The days leading up to Halloween are already being counted down in earnest. The spooky season is drawing near, and kids will soon start thinking about which scary movies they want to watch at this year’s Halloween celebrations. However, it can be difficult for a parent to determine which movies their children are mature enough to watch and which movies are inappropriate for children their age. There is also a thin line between something that is deliciously scary from something that is traumatic. The majority of us have spent our entire lives watching movies that were inappropriate for our ages. After all, watching The Exorcist when I was only 11 years old was definitely the reason why I had so many terrifying dreams. Having said that, if your child is at the age where they want more than a cute black cat sidekick and a friendly ghost, then the following list of scary movies that are still appropriate for children is a great place to start looking for films that they will like watching.
Hocus Pocus
If the Black Flame Candle had been in my backyard when I was a child, there is little question that I would have followed the example set by Max Dennison (Omri Katz) and ignited it, despite the fact that doing so could have resulted in the return of the Sanderson sisters. The Halloween staple Hocus Pocus is great for the whole family to see together. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy turn in exquisite performances, and there is just enough of a spooky and frightening kick to give the scenario some real suspense.
Overall, the movie does a very good job of capturing the spirit of the occasion. Since the film’s first release in 1993, I have considered it an essential viewing for the Halloween season, and you can know that I will show it to my niece the very first opportunity I get to do so. Author: Perri Nemiroff
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Arguably the Halloween special for the youngins, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a bonafide classic for all generations, overflowing with that sweet seasonal spirit. The Peanuts have always been a bit deeper than they seemed, and this gem is no different, a moving parable of faith played out in the pumpkin patch with sweet little Linus, who waits dutifully for the Great Pumpkin while his friends go trick ‘r treating. Sincere without being saccharine, as delightful as it is meditative, and just downright heartwarming in the end, overflowing with All Hallows spirit and that classic Peanuts charm that has entertained us for generations.
— Haleigh Foutch
Casper
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly film to watch with the kids this Halloween, look no further than the 1995 live-action/computer-generated animation film, Casper. Based on the Harvey Comics character of Casper the Friendly Ghost, created by Seymore Reit and Joe Oriolo, this movie kept the character’s core conceit, but darkened up the tone considerably. It’s kid-friendly, but there are certainly still some scares to be found.
Hotel Transylvania
A silly, playful, and of course, spooky animated treat for the holiday, Hotel Transylvania is a great way to introduce the kids to the classic monsters. The film features Adam Sandler as Dracula, who runs a monsters-only hotel where all kinds of creeps can take their vacay away from humans, until a young boy sneaks in and falls for the count’s daughter. Giddy and goofy, Hotel Transylvania is a sweet story about what happens when daddy’s little ghoul grows up that’s also jam-packed with all the creatures and critters a kid could hope for in a Halloween watch.
— Haleigh Foutch
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Christmas or Halloween movie? You know what? I say it’s both! And that’s a beautiful thing for two reasons; one, that gives us an excuse to prioritize the movie twice a year and, two, it beautifully plays into the fact that Halloween and Christmas are both unique and special. Director Henry Selick and his team craft a stop-motion Halloween-lover’s dream with the stunning, creative and highly detailed Halloween Town. Then the story lets us soak in Jack Skellington’s admiration for Christmas while also highlighting the beauty of Jack coming to realize that what he’s been searching for has been right in front of him all along, Halloween Town.
Nightmare Before Christmas is a celebration of both holidays, so consider it a must-watch for both! — Perri Nemiroff