We’re just five days away from the spookiest holiday of the year! This Halloween falls on a weekday, which means many may not be able to trick-or-treat. So why not kick off the celebrations early this weekend with some fantastic family-friendly Halloween movies? Grab some popcorn, put on your favorite costumes if you want, and choose one (or more!) from this list of must-watch films to enjoy with your kids. Happy haunting!
1. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
This one makes our list every year. There is nothing better than starting off a scary movie night with the kids with a flick that is not so scary, but is a warm up. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown has been a Halloween classic since 1966. In It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Linus and Sally wait all night in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin to appear while Snoopy is in high-flying form as an ace pilot. Where is the rest of the Charlie Brown gang? Well, comparing their Halloween loot, of course.
Where to watch: Apple+ TV
2. Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2
Make it a double feature with the PG-rated “witchy sisters” from Salem, MA. Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 will bring both laughs and Halloween magic to family night
! In the original film, Max, a California teen, moves with his family to Salem, MA—a town famous for its “witchy heritage.” There, he learns about the infamous Sanderson Sisters and, to his surprise, encounters them in person.
Max and his friends must race against time to stop the sisters from draining the life force of the town’s children.
Fast forward twenty-nine years in Hocus Pocus 2, where three best friends are faced with the challenge of managing the return of the Sanderson Sisters to Salem.
This sequel offers a delightful twist, revealing the backstories of Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, adding depth to these beloved characters. Enjoy the magic and mischief of both films!
If you haven’t seen either one of these classic movies, make sure to catch up because the release of Hocus Pocus 3 is right around the corner!
Where to watch: Disney+
3. The Curse of Bridge Hollow
This new Halloween-favorite might be a little too much for the little ones as it is rated TV14. Yet, the older ones in the family will unquestionably enjoy as it is filled with jumps and jokes a like.
According to Netflix, The Curse of Bridge Hollow follows a Halloween-hating dad reluctantly teams up with his teenage daughter when an evil spirit wreaks havoc by making their town’s decorations come to life.
Starring Marlon Wayans, Priah Ferguson, and Kelly Rowland, this is one movie that must be on your holiday watchlist!
Where to watch: Netflix
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Famed creator Tim Burton is ensuring that you get Halloween and Christmas at the same time in this family delight with the well-known character, Jack Skellington!
The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the mayor of Halloweentown who discovers Christmas is a must for many families come October—and well into the holidays. Kids will love the stop motion style and fantastic soundtrack.
Where to watch: Disney+
5. The Witches
Headlined by Octavia Spencer and Ann Hathaway, and narrated by Chris Rock, The Witches follows the story of a young orphaned, in the late 1960s, who goes to live with his loving grandma in the rural Alabama town of Demopolis.
As the boy and his grandmother encounter some deceptively glamorous but thoroughly diabolical witches, she wisely whisks him away to a seaside resort. Regrettably, they arrive at precisely the same time that the world’s Grand High Witch has gathered her fellow cronies from around the globe — under cover — to carry out her nefarious plans.
Where to watch: Apple+, Amazon Prime Video
Didn’t find something on our list to binge? Well, click here to see what the experts at Parents.com recommend.
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