Watching scary movies is always a fun Halloween pastime. With the spooky season upon us, it’s time to catch up on some old favourites and get yourself into the spirit. Here is a selection of nine family-friendly classic Halloween movies with just the right amount of fright.

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

When it comes to family-friendly Halloween entertainment, you can’t go wrong with good ol’ Charlie Brown. Join the Peanuts gang as they celebrate the season, go trick-or-treating, and wait for the Great Pumpkin to arrive. It might even be the start of your new fall tradition.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Some people say The Nightmare Before Christmas is more of a Christmas than a Halloween movie, but it’s a top choice for both holidays. This Tim Burton stop-motion animation classic is a dark delight that follows the Pumpkin King Jack Skellington on his quest to bring Christmas to Halloween Town.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Ghostbusters is a paranormal romp that fits right in with any Halloween movie lineup. Best of all, it’s full of laughs to cut the scary supernatural tension. Plus, if you and your family enjoy it, there are two sequels (1988’s Ghostbusters II and 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and the 2016 remake to watch as well.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Before jumping into the recently released sequel, make sure you watch the must-see original. This charming film about three reawakened witches who were executed in Salem and are determined to cause trouble is an old favourite sure to be a hit with the kids today.

Beetlejuice (1988)

Another Tim Burton classic, Beetlejuice is about a ghost couple seeking to drive away a living family that has just moved into their home, so they hire an evil spirit named Beetlejuice to help. The star-studded cast includes Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton, and Geena Davis.

The Addams Family (1991)

It seems that every generation has had its own Addams Family, but this 1991 iteration stands out above the rest. The movie offers an insightful look into this quirky, gothic family as they try to figure out if Uncle Fester is actually who he says he is.

Casper (1995)

Casper is a great way to introduce kids to the fun of Halloween. The friendliest ghost of all time, Casper minds his own business until he befriends the daughter of a ghost therapist. He recruits her to help him with some unfinished business, which is frustrated by his overbearing ghost uncles.

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Based on the popular Disneyland ride, The Haunted Mansion is just as full of twists, turns, scares, and laughs. The all-star cast includes Eddie Murphy, Rosario Dawson, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, and Dany DeVito, as well as the iconic mansion and its host of ghouls and ghosts.

Halloweentown (2004)

Halloweentown tells the story of a young witch who discovers her magical powers in the midst of a quest to save her grandmother’s beloved town, where the spirit of Halloween is always alive. When you’re done with the original, you can find all three sequels streaming on Disney+.

Sometimes, it’s fun to be a little scared. Grab a bowl of popcorn and a cozy blanket and get ready to curl up with a Halloween flick that has stood the test of time.