Spooky and Sweet: Must-Watch Halloween Movies For Kids

Family fright nights are one of the most enjoyable Halloween traditions. Watching Halloween movies with your kids is one of the best ways to bond as a family and create the most special memories. Memories that will remain with your child/children in the years to come.
How to find the right Halloween movies for kids?
You do have to be careful while choosing the best kids’ Halloween movies, for a family-friendly night. It’s important to find just the right balance between spooky and funny. Watching spooky kids’ Halloween movies with your children is also a great way to introduce them to new emotions such as fear. Doing this in a safe space, surrounded by family, will help them process such emotions better. It will also make them more confident. Just ensure that it’s not too gory or scary and age-appropriate.
Keep reading for a comprehensive guide on how to perfect the Halloween movie night in with your family.
Perks of watching Halloween Films as a Family
Watching fun Halloween movies for kids is a bonding experience for any family. Even the best kids’ Halloween movies can be a little frightening for young children. Experiencing this new emotion of getting the scares, with parents around them for safety and comfort will only deepen the parent-child bond. This will also set the tone for a new family tradition every year.
Halloween films can be Entertaining and Kid-friendly
The best kids’ Halloween movies are definitely not slasher films or filled with blood and gore. There are tons of kid friendly Halloween movies that are perfect for that cosy family night in. Movies that are a perfect balance of spook and some fun. The perfect Halloween movie should have your children enjoy the scary moments in the presence of the comfort of their parents. They shouldn’t be keeping them awake at night.
Tips for making a cosy movie-watching environment
It’s not just about finding the best kids’ Halloween movie. This is a night for the entire family to bond and enjoy. Nights that your children will remember well into their adulthood.
Some quick tips to make the night memorable are:
- Comfort- Ensure there’s enough comfortable seating and blankets to go around for all. Some extra pillows and beanbags will be very welcome.
- Lighting- Use dim and warm lighting to set the atmosphere. Candles and fairy lights are a great option.
- Food- Food and drinks are of course one of the most important features of the night- You can get creative with your food. Make some quirky drinks and spooky themed cupcakes. There should be enough munchies to go around for those scary moments. And don’t forget the pumpkin pie!
- Clothes- Ensure that you’re all dressed in cosy night suits and slip-on footwear, to enjoy the cosy movie night comfortably.
And then, just press PLAY!
Best Halloween Movies for Kids Throughout the Decades
Hollywood has been churning out classic Halloween movies for kids for several decades. Whether they are vintage horror or fun scares, we’ve made a list for you to choose from:
- Hocus Pocus-
This 1993 classic has been a permanent fixture for many families with young children on Halloween nights. If you want a more modern twist, you can check out its remake in 2022. It reintroduces an entire generation to the Sanderson sisters. You can’t go wrong with this one!
- Eloise’s Rather Unusual Halloween-
Released in 2008, this one’s perfect if you have very young children. A fun Halloween mystery movie with some mild spooky moments!
- It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown-
Released in 1966, this one’s an eternal family classic. So the question remains. Is the Great Pumpkin finally showing up this year?
- Dear Dracula-
The best Halloween movie for families with very young children. A heartwarming tale of friendship, that is guaranteed to be a hit amongst everyone in the family.
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events-
A superb movie that is now also a series on Netflix. It’s dark but funny. It’s also incredibly true to the original book version. So, a great option if you want to get your child/children into exploring the reading world as well.
- Goosebumps-
This is of course based on R.L. Stine’s cult spooky novels for children. All parents who were 80’s or 90’s kids. This is your chance to introduce your children to the world of the delightfully creepy Goosebumps! Not only will your children love it, it’ll be an excuse for you to revisit your childhood.
- Scaredy Cats-
The perfect Halloween movie if you have girls. Black cats, witches, magic, it has it all! We promise your daughters will have this on repeat for the rest of the year, as well.
- Rosemary’s baby-
Not suitable for young children, but great if you have slightly older kids. A genuine slow burn horror classic, this one promises the whole family plenty of terrifying moments. Play it for a true Halloween scary movie night experience for the entire gang.
Conclusion
Halloween movie nights are a family tradition that will remain in your child’s memory bank, long after they have left childhood. So get that bucket of candy and under the blankets for a fun night of scary movie-watching. Perfect to get you all in the mood, before you don your costumes and head out with pillows for trick-or-treating.
FAQs on Halloween Movies for Kids
- What is a fun Halloween movie for kids?
A fun movie that has enough scares, but not enough to keep them up at night. It should be enjoyable, not traumatising.
- What is the most kid-friendly horror movie?
There are several kid friendly horror movies, perfect for Halloween movie nights. Hocus Pocus, Ghostbusters, Casper are some great options.
- What movies are the kids watching on Halloween?
Children love watching scary movies on Halloween night, with their families. They enjoy age-appropriate horror movies. Young children love movies such as Hocus Pocus and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Older children would enjoy movies such as Lemony Snickets’ A series of Unfortunate Events or Corpse Bride.
- Are Halloween movies Ok for Kids?
Halloween movies are great for kids as long as you remember to choose age-appropriate ones. A very scary or violent movie might not be suitable for young children. It can keep them up at night, or even scar them psychologically. It’s perfectly alright to indulge in a spooky movie on Halloween family movie night. Remember to choose a mild one, such as Hocus Pocus, if you have young children.