Spooky season isn’t just for adults wanting to scare themselves senseless; it’s a time for the whole family to get together, eat lots of sweets and treats, and watch mildly horror-coded movies while pretending you can’t hear trick-or-treaters at the door…
The horror genre can obviously be more difficult than most to introduce to younger viewers. Go too deep into it and you’ll scar the kids for life. There are also plenty of films released around Halloween that are simply cheap and lifeless (great for a zombie, not so much for a movie).
Thankfully, I’m a bona fide expert on this very situation, as my young boys and teenage daughter are obsessed with all things Halloween-related. So, I’ve made them the guinea pigs for this experiment on what works and what doesn’t when it comes to quality, family-friendly horror movies to watch with your kids at this time of year. Read on for my top ten picks, listed in no particular order.
The Addams Family (1991)
They’re creepy. They’re kooky. They’re mysterious and spooky. The Addams Family quite literally does what it says on the tin, and it’s absolutely perfect if you’re looking for some gentle, entry-level horror. With oddball characters like Uncle Fester and Lurch and the general macabre vibes of the titular family, there are more than enough tricks and treats here to serve up the ideal Halloween watch for the whole family.
The recent animated interpretation of these characters lacked the spark and charm of this movie, but the 1991 hit (and its sequel) are brimming with life, somewhat ironically. When you’ve got big names like Anjelica Huston and Christopher Lloyd strutting their stuff on screen, it’s impossible not to enjoy this quirky family flick. The Addams Family is a proper crowdpleaser, and it’s suitable for all ages: my five-year-old son loves it, and so does my 15-year-old daughter, especially after getting into Wednesday lately.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
I was incredibly close to including the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo – written by James Gunn, no less – but then I remembered how brilliant Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island is, so putting this animated film on the list became a no-brainer. Not only does it capture the spirit of the original classic kids TV show, but it also has fresh energy, sublime visuals, and a thrilling feature-length story: The gang team up once more and head to Moonscar Island, where, after years of unmasking dastardly villains, they discover horrors like they’ve never seen before.
It feels odd to say this about a cartoon, but I love the way the camera moves. There’s such a playfulness and verve to the whole production that you can tell those making it really care about the legacy of the character. It’s also surprisingly scary at times, considering it’s animated – but hey, that’s the point of Scooby-Doo, I guess. It’s so unsettling, in fact, that my son, who is not easily shaken, asked me to turn it off. So, I’d advise you to wait until the kids are at least six years old for this one.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it possible to put together a list of family-friendly spooky movies without including The Nightmare Before Christmas? I wish I could go against the grain and leave this film off the list, but I simply can’t. It’s the absolute staple of that autumnal period from October through to December, and it’s an obvious choice for a reason. Is it a Halloween movie? Is it a Christmas movie? Honestly, it’s a perfect hybrid: Jack Skellington longs for something a little different to his normal Halloween celebrations and plots to take over Christmas instead.
While the spooky vibes are absolutely immaculate here, I’m pleased to say that The Nightmare Before Christmas is not scary at all. Even my two-year-old son has watched and enjoyed it. (Apologies in advance if your toddler does get traumatised, but I’d be very surprised...) While it’s not directed by Tim Burton (a common misconception), this Henry Selick picture has the legendary filmmaker's fingerprints all over it, so if you love films like The Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, and even Batman Returns, you’re guaranteed to be enamoured with this one. Plus, it’s only just over an hour and a quarter in length, so it’s a very light commitment.
Monster House (2006)
Much like Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, my son was a bit scared of Monster House. He was younger then, though, and now that he’s five, he’s embraced it as a must-watch around this time of year. It actually took me a couple of watches before I properly appreciated this movie, too. The animation style is a little jarring and rough around the edges at times, but when you really dig into the story at the heart of it, Monster House has a lot to say.
It’s a movie about two kids who essentially just want their basketball back from their creepy neighbour’s yard. The only problem is, Mr Nebbercracker has a living, breathing, demonic house. That may sound more like Poltergeist than a kids' animated adventure, but underneath it all, Monster House is a story about acceptance and the lengths we go to protect the ones we love.
If you’re quick, you’ll be able to watch this on Netflix, but it leaves the streaming service after Halloween. After that, it’ll cost you a rental fee of at least £3.49, but I’d honestly say it’s worth it.
Coraline (2009)
I hate to typecast filmmakers, but Henry Selick is really, really good at making creepy stop-motion animation, isn’t he? Sixteen years after putting out perhaps the most perfect horror movie to watch with children, Selick did it again by crafting Coraline. It’s a tale of a young girl exploring her new home and discovering a secret door that hides twisted doppelgänger versions of her parents in the ‘Other World’. It’s visually stunning, incredibly clever, and genuinely traumatising.
The fact that Coraline didn’t win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature is wild, but then again, it was up against the likes of Up and Fantastic Mr Fox. Still, it’s a bold and daring film that takes the audience to dark places, and if you’re willing to go there, it’s an absolute treat. You can catch Coraline on ITVX for free right now, but I would recommend saving this until your kids are at least nine or ten. It’s truly terrifying at times, but once they’re ready, it’s sure to become an annual tradition every Halloween.
The Witches (1990)
Like Coraline, I would suggest you don’t stick The Witches on until your kids are a bit older. Seeing the titular villains ripping off their disguises and hunting down children never gets easier to watch – it still makes me feel uneasy as an adult. But like most Roald Dahl stories, The Witches is still delightfully dark and highly entertaining, with Anjelica Huston once again embracing the spooky vibes as masterfully as she does in The Addams Family.
Don’t be tempted to go for the newer, shinier version of The Witches from 2020. The 1990 adaptation is full of magical, practical effects and that good, old-fashioned creative flair that modern movies so often lack. It’s wild that Nicolas Roeg, the man behind horror cult classic Don’t Look Now, was allowed to make a kids' film. Then again, given this is a story about a secret coven of witches planning to rid the world of children, it kinda makes sense that he was given the gig – and he knocked it out of the park, too.
Ghostbusters (2016)
This is a potentially controversial one. Yes, I know that everyone loves the original Ghostbusters movies, but if you’re really looking to get your kids into this franchise, the 1980s films starring Bill Murray and Co. are not the route to go down. Instead, you should introduce them to the hilarious Paul Feig version of Ghostbusters from 2016. After all, children don’t care about legacy or cult status; they just want a fun film about silly characters catching ghosts, and that’s exactly what you get from Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy’s gang.
Here, four women join forces when supernatural incidents sweep New York City, thanks to a crazed occultist's attempts to rip open an interdimensional vortex and unleash ghastly beasts on the world. I took my daughter to see this at the cinema when she was eight years old, and aside from one or two slightly jumpy scenes, she absolutely loved it. So did I, and I’ll die on the hill that this is actually the best Ghostbusters movie of them all. If you like Bridesmaids and Spy, you should appreciate the fresh direction Feig steered the franchise into. Plus, it features an all-time great comedy performance from Chris Hemsworth, which sounds ridiculous to say, but I really mean it. It’s also an easy find on Prime Video at the moment.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
I did just say you’re unlikely to get kids these days to care about older films, but Little Shop of Horrors is timeless and universal. At its core, it’s a love story, as the introverted Seymour attempts to get the attention of his beloved Audrey with an unusual plant he discovers. Unfortunately, this plant has a taste for human flesh…
The practical effects that bring the monstrous Audrey II to life still stand up today, and the film is such a fine balance of comedy, catchy tunes, and what I like to describe as ‘silly horror’. This Frank Oz classic is not at all scary, but I would still say it’s better suited for slightly older audiences – or at least more open-minded audiences – because the musical elements and romantic subplot could deter younger viewers.
Little Shop of Horrors is not available for free on any streaming service, so at the moment, it’ll cost you £3.49 to rent. However, if you’ve exhausted your typical Halloween movie options, this is well worth a gamble to freshen things up. In fact, recommending it now has got me eager to give it a rewatch – mostly for Steve Martin’s amazing turn as the evil dentist, Orin Scrivello; it is truly one of the best comedy cameos around.
Wendell & Wild (2022)
Netflix has produced some cracking animated movies of late, especially those of a darker disposition. I really liked Orion and the Dark, but it’s Wendell & Wild that gets my vote for this list. It’s a story of a young delinquent orphan who develops an unusual connection with a couple of demons from the underworld, unwittingly sparking a zombie uprising in the small town of Rust Bank. Wendell & Wild reminds me a lot of Cartoon Saloon films like Wolfwalkers and My Father’s Dragon – not so much in terms of visual style, but more for the fact that it’s a story of troubled childhood and mystical creatures.
My inclusion of it makes this a hat-trick for Henry Selick, further cementing his status as the ultimate master in the realm of spooky movies for kids. It’s also produced by modern horror king Jordan Peele, and his involvement is far from superficial — you can really feel his tangible influence on the story and the stylistic choices in the film.
I’d say this is suitable for kids aged four and over; it’s slightly eerie and odd at times, but it’s not scary enough to cause any nightmares. It’s on Netflix, so it couldn’t be easier to find, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for a more modern, underseen gem.
Frankenstein (1931)
I know what you’re thinking… how on Earth could a black and white Universal horror movie that’s almost 100 years old be a suitable pick for kids at Halloween? But I have absolute proof that Frankenstein can be a winner. My daughter and I watched this together when she was nine years old, and she loved it so much that we watched The Bride of Frankenstein the next day. I couldn’t believe it, but with a story this good, James Whale’s outstanding visual flair, and Boris Karloff’s phenomenal turn as the iconic monster, who can blame her for buying into this classic tale?
We all know the story of Frankenstein – an eccentric scientist decides it’s a good idea to forge together human body parts he finds in a graveyard and is surprised when his creation turns out to be a little bit… odd. Frankenstein features some fairly violent and dark scenes that are likely too bleak for younger viewers. Additionally, you’d want the kids to truly appreciate the emotional themes at play, so it’s best not to show this to anyone younger than nine. There aren’t many adults who would invest their time in an old film like this, but it’s truly one of those movies that everyone should watch at least once, so why not start ‘em young? You’ll have to pay for the privilege, but if your experience is anything like mine, you’ll create memories to treasure for years to come.
