Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love dressing up, I love creepy, spooky things and I love October as a whole. That’s before mentioning candy and memories of getting to stay up late trick-or-treating. My plans this year look about the same as in years past, staying in and watching movies in a fun outfit. So, today I am sharing my top Halloween movie picks!
Practical Magic
I love this movie. In short, it is about a pair of sisters, who happened to be witches and the misadventures of their love lives. But it is so much more than that at the same time. I love the house in this movie and if you don’t love the midnight margaritas scene I am not sure that we can be friends. It also features Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
Rated: PG-13
Available for streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
The Haunted Mansion
Is this movie super cheesy? Yes. Is it a great example of how not to use foreshadowing? Yes. Does that mean it predictable? Yes. Does it pretty much only share its name with the ride and nothing else? Yes. Do I love it anyway? Yes. Just trust me, you have to watch it at least once.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video
Scary Godmother Series
These are totally targeted towards children, but they are cute little Halloween movies. Both movies follow Hannah a small child who wants to enjoy Halloween but is also scared of lots of stuff, thanks in part to her older cousin Jimmy and his friends. In both stories, Hannah’s Scary Godmother and her monster friends step in show Hannah the fun of Halloween. They’re cute and fluffy, it’s not that deep.
Rated: Unkown
Available for Streaming on: Seemingly Nowhere
Paranorman
I just realized while doing research for this post that this movie features the voice talents of Anna Kendrick, that alone should make you want to watch this. Besides that, it’s a cute family-friendly movie about a boy who sees ghosts who ends up having to stop a zombie attack. Also, for whatever reason the character Mitch reminds of Zach Merrick from that band All Time Low, so do with that what you will.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Netflix
The Book of Life
This is the first of two movies on this list that are technically Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The Book of Life centers on a story of a bet between Life and Death. This movie is visually beautiful, as well as moving and it has great music. It also showcases a lot of cultural aspects and beliefs surrounding the Day of the Dead.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Hulu
It’s the Great Pumpkin,
Charlie Brown
It’s a classic, go watch it.
Rated: Unkown
Available for Streaming on: Apple TV
Hotel Transylvania
Imagine, a hotel for monsters. If you can’t do that you can just watch this movie! Hotel Transylvania is a cute movie about Dracula, and his daughter, and all of his other monster friends. I don’t really like the sequels so just save yourself a couple of hours of your life and watch the original. You can thank me later.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Hulu, Sling, Starz, Amazon Prime Video
Halloween Town Series
This series is about Marnie, a girl who was never really allowed to participate in Halloween, especially since that’s the only time her grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) visited, who finds out she is a witch. The rest of the series centers on Marnie honing her magic, making friends with the residents of Halloweentown, and trying to preserve the magic of Halloween.
Rated: Unkown
Available for Streaming on: Hulu, Disney+
Beetlejuice
Say the title of this one three times and he shall appear. This movie revolves around a young couple who meets an untimely end and then start trying to haunt their house when new residents take ownership. They end up taking their teenage daughter (Winona Ryder) under their wings. The two make a lot of mistakes as they try to figure out their place in the underworld, one of which just happens to be calling on… Beetlejuice.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Coco
A movie about music, family, and the Day of the Dead, what’s not to love? This movie is about the story of a boy named Miguel, who is a part of a family of shoemakers but wants to be a musician. He is told he cannot be a musician because his Great-Great-Grandfather left the family to pursue music and all music has been banned ever since. So, Miguel journey’s to the land of the dead to get his Grandfather’s blessing and pursue his dreams.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Disney+
Rocky Horror Picture Show
I love this movie. Under normal circumstances, I would say go support live theatre, or a shadow cast performing at a movie theatre. But under current circumstances, I say wear whatever you haven’t been wearing due to CoVid-19 and be your own shadow cast. Don’t worry you can find audience participation guides online, and you won’t have to worry about any virgin sacrifices.
Rated: R
Available for Streaming on: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
Ghostbusters Series
These movies chronicle groups of ghost exterminators in New York City as they try to identify, trap, and remove ghosts, as well as maintain and establish their credibility. All the films in this franchise are funny and great for the teenage on up crowd. I personally kind of prefer the 2016 version, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Rated: PG- PG-13
Available for Streaming on: Hulu, Sing Tv, Amazon Prime Video
Casper
Christina Ricci just makes Halloween movies just that much better. This one is about a girl named Cat who movies from Santa Fe New Mexico to Friendship Maine because of her father’s job. What does her father do exactly? He’s a paranormal therapist that helps spirits with their unfinished business so they can pass over to the other side. Needless to say, their new home just so happens to be haunted, but at least one ghost is friendly.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Addams Family Series
They’re creepy and they’re cooky, they’re all together spooky, the Addams Family *snap, snap* These two are especially great to watch on any year that Halloween happens to fall on a Wednesday. Get it?
Rated: PG-13
Available for Streaming on: Netflix, Hulu
Coraline
You either like this movie, or think it’s so creepy that it kind of traumatised you the first time you watched it. The movie centers on a young girl names Coraline who movies into a new apartment building with her seemingly workaholic parents. As she tries to occupy her time, she meets her neighbors and sulks about her boring new life. Until she meets, her other mother…
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Hulu, Starz
Toy Story of Terror
This animated special focuses on Jessie almost getting left behind in a Motel, and all the things she must do to be able to get back to her owner Bonnie. This one is definitely more targeted towards a younger audience, but there are things for viewers of all ages to enjoy in it.
Rated: Unkown
Available for Streaming on: Disney+
Labyrinth
You remind of the babe? What babe? The babe with the power. What power? The power of voodoo. Voodoo? You do. Seriously Dance, Magic Dance, David Bowie, and this movie are all iconic. This movie is just spooky enough for Halloween, without actually being scary. Making it a great option for watching if with people of all ages, just don’t ask for the goblin king to take them away.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Clue
What’s more appropriate for Halloween than a movie based on a murder mystery board game? Heck, you could even play the game while watching the movie for maximum spooky season vibes. Also, the ending of this movie is iconic and everyone should watch it for that reason alone.
Rated: PG
Available for Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
What’s your favorite Halloween movie? Leave it down below in the comments!
