50 of the Best Halloween Movies for Kids, According to Age

Snickers, Almond Joy, toothbrush...wait, what? Yep, we all know that a kid’s trick-or-treating haul can be a mixed bag. It just so happens that Halloween festivities in general can be equally fraught with clear wins and dismal failures—like when your three-year-old starts talking about his costume in June and then realizes he’s terrified of everything come October.

Don’t get us wrong, we love to dress up, carve pumpkins, bake Halloween treats and eat candy. That said, when it comes to getting kids into the spirit of spooky season, a family-friendly movie night selection is an excellent way to set the tone. Provided that it’s age-appropriate, of course. Good news: I scoured all our favorite streaming services—Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime—for the best Halloween movies for kids. The end result? A roundup that includes PG-13 horror flicks, cutesy cartoons (like Spookley the Square Pumpkin), classic dark comedies (oh hi, Addams Family) and eerie stop-motion animated films (think: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas).

• Best for: Ages 4+
• Run time: 47 minutes
• Director: Bernie Denk
• Cast: Sonja Ball, Craig Francis, Rick Jones, Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Terrence Scammell
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 63% | IMDb 4.9/10

Based on a children’s book by Joe Trolano, Spookley’s story is highly relatable—Halloween or not—because it’s basically about just wanting to fit in. According to VP of Editorial Content Candace Davison, “This is a sweet, wholesome pick that's safe for kids who spook easily. There's nothing creepy about it; just a heartwarming story with very early aughts CGI that helps show kids that it's OK to stand out."  And at 45 minutes, this animated film is short enough for little kids to enjoy (rather than simply turning into screen zombies) and although the musical narrative is quirky, the scares—apart from one encounter with a bad storm that may rattle very young viewers—are practically non-existent.

• Best for: Ages 3+
• Run time: 57 minutes
• Director: Scott Heming, Andrei Svislotski, Jeff McGrath
• Cast: Frank Welker, Jeff Bennett, Rino Romano
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 70% | IMDb 6.9/10

The beloved mischievous monkey strikes again in this sweet and low-key yet festive film. Curious George explores spooky Halloween legends, confronts fears and emerges unscathed as always. Take a leaf out of PureWow contributing editor Emma Singer's book and watch this one on repeat.

"My kids have been watching this festive special since they were in preschool and still enjoy it at the ages of 8 and 10," she says. Bottom line: Stream this one for a family-friendly and scare-free flick that even the tiniest viewers can get in on, and you won’t be disappointed.

• Best for: Ages 4+
• Run time: 25 minutes
• Director: Bill Melendez
• Cast: Bill Melendez, Peter Robbins, Sally Dryer, Christopher Shea
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 8.1/10

This classic covers all the Halloween bases: costumes, trick-or-treating, and the anticipation of a great pumpkin, of course. The nostalgia comes on strong with this one but parents should be aware that the Peanuts dynamic is not all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, the kids act like kids in this cartoon (i.e., they are often mean to one another). The realistic portrayal is not necessarily a bad thing though—but maybe take advantage of the opportunity to talk to your own child about bullying, or just the importance of kindness. Indeed, former PureWow senior editor Dana Dickey agrees, saying, “It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown touches me with Linus's earnest faith in the Great Pumpkin, and it's a great opportunity to discuss disappointment with kids and model empathy for poor sweet Linus.”

• Best for: Ages 4+
• Run time: 92 minutes
• Director: Peter Doctor
• Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Peter Doctor, Bob Peterson
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 8.1/10

Professional monsters are the main characters in this family-friendly film—and they tell a story that promises to deliver a few jumpy thrills and a positive message that plays to the tune of ‘They’re just as afraid of you as you are of them.’ Needless to say, the boogie man’s point of view goes a long way towards making standard childhood fears far less intimidating. It’s also pretty entertaining for audiences of all ages: “My kids are 9 and 10 and they still watch this one on repeat. Great jokes, fun premise and nothing too scary for the little guys,” says PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint.

• Best for: Ages 3+
• Run time: 66 minutes
• Director: Saul Andrew Blinkoff, Elliot M. Bour
• Cast: Ken Sansom, Kyle Stanger, John Fiedler, Nikita Hopkins, Tara Strong
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 57% | IMDb 6.3/10

Like all things Winnie the Pooh, this Halloween special is sugar-coated and entirely innocent. Full of festive fun and easy to watch with even the youngest in your brood, rent this guy when you’re looking for a seasonal pick that doesn’t scare (or disrupt the bedtime routine).

• Best for: Ages 4+
• Run time: 68 minutes
• Director: Jamie Mitchell
• Cast: Tony Anselmo, Wayne Allwine, Russi Taylor, Bill Farmer, Pat Carroll
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52% | IMDb 6.5/10

Disney's most notorious villains take over the House of Mouse and plan to release evil mayhem on Halloween night. Luckily, the heroes have a plan to win their house back from the villains occupying it. Young kids will love this cartoon, action-thriller filled with familiar characters.

• Best for: Ages 3+
• Run time: 24 minutes
• Director: Steve Ball
• Cast: Nicole Anthony, Kathleen Barr, Ian James Corlett
• Rating: Family
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes N/A | IMDb 5.5/10

Halloween meets social-emotional learning when the Super Monsters are tasked with spreading holiday spirit throughout the neighborhood. The storyline makes a point of allaying fears by distinguishing between what is real and what’s just dress-up fun—so, in other words, this one is ideal for little kids that are likely to feel a tad confused (and a little freaked out) by the whole Halloween thing once the festivities begin.

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 14 minutes
• Director: Garth Jennings
• Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 62% | IMDb 6.6/10

Parents, this one's for you, too. Everyone knows Michael Jackson's legendary "Thriller" song and music video, and Sing makes it palatable for the wee ones. It runs at just 14 minutes with a G rating, following Buster Moon and his friends as they head to a Halloween party. Along the route, they encounter a psychedelic spill that closes the road. When they finally arrive to the party, they find a deserted house...

"I recently watched 'Thriller' for the first time and the reference Sing makes is spot-on," says PureWow lifestyle editor Marissa Wu. "Honestly, as a scaredy-cat, I prefer the Sing version, which reduces the scary werwolf/zombie breed to funny zombie-esque animals with swirly rainbow eyes. If I can handle it, your 7-year-old definitely can. My friend and I spent most of the video howling with laughter. "

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 88 minutes
• Director: Steve Cox, Matthew Walker
• Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour
• Rating: N/A
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes N/A | IMDb N/A

"As someone who grew up on the Wallace & Gromit stop-motion films, I'll be looking forward to seeing Shaun the Sheep in his latest installment this fall," Wu says. Shaun the Sheep is a spinoff of the Wallace & Gromit universe, and debuted in 2007 in the UK. The television series is one of the longest-running in animated shows in British and German television. The forthcoming movie, out in theaters September 18, follows Shaun as Halloween approaches in Mossy Bottom. The flock's pride and joy of the season is its pumpkin patch, which their clumsy farmer destroys. In a bid to rectify the damage, Shaun turns himself into a mad (sheep) scientist—with unintended consequences.

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 76 minutes
• Director: Henry Selick
• Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 7.9/10

Equal parts romantic and dark, this film is kid-friendly Tim Burton at its best. Even the younger ones can enjoy the stop-motion animated magic—just be aware that the smallest and most sensitive kids might be spooked by the bug-filled ‘Oogie Boogie’ and some of the stylized imagery in general.

Both Singer and former PureWow executive editor Dara Katz agree this is an iconic must-watch, which Katz saying, “I understand that maybe my 3-year-old shouldn't have been shownThe Nightmare Before Christmas just yet...but the girl loves scary things. She can't get enough of Jack Skellington as well as the music, and ‘Here Comes Halloween’ is chanted regularly throughout our house.”

(And for the record, PureWow Senior Commerce Editor Stephanie Maida has a 6-year-old in her life who also fell in love with the movie.)

• Best for: Ages 6+
• Run time: 105 minutes
• Director: Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich
• Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Gabriel Iglesias
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb 8.4/10

Dia de los Muertos is not exactly the same thing as Halloween, but both holidays kick off on October 31st (the eve of All Saint’s Day) and share similar origins. Both celebrations are also fabulously fun and a little spooky. Give your kid a dose of culture with this charming, kid-friendly film that pays tribute to the Mexican holiday with striking animation and memorable music. Though our resident fan of the movie, former PureWow Beauty and Cultures Editor Chelsea Candelario, tells us that “you might want to have some tissues near because it’s a tearjerker.”

• Best for: Ages 8+
• Run time: 100 minutes
• Director: Brad Silberling
• Cast: Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Devon Sawa, Cathy Moriarty, Malachi Pearson
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52% | IMDb 6.2/10

Young Christina Ricci and her animated ghost buddy Casper make a fine pair in this humorous and only moderately spooky film. Parents should know this motion picture about a friendly ghost has stood the test of time, but the focus on death (along with some language and bullying) makes for a viewing experience that’s best-suited for a tween audience. That said, Maida has been enjoying the movie since her youth and describes it as “such a fun ride that has something for the entire family,” adding that “there’s plenty of humor for parents that went over my head as a kid but totally delights me now.”

• Best for: Ages 8+
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Director: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
• Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jodelle Ferland, Bernard Hill, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendric
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 89% | IMDb 7/10

From the makers of Coraline comes the stop-motion animated horror film, ParaNorman. Life for young Norman Babcock is far from normal. For starters, he can talk to the dead and prefers talking to the non-living more than real-life people. (No biggie). When Norman’s abnormal Uncle Prenderghast tells him a century-old witch’s curse is coming to take over the town, it’s up to the preteen to stop it. It’s also worth noting that there’s more to this story than just the thrilling plotline.

“I'm not one for spooky movies of any sort, but I remember thinking ParaNorman was really cute and heartfelt when I watched it a year or two ago. I think kids will appreciate the ghosts and zombies, but also take to heart the real story, which is about not being afraid of who you are, even if it's different,” Wu says.

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 91 minutes
• Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
• Cast: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, David Spade, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 44% | IMDb 7/10

It’s hard to know the best way to introduce the idea of ‘monster movies’ to a young kid, because they’re basically a whole new beast. Sure, scares are everywhere, but when spooky stuff is the premise of the film, it’s a different story. Enter Hotel Transylvania. This wholesome and family-friendly film makes for an ideal first encounter because the characters are so likable—and, aside from a few expressions of controlled anger, the frights are few and far between. And according to self-professed fan Maida, there’s an “epic musical number,” too.

• Best for: Ages 6+
• Run time: 94 minutes
• Director: Tomm Moore
• Cast: Brendan Gleeson, David Rawle, Lisa Hanningan, Lucy O'Connell
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 99% | IMDb 8/10

This film follows siblings Ben (David Rawle) and Saoirse (Lucy O'Connell); Ben resents his younger sister and blames her for their mother's disappearance shortly after Saoirse's birth. Eventually, it is revealed that Saoirse is a selkie, meaning she can shape-shift between human and seal forms. Saoirse is soon kidnapped by elves, who are in turn victims of the ire of a witch, Macha.

"My family absolutely adores this special film in which stunning hand-drawn animation captures the magic of Irish myth in a moving story about sibling bonding," Singer says. "The narrative is rich with fantasy and magic—plus more than a few spooky scenes that might be too intense for small children, but capture the Halloween spirit nonetheless."

• Best for: Ages 5+
• Run time: 105 minutes
• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Cast: Phil Hartman, Kirsten Dunst, Pamela Adlon, Matthew Lawrence
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 98% | IMDb 7.8/10

Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki is behind this charming and little-kid friendly anime film about a 13-year-old witch who, in keeping with the family tradition, spends a year in a new village to complete her training and ends up using her broom-flying skills to launch a delivery service.

"Sweet, wholesome and 100 percent scare-free, this brilliantly animated coming-of-age movie is sure to be a hit with the whole family," Singer says. "And I can say that with confidence because both my kids absolutely adore it and I never tire of rewatching it myself."

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 86 minutes
• Director: Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan
• Cast: Conrad Vernon, Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 45% | IMDb 5.8/10

The Addams Family is a Halloween classic (hence why it appears two more times on this list) but younger kids might prefer the most recent iteration—an animated version that boasts all the macabre eccentricity and dark humor in a format that’s more approachable for younger kids.

"Still, parents should know that there’s plenty of implied violence, including plots to murder siblings and the like, which actually shocked me a little more in cartoon form than the live action versions, but maybe that’s just me," Singer notes.

• Best for: Ages 8+
• Run time: 125 minutes
• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Daveleigh Chase, Tara Strong, Jason Marsden
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 8.6/10

There are some scary creatures and disturbing elements—like parents being turned into pigs—in this anime feature from acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki about a little girl who’s trying to find her way home from a magical world. That said, the animation is breathtaking and the story so full of wonder that it’s well worth a watch for all but the most sensitive grade school kids. For what it’s worth, Miyazaki movies are a huge hit for Singer's family and her kids (ages 7 and 9 at the time) had no problem with this one, although they all agreed that the scene in which the parents turn into pigs was pretty creepy to watch.

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 88 minutes
• Director: Stuart Gillard
• Cast: Olivia Holt, Luke Benward, Katherine McNamara, Kerris Dorsey, Brendan Meyer
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 58% | IMDb 5.3/10

Positive messages and a minimal scare factor make for a family-friendly monster flick. Girl vs. Monster is about a teenage girl who finds out (just before Halloween) that she comes from a long line of monster hunters, and the storyline provides plenty of thrills without the gratuitous and disturbing violence of slasher films.

"I was particularly impressed with Disney star Olivia Holt, who belts out some seriously good tunes and has stage presence that’s sure to command your tween’s attention," Singer says.

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 114 minutes
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Robert MacNaughton, Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 99% | IMDb 7.9/10

This family classic delivers a touching story of unexpected and unexplainable friendship...and has one of the best halloween sequences of all time. Don’t take my word for it, though—it’s one of Quint’s all-time favorites: "Is this the perfect movie? Yes, yes it is. And it's also the ultimate in Halloween parenting: I too wouldn't know if my youngest was actually replaced by an alien in a ghost costume,” she says.  Watch this one with the whole fam, just be aware that some of the early E.T. scenes—and the part where he's at risk of dying—may spook younger viewers. (There's also a divorce subplot, if that's something you'd like to know in advance.)

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 152 minutes
• Director: Chris Columbus
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 81% | IMDb 7.6/10

OK, any film with magic, witches and ghosts has to be categorized as a Halloween movie, right? When 11-year-old Harry Potter finds out he has magical powers, he's taken to a magical school (called Hogwarts) where he discovers a new hidden world filled with spells, creatures and a haunting evil coming for him and his friends. (Cue the spooky music.) “I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter books and then watching the films—it’s kid-friendly dark academia and very autumnal, with every book and movie opening with the start of school. From the Great Hall to the Forbidden Forrest, things are just a tad spooky and appropriate for Halloween,” Wu says…and I agree wholeheartedly!

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Director: Greg Beeman
• Cast: Adam Wylie, Mario Yedidia, Clara Bryant, Ken Campbell
• Rating: TV-G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 59% | IMDb 6.5/10

This Disney Channel Original Movie follows a twelve-year-old boy named Marshall, who is totally obsessed with monsters and horror movies. Two things his best friends, Amy and Gilbert, are not too fond of. One dark and stormy night, the trio stumbles upon an Egyptian mummy stored in a man’s basement. When they accidentally wake the mummy from his slumber, they have until Halloween to return him to his resting place or he will spend eternity without the love of his life. This movie brings all the laughs, scares and a bit of romance. What’s not to love?

• Best for: Ages 6+
• Run time: 74 minutes
• Director: Joe Sichta
• Cast: Frank Weller, Casey Kasem, Grey DeLisle, Mindy Cohn
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 59% | IMDb 6.3/10

Scooby Dooby do(o) watch this with your grade school kiddo. What can you expect? The tried-and-true, goofy Scooby comedy—along with somewhat creepy characters. The beloved and colorful cast take an adventure-packed, and at times perilous, trip to Halloween Land in this family-friendly, feature-length cartoon film.

• Best for: Ages 6+
• Run time: 60 minutes
• Director: Chad Van De Keere
• Cast: Ray Liotta, Emilio Estevez, Ariel Winter, Nathan Gamble
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 40% | IMDb 5.2/10

Funny and refreshingly free of sensational scares, this charming film revolves around a young and surprisingly sweet vampire (i.e., Dracula) who struggles with his identity when he realizes that, well, he just isn’t that scary. Friendship and self-acceptance, not fear, take center stage. The end result? A Halloween movie that makes kids and grown-ups feel good.

• Best for: Ages 8+
• Run time: 89 minutes
• Director: Ari Sandel
• Cast: Jack Black, Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 48% | IMDb 5.6/10

Horror fiction for kids is R.L. Stine’s specialty and that’s what you can expect from this movie. It isn’t the first screen adaptation of the popular children’s series, but in my opinion it might be the best—the scares are milder and more effectively offset by humor and absurdity. Bottom line: If you watched Goosebumps and found it to be too intense for your sensitive kid, take two is worth a try.

• Best for: Ages 7+
• Run time: 101 minutes
• Director: Richard Alan Greenberg, Richard Greenberg
• Cast: Fred Savage, Howie Mandel, Ben Savage, William Murray Weiss
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 44% | IMDb 6/10

This blast from the past takes kiddos on a journey into the netherworld of monsters and mischief when young Brian (played by Fred Savage, natch) befriends the boogeyman under his bed. Enthralled by the mischief, Brian must face the scariest monster yet...himself. Perfect for the late night main-event during the Halloween sleepover.

• Best for: Ages 13+
• Run time: 120 minutes
• Director: Tim Burton
• Cast: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O'Hara, Jenna Ortega
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 76% | IMDb 6.6/10

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was one of the macabre hits of 2024, raking in $452 million at the box office. The long-awaited sequel to director Tim Burton's 1988 Beetlejuice takes place 30 years after the events in the original film. Winona Ryder returns as Lydia Deetz, now a mother with an estranged teenage daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Astrid unknowingly unleashes Beetlejuice into the world of the living, setting off a frenetic chain of events as Lydia and her stepmother, Delia (Catherine O'Hara), race to save Astrid from the Great Beyond while also evading her goal-digging fiancé, Beetlejuice's own long-standing marriage proposal. Meanwhile, Astrid searches the Netherworld for her own father, who died in the Amazon.

Former PureWow associate commerce strategist Jael Rucker writes in her review: "Unlike some sequels, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice actually does feel like a natural extension of the first film with its intriguing storyline and visuals. It's the usual mother-daughter teen drama...you know, with a ghostly twist." 

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: 99 minutes
• Director: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
• Cast: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 7.4/10

Coming to theaters in October, Wildwood is the film adaptation of the 2011 children's fantasy novel of the same name. The story follows Prue McKeel (Peyton Elizabeth Lee), a young girl living in Portland, Oregon, whose baby brother is kidnapped by a murder of crows at the behest of a mysterious woman named Alexandra (Carey Mulligan). Prue enlists her classmate, Curtis Mehlberg (Jacob Tremblay), to venture into the mystical forest outside the city with her in a bid to recover her brother.

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run time: 80 minutes
• Director: Ted Berman, Richard Rich
• Cast: Grant Bardsley, John Byner, Susan Sheridan, Nigel Hawthorne
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 54% | IMDb 6.3/10

Tweens who love a good ghost story will enjoy this dark fantasy. It follows a young pig keeper who discovers that the pig under his care has a special gift. Unfortunately for him, there's an evil king who wants to capture and use this pig for his own gain.

"While it features positive role models, it's definitely not your typical, light-hearted Disney film," Singer cautions. "I remember watching this one when I was a kid, so I can say with authority that it's really quite dark and has a few violent images that are pretty scary, so parents may want to pre-screen this one."

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run time: 94 minutes
• Director: Barry Sonnenfield
• Cast: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci, Barry Sonnenfield, Joan Cusack, Jimmy Workman
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 75% | IMDb 6.8/10

The dark comedy and gothic themes pervading this Addams Family sequel set in a terrifying (to Wednesday and Pugsly) summer camp packs plenty of laughs. And while there may not be any gory scenes that will keep them up at night, younger kids and toddlers may not get on board with the adult humor and more morbid elements.

"I’d be remiss not to mention that I recently tried watching this one with my kids because I love it, and because my whole family watches Wednesday together, but it didn’t go over as well as I expected—mostly due to adult humor that went over their heads," Singer notes.

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: 108 minutes
• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 55% | IMDb 6.6/10

“While admittedly a lot scarier and not as funny as the original, this is still a staple in our house,” says Quint about this sequel to the beloved classic. Here, the original crew reunites to fight the supernatural in order to save New York City from a river of slime and a threatening attack against a family member. And trust us, this Part Two will have children laughing and shrieking in equal measure. (There's an evil painting that comes to life...which may or may not still haunt our dreams.)

• Best for: Ages 13+
• Run time: 85 minutes
• Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui
• Cast: Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Luke Perry, Hilary Swank, David Arquette
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 36% | IMDb 5.7/10

No, we're not talking about the TV series (although Singer is a mega fan of Sarah Michelle Geller’s badass take on the character). This campy and kind of amazing movie is where it all started and is worth a watch. A valley girl discovers she’s a born vampire slayer in this goofy but engaging movie.

"There’s a lot of fighting, some cheap thrills, and the acting is bad in the best way possible," Singer says, but that doesn't stop her from raving. "It’s one of my personal favorites, so I highly recommend tuning in with your teen for movie night fun."

• Best for: Ages 12+
• Run time: 106 minutes
• Director: Joe Dante
• Cast: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, Polly Holliday
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 7.3/10

"While I consider this one a Halloween classic, it does take place around the holidays," Singer says. "On Christmas Eve, what’s supposed to be a cute present ends up having evil babies that ruin a young boy and his family’s celebration after he inadvertently breaks three important rules. While the ideas of toys coming to life may seem quite exciting, these little guys can creep out nearly anyone in the right setting."

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: 75 minutes
• Director: Tod Browning, Karl Freund
• Cast: Bela Lugosi, Dwight Frye, Helen Chandler, David Manners
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 7.4/10

If you have a big kid in your house who is ready to explore the horror genre, forget the gratuitous slasher films and opt for classic spooks instead. This black-and-white thriller is the first film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the eerie soundtrack does not disappoint. Obviously, Dracula is not a good guy—but this classic portrayal spares young viewers the violence associated with his bad deeds, while still providing an experience that promises to keep everyone on the edge of their seat. Singer can attest: "When I watched it with my kids, I was sure that the lack of dialogue would be a deal-breaker, but they actually couldn’t take their eyes off the screen."

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run time: 74 minutes
• Director: Tim Burton, Mike Johnson
• Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Danny Elfman, Emily Watson
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 84% | IMDb 7.4/10

Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride is a hauntingly beautiful and highly imaginative stop-motion animated film about an arranged marriage...and corpses. Clever, full of heart and only mildly creepy—younger tweens will fare just fine here. Plus, you really can’t go wrong with a movie that features the voice talent of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter and music from Danny Elfman, right? So step into this macabre world where nervous groom Victor Van Dort (Depp), accidentally resurrects Emily, a bride who was murdered on her wedding day. Victor finds himself rapidly approaching the alter with Emily, while desperately trying to escape and save his fiancée, Victoria, from a scheming suitor.

"Definitely dark, also definitely a Halloween staple," Wu says. "It is propulsive, repulsive and just plain entertaining. Though, I did cringe a little when Emily's skeletal hand grabbed Victor's ankle in the forest."

• Best for: Ages 11+
• Run time: 100 minutes
• Director: Henry Selick
• Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Ian McShane, Dawn French
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 7.8/10

Coraline offers a visually stunning viewing experience, owed to the stop-motion mastery of Henry Selick. This movie is both beautiful and thought-provoking, but despite the seemingly kid-friendly animation, it’s really only suitable for older children.

"Honestly, my kids (ages 8 and 10) were pretty disturbed by the subject matter, which involves a young girl trying to escape from dysfunctional, narcissistic adults into a perilous imaginary realm, is dark and decidedly mature," Singer says. "There’s nothing gratuitous or offensive in this artsy flick and it’s entirely suitable for tweens, but it might be the stuff of nightmares for the young and sensitive."

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run time: 101 minutes
• Director: Barry Sonnenfield
• Cast: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, Jimmy Workman
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 67% | IMDb 6.9/10

“Before there was Wednesday, there was this '90s classic that teaches kids that it's ok to be a little different. I love it as both a seasonal family flick and a feminist tome,” writes Quint about this beloved movie. Indeed, the Gothic, black comedy here has just the right balance of slapstick, and is sure to please a younger audience without offending the parentals. There’s nothing gruesome either, and the dark mood pairs well with the Halloween spirit—just be aware that little kids are more likely to be disturbed by the macabre elements in the movie.

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run time: 103 minutes
• Director: Rob Letterman
• Cast: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 78% | IMDb 6.3/10

An action-packed monster flick based on the best-selling children’s books from R.L. Stine, the story follows Zach Cooper, who moves with his mom from New York to Delaware following the death of his father. There, he befriends his neighbor, Hannah, who is soon revealed as the daughter of famed author R.L. Stine. The Stines have a problem: the monsters in the manuscripts are springing to life.

Goosebumps gets great reviews from parents and kids alike. However, parents should be aware that this fast-paced film will likely be overstimulating, and at times too scary, for younger kids.

"I tried to watch it with a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old and we had to turn it off—mostly for the sake of the younger one, but the older one didn’t complain," Singer reports. "Some violence comes into play with fighting scenes and while none of it is shocking or offensive, it’s safe to say this film will land best with an older grade school audience."

• Best for: Ages 13+
• Run time: 126 minutes
• Director: Catherine Hardwicke
• Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 49% | IMDb 5.3/10

According to Candelario, “Twilight is not the best movie, but it does do a great job at capturing this gritty vampire love story.” In other words, it’s a loyal adaptation of the exceedingly popular book, the screen version of Twilight brings to life a vampire-human romance in a way that can best be described as candy for teens. Of course, reading, seeing and believing are all distinct experiences, so only let your kid watch this one if you’re comfortable with the considerable intimacy involved in the somewhat spooky vampire plot.

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: 84 minutes
• Director: Duwayne Dunham
• Cast: Kimberly J. Brown, Debbie Reynolds, Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 83% | IMDb 6.5/10

A little girl learns she’s a good witch in this Halloween story and her mission is to save the holiday, even if it means flouting her overbearing mother’s rules. Be warned: This one boasts a grotesque-looking warlock villain and the stand-offs get a little intense at times. (There are also realistic portrayals of parent-child conflict.) That said, there’s no gore—and overall, the tension in Halloweentown makes it a delicious crowd-pleaser among the intended tween audience, and quite popular with adults, too. “I ranked Halloweentown very highly in my best Disney Channel Original Movies and I will stand by my stance on the '90s flick. I watch it every year and I still wish Halloweentown was an actual place,” Candelario raves.

• Best for: Ages 12+
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Director: Jonathan Lynn
• Cast: Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Lesley Ann Warren
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 72% | IMDb 7.3/10

Six blackmail victims receive a mysterious invitation to a dinner party where an even more mysterious murder takes place in this hilarious whodunnit starring Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn. Parents should know that Clue is a cult classic that’s based on the board game and features quite a bit of sexual innuendo and some other mature content (smoking, drinking). As such, it’s a must-watch movie that’s best reserved for older tween and teen audiences.

PureWow's Vice President of News and Entertainment Philip Mutz is a huge fan: “To say that I consider Clue to be the best movie of all time feels a bit ridiculous to me. It's the same as me saying, ‘The sky is blue’ or ‘The earth is round’ or ‘People should stand on the right side of the escalator and walk on the left side of the escalator.’ It's like, duh, come on, of course, it's science, there's no refuting this. And Halloween is the perfect time to give this fun and ridiculous murder mystery a watch. Maybe the best family-friendly whodunnit ever made!”

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Director: Jim Henson
• Cast: Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Frank Oz, Lisa Maxwell, Susan Westerby
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 78% | IMDb 7.1/10

Another film for the tween-and-older crowd, The Dark Crystal is a cult classic from the 80s that features the masterful puppetwork of Jim Henson and Frank Oz. It’s also one of my personal favorites. Be warned: this is no Sesame Street though, friends. It is, as the name suggests, quite a dark film with a storyline that takes place in a very dangerous, far away planet where the universe is out of balance and evil reigns supreme.

The imagery, atmosphere and plot all feel pretty creepy, if not slightly disturbing at times. There’s also plenty of peril and violence, albeit not the bloody kind. For this reason, it might be wise to screen this one before showing it to a younger child as those with more sensitive temperaments might not stomach it so well. "Still, my kids, who can be quite sensitive, actually loved the moodiness and fantasy of the film, and enjoyed rooting for the good guys even more," Singer notes.

• Best for: Ages 12+
• Run time: 92 minutes
• Director: Tim Burton
• Cast: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryde
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 83% | IMDb 7.5/10

Dark and comical, this cult classic—starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and the always great Catherine O’Hara—is full of camp and circumstance and is a must-see for teens and adults alike. Teenager Lydia Deetz finds that the house her family has moved into is haunted—both by the former owners and the poltergeist they hire from the Netherworld to expel the new occupants.

Parents should know that there’s some grown-up material they might not want to expose younger kids to, which includes smoking, drinking and frequent references to violent death (albeit free of gore). "That said, I would be remiss not to mention that my two kids, both of whom are under age ten, had no trouble with this one and the aforementioned 'grown-up' content seemed to go completely unnoticed," Singer says.

• Best for: Ages 11+
• Run time: 105 minutes
• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 7.9/10

Uproarious and occasionally racy, the farcical humor in this action-packed ‘80s flick has stood the test of time for good reason. (And not just because I allow and participate in bed jumping sessions to the tune of the theme song.) The narrative focuses on heroic battles against paranormal forces but the stylized (and rather dated) poltergeists are far from frightful, so chances are the story won’t give your big kid bad dreams. In fact, the spooks in this iconic film are more likely to make everyone laugh. In fact, Quint says this movie totally holds up: “Aside from one scene where Dan Aykroyd possibly engages in oral sex with a ghost (which I promise goes over kids' heads) it's a great family watch. Not too scary, super-funny and a total love letter to New York City."

• Best for: Ages 12+
• Run time: 93 minutes
• Director: Frank Oz
• Cast: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 7.1/10

An iconic ‘80s film from Frank Oz with a cult following: This one is more comedy than horror—but that’s only true for kids old enough to understand the macabre and somewhat disturbing humor. The plot about a blood-thirsty plant touches on toxic relationships and includes several not-so-subtle references to murder, so we suggest you view this one with a more mature, teenage kid. Plus, Steve Martin’s performance as a sadistic dentist is so convincing that I recommend you only introduce it to juveniles who are completely comfortable with teeth-cleaning. This one is especially great “for all the musical theater geeks out there who don't want to waste a second of screen time that's not contributing to the American musical canon,” Katz says, adding that “Little Shop of Horrors is probably too scary for the under-5 set—OK, maybe the under-9 set even because you don't want to ruin plants for them—but it's such a delight in campy strangeness.”

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: 91 minutes
• Director: Nicolas Roeg
• Cast: Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Rowan Atkinson, Jasen Fisher
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 6.8/10

"Dare I say it? Yes, I do: Nothing says Halloween like Angelica Houston—and she’s in rare form in this creepy but kid-friendly adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book about witches with an evil plot to turn children into mice," Singer says. The visual effects are disturbing and the general mood of the film is decidedly spooky, but the cool factor is high and the content is age-appropriate. (Oh, and a word of advice from Katz: “Have your kids watch The Witches and then threaten them if they don't go to bed in time that the Grand High Witch will come. IT WILL WORK.”)

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: 96 minutes
• Director: Kenny Ortega
• Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 41% | IMDb 6.9/10

“I'll confess, I always have a bone to pick with Max's character, but this quirky, feel-good classic never fails to lift my spirits,” writes former PureWow entertainment editor Nakeisha Campbell of this Halloween favorite. That said, some of the themes and references here will likely be too much for younger kids—witches with the power to suck the life from kids and mild sexual innuendo, among other things—so this one might be a bad choice for, say, a preschooler. Still, the spooks are not so scandalous (both Singer's elementary-aged children could handle it) and the entertainment is big enough to thrill a tween.

• Best For: Ages 13+
• Run time: 103 minutes
• Director: David Yarovesky
• Cast: Krysten Ritter, Winslow Fegley, Lidya Jewett, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Corey Haim
• Rating: PG-TV
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 88% | IMDb 5.8/10

This dark fantasy film tells the story of Alex, a young boy with a passion for making up scary stories. But when he tries to give up the habit to fit in with his peers, an evil witch kidnaps him and insists that he tell a new scary story every night if he wants to stay alive. Nightbooks has quite a few scary sights, so it may be best suited for older tweens who enjoy horror movies.

• Best for: Ages 9+
• Run time: minutes
• Director: Tim Burton
• Cast: Martin Short, Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Landeau
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 87% | IMDb 6.9/10

Tim Burton’s unmistakable style makes this introduction to the story of Frankenstein enthralling—but like the classic novel upon which it’s based, the storyline is macabre. Still, this adaptation is notably kid-friendly (hence the pup) and a great pick for a Halloween movie night with medium-sized kids that want some sinister vibes without the over-the-top scares.

• Best for: Ages 10+
• Run time: 90 minutes
• Director: Gil Kenan
• Cast: Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 75% | IMDb 6.7/10

Older kids can enjoy a fear-driven adrenaline rush without gratuitous gore with spooky Monster House. This flick, which involves a house that comes to life in a rather disturbing way, is legitimately scary and there’s a dearth of redemptive qualities in the characters. That said, it’s a whole lot more wholesome than a slasher flick and a pretty decent way to introduce your tween to the horror genre.