5 Family-Friendly Scary Movies for Halloween 2023 & Where to Stream Them

We love Halloween for the chance to celebrate with spooky-themed beverages, share who we're cosplaying as this year, and stay up all night watching the most terrifying films. However, let's not overlook that, for many, Halloween is primarily a family holiday. That entails crafting new costumes for the kids, meticulously inspecting the treats they've collected, and selecting the most suitable films to watch.

So, friends, prepare your jack-o'-lanterns and streaming service subscriptions: we're presenting a list of the best spooky movies that won't frighten or traumatize your children with explicit content or distressing themes, but will only bring loads of fun this Spooktober and Halloween!

5. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

We'll kick off our list with perhaps the least frightening movie, but one that will certainly infuse your home with the Halloween spirit! This delightful installment in the Wallace and Gromit series parodies horror clichés.

Available on Netflix

4. Frankenweenie (2012)

Many of you have probably already introduced your kids to The Nightmare Before Christmas (if not, you should!), so another Tim Burton project, Frankenweenie, about a young Victor Frankenstein and his resurrected dog, promises to be just as thrilling and family-friendly as a comedy-horror.

Available on Disney+

3. Ghostbusters (1984)

This choice is fairly obvious, but it guarantees a spooky and entertaining journey. The classic Ghostbusters features a fantastic dynamic between the team, a mischievous yet lovable Slimer mascot, comedic elements, and, of course, plenty of scares. What more could you wish for on Halloween?

Available on Peacock, Fubo

2. Labyrinth (1986)

Young horror enthusiasts will quickly become enamored with the mystical ambiance of this film, which transports them to the eerie world of Labyrinth, inhabited by vibrant yet creepy Muppets and the Goblin King, portrayed by the magnificent David Bowie.

Available on Hulu, Pluto

1. Coraline (2009)

Based on Neil Gaiman's novella, Coraline is a cautionary tale that follows the titular character into a surreal alternate universe where parents finally pay attention to their children. Except, they have buttons instead of eyes...

Available on Max