10 Halloween Movies For the Whole Family

These Halloween movies have all the fun of Halloween without being too scary. My list of 10 Halloween Movies For the Whole Family all are Rated PG, and keep with the spirit of the season, without being traumatic.

Halloween is on a Friday this year, that means in my house my kids can stay up a little later than normal. One of the best ways to finish off a night of trick or treating and ghoulish Halloween gatherings is settling in for a Halloween movie that we will all enjoy, and no one will lose sleep over. I have put together a list of 10 movies that will keep everyone entertained.

Does my 10 Halloween Movies For the Whole Family list have a “retro” vibe to it? Maybe, and I make no apologies. I live in the Rochester area , and there is a good chance it could be snowing when we trick or treat, so when we get home I get first dibs on chocolate and movie selection 😀

1. Beetlejuice

When a young newly dead couple become trapped in their home as ghosts they enlist the help of the “Ghost with the Most” to help scare out the new living residents of their beloved home. Everyone will get a good laugh at the over-the-top 80’s fashions, and enjoy this unique movie.

2. Hocus Pocus

Three outlandishly wild witches return from 17th-century Salem after they’re accidentally conjured up by some unsuspecting pranksters, and set out on Halloween night to take the souls from the children as they trick or treat. Everyone will love the highlight of the movie, when the Sanderson sisters perform “I Put a Spell On You” at the town party!

3. Ghostbusters

Ghosts invade New York City and force a trio of spirit exterminators to save the city in one of the biggest ghost comedies of all time.

4. Gremlins (1984)

Not really a Halloween movie, but in the spirit of Halloween. A small town is besieged by some cute and furry and not-so-cute mischievous creatures after a young man ignores the warnings of a wise elder regarding their care and feeding.

5. Teen Wolf

Micheal J. Fox plays a teenage boy who transforms into a werewolf with incredible werewolf powers that improve the quality of his life in dramatic and hilarious ways. Ok, this is partially here because I had a huge crush on Micheal J. Fox while growing up.

6. E.T.,The Extra-Terrestrial

The inspiration for this list came while shopping, my daughter asked for a bag of Reese’s Pieces Candy . As she put the candy in the cart I started singing “Turn on your heart light”. My daughter asked what I was singing, when I told her the song from E.T. her response was “I have no idea what you are talking about”.

E.T. also happens to be the first movie I remember watching in a movie theater 🙂

7. Casper

Casper is a live-action movie based on the cartoon adventures of Casper the Friendly Ghost, a kind spirit who just wants a pal, and his ghostly uncles, who want all “fleshies” out of their manor.

8. Coraline

Definitely the darkest on my list, Coraline is based on Neil Gaiman’s popular “children’s horror” novel. An adventurous girl finds another world that is a idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets.

10. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Another Tim Burton flick, this one is on the darker side also. When Jack the King of Halloween becomes bored with the same old same old of Halloween discovers Christmastown he becomes in awe of the different holiday. Jack is determined to take over Christmas and make it his, chaos ensues making this a very unique and original film.

10. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

The Peanuts gang star in this timeless classic from Charles M. Shultz and Bill Melendez, the many heartwarming scenes make this a definite must-see movie for Halloween.

The best part? All of these movies are available instantly at Amazon Instant Video, so no running out to return them tomorrow!

Looking for something a little scarier?

When the kids finally crash from all that sugar and head to bed do you want to get your adult Halloween movie fix? Check out Unlimited Screaming on Amazon Prime Video. There are a ton of Classic Horror, Ghost, Monster and Zombie movies that are absolutely free to stream with Amazon Prime.