It’s an unwritten rule. When October draws nigh, there needs to be at least one night where you dim the lights, hunker down on the couch and watch a few family-friendly Halloween flicks with the kids. (Popcorn is mandatory, not optional, in this scenario.) But what are the best kids Halloween movies to stream at home this year? (You know, the PG- and G-rated Halloween movies that will hold adults’ interest while not scaring the pants off of little ones.)
From animated Disney classics to Halloween films that are just scary enough for older kiddos, here are 17 of the best Halloween movies for kids and where they’re available for streaming. Keep in mind, prices vary among platforms! Now go light that jack-o’-lantern and snuggle up!
1. “Chupa”
While visiting his family in Mexico, a teenager discovers a young chupacabra living in his grandpa’s shed.
Director: Jonas Cuaron
Release date: April 7, 2023
Runtime: 95 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Chupa” on Netflix
2. “Hocus Pocus 2”
A modern sequel to the 1993 film, “Hocus Pocus 2” tells the story of three young girls who accidentally bring the Sanderson sisters to current-day Salem.
Director: Anne Fletcher
Release date: September 30, 2022
Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Hocus Pocus 2” on Disney Plus
3. “The Addams Family”
A little spooky, a lot kooky. This animated take on the classic film is sure to get a few laughs from kids — without freaking them out too much. According to Common Sense Media, this Halloween classic has a few scares, but generally is fine for kids age 7 and up.
Director: Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan
Release date: October 11, 2019
Runtime: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “The Addams Family” on Amazon Prime Video
4. “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”
If you’re not having a Charlie Brown Halloween, are you even having a Halloween? This year, families can stream the Charles M. Schulz classic, which, arguably, is one of the top kids Halloween movies of all time, on Apple TV.
Director: Bill Melendez
Release date: October 27, 1966
Runtime: 25 minutes
Rating: N/A
Watch: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on Apple TV
5. “Hotel Transylvania”
One of the best kids Halloween movies out there! Even though Count Dracula is raising his daughter, Mavis, in the lovely “five-stake” monsters-only hotel he’s built in Transylvania, he allows her to explore the human world on her 118th birthday.
Director: Gennady Tartakovsky
Release date: September 28, 2012
Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Hotel Transylvania” on Amazon Prime Video
6. “The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-Ween”
If your kids love Captain Underpants (or Dog Man or general potty humor), they’ll love this 45-minute movie Halloween movie, where Captain Underpants and his friends invent a new holiday after Melvin makes Halloween illegal.
Director: Seung Woo Cha, Kevin Peaty
Release date: October 8, 2019
Runtime: 46 minutes
Rating: TV-Y7
Watch: “The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween” on Netflix
7. “The Spiderwick Chronicles”
Based on the book of the same name, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” follows the Grace family after they move to a relative’s run-down estate. When weird things keep occurring at the home, the Graces assume it’s at the hand of Jared, the family troublemaker. Ultimately, though, the unusual activity is due to magical creatures that are roaming the property.
Director: Mark Waters
Release date: February 14, 2008
Runtime: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “The Spiderwick Chronicles” on Apple TV
8. “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
While “The Nightmare Before Christmas” does have some spooky characters, it’s a wacky, twisted story that older kids will likely love (with a great soundtrack to boot!). The movie follows Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloweentown, as he becomes bored with the usual Halloween activities and tries to overtake another holiday: Christmas.
Director: Tim Burton
Release date: October 29, 1993
Runtime: 1 hour, 19 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Disney Plus
9. “Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket”
Not your average holiday. While vacationing in idyllic Nantucket, teenage mystery writer Annabelle Hooper finds herself having to outwit two thieves with her friends in order to get the truth on a legendary ghost story. Never underestimate a determined teen!
Director: Paul Serafini
Release date: August 9, 2016
Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “Annabelle Hooper and the Ghost of Nantucket” on Amazon Prime Video
10. “Beetlejuice”
While there definitely are some scenes (and characters) that may freak out the younger set a bit, older kids will get a kick out of this wacky flick that stars Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice — AKA, “The Ghost With the Most.” Note: Though the movie is rated PG, most parents think “Beetlejuice” is best suited for kids 12 and up.
Director: Tim Burton
Release date: March 30, 1988
Runtime: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Beetlejuice” on Amazon Prime Video
11. “Toy Story of Terror!”
A great — quick! — film for younger kids or anyone who loves “Toy Story,” which, let’s face it, is everyone. Starring Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the rest of the toys, “Toy Story of Terror!” follows the gang as they embark on a road trip that winds up leading them to mysterious and creepy places.
Director: Angus MacLane
Release date: October 16, 2013
Runtime: 21 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “Toy Story of Terror” on Disney Plus
12. “Harvie and the Magic Museum”
A mischievous 10-year-old boy accidentally brings puppets to life, along with an evil puppeteer, who wants to take over the whole city. Sounds like a good Halloween movie for kids to us!
Director: Martin Kotík
Release date: March 7, 2019
Runtime: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Harvie and the Magic Museum” on Hulu
13. “Goosebumps”
Zach Cooper isn’t happy when he has to move from the city to a small town — however, his mood perks up when he meets his cute neighbor, Hannah. Zach and Hannah’s relationship takes an unusual turn once he accidentally releases the fantastical creatures that normally reside inside the books of Hannah’s famous author father — R.L. Stine.
Director: Rob Letterman
Release date: October 27, 1995
Runtime: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Goosebumps” on Amazon Prime Video
14. “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween”
Whether the kids are fans of the original “Goosebumps” movie or not, they’ll still enjoy the sequel, which features a completely different cast, but a similar premise. After a group of teens happen upon a book, one of the characters from it — a ventriloquist’s dummy (um, creepy!) — comes to life.
Director: Ari Sandel
Release date: December 25th 2018
Runtime: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Goosebumps 2” on Amazon Prime Video
15. “Coco”
Arguably one of Disney’s best animated films to date, “Coco” follows Miguel as he embarks on a quest to become a musician — a quest that lands him in the colorful and fantastical Land of the Dead. There, he learns the meaning and importance of culture and family.
Director: Lee Unkrich
Release date: November 22, 2017
Runtime: 1 hour, 44 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Coco” on Disney Plus
16. “Monster House”
Even though no adults believe three friends when they tell them that a house on the block is actually a living creature trying to cause people harm, the kids determine the house needs to be destroyed before trick-or-treaters visit it on Halloween.
Director: Gil Kenan
Release date: July 21, 2006
Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Rating: PG
Watch: “Monster House” on Amazon Prime Video
17. “Spookley the Square Pumpkin”
In the vein of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Spookley” follows a pumpkin who just doesn’t fit in — because he’s not round like the other pumpkins. However, when a storm hits the pumpkin patch, Spookley, using his smarts, steps up to save the day. One of the best Halloween movies for kids who frighten easily on Netflix.
Director: Bernie Denk
Release date: October 30, 2004
Runtime: 47 minutes
Rating: G
Watch: “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” on Netflix
