Posted by Gemma Henry - Content Lead on 13th Oct 2023
10+ Family-Friendly Halloween Movies to Watch with the Kids
When it comes to Halloween, there are plenty of child-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy. From carving pumpkins and baking spooky treats to treat-or-treating and beyond, this autumnal holiday is age-inclusive. And that inclusivity extends to what to watch too.
But Halloween being typically spooky (or for many, totally horrifying) by nature tends to see many must-watch movie lists featuring a round up of titles rating 15+ and 18+. As such, we wanted to offer an alternative Halloween movie list that features titles the kids will love.
We’ve rounded up a list of the top 15+ spooky themed films you and your entire family can enjoy together. Read on to unveil our top picks for family-friendly Halloween movies.
1. Hocus Pocus 1 & 2
Hocus Pocus is a classic family-friendly Halloween movie that is sure to delight most viewers whatever their age. The first insert of this film was released in 1993 and portrays the tale of an evil yet comical trio of witches who are accidently brought back to life by a teenage boy in Salem on Halloween night.
As ever, the timeless battle of good vs. evil makes for an entertaining storyline and there are plenty of characters to fall in love with along the way too. Hocus Pocus is rated PG and so parental guidance is advised. As such, you may want to watch this Halloween movie classic through before watching it with the kids (if you haven’t seen it already) just to check you think it is suitable.
Hocus Pocus 2 was released in 2022. The sequel is set 29 years after the original Halloween movie, and it follows two Salem teens as they prepare to celebrate both Halloween and a sixteenth birthday. Once again, the Sanderson sisters (our original witchy trio) are resurrected.
The second insert of this Halloween-themed film is also rated PG and is a thoroughly entertaining watch.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas was also originally released in 1993. It’s an animated dark fantasy film that was directed by Henry Selick and produced and conceived by Tim Burton.
The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington – the king of Halloween Town. Quite by accident, the extremely likeable Jack Skellington stumbles upon a new town - Christmas Town. The storyline itself centres around him scheming to take over Christmas. Think Halloween meets Christmas and you’re on the right track!
Being animated, this is a great Halloween watch you can use to introduce little ones to the darker side of movies. But again, this movie is rated PG and so, watch it once through first to make sure there is nothing that could overly scare the kids.
3. Monster House
Monster House is another great pick fans of spooky movies will enjoy this Halloween. Originally released in 2006, this computer-animated, child-friendly, dark comedy film is sure to have your whole family on the edge of their seats.
Monster House tells the tale of a spooky house and being set at Halloween, it’s a fun family watch at this time of year. The story follows a 12-year-old boy as he keeps watch over an elderly neighbour who consistently behaves in a very strange – and at times ominous – way.
Featuring creepy and unexpected twists and turns, this Halloween film will appeal to children and adults alike. Again, one thing to note is that Monster House is rated PG also, so parental discretion is needed when considering whether to watch it with the youngest family members.
4. Goosebumps 1 & 2
Watch the wonderful world created by R.L. Stein come to life before your very eyes. With appearances from classic characters including Slappy the Dummy and the mutant plants from “You're Plant Food!”, this Halloween family movie is sure feel nostalgic for many parents.
The Goosebumps films also provide a great way to introduce your kids to R.L. Stein’s beloved Children’s horror series. And, just like the books, both Goosebumps and Goosebumps 2 are aimed at kids in the 9-14 age bracket. And so, these movies are rated PG too indicating that Parental Guidance is required.
Goosebumps 1 was originally released in 2016 and Goosebumps 2 was released quickly afterwards in 2018. A third Goosebumps film has also been rumoured however no release dates have been confirmed as of yet.
5. Halloweentown movie series
Halloweentown is actually a series of four films. They were originally released as Disney Channel Original Movies and are titled as follows:
- Halloweentown
- Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge
- Halloweentown High
- Return to Halloweentown
All four Halloweentown movie titles were released between 1998 and 2006 and each one has its own spooky storyline. Chances are if you enjoy the first one, you’ll enjoy them all.
That said, after a little investigating, despite Halloweentown being rated a U (universal, suitable for all ages) in the UK, the general consensus seems to be that it’s actually appropriate for kids age 7+ (1). This is due to the portrayal of a particularly horrifying-looking warlock. If you’re ever in doubt about watching a film with your little ones, watch it first and let your common-sense guide you.
6. The Addams Family, The Addams Family Values & The Addams Family Reunion
The Addams Family (released 1991), The Addams Family Values (released 1993), and The Addams Family Reunion (released 1998) are a firm family favourite in many households. Especially at Halloween!
All three titles centre around a bizarre and spooky family. Extended family members make ad hoc appearances throughout the three films and the character lineup offers something for everyone. These movies offer plenty of nostalgia for parents and some laugh-out-loud moments that the whole family can enjoy together.
Given the rather amorous relationship between Mortisha and Gomez Addams, as well as the insinuated violence within this series of films, all three titles have been rated PG. So, we recommend using your parental intuition while deciding whether or not these are the right titles for your family this Halloween.
7. Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie is a 3D stop-motion animated horror comedy film that kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy. Given that it’s directed by Tim Burton, it’s definitely darker than some of the other titles in our family-friendly Halloween movies roundup. But for older (or braver) kids, Frankenweenie is definitely worth a watch.
It follows a young boy determined to harness the power of lightning to resurrect his beloved dog. It’s a dark, twisting tale that will evoke plenty of emotions in all viewers. It’s also visually striking to watch given that it’s filmed entirely in black and white.
Frankenweenie is another film that’s been rated PG in the UK. And with that in mind, this 2012 Halloween movie requires some sensible adult assessment ahead of watching it with younger family members.
8. The Witches
Roald Dahl's The Witches is a dark horror comedy movie that’s ideal for family film nights this Halloween. The movie itself is based on the 1983 novel created by Roald Dahl. And whether you choose to watch the original adaptation (released in 1990) or the second film adaptation (released in 2020), the whole family is sure to be transfixed.
The story itself follows the concept that witches live among us but concealed. And that in itself can be quite frightening for younger children. As you’d expect, that has garnered both movie adaptations to be rated PG.
9. Monster Family 1 & 2
If you think your family is dysfunctional, wait until you watch Monster Family. At least you don’t have a Frankenstein-type monster for a dad, a vampire for a mum, a mummy for a sister, and a werewolf for a brother!
All jokes aside, both Monster Family 1 (released 2018) and 2 (released 2021) are feel-good family movies that offer a fun Halloween-themed watch for most ages.
Again, thanks to occasional scenes of animated violence, these titles have been rated PG. Due to some (albeit infrequent) disturbing scenes, the movie might not be appropriate for your youngest viewers.
10. The Boxtrolls
The Boxtrolls is another slightly unusual Halloween movie that many family members will enjoy. This film was released in 2015 and is based on the book Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow.
It’s an endearing tale of an orphan named Eggs. The story explores the life of this child who lives with the Boxtrolls who seem to be a community of bizarre, and often mischievous creatures living in a cavern beneath a fictitious city.
As it’s rated PG, you may not feel that The Boxtrolls the right fit for the younger family members this Halloween. But older kids and adults alike are likely to find the visual composition and storyline completely enchanting.
Why family movie nights are better with a TV bed
Picture this: your entire household united on one bed; duvets at the ready for any particularly frightening and spooky scenes; and a bowl of popcorn resting on a bedside table. If that sounds idyllic to you, imagine how a TV bed could elevate that experience!
If you want to create your very own at-home cinema experience this Halloween (and subsequent Halloweens thereafter), a TV bed may be an ideal choice for you. Experience immersive audio and a front row seat at each and every performance. Find out what to look for when shopping for TV beds in our Blog Post.
And if you’d like some advice on TV beds from one of our experts, get in touch. In store, online or on the phone, our knowledgeable team is ready to help you choose the ideal bed for your needs. Just drop into your nearest Bensons for Beds showroom or give us a call on 0808 144 6160.
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