Top 10 Family Friendly Halloween Movies

Halloween is a spooky holiday celebrated by many people with scary movies, disturbing thriller, slasher gory, or spirit-filled movies -- but NOT us! We like to keep our Halloween movies on more of a kid-friendly level that us parents can handle as well lol. So if you're into the really scary movies this post might not be for you. For everyone who loves some family-friendly Halloween cinema, we're sharing our 10 Favorite Family Friendly Halloween Movies, bound to please families with kiddos ages 8 and below.

We've been going through these on our Friday Family movie night, and with COVID, we've found Saturday nights in, cozied up with popcorn, snacks, candy, and a movie have become custom and expected (by the children) as well this October. Thanks goodness for technology because many of these are available via streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, HBO, but you may also want to check out your local library and theaters.

Nightmare Before Christmas

Is this a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? Obviously, it's both, and we watch it for both holidays. Boston, being so inquisitive, wants to know about everything: what happens if you go through the other holiday doors? How can Jack Skellington be dead, but the people are afraid he died? And as gently as possible I have to ask him to stop for a minute because the best part of the song is coming up. And yes, I sing through most of the movie (sometimes just to myself), but how can you not with this soundtrack!

For Free on Disney+

Hocus Pocus

Three witches come back to life in the 21 century. This film follows all their antics and discoveries as they are pursuing the three coolest kids of the 90's to feed on their youthfulness. This is definitely a classic family Halloween comedy. Our girls have fully embraced this film this year, with quotes referenced all day long, which AJ especially loves being the movie buff that he is.

For Free on Netflix

Ghostbusters

This movie is cinematic gold! Bill Murray's classic wit and the absurdity of these men being ghost catchers is just so wonderful. The kids love all the goofy ghost stuff - Slimer sliming Bill Murray, the ghost librarian shrieking at the guys, and the giant marshmallow man. They giggle one moment and hide from something scary the next. There is a fair amount of adult humor, (don't judge me as a parent) but be warned if you plan on sharing this with your little ones. Also be warned, the kiddos will want to listen to the theme song again and again and again. lol.

For Rent on Amazon Prime

Hotel Transylvania

This a hilarious take on all the famous spooky Halloween monsters as Dracula throws a birthday celebration for his daughter, Mavis who turns 118. They sure know how to party it up and actually humanize monsters! Definitely a great family comedy adventure!

For Rent on Amazon Prime

Charlie Brown: The Great Pumpkin

This is just a wholesome, classic Charlie Brown cartoon movie. Will the Great Pumpkin come visit? Are there tricks or treats? Cute little heart warming scenes that are bound to melt your heart! With some new rights changes, this movie is only available on Apple TV+ unless you've bought it or had cool parents who recorded it for you as children. haha

For Free on Apple TV+. Don't have a subscription? You're in luck, it will be available free from Oct. 30-Nov. 1.

List of Top 10 Family Friendly Halloween Movies for families with younger children under 8 years old.

Haunted Mansion

This film was just the right amount of spooky and Eddie Murphy funny as a family gets stuck in the haunted mansion. It definitely kept Boston entertained with all its plot twists. I imagined myself on the ride at Disney while watching this film, trying to pinpoint which parts were incorporated. I can't wait to go back onto the ride again!

For Free on Disney+

For Rent on Amazon Prime

Halloweentown

This movie is a classic from both of our childhoods. Cute little Marnie witch, anyone? Who else is a Disney Channel kid?? We still love the storyline and the adventure these kid witches go through to save their magical Halloweentown!

For Free on Disney+

For Rent on Amazon Prime

Casper

Another flashback to our childhood. I remember watching it with my cousins and talking about it at school! Cute little Casper the friendly ghost and his crazy family haunts a mansion until he meets a ghost therapist and his daughter, Kat, who becomes Casper's friend.

For Rent on Amazon Prime

Kiki's Delivery Service

A beautiful Japanese animation by Hayao Miyazaki, whose films are ever so present in our home. This film isn't spooky by any means. It follows the adventures a little witch in training who loses her powers and has to figure out how to get it back.

For Free on HBO

The Goonies

I know this isn't actually a Halloween movie, but it has so much that just makes it feel like it fits. The dreary weather reminds me of the cold and often wet Halloween nights I used to brave when trick-or-treating. Additionally, Sloth and hunting pirates' gold, feel very much like Halloween. Like Ghostbusters, there is some adult language and, but our kids had a good time with it.