Halloween is just around the corner and with it comes loads of candy, movies, costumes, and fun! Because we already have a list of the top 10 horror movies, we thought it might be a nice idea to do a list of halloween movies that are suitable for all ages – something the kids and adults will both love. I have tried to pick a good balanced selection of movies – not just horror movies, but movies that contain halloween themes: witches, ghosts, and all things spooky. I have intentionally excluded movie series (such as the Harry Potter series) and Halloween versions of popular shows (such as the Spongebob Halloween special). If you haven’t seen any of these movies, you definitely should. Be sure to tell us what movies you will be watching this halloween! This list contains a competition – further details at the bottom of the list.
More than 300 years ago, 3 witches were sentenced to die in Salem, Massachusetts and a boy was turned into a cat (a black cat, naturally). Now it’s Halloween, and the witches (who fly on – I kid you not – vacuum cleaners) are back. This time, they’ve got their eyes on immortal life and have turned their wrath on trick-or-treaters and it’s up to the 300-year-old cat to save the day.
When an arranged marriage between Victor Van Dort and Victoria Everglot reaches the rehearsals, Victor starts to worry. Spending time alone in the forest, Victor decides to practice on his own. Everything seems to go well, until he accidentally puts the ring upon the hand of a corpse. Before he knows it, Victor is in the land of dead and now has a corpse bride. Whilst everyones worries about who Victoria will marry in the land of the living, Victor desperately finds a way to get back.
Furious that her late father only willed her his gloomy-looking mansion rather than his millions, Carrigan Crittenden (Moriarty) is ready to burn the place to the ground when she discovers a map to a treasure hidden in the house. But when she enters the rickety mansion to seek her claim, she is frightened away by a wicked wave of ghosts. Determined to get her hands on this hidden fortune, she hires afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey (Pullman) to exorcise the ghosts from the mansion. Harvey and his daugh- ter Kat (Ricci) move in, and soon Kat meets Casper, the ghost of a young boy who’s “the friendliest ghost you know.”
In a land of monsters, James P. Sullivan is king. He and his coworker/ friend Mike Wazowski are two of many monsters that work for Monsters Inc. a utility company that generates power for a very paranoid and nervous city of monsters. This power, oddly enough, is generated from the screams of children, which is produced by scaring them in their sleep. One night, however, Sully uncovers a devious plot to rid Monster city of it’s power problems, but in all the wrong ways. Together, ironically, Sully and Mike will fight to protect the innocence of the children they scare every night.
A young boy, recently orphaned, is taken to England by his grandmother. At a hotel in which they are staying, a group of witches have gathered to prepare a plot to rid the world of all children. This movie is based on the wonderful book by Roald Dahl and stars Anjelica Huston and Rown Atkinson. This is a film that the kids will definitely love. This film was produced by Jim Henson.
In a small anywhere town in any state in America, two young boys- quiet Will Halloway and somewhat rebellious Jim Nightshade-enjoy the ever-shortening days of autumn. When the boys hear about a strange traveling carnival from a lightning rod salesman, they decide to see what it is all about-but Will is fearful, as most carnivals end their tours after Labor Day. When the ominous Mr. Dark, the Illustrated Man, rides into town on a dark midnight, setting up his massive carnival in a matter of seconds, the boys are both thrilled and terrified. A great film by Ray Bradbury.
Originally a television program, the Pufnstuf film was a real gem and has outlived the series. One of the best things about this film is that it stars Mama Cass (Cass Elliot) from the Mamas and the Papas, as Witch Hazel. The show and the film were both notable for bright colors, fast edits, sped-up film, musical segments and pop culture in-jokes, and appealed to young adults almost as much as children. Central to the film is young Jimmy and his magic flute, and a group of wicked witches who want to capture the flute for themselves. The series and movie are named after one other important character, a friendly dragon.
Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, is bored with doing the same thing every year for Halloween. One day he stumbles into Christmas Town, and is so taken with the idea of Christmas that he tries to get the resident bats, ghouls, and goblins of Halloween town to help him put on Christmas instead of Halloween — but alas, they can’t get it quite right.
After Barbara and Adam Maitland were killed in a car crash, they find themselves trapped as ghosts in their beautiful New England farmhouse. Their peace is disrupted when a yuppie family, the Deetzs, buy their house. The Maitlands are too nice and harmless as ghosts and all their efforts to scare the Deetzs away were unsuccessful. They eventually turn to another ghost ‘Beetlejuice’ for help…
Three odd-ball scientists get kicked out of their cushy positions at a university in New York City where they studied the occult. They decide to set up shop in an old firehouse and become Ghostbusters, trapping pesky ghosts, spirits, haunts, and poltergeists for money. They wise-crack their way through the city, and stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, one which will release untold evil upon the city. The Ghostbusters are called on to save the Big Apple. This film is a timeless cult classic.
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Sources: Some synopses are courtesy of IMDB, the Internet Movie Database
Beetlejuice can be iffy at times as a family movie. The Beetle-snake used to scare the crap out of me when I was younger.
Still, I love it none the less.
I wish The Nightmare Before Christmas didn’t become the cash cow that it did. It sort of lost a bit of edge to it because of it.
I still like the movie, but I used to love it. And it’s even worse with the “updated” soundtracks they put out and everything.
Still haven’t seen Ghostbusters… would anyone recommend it? :@)
Haven’t seen The Nightmare Before Christmas either… I’ve got a lot of catching up to do
91. tami: @Callie (58) yes, ’something wicked this way comes’ is a book, the book is by ray bradbury. the film script appears to have been adapted by bradbury and a second writer. the book is entertaining. just don’t expect the kind of genius bradbury wrote in ‘fahrenheit 451′ (at least in my opinion)
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Fahrenheit 451 and Something Wicked This Way Comes can’t be compared honestly, the way apples and a rib-eye steak can’t be compared honestly.
Fahrenheit 451 is a paper on the demise of civilization.
Something Wicked This Way Comes is a story of two young boys discovering the true nature of evil.
You know for some reason I always think of The Nightmare Before Christmas as one of my favorite holiday movies as well.
I Love Nightmare before Christmas I just purchased the collectors eddition, and my children love it as well, they have t’shirts, folders backpacks, anything they can get their hands on, and they know all the words to the soundtrack. It is just so cute, I hope they do a sequel.
I never watched Nightmare before Christmas until i played Kingdom hearts.
Great list – except for Hocus Pocus, I really hated that movie! The only bit that was funny in it was a cute cameo by Penny Marshall.
I’d have to add Disney’s “Haunted Mansion” and “Fantasia”.
128. Rose: Right! That one scene in Fantasia, “A Night on Bald Mountain” scared me so as a kid! It was glorious!
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
I hadn’t seen the Nightmare Before Christmas until recently. I decided to get the re-release DVD or what ever it was because I knew how all of the emo kids like it (a bunch of my friends are wanna-be emos). I liked it but I don’t really see why the emo kids like it because it seemed pretty childish, I guess it was just because of the way Jack looked. I always try to not wear stuff like TNBC shirts and stuff because that’s what everyone’s wearing (I kind of dress emo but I don’t act like them).
Nightmare Before Christmas should be Number 1!!!!!!!!!!
i love Nightmare before Christmas!
#112. Lucy – October 21st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Your description of Hocus Pocus is absolutely terrible. It is not up to the ‘cat’, it is up to Max, the teenage babe, and his little sister. They don’t fly on vacuums on purpose, but only because they hide their brooms. That movie is one of my favorite movies of all time and seeing the horrible description was unbearable.
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The disclaimer that some of the write-ups come from IMDB and for Hocus Pocus, this writeup was the top of the list for it. You know that the descriptions don’t always match the movie (same with books)!
I freakin love the Pufnstuf movie, mostly because I am a huge Mama Cass fan. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my favorite movies of all time!
Anyone seen the boxing of the new release of Nightmare Before Christmas? It was something like $100USD at a wholesale place (comes in a huge box and it has a hard case of Jack Skellington’s head). I love the movie, but come on! Is there really that big a following for it? BTW, it should have been #1. I don’t associate Ghost Busters with Halloween. Should it instead have been the series of Ghost Buster movies?
I agree that the Nightmare Before Christmas should be #1. Ghostbusters doesn’t really have to do with Halloween because its just a comedy with ghosts and its not scary or halloweenish at all.
Ernmas: I have heard of that thing with Jack’s head, I just got the regular box for about $25. But yes, it does have that big of a following that people would buy it for $100.
I love hocus pocus! its cheesy but great.
I love halloween….but ive only actually seen two of these….heard of em all
Also there is a CD out called “nightmare revisited” or something like that….and they are covers of all of the songs in Nightmare before christmas. I saw Amy Lee doing a cover on leno, and she did REALLY WELL with it. so look into that cd, cuz it’s cool
I found the book, Something Wicked This Way Comes, to be frightening (though I was quite a bit younger when I read it). I’ve not seen the movie, but the book was not very family friendly.
No ABOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN? What’s up with that?
I hear they may be making a ghostbusters 3. Crazy stuff
I’ve never heard of pufnstuf it looks creepy
but I’ve always loved casper he was awesome
I never realized how old some of these movies are.
I absolutly love anything Tim Burton does. Nightmare Before Christmas is my favorite!! I too would have put it number 1 and not Ghostbusters. Also Haunted Mansion and Scooby Doo Monsters Unleashed are good family movies. Also Addams Family moives and Mosnter HOuse are good calls!BeetleJuice is an awesome movie but unless it is on TV it isn’t appropriate for all ages. The ***** house scens is always takin out and a few words Michael Keaton uses, but still a great great movie!
Good JOb
You have to love Hocus Pocus, because it really is a fun movie . . . and Bette does camp it up alot!!! Ghostbusters also has a soft spot in my heart . . . my son’t first collectibles were Ghostbusters stuff, including the “power pack” as well as the Ghostbusters’ uniform (man, I wish I would have saved them!!!).
Ah, memories!!!
Oh my, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that already so many consider Nightmare Before Christmas should be #1 on this list (myself included)…
BTW, do you think the 3D version re-release of “Nightmare…” is worth it? I haven’t seen any movies in “Real D” (I think is called), you know with those new 3D glasses and stuff; Nightmare is gonna be re-released on October 24 in that (3D) format.
So might that be worth heading off to the theater and putting on some silly 3D glasses…?
I was just thinking about it and I don’t think Ghostbusters is really a family friendly movie. I’m not the type of person who thinks everything should be cencored, and I probably would let my young kids if I ever haveany see it, but I’m just saying that to some parents some of the stuff isn’t family friendly. There’s some swearing like *****, and the scene where his pants get unbuckled, and her saying “I want you inside me.” Also the dogs were pretty scary. When I was like 7 I was at a friends house and saw only the scene with them transforming into dogs and then running around, and I was freaked out. I don’t know why, that usually didn’t happen to me. I was disapointed with Ghostbusters being #1 anyway. The Nightmare Before Christmas was maybe not as good of a movie but it was definately a better family-friendly Halloween movie.
Any of you guys see “Little Monsters” with Howie Mandel? My son’s favorite movie (other than Ghostbusters) when he was a kid (he’s 22 and yes, I’m old).
The classics . . . Dracula, Frankenstein are works of art.
holy moly, They made “The Witches” into a movie??? I HAVE to see it.
Ren: Ghostbusters was added for slightly older kids – 12 and above probably. I was very young when I first saw it and the comments you refer to went right over my head.
great list!
I remember that movie “something wicked this way comes” i was like 8 and i thought it was a good fright!! LOL
and come to think of it, another good not-too-scary movie i remember watching when i was younger was “Lady in White” it had a young Lukas Haas and was a good ghost story and mystery!! i loved it!
I think Hocus Pocus is a little strong for some kids. My little sis had nightmares from it.
Monsters Inc. is the most underrated Pixar film. It’s probably the most out there one, and maybe that’s why, as its the only one I can think of that completely creates its own world (as opposed to using a neglected part of our world). I found it to be one of the most touching films I’ve seen, and it still resonates the same way to me now (as a teenager) as it did when I was younger. The little twist at the end (laughter as opposed to screams-doesn’t really give away much and you know what I mean if you’ve seen it) also is a really nice commentary on life.
I too swear my never ending admiration for “NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS”. It is tied to Halloween as closely as some of the Christmas seasonal favorites are to x-mas. I remeber the first time i saw it, i was slightly bewildered at some of the characters and plot development – then i watched it again with greater amusment – then again, and it struck me – this is one of the greastest animated films of all time, Halloween or whatever.
And not trying to kiss Tim B’s ass too much – i think Sleepy Hollow should be considered for late October viewing.
Little Shop of Horrors!
What about The Monster Squad? That’s a great Halloween flick.
Nightmare before Christmas is my favorite movie ever! I also love Corpse Bride. Monster’s Inc. is amazing. This list is just amazing. My favorite one most likely.
157. kbenjy: Little Shop of Horrors!
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The original “Little Shop of Horrors” was a wonderful little movie, not much more than a student film really, and was, I believe, Jack Nicholson’s first starring role.
Nightmare before Christmas should be #1. v.v
Oh yeah, Little Monsters was awesome. That was hilarious when he *****ed in the apple juice.
segue: I’m rather partial to the Rick Moranis version. Kudos to kbenjy for the mention.
145. bloomfever2002 – October 21st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
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Oh my goodness, I forgot all about the Addams family movies. Those would have been great on this list!
What about “The Littlest Vampire?” It had Jonathan Lipnicki in it. My youngest used to love it. It was released in 2000, so that put him at about 5 when it came out on video.
Even though it’s old and it doesn’t have a halloween theme, I think a good “scary” movie for little kids is ‘Escape to Witch Mountain’.
Magic, aliens, shipwrecks, car chases, bad guys, killer dogs… who could want more??
The twin’s abilities are cool and the chase scenes are pretty intense for the younger ones.
and those 70′s outfits could be considered costumes
A good one for older kids is ‘Fright Night’, but it does have some (tame) ***** scenes in it if I remember right.
‘Silverbullet’ is one for the older kids as well.
Mom424- Thanks for the kudos! segue- I knew the Rick Moranis version was a remake, but I didn’t realize that: 1. Jack Nicholson was in the original or 2. The original was a Roger Corman film!!! Consider it ordered…I just hope it arrives in time for Halloween!
I wouldnt put beetle juice over nightmare before christmas but Ghostbusters is undisputable as far as halloween goes
nice list I liked the nightmare before christmas. I have been watching that movie ever since I was like 8.
I watch beetlejuice and hocus pocus every year!
I’m not sure Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters are completely family friendly…but good choice of movies!
That’s a good list, very accurate. Is ghostbusters really a halloween movie though? It’s awesome every day of the year it doesn’t need halloween!
166. kbenjy: You’ll love it! It was literally filmed in TWO DAYS! It’s camp with a capital K, and though a lot of the jokes are, by now, outdated, the cast is so top-notch that there’s no way it can’t hold its own.
Let me know how you like it.
10, 9, 3, and 2 are my faves
nightmare before christmas should have been #1 in my opinion though
Now, I would never count myself a fan of Charlie Brown and his gang of misfits, known as the Peanuts, but throughout my childhood, every year on Halloween American Tee Vees was “It’s A Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!” Call it a made-for- tv movie.
I think all of us kids inwardly felt somebody was pulling the wool over our eyes, but holiday specials meant something none the less and year after year something was dreadfully wrong if Charley Brown wasn’t on at Christmas and Halloween…and this was like 20 years after it first appeared! As far as Halloween American Tee Vee, there was also the animated Ichabod Crane, probably Disney. Well animated, dark and forboading headless Horseman. I remember that better than Charlie B, come to think of it.
Triva: The role played by Bill Murray in Ghostbusters was originally written for John Belushi, by his pal Dan Aykroyd. But with Belushi’s sudden death it went to Murray.
Ghostbusters makes me think of Transylvania 6500.
Also, now I remember Young Frankenstein.
six five thousand
I’m not sure how ‘family friendly’ Beetle Juice is — it used to terrify me as a kid!
The Witches is a fantastic movie though.
Monsters Inc is by far my favourite Disney animated movie, it is just a classic and casting Billy Crystal as Mike Kowoski was just brillant.
It’s one of those movies I have to watch at least 2 to 3 times a year.
Thankfully, I have three of those movies on DvD, and have seen all but The Witches, Pufnstuf, and Something Wicked This Way Comes (also, I don’t think I’ve seen all of the Ghostbusters movie, either, as strange as that may sound…).
I remember watching that Beetlejuice cartoon when I was a kid. Finally seeing the original movie, it was rather odd to see how much it differed from the cartoon–especially Beetlejuice himself! I also remember seeing The Nightmare Before Christmas at least once when I was a kid, but my current love of the movie is mostly due to having re-discovered it thanks to Kingdom Hearts, hehe.
I love Hocus Pocus! Total classic.
Monsters Inc isn’t my favorite Pixar movie, but its grown on me. I’ve grown to appreciate it more than I used to and I now see it as one of Pixar’s most underrated (still, not their best, but better than a lot of people say).