I used to look forward to Halloween because my family had this tradition when I was still a kid, where we sat down and binge-watched Halloween movies. Now that I’m an adult myself, I wanted to keep that tradition going for my own family. But of course, not all Halloween movies are suitable for kids to watch. And most kid-friendly Halloween films aren’t that fun to watch for adults. That is why I’ve made it my mission to find Halloween movies that are safe for kids but still entertaining enough for adults.
After a few years of trial and error, I can say I’ve accomplished my mission. Here are some of my favorite picks for Halloween movies that are kid-friendly but still fun for grown-ups too. You can find these on most streaming deals, by the way. Let’s start!
Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
Man, this one takes me straight back. Ernest Scared Stupid was one of those movies I watched as a kid that made me feel like I was being brave, even though it’s really more silly than scary. Ernest accidentally wakes up this ugly troll, and everything just spirals into the weirdest kind of chaos.
It freaked me out when I was younger, but at the same time I couldn’t stop laughing. Like you’re scared, but not enough to cover your eyes. Now, watching it as an adult with kids around, it just hits differently. Still kinda creepy if I’m being honest, but it literally offers the spooky vibe without the nightmares that come after.
Casper (1995)
Ah, Casper. This one’s such a comfort movie for me. I mean, Casper himself is literally the “friendly ghost,” and he really is, probably the softest ghost in movie history. When I was younger, I remember being more fascinated by the haunted mansion than actually being scared. Re-watching it for the nth time, it’s such a gem. It’s not trying too hard to be scary or funny, but it nails both just enough to make it timeless. So if you’re planning to stream this movie, make sure you have fast internet so you can really enjoy it.
Paranorman (2012)
Paranorman is one of those movies that feels way cooler than it gets credit for. It’s got zombies, ghosts, and all that spooky Halloween stuff, but the heart of it is really about this kid who can see the dead and is just… trying to fit in.
I remember thinking, “Man, if I had that ability as a kid, I would’ve been terrified.” But Norman? He handles it in this awkward but brave way that makes you root for him right away. What I love about this one is that it doesn’t talk down to kids. It’s funny and weird, but it also gets pretty real about loneliness and being different. And the stop-motion animation? Gorgeous. I love this movie so much.
Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
I feel like everyone has seen The Nightmare Before Christmas at least once, and if you haven’t, you really should. One of the best things about this movie is you can enjoy it on Halloween and Christmas. Kind of genius, right? Jack Skellington trying to take over Christmas is just one of those plots that never gets old. This is one of those movies that works for all ages. You’ll enjoy it as much as the kids do. You can watch it while on your phone while on the bus or while going to work. However, for that, you will need capable mobile data like Boost plans.
Hubie’s Halloween (2020)
This one’s just plain goofy, but that’s kind of the movie’s charm. Adam Sandler plays Hubie, this awkward guy who everyone in town makes fun of, but he’s also the only one who actually takes Halloween seriously. It’s definitely not scary, but it’s got enough spooky vibes to feel like a Halloween movie. It’s the kind of film you gotta choose when you just want to laugh with the kids.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of Halloween movies that are okay for kids and adults to watch. Well, to be pretty honest, it depends on your taste and humor, but most of these films are actually worth watching. Even if it’s not Halloween season yet, you’ll still have fun watching them, regardless. Happy watching!
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