15 Family-Friendly Spooky Films to Watch on Halloween 2023
Who said Halloween is all about horror? No, sir: it's about having a great time with your family!
1. Hocus Pocus
Remember the Sanderson sisters? The wacky trio of witches accidentally resurrected by Max, a teenager new to Salem. With the help of his sister Dani and crush Allison, they must stop the witches from becoming immortal. There's flying on vacuum cleaners, a talking cat named Binx, and that unforgettable rendition of "I Put a Spell on You". The fun is endless! Perfect for a bewitching night in.
2. Casper
Ever befriended a ghost? Kat and her paranormal investigator dad move into Whipstaff Manor, and surprise, it's haunted! But among its ghostly occupants is Casper, the friendly ghost. While Kat tries to help Casper remember his past, her dad's trying to "cure" his uncles – Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso. Hilarity ensues. A sweet tale of friendship with just the right amount of 'boo'!
3. The Addams Family
The Addams clan isn't your regular family next door. Creepy and kooky? Check. Gomez and Morticia, along with their kids Wednesday and Pugsley, face a scam involving a man pretending to be their long-lost Uncle Fester. Can they unveil the imposter before it's too late? From sword fights to a hand named Thing, it's quirky family fun!
4. Hotel Transylvania
Ever wondered where monsters go on vacation? Dracula's lavish resort, Hotel Transylvania, of course! But on Mavis's 118th birthday, a human, Jonathan, stumbles upon the hotel, and guess what? Mavis and Jonathan hit it off. Watching Dracula scramble to keep them apart while not alarming his monster guests? Priceless! Monsters need vacations too, folks.
5. The Haunted Mansion
Real estate agent Jim Evers and his family are in for a ride when they visit Gracey Mansion. Intending to scope it out for business, they discover it's, well, haunted. The ghostly butler, singing statues, and a mansion with more secrets than rooms, the Evers family must break an ancient curse. Warning: You might rethink that mansion tour after this one!
6. Coraline
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An alternate universe behind a tiny door in Coraline's new home? Yep, it's real. This world has everything Coraline thinks she desires – attentive parents with button eyes, mind you. But when her "Other Mother" wants to keep her forever, Coraline must outsmart her to return to her real family. Did anyone else double-check their parents' eyes after watching?
7. Monster Family
Imagine getting turned into monsters after attending a costume party. The Wishbone family isn't having the best of times, but when a witch's curse transforms them, they must face real monsters to reverse it. Mummies in Egypt, a Count Dracula in love, and a dancing werewolf? Wild times! If you thought your family had issues, wait till you see the Wishbones in action.
8. Frankenweenie
Victor's beloved dog Sparky meets an unfortunate end, but a school science experiment brings him back. There's just one tiny issue: Sparky's, um, alive-ish. What happens when the neighborhood kids want their pets resurrected too? Lightning storms, pet monsters, and one adorable undead dog. It's a tail-wagging adventure, pun intended.
9. Corpse Bride
Victor's wedding rehearsal doesn't quite go as planned. He finds himself in the Land of the Dead, accidentally betrothed to the beautiful but deceased Emily. As he tries to find his way back to his living fiancée, he discovers that the afterlife isn't so bad. Spooky weddings, skeletal dogs, and a piano duet that'll tug at your heartstrings.
10. ParaNorman
Norman can see and speak to ghosts. Handy skill, right? When his town is under threat from a centuries-old curse, it's up to him to save the day. With zombies, ghosts, and a misunderstood witch, Norman learns that it's okay to be different. Plus, who wouldn't want a grandma ghost giving life advice?
11. Monster Family 2
The Wishbones are back and they're... still monsters? An artifact keeps them from turning back to their human forms, leading them on a journey from the city of Atlantis to the Arctic. With octopus butlers and a dragon named Mildred, it's a monstrous family outing.
12. Monsters, Inc.
Monsters in your closet? It's just their 9-5 job. Mike and Sulley, two lovable monsters, scare kids to generate power for Monstropolis. But when a little girl, Boo, ends up in their world, they scramble to get her home. Discovering laughter is stronger than screams? A game-changer. It's workplace comedy with a monster twist!
13. Goosebumps
When Zach moves next door to R.L. Stine, the famous author of the Goosebumps series, he accidentally releases the monsters from the books. Now, they must trap them back before they destroy the town. Werewolves, ventriloquist dummies, and invisible boys – it's a creature feature extravaganza!
14. The Little Vampire
Tony, a lonely boy, befriends a vampire named Rudolph. But when a hunter threatens Rudolph's family, they embark on a quest for a magical amulet to make the vampires human. Cows that fly, hidden crypts, and the challenges of being nocturnal, it's fang-tastic fun!
15. Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Being square in a round pumpkin patch isn't easy. Spookley, often teased, feels out of place. But when a storm threatens the patch, his unique shape proves beneficial. A tale of acceptance and bravery, it reminds us it's hip to be square!