Spooktacular Family Fun – The Best Halloween Movies for Kids

There’s something magic about Halloween as a kid — the crisp air, the sugar rush, the smell of fireworks and damp leaves. Back in the day, you’d have The Late Late Halloween Special on the telly, a bag of monkey nuts you’d never eat, and maybe a rented VHS of something “spooky but not too spooky.”

So, grab the popcorn, dim the lights (but not too much if the little ones are jumpy), and let’s rewind through a few Halloween movie favourites the whole family can enjoy.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

It wouldn’t be Halloween without the Sanderson sisters. Bette Midler and co. are pure mischief as three resurrected witches causing chaos in Salem. It’s campy, funny, and still holds up decades later.

📺 Streaming on Disney+

🍿 Pair it with: Pumpkin popcorn aad orange squash (or a Pumpkin Spiced Old Fashioned for the grown-ups).

Casper (1995)

“Can I keep you?” — possibly the most hauntingly sweet line of every '90s kid’s childhood. Christina Ricci and our friendly ghost bring charm, laughs, and a few sniffles.

📺 Streaming on Netflix

🍿 Pair it with: White chocolate buttons and mini marshmallows (ghost-approved).

Monster House (2006)

A criminally underrated gem. A trio of kids discover the creepy house across the street is alive — literally. It’s spooky but adventurous, with great animation and a lot of heart.

📺 Streaming on Netflix

🍿 Pair it with: Cheese puffs and a blanket fort.

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Dracula’s running a resort for monsters, and his biggest fear isn’t Van Helsing — it’s his teenage daughter growing up. Silly, fast-paced, and surprisingly sweet.

📺 Streaming on Netflix

🍿 Pair it with: Popcorn mixed with gummy worms (trust me).

Coraline (2009)

One for slightly older kids (and brave parents). Coraline discovers a button-eyed version of her world that’s a little too perfect. Creepy stop-motion brilliance from the team behind The Nightmare Before Christmas.

📺 Streaming on Netflix

🍿 Pair it with: Hot chocolate and a side of goosebumps.

The Witches (1990)

Before CGI took over, we had practical effects — and Angelica Huston turning kids into mice still freaks out adults to this day. Based on Roald Dahl’s classic, it’s creepy, weird, and utterly iconic.

📺 Streaming on Prime Video

🍿 Pair it with: Chocolate coins and an escape plan if the Grand High Witch appears.

The Addams Family (1991)

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky — and they make for perfect Halloween viewing. This live-action classic nails the tone: funny, gothic, and weirdly wholesome. Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston own the roles of Gomez and Morticia. The house, the costumes, the dry humour — it’s Halloween perfection.

📺 Streaming on Paramount+ or rent on Prime Video

🍿 Pair it with: Black-and-white cupcakes and a spiderweb blanket.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Not a Halloween movie in the strict sense, but come on — it’s got monsters, doors, and one of Pixar’s most heartwarming duos. Sulley and Mike show that sometimes the scariest thing of all… is growing up. A great pick for a less-spooky October night.

📺 Streaming on Disney+

🍿 Pair it with: Popcorn and a juice box (or a Monster Energy if the adults need one).

Halloweentown (1998)

Pure nostalgia for anyone who grew up watching Disney Channel. Marnie discovers her family are witches and travels to a magical town full of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls. Cheesy? Absolutely. But that’s part of the charm.

📺 Streaming on Disney+

🍿 Pair it with: Toffee popcorn and a sprinkle of nostalgia.

ParaNorman (2012)

A boy who can see ghosts ends up being the only one who can save his town from a witch’s curse. Funny, emotional, and beautifully animated — like a Halloween Pixar flick.

📺 Available to rent on Apple TV

🍿 Pair it with: Halloween jellies and fizzy drinks.

Bonus Picks

• Frankenweenie (2012) — Tim Burton’s gothic heartwarmer.

• Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998) — peak nostalgia if you grew up on Cartoon Network.

Halloween doesn’t have to mean nightmares — sometimes it’s about a bit of mischief, a few laughs, and the right balance of spooky and silly. Whether you’re introducing your kids to Hocus Pocus for the first time, rewatching Halloweentown, or singing along with The Addams Family, these movies bring back that October magic we all remember.

And if the kids conk out early?

Stay tuned for Part 2: Fright Night In – Halloween Movies for Grown-Ups Who Love a Good Scare, dropping next.

Slán go fóill.