This article originally appeared on hvparent.com.
Boo! It’s just about Halloween, the finishing touches are getting put onto costumes, the neighborhoods are being scouted out and the kids are oozing with excitement of the big day. Staying up late has a whole new meaning when you get to go door to door collecting as much sweet treats as your arms can carry back. But after all that walking in the dark (and occasionally rain or snow) it is always nice to change into something comfortable and settle down for some family time. There is nothing better than ending a night of trick or treating snuggled up on the couch with a good Halloween movie. So, grab some cider and popcorn we have a great list of 10 movies your family will love.
For the littlest trick or treaters, these movies are rated G.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown – A family favorite since 1966 and a true Halloween classic! We have all watched as Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin, your kids will love it too.
- The Worst Witch – Mildred is one of the young girls at a prestigious witch academy. She can’t seem to do anything right and is picked on by classmates and teachers. The headmistress of the school, Miss Cackle, has an evil twin sister (Agatha) who plans to destroy the school. Can Mildred foil the plan before the Grand Wizard (Tim Curry) comes to the Academy for the Halloween celebration you’ll never forget. (www.imbd.com)
- Room on the Broom – This parent choice award winner is based on the popular Julia Donaldson book, The Gruffalo. The story is of a friendly witch who much to the frustration of her cat, invites a group of animals onto her broom.
For the preschoolers and elementary aged kids, these movies are rated PG.
- Casper – We love a good Halloween movie starring Christina Ricci from the 90’s. From IMBD, a paranormal expert and his daughter bunk in an abandoned house populated by three mischievous ghosts and one friendly one. (www.imbd.com)
- The Witches – The special effects are amazing in this film about a 9-year-old boy who stumbles onto a witch convention and tries to stop them from their plan to turn children into mice.
- The Addams Family – From the popular sixties sitcom, The Addams Family is a comedy filled with creepy and kooky characters who are sure to become a staple every Halloween.
- Halloweentown – This Disney made for TV film takes place on Halloween in a place called Halloweentown where a young family must battle evil as they discover family secrets and special magic powers.
For the little bit older crowd, these are also PG but maybe a little bit scarier.
- Beetlejuice – A couple of recently deceased ghosts contract the services of a “bio-exorcist” in order to remove the obnoxious new owners of their house. (www.imbd.com)
- Hocus Pocus – We love the story line and bit of Halloween history that can be found in this great Halloween film. The three witch sisters that are resurrected on Halloween are both comical and spooky and it is up to two teen-agers, a young girl, and an immortal cat to put an end to the witches’ reign of terror once and for all.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas – The Halloween list wouldn’t be complete without a Tim Burton film. Per IMDB, Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn’t quite understand the concept.
