Halloween Movies Perfect for a Family Evening or a Teen Fest

Halloween movies perfect for a family evening might be a good alternative to having your children wandering around the neighborhood in the dark and cold!  Check out some of these films and suggest that your family host a movie night, complete with scary snacks and drinks worthy of Martha Stewart!

Here are 10 family-friendly Halloween movies that blend spooky fun with heartwarming moments—perfect for all ages!

Whether you’re planning a cozy family movie night or a festive watch party, these picks offer just the right amount of magic, mischief, and mild thrills:

Top 10 Family-Friendly Halloween Movies

1. Hocus Pocus (1993) – A trio of resurrected witches wreaks havoc in Salem on Halloween night. A cult classic with humor, heart, and a talking cat.
2. Casper (1995) – The friendliest ghost you’ll ever meet befriends a young girl in this sweet, slightly spooky tale.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece blends Halloween and Christmas in a visually stunning musical adventure.
4. Halloweentown (1998) – A girl discovers she’s from a family of witches and must save a magical town. A nostalgic Disney Channel favorite.
5. Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Monsters, laughs, and family values collide when Dracula’s daughter falls for a human.
6. Spookley the Square Pumpkin (2005) – A gentle animated story about embracing differences, ideal for preschoolers.
7. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) – A timeless Peanuts special that captures the innocence and wonder of Halloween.
8. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013) – Lighthearted mystery and fall fun for the youngest viewers.
9. Under Wraps (2021) – A group of kids befriends a mummy in this modern Disney remake full of laughs and adventure.
10. The Addams Family (1991 or 2019) – The delightfully creepy and kooky family offers spooky fun with a big heart.

These films are widely available on streaming platforms like Disney+, Netflix, and Prime Video. Want help finding where to watch them or tailoring the list for toddlers, tweens, or teens? I’d be happy to help!

Your teen probably isn’t dressing up to go trick-or-treating anymore, which means they might prefer to settle in with a good spooky Halloween movie. This year, consider joining your teenagers for a spooktacular family movie night with a few age-appropriate and spine-tingling movies that are sure to creep them out.  Or if they prefer a sleepover with friends, these scary movies are perfect for tweens and teens! They’ll deliver the right level of fear without inducing trauma. We do want them to eventually fall asleep, right?

Top Teen-Friendly Halloween Movies

1. A Haunting in Venice (2023) – A stylish murder mystery with eerie undertones, perfect for fans of suspense and detective stories.
2. The Invitation (2022) – A gothic thriller with supernatural twists, featuring a strong female lead and creepy family secrets.
3. Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) – The Sanderson sisters return in this sequel full of magic, mischief, and nostalgia.
4. Haunted Mansion (2023) – A spooky-comedy blend with ghosts, laughs, and heartwarming moments. Great for group viewing.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – While not strictly Halloween-themed, its magical setting and seasonal vibes make it a perennial favorite.
6. Practical Magic (1998) – Two sisters battle a family curse in this romantic supernatural drama with witchy charm.
7. The Boogeyman (2023) – A Stephen King adaptation that delivers psychological scares without excessive gore.
8. Jagged Mind (2023) – A psychological thriller involving memory loss and eerie visions—ideal for older teens.
9. Grimcutty (2022) – A modern horror tale where an internet meme comes to life, blending tech fears with teen heroism.
10. Under Wraps (2021) – A lighthearted Disney Channel remake about kids befriending a mummy. Great for younger teens or tweens!

I read an article in the New York TImes this week which listed the top 10 old sitcoms that the author’s children should know.  The list included classics like I Love Lucy, The Jeffersons and Cheers.  That made me want to explore classic Halloween movies – and black and white movies too – so here are a few more that didn’t make the list anywhere else.

Timeless Halloween Classics

1. Psycho (1960) – Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller with the infamous shower scene remains a masterclass in suspense.
2. The Exorcist (1973) – A chilling tale of possession and faith, widely regarded as one of the scariest films ever made.
3. Halloween (1978) – The slasher that launched a franchise, introducing Michael Myers and redefining horror cinema.
4. Beetlejuice (1988) – Tim Burton’s quirky ghost comedy with unforgettable visuals and mischievous charm.
5. Scream (1996) – A meta-horror that revived the slasher genre with wit, scares, and iconic masks.

I am happiest watching Ginger Rogers and Fred Astair movies so I needed to check out classic black and white movies for Halloween!

Classic black-and-white Halloween movies offer timeless chills, iconic monsters, and atmospheric storytelling that still captivates today. Here’s a curated list of standout titles from the silent era through the 1960s—perfect for vintage horror fans or a retro movie night.

1. Nosferatu (1922) – A silent German expressionist masterpiece and one of the earliest vampire films. Max Schreck’s Count Orlok is hauntingly unforgettable.
2. Dracula (1931) – Bela Lugosi’s legendary performance as the Count set the standard for vampire portrayals.
3. Frankenstein (1931) – Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the misunderstood monster remains iconic. A cornerstone of Universal’s monster legacy.
4. Bride of Frankenstein (1935) – A stylish and emotionally rich sequel that’s often considered superior to the original.
5. The Wolf Man (1941) – Lon Chaney Jr. stars in this tragic tale of lycanthropy and fate, with moody visuals and eerie atmosphere.
6. The Invisible Man (1933) – A brilliant scientist turns mad in this chilling adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel.
7. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) – A silent psychological thriller with surreal sets and twisted storytelling. A landmark in horror cinema.
8. The Phantom of the Opera (1925) – Lon Chaney’s grotesque makeup and tragic performance make this silent film a Halloween essential.
9. The Haunting (1963) – A psychological ghost story with subtle scares and masterful sound design. Still unnerving without showing a single ghost.
10. Carnival of Souls (1962) – A low-budget cult classic with dreamlike pacing and eerie visuals that linger long after viewing

Regardless of how you spend your Halloween, be sure to have lots of chocolate!  and let me know your favorite Halloween movie! And if you want a bigger house to host bigger parties, then I can certainly help with that! Just give me a call at 240-401-5577 or email me at lise@lisehowe.com.