Pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, and trick or treating is on the horizon – the countdown to Halloween is on.
One of our favourite ways to mark the season is to indulge in something spooky, namely sitting in front of the TV with a pillow ready to hide behind as we enjoy a good dose of horror.
For fans of all-things spooky with little ghostlings at home, you may find yourself counting down the minutes until you can tuck them into their beds and get ready for a night of frights.
However, there are plenty of family-friendly flicks to watch with the little ones to get you in the mood for Halloween.
From creepy classics to brand new releases, these are the top child-friendly Halloween films you can stream right now:
Goosebumps
RL Stine’s Goosebumps has been entertaining and terrifying children for decades.
The novelist’s award-winning books spawned a new generation of readers, and the Fox Kids TV series had us all watching from behind the couch.
A whole new generation was introduced to Goosebumps with the 2015 film starring Jack Black, which sees some of the creepiest creations unleashed on an unsuspecting town – and has plenty of laughs thrown in to balance out the terror.
Where to watch: Prime Video, NOW TV, Sky, and Channel 4
Monster House
A star-studded cast, brilliant animation and a compelling storyline – Monster House is one both adults and kids will be enamoured by.
With the voice talents of Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal and more, the genuinely unsettling film tells the story of three teens who learn their neighbour’s creepy house is actually a living, breathing monster.
Where to watch: NOW TV and Sky
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli is renowned for telling stories that both children and adults adore, and Kiki’s Delivery Service is no exception.
The beautifully animated film is not scary, but centres around a brave and friendly witch who goes on an adventure all on her own.
Perfect for the kids who might not like to feel scared but want to get into the Halloween spirit!
Where to watch: Netflix
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark
If Kiki’s Delivery Service is for the kids who don’t particularly want to feel scared, this is for the ones who thrive on it.
Not exactly one for younger children easily susceptible to nightmares, but if you’ve got an older child – or a younger one who is already avidly into horror – this could be just what you’re looking for.
The PG-13 film is full of jump-scares and ominous horror, and comes from director Guillermo Del Toro, known for his horrifying monsters – you’ve been warned…
Where to watch: Prime Video and BBC iPlayer
Spirited Away
A little girl accidentally finds herself trapped alone in the spirit world after her parents are turned into pigs, and it’s up to her to save them.
Spirited Away is Studi Ghibli’s most famous film, and for good reason – it’s full to bursting with larger-than-life characters, an action-packed bright plotline and gorgeous music.
There’s nothing to be ‘scared’ of in this film, and older and younger kids should both be able to enjoy it for different reasons – as even the tense moments are a joy to look at.
Where to watch: Netflix
Beetlejuice
An absolute classic of the genre, Beetlejuice has been thrilling kids and adults since the 1980s and is set to do so for decades more to come.
Starring Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and more, the film puts a twist on the haunted house genre as it revolves around a ghost couple who want to get rid of the living inhabitants who have just moved into their old home, which they are still haunting.
Where to watch: Prime Video, NOW TV, and HBO Max
Ghostbusters
Is it even Halloween if you don’t watch Ghostbusters?
Sure, certain scenes of this 1984 movie may not have aged super-well and might not be entirely suitable for children, but overall it’s a Halloween classic that’s perfect for parents and kids to watch together.
Where to watch: NOW TV and Sky
The Little Vampire
It’s creepy, it’s funny, it’s adorable – The Little Vampire is the perfect Halloween movie to watch with your kids.
Nine-year-old Tony moves from the US to Scotland, where he’s bullied by his new schoolmates – until he befriends a real-life family of vampires who live in the grounds of his new home.
Where to watch: Prime Video and Rakuten TV
The Witches
Roald Dahl’s acclaimed children’s book The Witches has been a childhood favourite for generations of kids, and the 1990 film delivered on high expectations
A little boy raised by his grandmother has grown up hearing horrifying stories of Witches, who disguise themselves as normal women and make terrifying plots to rid the world of children.
He then finds himself trapped in a room with hundreds of them as they attend their Witches Convention.
Where to watch: NOW TV, Sky, and HBO Max
Coco
Disney’s Coco was released in 2017, and has already cemented itself as a Halloween favourite.
Set in Mexico during the Day of the Dead festival, it follows 12-year-old Miguel who is transported to the Land of the Dead where he meets his long-dead relatives and learns what family is really all about.
Coco is action-packed, funny and sweet – and will likely have you bawling by the end.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Edward Scissorhands
The film that helped make Johnny Depp a household name, Edward Scissorhands tells the story of a boy who, well, has scissors for hands.
Released in 1990, the film remains extremely popular, with adults who have grown up with the film now introducing it to their own children.
An off-centred cult classic, Scissorhands isn’t exactly scary but will thrill children who love all things weird and wonderful.
Where to watch: Prime Video and Disney Plus
Frankenweenie
A little boy’s beloved pet dog meets its sudden and unexpected end – and he’s determined to bring him back by any means necessary.
Frankenweenie is a brilliant spooky children’s movie in that it’s not too scary but doesn’t treat younger viewers with kiddie gloves either.
Of course, the subject matter is sad – so if the child you plan to watch with has recently lost a pet, it might be one to steer clear of for now.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
The Haunted Mansion
Comedy and horror go so well together when it’s done right, and The Haunted Mansion does it brilliantly.
Eddie Murphy’s 2003 film was so popular it boasts its own ride at Disneyland Paris, ad the movie itself is an absolute rollercoaster.
Genuinely jumpy moments combined with laugh-out-loud scenes make this a great watch for the family.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Hocus Pocus
Another absolute classic, Hocus Pocus sees three evil witches come up with dastardly deeds in their fight to become immortal.
After they’re inadvertently awakened from their slumber by a teenage boy new to Salem, the witches – played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy – are as scary as they are funny as they terrorise the town.
And if you’re in the mood, you can always watch the sequel on Disney Plus right after.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is yet another cult classic, beloved by fans of all ages almost 30 years on from its release.
Tim Burton’s spooky and festive musical sees Jack Skellington decide he wants to move on from the terror of Halloween and bring Christmas to the children of Earth instead.
The trouble is, the king of Halloween Town and his cronies only know how to do scary – so Christmas ends up being unlike any other.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
The Monster Squad
This kid-friendly horror features some of the most famous horror icons ever conceived – headed up by none other than Count Dracula himself.
Dracula and his cronies are plotting to take over the world, and only a group of savvy kids stands between them ad world domination.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
ParaNorman
Animation studio Laika has introduced some breathtaking children’s films to the world in recent years, and ParaNorman is among the best.
Likeable characters, non-stop action, genuine scares and laugh-out-loud comedy means ParaNorman is guaranteed to be a hit for the whole family, young or old.
It follows a young boy with the ability to communicate with ghosts, who, along with his friends, has to stop a witch’s curse on his town as the dead begin rising from their graves.
Where to watch: ITVX
Sleepy Hollow
King of Halloween Tim Burton was the gift that kept on giving in the 1990s, as Sleepy Hollow arrived five years after Nightmare Before Christmas.
The 1990 film is based on the gothic story by US author Washington Irving, d while it may have been penned in 1820 the story remains utterly engrossing to this day.
Starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the film follows police constable Ichabod Crane who’s sent to investigate a series of murders in a quiet village where rumours of a headless horseman abound.
Where to watch: Discovery+ via Prime Video
The Addams Family
You’ve already got the theme song in your head, don’t you?
The Addams Family is one of the most iconic and unique children’s films to be released in the 20th century, and deserves a watch year-round -it doesn’t have to be Halloween.
A gothic family who love nothing better than all things dark and creepy navigate a world filled with, well, normal people, leaving destruction and horror in their wake.
Who knew horror could be so funny?
Where to watch: Paramount+, NOW TV, Sky, and ITVX
Monster High: The Movie
Monster High was absolutely massive when the cartoon aired on Nickelodeon in 2010, and the live-action film is just as fun.
The musical fantasy film has a whole host of unique and original characters, and will be a great watch for younger viewers in particular – there’s no fear of nightmares when the monsters are the good guys.
Where to watch: Prime Video and Paramount+
Wendell and Wild
The first of two Henry Sellick Halloween films on the list, Wendell and Wild was co-written with Oscar-winner Jordan Peele.
It follows Kat (Lyric Ross), a 13-year-old orphan harbouring survivor’s guilt over a tragic car accident that killed her parents.
She discovers she is a Hellmaiden, and is able to summon demons to the land of the living.
She is tricked by two scheming con artist demons, Wendell and Wild (Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele), who convince her their father’s magical hair cream can resurrect the dead.
Where to watch: Netflix
Coraline
If you loved Wendell and Wild, introduce your children to another of Sellick’s films and arguably one of the most terrifying, Coraline.
The stop-motion fantasy film follows the titular Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning) who moves to a new home and feels neglected by her busy parents.
While exploring the sprawling property, she discovers a secret door that leads her to a parallel world that is an idealised version of her life.
There, she meets her Other Mother and Other Father, who are both fun and attentive, yet harbour a sinister ulterior motive.
Where to watch: ITVX
Casper
Is there any ghost more adorable than Casper? Though the idea of a film about a dead child may seem ghoulish, Casper is the perfect, heart-warming watch for young Halloween fans.
Based on the Casper the Friendly Ghost cartoon character and comic books, Casper follows the titular spectre who forms an unexpected bond with a paranormal therapist and his teenage daughter (played by Bill Pullman and Christina Ricci).
Where to watch: Disney Plus, NOW TV, and Sky
Halloweentown
What would you do if you woke up one day and discovered you were a witch? That’s a question explored in Duwayne Dunham’s Halloweentown.
The film tells the story of Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) who begs her overprotective mother to let her celebrate Halloween, unaware that Gwen is a witch trying to raise Marnie as a mortal and keep her away from such things.
Marnie discovers her true lineage when her eccentric grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds) comes to visit, and Marnie and her siblings secretly follow her onto a mythical bus heading to Halloweentown.
Halloweentown allows ghosts, vampires, witches, and other supernatural creatures to live in peace, but it comes under threat when a mysterious hooded figure begins capturing and freezing locals.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
Based on the book series of the same name, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is ideal for youngsters eager to solve a mystery.
A mysterious mansion fire kills the wealthy Badelaire parents, leaving their three children – Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Aiken), and Sunny (Kara and Shelby Hoffman) – orphaned.
They are entrusted into the care of their distant cousin, Count Olaf (Jim Carrey), who plots to steal the family’s vast fortune when the children come of age.
Where to watch: Prime Video, NOW TV, and Sky
Scooby-Doo
There’s no end of incredible Scooby-Doo films you can show your children this Halloween (with many available on NOW TV, if you choose to).
But if we had to pick just one to recommend, you cannot beat the live-action adaptation from 2002.
It was the first time we saw the characters realised in the flesh, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini.
Scooby-Doo follows Mystery Incorporated two years after the group disbanded when they are invited to the strange Spooky Island at the behest of its owner Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson), who believes the guests are falling under a demonic curse.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Disney Plus, and NOW TV
Cobweb
This is a recommendation solely for the older children and teens looking for the perfect gateway horror – and definitely not one for the little ones.
Cobweb is the perfect introductory scary film for the budding horror afficionado, that also boasts cosy autumnal themes and the pumpkin patch of dreams.
Directed by Samuel Bodin, Cobweb follows eight-year-old Peter (Woody Norman), who hears a constant, mysterious tapping sound coming from inside his bedroom wall.
His strict, overprotective parents (played by Lizzy Caplan and Antony Starr) insist the noise is just his imagination, but the entity continues to speak to Peter, claiming to be his abused, long-lost sister whom his parents locked away.
Where to watch: Lionsgate+ via Prime Video
This article was originally published on October 8, 2022