15 best Halloween movies for kids 2021: spooky family films and how to watch - from Netflix to Disney Plus

Halloween is on the horizon and for many of us, that means one thing and one thing only - horror movies galore. But that doesn’t mean children (or people who simply can’t handle horror movies!) should miss out on all the fun.

Here are 15 family-friendly Halloween movies that are sure to spook and delight those of all ages.

Coraline

This stop motion film is a classic spooky movie for kids. It follows the titular Coraline who finds a hidden door in the new house she and her parents have moved into.

When she enters the door, she is transported to an alternative universe where people have buttons for eyes - and she discovers a better version of her life with seemingly perfect and loving parents. However, not everything is quite what it seems.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, available to rent or buy on Google Play or Amazon Prime Video.

Hocus Pocus

Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, Hocus Pocus tells the story of three wild witches who return from 17th century Salem after they were accidentally conjured by some unwitting pranksters.

The three embark on a journey to cast a spell over the entire town and reclaim their youth - but will they be able to pull it off?

Where to watch: free to watch with a Disney+ account, or available to buy from Amazon Prime Video.

ParaNorman

From the same creators as Coraline comes ParaNorman, the story of young Norman who can see and speak to the dead - however no-one in the town of Blithe Hollow believes him except for a strange new friend.

Norman must use his powers to save his town from a centuries old curse, taking on zombies, ghosts, witches and more.

Where to watch: Available to buy or rent from Google Play or Amazon Prime Video.

The Witches

While The Witches was recently given the reboot treatment last year, nothing quite beats the 1990 original based on the 1983 Roald Dahl book of the same name.

The story focuses on Luke, a young boy who stumbles across an international witch convention when on holiday with his grandmother. The Grand High Witch reveals her master plan to turn all children into mice - will Luke be able foil her plans before it’s too late?

Where to watch: free to watch with an Amazon Prime Video account, or available to buy or rent from Google Play and the Sky Store.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

This might be a controversial addition to this list of Halloween movies, as the question of whether The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween film or a Christmas film has raged on since its release in 1993.

However, with a plot which follows the likes of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, kidnapping Santa Claus, the answer is clear - it’s a Halloween film.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Disney+ account, or available to rent from Google Playor the Sky Store. 

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

This Academy Award winning film see’s the beloved characters of cheese-loving inventor Wallace and his faithful companion Gromit set out to stop a giant crop destroying rabbit terrorising the town.

Will the two be able to save Tottington’s vegetable contest before it’s too late?

Where to watch: free to watch with an Amazon Prime Video account or with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or available to rent from Google Play.

E.T the Extra-Terrestrial

The classic sci-fi film from director Steven Spielberg follows the story of E.T, an alien who accidentally has found itself 3,000,000 light years away from home.

Confused and alone, it befriends 10-year-old Elliott, and the two work together to get E.T back home before government forces and NASA scientists capture the lovable alien.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Netflix account, or available to rent from Amazon Prime Video.

Gremlins

Geared towards a slightly older audience, Gremlins was originally awarded a 15 age rating upon its original release in 1984, but was then given a new 12A age rating in 2015, so parents should be cautious when deciding if this is suitable for their children.

In the comedy horror, Billy Peltzer is given an unusual pet named Gizmo for Christmas, and is given three strict rules to follow: never expose it to sunlight, never get it wet, and never, ever feed it after midnight.

When young Billy fails to follow the rules, he unwittingly unleashes a horde of mischievous gremlins on his small town.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or available to rent from Google Play or the Sky Store.

The Haunted Mansion

Eddie Murphy stars in The Haunted Mansion as workaholic real estate agent Jim Evers, who finds himself and his family trapped in the cursed Gracey Manor, coming face to face with ghosts and ghouls.

With the help of supernatural psychic Madame Leota, will the family be able to break free from the mansion and its age-old curse before the clock strikes midnight?

Where to watch: free to watch with a Disney+ account, or available to rent from the Sky Store. 

Goosebumps

The 2015 Goosebumps film see’s Jack Black star as the bestselling Goosebumps series author R. L. Stine. All mayhem breaks loose when Zach, who has recently moved to a new town, accidentally unleashes all the monsters from Stine’s imagination.

With supernatural forces running riot, Zach, Stine and Stine’s daughter Hannah must work together to trap the monsters back in their books where they belong.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or available to rent from Amazon Prime Video, Google Play or the Sky Store.

Frankenweenie

In Frankenweenie, the classic tale of Frankenstein is reimagined by director Tim Burton to tell the story of a boy and his beloved dog Sparky.

When young Victor’s canine companion passes away unexpectedly, he decides to harness the power of science to bring Sparky back to life. But when his home sewn creation escapes his clutches, chaos quickly ensues.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Disney+ account, or available to rent from Amazon Prime Video, Google Play or the Sky Store.

Muppets Haunted Mansion

Muppets Haunted Mansion is a Disney+ original, and follows as the Great Gonzo, the world-famous daredevil, is challenged to spend one terrifying night in The Haunted Mansion.

The Muppet gang will reunite in the frighteningly funny adventure, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Pepe the King Prawn.

Where to watch: available exclusively on Disney+, free to watch with an account.

Twitches

Twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry star as “twitches”, twin witches who were separated at birth. Upon their 21st birthday, the two reunite and discover that their strange powers double in strength when they work together.

They must pair up to defeat the evil that threatens their homeland of Coventry.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Disney+ account, or available to buy from Google Play or Amazon Prime Video.

Scooby Doo

The 2002 live action incarnation of Scooby Doo and the crime fighting Mystery Inc gang has everything you could want from a scary movie that kids will love.

After Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby Doo have gone their separate ways, the gang reunites once more after being invited to the mysterious Spooky Island. The visitors of Spooky Island are being affected in bizarre ways, and it’s up to the gang to investigate.

Where to watch: available to rent or buy from Google Play, Amazon Prime Video and the Sky Store.

Monster House

This animated feature from Sony Pictures follows a trio of young teenagers who discover that their neighbours house is a huge, living, breathing monster that means to cause harm to all those who cross it - the only problem is that no adults believe them.

With Halloween on the horizon and young trick or treaters in potential trouble, the three decide to journey into the heart of the house in a bid to slay the monster.

Where to watch: free to watch with a Netflix account or a Cinema Pass on NowTV, or available to rent from Amazon Prime Video or the Sky Store.

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