Looking for the best Halloween movie to watch with the kids and your family? From heartwarming stories like “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and “Coco” to spooky adventures like “ParaNorman” and “Earthquake,” there’s something for everyone.
To make it easy for you, we’ve ranked the 12 best Halloween movies for kids and families based on their scariness. Let’s start with the least scary one!
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
- Director: Hayao Miyazaki
- Stars: Minami TakayamaRei Rei Sakuma, Kappei Yamaguchi
- Thriller Level: ★
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
- Where to Watch: Hulu, HBO, Prime Video
Not all Halloween movies have to be scary and spooky, and “Kiki’s Delivery Service” is proof positive. This heartwarming Studio Ghibli film tells the story of a young witch, Kiki, and her sarcastic black cat, Jiji, as they move to a seaside town and embark on a flight delivery business.
Rather than scares or haunted houses, this film is about finding your place in the world. Its warm autumn atmosphere, whimsical magic, and Kiki’s deeply moving struggles make it the perfect Halloween treat for 5-6-year-old kids.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
- Director: Bill Melendez
- Stars: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Sally Dryer
- Thriller Level: ★
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
- Where to Watch: Apple TV
Let’s indulge in some nostalgia this Halloween! Charlie Brown’s “The Great Pumpkin” captures it in the most heartwarming way. The Peanuts cartoonists gather for their annual pumpkin patch adventure, while Linus, with unwavering faith, awaits the legendary Great Pumpkin’s appearance.
There are no ghosts or monsters in this film, just childhood memories wrapped in autumn leaves and jazz music. The film is full of humor, and the animation is simple yet timeless. This movie is a real comfort for families looking to spend Halloween together.
Coco (2017)
- Director: Lee Unkrich
- Stars: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
- Thriller Level: ★
- IMDb rating: 8.4/10
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu
“Remember me, even though I must say goodbye.” These words brought tears to my eyes. Miguel unexpectedly finds himself in a world of the dead, encountering a myriad of ancestors, uncovering family secrets, and discovering that remembering loved ones allows them to live another way.
With haunting songs, stunning Pixar animation, and a gripping story, “Coco” is one of the most moving Halloween movies for 5 to 10-year-old kids.
Although set among skeletons and ghosts, “Coco” celebrates life, tradition, and creativity with a vibrant and joyful atmosphere.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- Director: Henry Selick
- Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
- Thriller Level: ★★
- IMDb rating: 7.9/10
- Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu
Step into Halloweentown, where pumpkins grin and skeletons dance. This is the world of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, tired of the same old horror scenes, stumbles upon Christmastown, embarking on a fantastical adventure that seamlessly blends the eerie charm with the magic of the holiday season.
This film strikes just the right level of scary, thrilling children without overwhelming them. With stunning stop-motion animation, this imaginative film is perfect for Halloween.
If you’re looking to unblock more popular Halloween movies, we recommend LightningX VPN. It offers over 2000 nodes, allowing you to easily unblock full streaming libraries, such as Netflix, Hulu, and more.
Download now to enjoy free high-speed nodes and make your Halloween even more exciting!
Casper (1995)
- Director: Brad Silberling
- Stars: Christina Ricci（Kat Harvey）、Bill Pullman（Dr. James Harvey）
- Thriller Level: ★★
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10
- Where to Watch: Netflix
“If I tell you I like you, can you keep a secret? I’m a ghost.” In Whipstaff Manor, a mansion shrouded in cobwebs and filled with ghostly echoes, lives Casper, a kindly ghost who just wants a friend.
“Casper” defies conventional wisdom about haunted houses and is a family-friendly Halloween classic. It’s a little creepy but not too scary, a Halloween movie you can watch together with the lights off and still feel warm inside.
Sketch (2024)
- Director: Seth Worley
- Stars: Tony Hale、D’Arcy Carden、Bianca Belle
- Thriller Level: ★★
- IMDb rating: 6.7/10
- Where to Watch: Angel
In “Sketch”, after a family tragedy, 12-year-old Amber pours all her emotions into her art. One night, one of her drawings mysteriously comes to life. Suddenly, creatures she once imagined begin to appear around her small town.
I recommend “Sketch” because it avoids surprise scares or dark horror elements. It’s spooky enough for 7 to 9-year-old children and fits the Halloween spirit, but not too scary.
Night of the Zoopocalypse (2024)
- Director: Ricardo Curtis、Rodrigo Perez-Castro
- Stars: Gabbi Kosmidis、David Harbour、Paul Sun-Hyung Lee、Scott Thompson
- Thriller Level: ★★
- IMDb rating: 6/10
- Where to Watch: Prime Video, Peacock
“Night of the Zoopocalypse” is a perfect new Halloween movie for little kids. After a mysterious meteor crashes into a city zoo, the animals begin to transform into zombies. A meerkat, a panda, and a parrot form an unlikely team to rescue their friends and prevent the chaos before sunrise.
This film blends comedy, adventure, and light thriller elements. I personally enjoyed the way it provided tension without being frightening.
Tremors (1990)
- Director: Ron Underwood
- Stars: Kevin Bacon（Val McKee）、Fred Ward（Earl Bassett）、Finn Carter（Rhonda LeBeck）
- Thriller Level: ★★★
- IMDb rating: 7.2/10
- Where to Watch: Prime Video
“Tremors” tells the story of two repairmen, Val and Earl, who discover a giant underground worm is attacking humanity and destroying everything in its path. Together with the townspeople, they try to find a way to survive and defeat these monsters.
This isn’t a creepy horror movie, but more of a hilarious monster adventure. It’s suspenseful yet hilarious, making it one of the best Halloween movies for preschoolers and families.
Arachnophobia (1990)
- Director: Frank Marshall
- Stars: Jeff Daniels、John Goodman、Harley Jane Kozak
- Thriller Level: ★★★
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
- Where to Watch: Tubi, Prime Video
In “Arachnophobia,” a deadly spider from South America arrives in a quiet town and begins to spread rapidly. Soon, people begin to be bitten by the spider, and panic grips the town.
This film earns three stars for its scary quality, yet it is also a lot of fun. It has plenty of tense moments without being overly dark or violent. It’s a great Halloween movie for kids who enjoy a thriller but want a peaceful night’s sleep.
ParaNorman (2012)
- Director: Sam Fell & Chris Butler
- Stars: Kodi Smit‑McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck
- Thriller Level: ★★★
- IMDb rating: 7/10
- Where to Watch: Prime Video
“ParaNorman” tells the story of Norman, a boy who can see and talk with ghosts. Everyone in his small town thinks he’s peculiar. Until one day, he becomes the only one who can stop an old witch’s curse that resurrects the zombies.
This is a great little kids Halloween movie because it’s fun rather than scary. After watching it, you might learn to be brave, kind, and accepting of those who are different.
Insidious (2010)
- Director: James Wan
- Stars: Patrick Wilson、Rose Byrne、Ty Simpkins
- Thriller Level: ★★★★
- IMDb rating: 6.8/10
- Where to Watch: Hulu, HBO
In “Insidious,” a young boy falls into a coma, and his parents discover his soul is trapped in a dark world filled with ghosts and demons. To rescue him, they must journey into that world and confront the terrifying creatures lurking in the shadows.
“Insidious” is a classic Halloween horror film that prioritizes atmosphere and suspense over gore or violence. It’s scarier than most kids Halloween movies, making it a good choice for families with a greater tolerance for horror elements.
Read more: Top 10 Spanish Horror Movies of All Time
The Evil Dead (1981)
- Director: Sam Raimi
- Stars: Bruce Campbell（Ash Williams）、Ellen Sandweiss（Cheryl）、Richard DeManincor（Scott）
- Thriller Level: ★★★★
- IMDb rating: 7.4/10
- Where to Watch: Paramount+, Pluto TV, Tubi
“The Evil Dead” tells the story of a group of friends who go on a weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods. They discover an old book and accidentally unleash a demonic presence upon them.
This film is thrilling, chilling, and sometimes even a little gross, making it definitely not suitable for children. However, for teenagers and adults, it’s one of the all-time great Halloween classics.
Final Thought
Halloween isn’t all about scares. These 12 Halloween movies are perfect for kids and even the faint of heart!
So, choose your favorite based on your courage tonight. Whether magical, funny, or a little scary, these movies will make your Halloween unforgettable.
