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Spooky Movies to Watch on Halloween While Waiting for Trick or Treaters to Ring Your Doorbell
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items Here are my favorite movies to watch on Halloween. Some of them are family friendly, some are cute, and some are utterly terrifying. I recommend pausing your TV or not having it visible when you open the door for young trick-or-treaters if you're wat...
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy star in this beloved classic about the nasty Sanderson Sisters witches in 17th century Salem.
Hocus Pocus (1993) ⭐ 6.9 | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
The classic Hitchcock movie "Psycho" is excellent to have on in the background on Halloween because we've all seen it so many times. You can walk in and out of the room and do other things without missing the plot. It brings the perfect unsettling mo...
Psycho (1960) ⭐ 8.5 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
Ok I'm cheating on my list by adding this one, as it's not spooky! But it's a tradition in many families to rewatch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" during dinner on Halloween.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (TV Movie 1966) ⭐ 8.1 | Animation, Comedy, Family
I'm not sure if 1980s horror movie "Hellraiser" has aged well or not. It terrified me when I saw it in the theater when it was released, and in later years when I rewatched it on VHS. It might be a little cheesy and melodramatic now, but the visuals ...
Hellraiser (1987) ⭐ 6.9 | Horror, Thriller
This 1990s classic horror satire movie is a crowd pleaser. See what happens when Ghostface terrorizes Drew Barrymore and Neve Campbell. The movie that launched many sequels, parodies and ripoffs.
Scream (1996) ⭐ 7.4 | Horror, Mystery
"Hereditary" was incredibly disturbing to watch, and I found myself thinking about it a couple times a day for a few weeks after watching it. Definitely not a movie you want to have young kids walk in and see part of. Toni Collette is always fun to w...
Hereditary (2018) ⭐ 7.3 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
I'm not scared of clowns, but I don't like to watch movies about them. Still, Stephen King's "It" is a classic, and many people enjoy rewatching it. Definitely put it on your TV during a rainy Halloween night while you're waiting for little people to...
It (2017) ⭐ 7.3 | Horror
This beloved classic 1990s witch movie isn't particularly spooky or scary. It's just really comforting to watch, if you're into witchy things. It starred Neve Campbell, the "it" girl of the moment, Fairuza Balk who we all loved from her childhood rol...
The Craft (1996) ⭐ 6.5 | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
I can't think of a more perfect movie to put on in the background on Halloween than Tim Burton's "Beetlejuice." The wacky antics of Michael Keaton, plus the lovely Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, 80s fashions and The Banana Boat Song. It's hilarious.
Beetlejuice (1988) ⭐ 7.5 | Comedy, Fantasy
This is such a fun movie to rewatch. It's cheesy and corny, but that's on purpose. Since the theme is ghosts, it's a nice Halloween choice for families. A silly 1980s classic, with a fantastic catchy theme song that will earworm you the next morning!
Ghostbusters (1984) ⭐ 7.8 | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
"They're heeeeere!!" The 1980s were such a great time for horror films. This classic film, "Poltergeist" shows what happens when you build a neighborhood on top of a burial ground. Carol Anne gets sucked into the other side, and walks away from the l...
Poltergeist (1982) ⭐ 7.3 | Horror, Thriller
Here's my absolute favorite movie to put on during Halloween, Christmas, and heck, the whole rest of the year! Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic, perfect for spooky families to enjoy together. Jack Skellington kidnaps the Sandy Cla...
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) ⭐ 7.9 | Animation, Family, Fantasy
Halloween III: Season of the Witch is a 1980s sequel. It's too scary for me, but your older teenagers might enjoy watching this on Halloween night or the weekend immediately preceding or following.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) ⭐ 5.2 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
"Phantasm" is a visually distinctive, creepy movie for Halloween featuring "The Tall Man." So scary! Definitely don't let kids watch it. You'll never look at an orb the same way ever again.
Phantasm (1979) ⭐ 6.6 | Horror, Sci-Fi
Finally a good movie came out about Disney's Haunted Mansion! I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. There's a lot of action, some spooky ghosts, and gorgeous mansion decor to ogle.
Haunted Mansion (2023) ⭐ 6.0 | Comedy, Drama, Family
Here is Eddie Murphy's goofy comedy based on Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction and ride. I don't personally care for this film (though I adore Eddie Murphy) but kids get a kick out of it and enjoy it.
The Haunted Mansion (2003) ⭐ 5.2 | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
This 1999 Tim Burton film, "Sleepy Hollow," was underrated at the time. I really enjoy rewatching it every couple of years. Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci did a great job, and the film is visually interesting. It's definitely not boring, with lots o...
Sleepy Hollow (1999) ⭐ 7.3 | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Kids don't seem to get tired of watching Casper the friendly ghost and his antics. It's PG rated, but you should be able to put it on for younger kids with no problem. A nice Halloween choice for families.
Casper (1995) ⭐ 6.2 | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
One of my top five favorite movies of all time. "Practical Magic" stars Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Aidan Quinn, and Stockard Channing. A family of witches raises their daughters and tries not to fall in love.
Practical Magic (1998) ⭐ 6.3 | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
This animated kids movie about a family of vampires is perfect for Halloween or the days leading up to it. Your kids will chortle, giggle, and laugh out loud; plus there will be some knee-slappers for you too. Hotel Transylvania is really a cute movi...
Hotel Transylvania (2012) ⭐ 7.0 | Animation, Comedy, Family
In "Frankenweenie," Tim Burton finally got to make the movie he'd dreamed about all his childhood. It's silly, cute, and even heartwarming. A nice lead-in to the spooky season.
Frankenweenie (2012) ⭐ 6.9 | Animation, Comedy, Drama
I'm not sure the original "Child's Play" movie needed to be remade, but here it is. The 2019 version is just as silly, gory, and entertaining as the original. A fun way to start your Halloween candyfest.
Child's Play (2019) ⭐ 5.7 | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Here's a creepy possessed doll movie for your Halloween viewing pleasure. Annabelle is part of "The Conjuring" universe. This movie is definitely scary. Save it for your teenagers, and turn out the lights while watching!
Annabelle (2014) ⭐ 5.5 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
"The Conjuring" is a 2013 film loosely based on a true story of a family attacked in their haunted home. The film is definitely terrifying and has some jump scares. For older teens only.
The Conjuring (2013) ⭐ 7.5 | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
I'm not sure if "The Blair Witch Project" is fun to re-watch if you already know the way it ends. However, your older teenagers might have never seen this 1999 film. Pop some popcorn and show it to them on Halloween night with all the lights off. The...
The Blair Witch Project (1999) ⭐ 6.5 | Horror, Mystery
What better way to spend All Hallow's Eve than watching a creepy movie about a haunted house? This one's well done and definitely disturbing.
The Amityville Horror (2005) ⭐ 5.9 | Horror
I find this classic 1980s vampire movie to be eminently rewatchable. It's fun to see a young Kiefer Sutherland and Jennifer Connolly, and the soundtrack is great. Spend your Halloween with "The Lost Boys."
The Lost Boys (1987) ⭐ 7.2 | Comedy, Horror