Halloween 2021 will be here soon, and what better way to get into a spooky mood with some kid-friendly movies that won’t leave littles with nightmares? Even better, make a night out of it and whip up a festive meal too! Our friends at Common Sense Media put together this list for fun Halloween movies that aren’t too scary. Scroll down to see them all.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Book-based family fantasy is magical fun but also scary.
Recommended for ages 8 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Paramount Pictures, 2008)
Kids' favorite purple dinosaur teaches about fall fun.
Recommended for ages 2 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Lyons Group, 2009)
Coraline
Cool but creepy animated fantasy too scary for young kids.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Focus Features, 2009)
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
George finds mischief in mildly spooky Halloween tale.
Recommended for ages 3 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2013
A riveting, funny, and suspenseful horror classic.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(Universal Pictures, 1935)
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Monster Musical
Gently spooky tales focus on music and problem solving.
Recommended for ages 3 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Disney Junior, 2015)
Action, monsters, humor in R.L. Stine adaptation.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Columbia Pictures, 2015)
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie
Sweet-as-honey Halloween story with Pooh and pals.
Recommended for ages 3 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Pictures, 2005)
Charming German folktale has English subtitles, some scares.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Animation X, 2007)
Eloise's Rawther Unusual Halloween
Halloween mystery has some mild frights.
Recommended for ages 4 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Anchor Bay Entertainment, 2008)
TV movie version of Oscar Wilde classic has mild scares.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Vivendi, 1996)
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Halloween isn't complete without this classic.
Recommended for ages 4 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(American Broadcasting Company, 1966)
Zombies learn about friendship; lots of cartoonish violence.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Peace Arch Trinity, 2013)
A Very Brave Witch and More Great Halloween Stories for Kids
Animated Scholastic tales offer mildly spooky fun.
Recommended for ages 4 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Scholastic, 2009)
Rollicking Halloween fun for tweens and up.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 1993)
Sweet, funny story of friendship is a treat for the family.
Recommended for ages 5 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Arc Entertainment, 2012)
Frightful fun for tweens and up.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Sony Pictures, 2006)
Celebrate Halloween with Disney's creepiest.
Recommended for ages 5 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Pictures, 2002)
Cool-but-creepy monster flick is too scary for little kids.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Focus Features, 2012)
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
Two classic stories told in the best Disney style.
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(Walt Disney Pictures, 1949)
Magical, with scares most 10-year-olds can handle.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Warner Independent, 2005)
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein
Spooky adventure mixes silly songs with scares.
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Universal Studios, 1999)
Paranormal '80s classic has some scares, innuendo.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Sony Pictures, 1984)
Brooks' corniness still yields plenty of belly laughs.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Twentieth Century Fox, 1974)
Hilary Duff's silly spook-fest is good tween fun.
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Twentieth Century Fox, 1998)
Halloween "scary tale" is a real treat for families.
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(DreamWorks Animation, 2011)
Scooby-Doo and the Goblin King
Silly Scooby fun, but watch for spooky characters.
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Warner Bros, 2008)
Horror film-themed TV special is a sweet treat for families.
Recommended for ages 6 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2014)
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Classic comedy-horror will delight older kids and teens.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Universal Pictures, 1948)
Kindly spirit's charming tales have some iffy retro content.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(The Harvey Entertainment Company, 1990)
Fun family Halloween flick has some frightful moments.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Disney Channel, 2012)
Tween brew: Witchy fun, a pinch of fright.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Pictures, 1998)
Father-daughter comedy works as intro to monster movies.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Sony Pictures Animation, 2012)
Clever Halloween tale has fun with science, stereotypes.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Arc Entertainment, 2013)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tim Burton magic with just a touch of scariness.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(Touchstone Pictures, 1993)
Check out the entire list of Scary (But Not TOO Scary!) Movies at Common Sense Media.
Featured image: iStock
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