The spooky season is here! As the nights grow longer, there’s no better time to settle in with some snacks and enjoy some spellbinding films with your kids. Need some inspiration? From creepy animated classics to fun 80s nostalgia, here are all of your favourite Halloween films to show your children, and where you can watch them!
Top 10 Classic Halloween Films for Children:
- Labyrinth (1986)
- Ghostbusters (1988)
- The Addams Family (1991)
- Casper (1995)
- The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
- The Corpse Bride (2005)
- Beetlejuice (1988)
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
- Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
- Coraline (2009)
1. Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinth is a brilliant Halloween film, and usually suitable for kids aged 8 and up. It tells the story of a young girl who accidentally wishes for her baby brother to be sent away. When he ends up in the Goblin King’s realm, she embarks on an epic quest to save him! Loads of 80s nostalgia and David Bowie too — what’s not to love?
2. Ghostbusters (1988)
Good for slightly older kids — think aged 10 and up — the original Ghostbusters is as funny as it is scary. And we dare you to get the theme song out of your head… The whole family will be singing it for weeks. Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!
3. The Addams Family (1991)
Another film that’s as funny as it is spooky, The Addams Family is a Halloween classic! The 1991 version stars Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci and is suitable for kids aged 10 and above. Get ready for some creepy and hilarious family hijinks — especially from that silly Cousin It!
4. Casper (1995)
A live-action film featuring everyone’s favourite friendly ghost! Christina Ricci plays the daughter of a ghost therapist who is recruited by the world’s friendliest ghost to help him deal with some unfinished business. A wonderful Halloween adventure film for kids aged 8 and above.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This animated classic from Tim Burton is always a winner. And bonus: it contains elements of both Halloween and Christmas, so if your children (7+) do enjoy it, they can watch it again and again over the next few months! Hail to the Pumpkin King!
6. The Corpse Bride (2005)
Another Tim Burton film that’s perfect for Halloween! This stop-motion film tells the story of a man who accidentally marries a ghost. Hmm, that’s a pretty serious mistake! And as you probably remember, things get even spookier from there… This one is best for kids aged 10 and above.
7. Beetlejuice (1988)
Loads of great horror movies start with a family moving into a new (and haunted) house. This fun twist focuses on the pair of ghosts who want to scare the family away — great for kids aged 10 and above. Again, tons of 80s nostalgia, and features an A-list Hollywood cast including Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Winona Ryder.
8. Hocus Pocus (1993)
This Disney horror-comedy has become a cult classic. It’s an absolutely bewitching family Halloween film that follows the antics of three witches. Ideal for kids aged 10 and up — get ready to giggle together!
9. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
This Hayao Miyazaki film is perfect for younger children (5+) and those who don’t like scary stories. The film is about a young Japanese witch who uses her flying broom to start her own delivery service. Incredibly charming — and kids will love the silly black cat!
10. Coraline (2009)
This creepy film, adapted from the Neil Gaiman children’s book, centres on a girl named Coraline who stumbles upon a strange secret about an alternative world — and an alternative family. This one is fairly spooky, so it’s best for children aged 10+.
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What is a witch’s favourite subject in school? Spellings!
