Fun

20 Halloween movies that won't give your kids nightmares

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The last thing you need after a late night of trick-or-treating and a sugar overdose is an extra body in your bed. Try these family-friendly movies that will give you a night of fun without the fright.  

Monsters, Inc.

Disney & Pixar's Monster's Inc Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Loveable monsters Mike and Sulley get the scare of their life when a human girl, Boo, stumbles into their world of quirky characters and silly screams.  

Rating: 

Scare Rating: Good for all ages

Monsters University

Disney & Pixar's Monsters University Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Who knew monsters had to study and learn how to scare? Join Mike and Sully as they navigate college, compete in a competition to become the ultimate scarer, and try to get accepted to the scare program at Monsters University.

Rating: G

Scare Rating: Good for all ages

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Join Charlie and the gang for another Peanuts classic holiday special where Linus spends a night in the pumpkin patch waiting for the marvelous and magical Great Pumpkin.

Rating: Not rated

Scare Rating: Good for all ages

Hocus Pocus

Disney's Hocus Pocus Movie Cover

Photo from IMDB

After three centuries, the Sanderson sisters are back with a vengeance and out to steal the life of all of the children in Salem. And it’s up to three kids, a talking cat, and a zombie to stop them.

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: Witchcraft, zombies, and black magic make this movie better suited for viewers nine and up. 

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Aspiring reporter and town screw-up Luther Heggs thinks he has caught his break when he is asked to write about the anniversary of the mysterious Simmons’ murders. But when he’s forced to spend a night in the decrepit Simmons mansion, Luther soon realizes this story might be beyond his abilities and beyond this world!

Rating: G

Scare Rating: Though lightened with humor, this movie has a few spooky and suspenseful scenes better suited for viewers nine and up.

Goosebumps

Goosebumps Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Based on the popular children's books, this movie shares the story of a team of adventurers as they attempt to control the monsters who escape the imagination of author, R.L. Stine.

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: While this movie is fun and adventurous, it contains images which might be frightening for young children. The movie is best suited for children nine and up.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Jack Skellington discovers a new way of living as the undead when he tumbles from his world of Halloweentown into the startling yet refreshing world of Christmastown. 

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: Directed by Tim Burton, this movie has a few dark and ghoulish characters better suited for ages eight and up.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks Movie Cover

Photo from IMDB

After being relocated to a small village during WWII, three children discover that their new hostess has a bewitching secret. Whisked away on a magical bed, these children travel to the enchanting world of Naboombu where they discover an adventure they never anticipated.

Rating: G

Scare Rating: Good for all ages

Casper 

Universal's Casper Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Kat is not happy about her move to the cobwebby Whipstaff Manor, especially when she learns the house is infested with ghosts. But Kat soon realizes that there are certain perks to having these ghoulish pests as friends.

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: Though low on the scare rating scale, Casper includes some jokes and content better suited for viewers seven and up.

Harry Potter

Warner Brothers Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

Whether in Azkaban, the Chamber of Secrets, or Hogwarts, the Harry Potter series offers the perfect setting for celebrating Halloween with a little magic and wonder.

Rating: PG to PG-13

Scare Rating: While each Harry Potter flick has its virtues, the movies do intensify in suspense and adult content as the series goes on, so be mindful of your kids' ages as you select which Harry Potter movie works best for your family.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Dreamwork's Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

During the annual giant vegetable competition, trouble is brewing for Wallace and Gromit. Join these two heroes as they try to track down a giant rabbit who's been eating all the contestants' entries.

Rating: G

Scare Rating: This movie is full of fun and adventure, but it does become suspenseful and has some images that might be frightening for young children. It is best suited for ages 7 and up.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

After discovering an otherworldly guest in his tool shed, Elliot lures his newfound friend home only to discover that this extra-terrestrial is trying to get back to a home of his own. You can never go wrong with this classic full of family, unexpected friendship, and flights across a full moon.

Rating: PG 

Scare Rating: Though low on frights, this film has some intense scenes and language that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. 

Halloweentown

Disney's Halloweentown Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

On Halloween night, Marnie gets the surprise of her life when her grandmother, Aggie, tells her she’s a witch. When Aggie takes Marnie back to her home in Halloweentown to start witch training, Marnie discovers much more than her hidden powers in this town full of haunting creatures and family secrets.

Rating: G

Scare Rating: While clean, this movie has a dark villain that might be upsetting for young children.  This movie is recommended for viewers seven and up. 

Pooh’s Heffalump Movie

Disney's Pooh's Heffalump Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

After hearing strange trumpeting noises and discovering Heffalump footprints in the Hundred Acre Woods, Winnie the Pooh recruits the help of his friends Tigger, Rabbit, and Piglet to catch the beast.

Rating: G

Scare Rating: Good for all ages

Hotel Transylvania

Hotel Transylvania Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

It’s not every day a human ends up at Count Dracula’s luxurious resort.  On the eve of his daughter’s 118th birthday, Dracula finds himself faced with an unexpected birthday surprise—a young man he hopes he can keep his daughter from falling hopelessly in love with.  

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: This movie has both jokes and spooky scenes that make it best suited for audiences six and up.

Hotel Transylvania 2

Hotel Transylvania 2 Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

The monsters from Hotel Transylvania are back with new challenges and jokes! Hoping his new grandson will be equally as monsterlike has him, Count Dracula babysits and tries to coax his grandson into being a proper vampire.

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: This movie has jokes and fun times, but it is best suited for audiences six and up.

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

After an unexpected storm, the Evers family finds themselves trapped in a spooky, old mansion for the night. Along with secret passages, crystal balls, and creepy crypts, the family soon stumbles upon a secret that could change the life of their family forever. 

Rating: PG

Scare Rating: Between the undead, ghosts, and Eddie Murphy’s comedy, this movie is better suited for viewers nine and up. 

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Disney's Legend of Sleepy Hollow Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

This humorous twist on Washington Irving’s infamous story follows the journey of schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, as he tries to outrun the haunting myth of the headless horseman.

Rating: Not rated

Scare Rating: The dark themes and spooky setting for this film make it better suited for viewers eight and up. 

Tower of Terror

Disney's Tower of Terror Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

How can five people trapped in an elevator vanish into thin air? It’s a mystery disgraced reporter Buzzy Crocker is determined to crack in order to get back in the good graces of the newspaper world.

Rating: Not rated

Scare Rating: Witchcraft and ghoulish ghosts make for content that might be upsetting to young children. This movie is recommended for viewers nine and up.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Disney's The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Movie Poster

Photo from IMDB

A two in one feature, Ichabod and Mr. Toad tell the story of The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving in this fun and light flick. Mr. Toad, a wayward traveler, gets into a host of trouble when he becomes fascinated by the newly released motor cars. Meanwhile, Ichabod the new schoolmaster in the small town of Sleepy Hollow and Brom the town hero vye for the affections of the wealthy Katrina.

Rating: G

Scare Rating: Some dark and scary images might be upsetting to young children. This movie is recommended for audiences 7 and up.

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