Pick one of these not-scary Halloween movies for a spooktacular fun family night at home
Halloween 2023 will be here soon, and what better way to get into the mood than with some not-s0-scary Halloween movies from our friends over at Common Sense Media? This list has something for everyone from toddlers to tweens, and the best part is, none of them will leave littles with nightmares. If you have older kids who might be ready for more chills, check out our list of scary movies for kids. If you make a night out of it, consider making a Halloween-themed dinner too!
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)
Barney Halloween Party
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 is 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 a mildly spooky Halloween tale.
Recommended for ages 3 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2013
The Bride of Frankenstein
A riveting, funny, and suspenseful horror classic, this not-scary Halloween movie is perfect for family movie night.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(Universal Pictures, 1935)
Related: 8 Frightfully Easy Halloween Cupcakes
Goosebumps
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)
Trick or Treaters
Charming German folktale has English subtitles, some scares.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Animation X, 2007)
The Canterville Ghost
The TV movie version of Oscar Wilde’s classic has mild scares, but overall it’s a good not-scary Halloween movie for kids.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Vivendi, 1996)
Related: 21 Easy Homemade Healthy(ish) Halloween Snacks
Daddy, I’m a Zombie
Zombies learn about friendship; lots of cartoonish violence.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Peace Arch Trinity, 2013)
Hocus Pocus
This cult-favorite Halloween movie is rollicking fun for tweens and up.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 1993)
Dear Dracula
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)
Monster House
Frightful fun for tweens and up.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Sony Pictures, 2006)
Related: 33 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood
Mickey’s House of Villains
Celebrate Halloween with Disney’s creepiest.
Recommended for ages 5 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Pictures, 2002)
ParaNorman
The 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)
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
Magical, with scares most 10-year-olds can handle.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Warner Independent, 2005)
Ghostbusters
Paranormal ’80s classic has some scares, innuendo.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Sony Pictures, 1984)
Related: 27 Not-Too-Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist
Young Frankenstein
Brooks’ corniness still yields plenty of belly laughs.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Twentieth Century Fox, 1974)
Casper Meets Wendy
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)
Scared Shrekless
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)
Toy Story of TERROR!
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)
Related: 15 Magical Witch Movies to Watch with Your Kids This Season
Casper & Friends
A kindly spirit’s charming tales has some iffy retro content.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(The Harvey Entertainment Company, 1990)
Girl vs. Monster
A fun and not-too-scary Halloween movie that has some frightful moments.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Disney Channel, 2012)
Halloweentown
Tween brew: Witchy fun, a pinch of fright.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Walt Disney Pictures, 1998)
Hotel Transylvania
This Father-daughter comedy works as an intro to monster movies for little kids.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
(Sony Pictures Animation, 2012)
Monsterous Holiday
Clever Halloween tale has fun with science but includes some stereotypes.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
(Arc Entertainment, 2013)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
You get the Tim Burton magic with just a touch of scariness in this classic Halloween movie for kids.
Recommended for ages 7 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
(Touchstone Pictures, 1993)
Related: 13 Scary Flicks for Your Budding Horror Movie Fan
Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.
