The best family-friendly Halloween films and where to watch them

Halloween is the perfect excuse for a family film night, but finding something that delivers just the right amount of spooky fun can be a challenge. Younger children might be happy with friendly monsters and colourful adventures, while older kids may be ready for haunted houses, witches and something a little more frightening.

Thankfully, there are plenty of brilliant films to choose from. Whether you fancy revisiting the Sanderson sisters in Hocus Pocus, exploring the wonderfully creepy world of Coraline or laughing along with Dracula and his monster friends in Hotel Transylvania, streaming services have plenty of Halloween entertainment to offer.

We’ve rounded up some of the best family-friendly Halloween films, including where to watch them in the UK. We’ve also included trailers so you can check them out first, and a few extra suggestions for a spooky movie marathon.

Coraline

Where to watch: ITVX (including free-with-ads viewing); also available to rent or buy through digital stores.

For families with older children who enjoy a genuinely creepy story, Coraline is an outstanding choice.

The 2009 stop-motion animation follows a young girl who discovers a mysterious hidden door in her new home. Beyond it lies an alternative version of her life, where everything initially seems more exciting and her other parents appear much more attentive.

But the seemingly perfect world has a sinister side, and Coraline soon discovers that escaping it will not be easy.

Dakota Fanning voices Coraline, with Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French and Ian McShane also among the voice cast.

Directed by Henry Selick, the film is beautifully made, wonderfully imaginative and genuinely unsettling in places. It is one for children who are comfortable with a darker atmosphere rather than very young viewers who might be frightened by its button-eyed characters.

Stitch Head

Where to watch: Netflix in the UK; also available through digital rental and purchase options.

For something a little newer, Stitch Head offers a monster-filled adventure with plenty of heart.

Based on the books by Guy Bass, the 2025 animated film introduces Stitch Head, the first creation of a mad professor. Living in an abandoned castle alongside an assortment of other unusual creatures, Stitch Head has been given the job of protecting them from suspicious townspeople.

When a travelling carnival owner arrives offering fame and fortune, Stitch Head faces a difficult choice: follow the promise of a more exciting life or remain loyal to the family of monsters who need him.

The voice cast includes Asa Butterfield, Joel Fry, Rob Brydon, Tia Bannon, Alison Steadman, Jamali Maddix and Fern Brady.

It is a lovely option for families looking for a Halloween adventure that mixes comedy, friendship and classic Frankenstein-style monster fun.

Monster House

Where to watch: Sky Cinema and NOW; also available through selected digital stores.

What could be more frightening than a haunted house? A house that appears to be alive and actively trying to catch you.

That is the idea behind Monster House, the 2006 animated adventure following three children who become convinced that the creepy property across the street is hiding something terrifying.

DJ, Chowder and Jenny decide to investigate after a series of strange events, but their discovery leads to a Halloween adventure that is considerably more dangerous than they expected.

The voice cast includes Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Steve Buscemi, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kevin James.

With its spooky setting, funny moments and genuine scares, Monster House is a brilliant Halloween choice for older children. It is worth remembering that the animated style does not mean it is completely gentle.

Hotel Transylvania

Where to watch: Sky Go, NOW TV Cinema, ITVX Premium and Sony Pictures Core through Amazon Channels; rental and purchase options are also available.

If you want something more playful, Hotel Transylvania is a great place to start.

The 2012 animated comedy takes viewers inside Dracula’s luxurious hotel, a holiday resort where the world’s monsters can relax away from humans. Dracula, voiced by Adam Sandler, is preparing a special celebration for his daughter Mavis when an ordinary human unexpectedly arrives.

The unwelcome guest turns the monster-only resort upside down, with Dracula desperately trying to keep him away from his daughter.

The film features a brilliant voice cast, including Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon.

There are several sequels too, so families who enjoy the first film can continue with Hotel Transylvania 2 and Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation. Sky and NOW have also highlighted the franchise as part of their family Halloween selection.

Hocus Pocus

Where to watch: Disney+.

No Halloween film list would be complete without Hocus Pocus.

The 1993 Disney comedy stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, three witches accidentally brought back to life in Salem on Halloween night.

As the sisters attempt to regain their powers and continue their wicked plans, a group of children must find a way to stop them before it is too late.

The film has become a Halloween favourite thanks to its mix of witchcraft, comedy, memorable performances and catchy musical moments. Bette Midler’s performance as Winifred Sanderson is particularly entertaining.

It is a fun choice for a family movie night, although some of its supernatural moments may be a little intense for very young children.

Hocus Pocus 2

Where to watch: Disney+.

The Sanderson sisters returned almost 30 years later for Hocus Pocus 2, bringing the Halloween magic back for a new generation.

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as Winifred, Sarah and Mary. This time, a new group of teenagers accidentally bring the witches back to Salem and must find a way to stop them.

The sequel features plenty of familiar references to the original, while introducing new characters and another Halloween adventure.

It is an obvious double-bill choice for families who enjoy the first film, although parents should check the age guidance before watching with younger children.

Goosebumps

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, NOW TV Cinema and Sky Go; also available to rent or buy digitally.

For children who enjoy monsters, mysterious creatures and a little more action, Goosebumps is a fun Halloween option.

The 2015 film stars Jack Black as author R.L. Stine, whose fictional monsters are accidentally unleashed from their books. When the creatures escape into the real world, a group of young people must work together to stop them.

The story features a whole collection of bizarre monsters, with the giant creature-filled adventure offering plenty of comedy alongside its spooky moments.

Jack Black is joined by Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Ryan Lee and Amy Ryan.

There is also a sequel, Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, for anyone who wants to continue the monster-filled movie night.

The Addams Family

Where to watch: The 1991 film and Addams Family Values are included in Sky Cinema and NOW’s October selection. The 2019 animated film is available through digital rental and purchase services.

The Addams Family are practically made for Halloween, with their gothic mansion, strange habits and delightfully unusual approach to family life.

The original live-action The Addams Family film from 1991 stars Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Raul Julia as Gomez, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester and Christina Ricci as Wednesday.

When a mysterious man arrives claiming to be the long-lost Uncle Fester, the family find themselves caught up in a plot involving their fortune.

The film’s sequel, Addams Family Values, is another excellent choice, with more of Wednesday’s wonderfully deadpan humour.

For younger viewers, there is also the 2019 animated version, featuring the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz and Finn Wolfhard.

Whichever version you choose, the Addams family offer a wonderfully spooky alternative to traditional Halloween films.

We also recommend the animated version, which is on Prime Video…

Coco

Where to watch: Disney+.

Not every Halloween family film needs ghosts, witches or monsters. Pixar’s Coco offers a colourful and emotional adventure inspired by Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

The 2017 film follows Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s ban on music. After a series of unexpected events, he finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead, where he meets his ancestors and begins to uncover the truth about his family’s history.

Anthony Gonzalez voices Miguel, with Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach and Renée Victor also among the cast.

Although it is not a traditional Halloween film, its skeleton characters, colourful afterlife setting and themes of family and remembrance make it a wonderful choice for the season.

It is also one of the most touching films on this list, so have the tissues ready.

More family-friendly Halloween films to add to your watchlist

If you’ve already watched the films above, there are plenty more spooky adventures worth considering.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween and Christmas favourite, following Jack Skellington as he discovers Christmas Town and decides to take over the festive celebrations. It is available on Disney+.

Frankenweenie is another stop-motion favourite from Tim Burton. It follows a young boy who brings his beloved dog back to life, with some unexpected consequences. It is available on Disney+.

ParaNorman follows a young boy who can communicate with ghosts and must save his town from a centuries-old curse. It is a funny, imaginative and occasionally frightening choice for older children.

Casper offers a gentler ghost story, following the friendly spirit who befriends a young girl after her father moves them into a haunted mansion. It is included in Sky Cinema and NOW’s October family selection.

The Book of Life is another colourful animated adventure inspired by Día de los Muertos. It follows Manolo, a young musician caught between family expectations and his own dreams. It is worth adding to the list for anyone who enjoys Coco.

How to choose the right Halloween film for your family

The best Halloween film depends on the ages of the children watching and how much spooky entertainment they enjoy.

For younger viewers, Hotel Transylvania, Coco and Stitch Head offer colourful characters, comedy and adventure without relying too heavily on frightening scenes.

Older children may enjoy the mystery and atmosphere of Monster House, Hocus Pocus and The Addams Family.

For those who are happy with something genuinely creepy, Coraline and ParaNorman offer darker stories and more unsettling moments.

And if the whole family wants a Halloween double bill, it is hard to beat the original Hocus Pocus followed by Hocus Pocus 2.

Streaming availability can change, and some films may require a separate rental or purchase rather than being included in a subscription. Check the relevant UK service before planning your movie night.

Scary films for families at the cinema this Halloween

If you fancy a family trip to the cinema this Halloween, we suggest watching Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom! It’s brilliant.

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