scary for the youngest kids.
You can watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
Coco (2017)
One of the least scary movies on this list, Coco is a moving, sad, autumnal Pixar movie that will leave you weeping, not terrified. The film tells the story of a young boy named Miguel who loves music, even though his family forbids him from practicing it.
When he travels to the land of the dead on El Dia de los Muertos, he learns more about his own family’s history, and the complicated way it has traveled down through generations. Coco is a movie about the complications of family, but one that has a delightful, spooky overtone that makes it feel like a perfect Halloween watch.
You can watch Coco on Disney+.
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