25+ Halloween movies for kids, by age

My family loves watching Halloween movies to get into the spooky spirit. But, of course, every kid has a different threshold for what they consider too scary. And when the family costume planning isn’t getting anywhere or you’re taking a break from Halloween decorating, consider kids Halloween movies to put everyone under a spell for a fangtastic good time.

Related: 10 kids movies coming out in 2022 the whole family can watch

And if you’re wondering: what are good Halloween movies for kids? Well, we also included Beetlejuice age ratings, Hocus Pocus age ratings and Common Sense Media ratings for some other movies as well. Click on the links and read more about the content of the films, including reviews from other parents and kids. From Disney Halloween movies to classics, here are the best Halloween movies for kids that capture the goofy, spooky and sweet aspects of Halloween. Boo!

Halloween Movies for Younger Kids

1. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

If you’re looking for an innocent Halloween movie perfect for even the younger set, hop over to Amazon Prime for this Halloween-themed Curious George flick. Expect innocent shenanigans from everyone’s fave monkey.

2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown—G

This is almost as perfect as the Peanuts Christmas movie – and coming from me, that’s a huge compliment. A must-rewatch-every-season movie. Here’s what Common Sense Media has to say about it.

3. Monsters, Inc.—G

4. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—G

This is really a short film, but it’s such a classic it has to go here.

5. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit—G

Wallace and Gromit save their town from a giant were-rabbit. Actually, they save the squashes and pumpkins of the Giant Vegetable Competition.

6. Bedknobs and Broomsticks—G

Three kids escape London during World War II with the help of a witch and an enchanted bedknob. I thought this movie was pretty cool when I was a kid.

7. Hotel Transylvania—PG

Maybe Adam Sandler should stick to voice work. I don’t love it, but my kid does, so here it is.

8. Nightmare Before Christmas

There’s only one Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, and that is Jack Skellington. This movie might be a bit intense for younger kids, but my kid was obsessed with it when she was four.

9. Coco

Between the catchy songs and tear-jerker family story, this is one is beloved by young and old alike. And, here’s what the ratings have to say about it.

Halloween Movies for 9 and Up

1. Labyrinth—PG

This is a super weird movie. I’m not even sure I really like it. Also, David Bowie’s codpiece. But it is a great movie for the season. My 7-year old loved it.

2. ParaNorman—PG

A stop-motion movie that has genuine scares. Not for little kids, better for 4th or even 5th grade and up. Has good messages about tolerance.

3. Monster House—PG

Kids discover that a neighbor’s house is a monster. Like ParaNorman, this movie has some creepy scenes that make it most appropriate for 4th grade and up.

4. Dracula with music by the Kronos Quartet—NR

I’ve always loved the Bela Lugosi version of Dracula, flawed as it may be it. It has a self-seriousness that gives it a kind of strange majesty. See the version with music from the Kronos Quartet. View this making of video to get a sense of how awesome it is.

5. The Universal Monster Movies—NR

Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman, The Invisible Man, Creature From the Black Lagoon, Mummy and Bride of Frankenstein. Growing up, the Creature from the Black Lagoon was my second favorite movie after Star Wars. These are the kinds of kids Halloween movies that belong on every watchlist. Plan a fun retro movie night with the kids. They might grumble at first, but trust me – it’ll make for a fun movie night.

6. Beetlejuice—PG

Today’s kids will be confused, entertained and generally weirded out by this movie – just as they were when it came out more than 28 years ago(!).

And for those curious what the Beetlejuice age rating is: it’s PG and recommended for ages 13+ by Common Sense Media.

7. Coraline—PG

A beautiful, creepy and strangely moving stop-motion masterpiece.

8. Corpse Bride—PG

It’s not a classic like Nightmare Before Christmas, but great creepy stop-motion animation and great voice work from Johnny Depp elevate this movie into a must-see.

9. Young Frankenstein—PG

I admit that I didn’t love it as a kid, but only because I wanted to see the real thing – not a parody. My kid likes it because it’s so goofy. I enjoyed it more when I watched it with her.

10. The Witches—PG

Adapted from the book by Roald Dahl, which I found much more disturbing than this movie. (Spoiler alert: In the book, the kid is transformed into a mouse and is stuck in that form forever. In the movie, he at least transforms back into a human.) Anjelica Huston is great as the main witch. Suitable for 9-year-olds and up.

For Pre-Teens and Beyond

1. Ghostbusters—PG

My 7-year old kid thinks the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is the funniest bad guy ever. That was probably the idea, but he terrified me as a child.

2. Hocus Pocus—PG

Most people feel that this classic about three witches, and the teenagers determined to stop them, is a must-watch every year.

Curious what the Hocus Pocus age rating is? Common Sense Media says Hocus Pocus is for ages 10+.

3. Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban—PG

Dementors! Werewolves! The best Potter movie for the season.

4. Gremlins—PG

Another dark comedy from the 1980’s that terrified me when it came out. Gremlins 2 is insane—in a good way.

5. Something Wicked This Way Comes—PG

Super-creepy, but still within the realm of appropriateness for pre-teens. It’s about an evil circus.

6. Poltergeist—PG

Somehow this movie is rated PG, but it should be rated PG-13.

7. The Addams Family

I prefer the second movie. Maybe that’s because I saw it on VHS in a public hall in a tiny town in Mexico, where it scandalized the older townspeople.

8. The Monster Squad—PG-13

Rated PG-13, not for scares and chills, but because of language, the complications of finding a virgin to sacrifice and the fact that the Wolfman “had nards.” Most of that went over my head as a kid. When I was growing up, this film was up there with Goonies.

Bonus Movies

1. Batman Returns—PG

Set in the winter, but a creepy Danny DeVito as Penguin and Christopher Walken as Max Schreck, along with music from Tim Burton, makes this a perfect Halloween film.

2. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial—PG

It’s a movie set during Halloween, and it made millions of children (and grownups) cry. It makes the list of kids Halloween movies.

A version of this post was published October 9, 2019. It has been updated.