On Halloween night, anything and everything horror-related rules our screens. Think ghosts, werewolves, vampires, and so on wreaking havoc on the spooky holiday. For older audiences, the usual go-to flicks would be either the hack-and-slash murder spree by a crazed lunatic or monsters feasting upon unsuspecting victims. But what about movies for younger folks to sit through? Here’s a list of horror films for you and your kids to sit through and enjoy this spooktacular season.

Coraline (2009)

Coraline Jones is an adventurous little girl who tries to find ways to keep herself busy and entertained after her family moves to a new home. In this new place, she finds herself entering a portal to another world presenting itself as the livelier version of her world. Here she meets the Other Mother, a happier version of her own mother differentiated only by her eyes made of buttons. All seems well until Coraline starts to discover the sinister secrets hidden inside this other world. Children watching will find this as a good film to learn to appreciate their family more.

Goosebumps (2015)

R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps novels have long remained a childhood staple for kids getting into the horror genre. So what happens when all the ghouls and monsters from such classics manage to escape the pages they are held in to wreak havoc in the real world? In this Goosebumps film, Jack Black shines as the fictionalized version of R.L. Stine, guiding the protagonists as they try and send them back to where they belong. It’s an adrenaline-fuelled adventure sure to keep the whole family engaged.

Casper (1995)

Paranormal therapist Dr. James Harvey moves into a haunted manor with his daughter, Kat, after he is hired by an heiress to try and get rid of its paranormal inhabitants so she can claim its hidden treasure. Inside the manor, they encounter the ghost of a young boy named Casper and his three poltergeist uncles. As the father-daughter duo starts to become close with the friendly ghost and his uncles, they start to uncover more about Casper’s past. It’s a beautiful film that shows how strong family bonds can be, even in the afterlife.
 

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Wallace and his trusty mutt, Gromit, work as pest controllers trying to figure out the mystery of a giant rabbit, referred to as the “were-rabbit,” destroying the neighborhood crops. This comes just as the neighborhood prepares for an annual giant vegetable contest hosted by Lady Tottington. Meanwhile, her suitor, Victor Quartermaine, hopes to hunt down the giant rabbit. Hoping for a more humane solution, Lady Tottington enlists the help of Wallace and Gromit to take care of the pest problem. Children are sure to enjoy the wackiness of the loveable duo and learn a thing or two about caring for animals like rabbits.
 

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Dracula is a Halloween staple, who cannot be dislodged from his hallowed place as one of the earliest Hollywood horror icons to make waves for mainstream audiences. In this version, he operates a resort catering to monsters and raises his teenage daughter Mavis. 

On her 118th birthday, Mavis shares her dreams of seeing the world for what it is, leading Dracula to worry about how the humans might treat her. He successfully persuades Mavis to stay behind until 21-year-old Jonathan stumbles upon the hotel. Shenanigans ensue as Dracula tries to disguise Jonathan as a monster and keep Mavis from learning more about the human world to keep her safe. It’s a wonderful way for parents to learn more about how to avoid helicopter parenting and a great way for kids to learn how far their parents can go to keep them safe.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966)

Charles Schulz’s classic comic strip comes to life in this animated Halloween special. Here we follow Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang celebrating the spooky holiday. As Charlie Brown and his friends enjoy the special night, one of their friends Linus is set on waiting for the arrival of the Great Pumpkin, whom he believes will bring presents if he waits for him at a pumpkin patch. From trick-or-treating to bobbing for apples, carving jack-o-lanterns, and making your own costumes, this animated film is perfect for introducing all the staples of a Halloween celebration.

The Addams Family (1991)

While most audiences nowadays know the Addams from the popular Netflix series Wednesday, The Addams Family film from 1991 remains a fan-favorite rendition of the franchise. Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston bring life to Gomez and Morticia Addams, serving as an essential couple goal for many. Together they have two kids, Wednesday and Pugsley. Shenanigans ensue after a conniving lawyer tries to swindle the family out of their fortune by introducing an imposter claiming to be a long-lost relative. Despite the family’s macabre appearance, viewers will find they have a wholesome charm and learn to embrace their uniqueness.

Corpse Bride (2005)

Tim Burton is no stranger to presenting gothic-centric films for wider audiences to enjoy. His 2005 stop-motion animated film, Corpse Bride, proves that he is excellent at making such films for younger viewers too. In this film, Victor accidentally proposes to a deceased bride, Emily, as he practices his wedding vows. Its darkly enchanting visuals are colorful enough to keep kids entertained and its enchanting music is sure to keep you humming the tunes afterward.

Monster House (2006)

Monster House centers around a trio of kids investigating a creepy house that is said to come alive and eat people if they get too close. As they find out more about the house, they learn the true reason behind its haunting. Perhaps its greatest strength is it knows how to balance its horror elements well with comedy so that young viewers aren’t left too scared in each haunting scene.

ParaNorman (2012)

ParaNorman revolves around Norman, a young boy who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. After his town is hit by a centuries-old curse and zombie uprising, Norman must use his special abilities to save the day. This film is perfect for families as it has valuable themes of empathy, tolerance, and how understanding and compassion can triumph over fear and prejudice.