30 Not-So-Scary Halloween Family Movies

Planning a cozy movie night but worried about scaring your little ones? These family-friendly Halloween and holiday films bring all the festive fun without the frights! Perfect for kids who want to join the spooky season celebration while keeping things light and magical.

🎃 Classic Halloween Fun

1. Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

The beloved Sanderson sisters return 29 years later when two young women accidentally bring them back to modern-day Salem. This Disney+ sequel tones down the scares from the original while keeping all the magical fun. The witches are more bumbling than terrifying, making it perfect for families. Best for: Ages 8+, kids who love magic and comedy, Disney fans

2. Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Count Dracula operates a lavish resort where the world’s monsters can relax away from human civilization. When a human boy accidentally discovers the hotel, chaos and hilarity ensue. Adam Sandler voices the overprotective vampire dad in this colorful animated comedy that makes classic monsters loveable. Best for: Ages 6+, kids who like silly humor, families seeking monster fun without scares

3. Coco (2017)

Young Miguel dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s ban on music. During Día de los Muertos, he’s transported to the colorful Land of the Dead where he meets his ancestors. This Pixar masterpiece beautifully celebrates Mexican culture while exploring themes of family, memory, and following your dreams. Best for: Ages 7+, kids interested in other cultures, families discussing heritage and traditions

4. The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)

When 10-year-old Lewis goes to live with his eccentric Uncle Jonathan, he discovers the house is full of magical secrets and a mysterious ticking clock. Based on John Bellairs’ beloved novel, this film combines mystery with humor as Lewis learns about friendship and courage. Best for: Ages 8+, kids who enjoy mystery adventures, fans of magical houses and wizardry

👻 Friendly Ghost Stories

5. Casper (1995)

The friendliest ghost you know just wants to make friends with the living. When the Harvey family moves into Whipstaff Manor, young Kat befriends Casper while dealing with his three mischievous uncles. This live-action/animated blend proves that not all ghosts are meant to be feared. Best for: Ages 6+, kids afraid of ghosts, families wanting gentle supernatural themes

6. Spirited Away (2001)

Ten-year-old Chihiro becomes trapped in a magical spirit world when her parents are turned into pigs. She must work at a bathhouse for spirits to save them and find her way home. Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece is visually stunning and emotionally rich, focusing on courage and environmental themes. Best for: Ages 8+, kids who appreciate beautiful animation, families interested in Japanese culture

7. The Little Ghost (2013)

A small, friendly ghost living in a castle can only appear at night until a magical mishap allows him to experience daytime. This charming German film follows his adventures as he explores the world he’s never seen, learning about friendship and belonging along the way. Best for: Ages 5+, kids who like gentle ghost stories, families seeking lesser-known gems

🎪 Monster Comedy

8. Monsters University (2013)

Before they were the best scaring team at Monsters, Inc., Mike and Sulley were college rivals. This Pixar prequel shows their journey from enemies to friends through fraternity life, competitions, and learning that sometimes your dreams change. It’s a college comedy perfect for kids. Best for: Ages 6+, fans of the original Monsters, Inc., kids learning about friendship and perseverance

9. ParaNorman (2012)

Norman can see and talk to ghosts, making him an outcast in his small town. When an ancient witch’s curse threatens everyone, he must use his gift to save the day. This stop-motion film tackles themes of bullying, acceptance, and understanding others who are different. Best for: Ages 9+, kids who feel like outsiders, families discussing bullying and acceptance

10. The Addams Family 2 (2021)

The delightfully macabre Addams family hits the road for a family vacation when Wednesday’s science experiment and Pugsley’s growing distance create family tensions. This animated sequel maintains the family’s quirky charm while exploring modern parenting challenges with humor. Best for: Ages 7+, fans of quirky humor, families who appreciate unconventional characters

🍂 Autumn & Harvest Magic

11. Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Half-brothers Wirt and Greg are lost in a mysterious forest called The Unknown, meeting strange creatures and characters as they search for home. This Cartoon Network miniseries has a fairy tale quality with gorgeous autumn imagery and folk-inspired music. Best for: Ages 8+, kids who love fairy tales, families who enjoy episodic storytelling

12. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)

When Peppermint Patty invites herself and friends to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, he scrambles to create a feast with help from Snoopy and Woodstock. This Peanuts special perfectly captures the anxiety and joy of holiday hosting with gentle humor. Best for: Ages 4+, fans of Peanuts characters, families celebrating Thanksgiving traditions

13. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Mr. Fox returns to his thieving ways despite promising his wife he’d go straight, leading to conflict with three nasty farmers. Wes Anderson’s stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book features his signature visual style and dry humor that appeals to both kids and adults. Best for: Ages 7+, fans of unique animation styles, families who appreciate clever dialogue

🎭 Musical & Fantasy

14. The Corpse Bride (2005)

Nervous groom Victor accidentally marries a deceased bride while practicing his wedding vows in the forest. Tim Burton’s stop-motion musical explores themes of love, loyalty, and letting go through beautiful songs and Burton’s distinctive gothic style that’s more romantic than scary. Best for: Ages 9+, kids who love musicals, families comfortable with mild gothic themes

15. Coraline (2009)

Bored in her new home, Coraline discovers a secret door leading to an alternate world where everything seems perfect—until it isn’t. Neil Gaiman’s story becomes a visually stunning stop-motion film that teaches appreciation for imperfect but real family life. Best for: Ages 10+, kids who can handle mild suspense, families discussing the value of real vs. perfect

16. The Book of Life (2014)

Manolo must choose between family expectations and following his heart, journeying through the Land of the Living, the Land of the Dead, and the Land of the Forgotten. This vibrant film celebrates Mexican culture, music, and the importance of being true to yourself. Best for: Ages 7+, kids interested in Mexican traditions, families who love colorful animation and music

🎪 Silly Spooks

17. Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost (1999)

The Mystery Inc. gang helps author Ben Ravencroft research his ancestor, but they uncover a real witch’s spirit seeking revenge. This animated feature maintains the classic Scooby-Doo formula of mystery-solving with humor, friendship, and the revelation that monsters are usually just people in disguises. Best for: Ages 6+, fans of mystery-solving, kids who like predictable but fun formulas

18. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Wallace’s pest control business faces its biggest challenge when a giant rabbit terrorizes the town’s vegetable gardens right before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition. This British claymation comedy is filled with puns, visual gags, and the duo’s signature charm. Best for: Ages 5+, fans of British humor, families who appreciate wordplay and visual comedy

19. Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

When a single mother and her children move to a small town, they discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and must save the world from a supernatural threat. This sequel balances nostalgia with new characters, focusing on family bonds and scientific curiosity. Best for: Ages 10+, fans of science fiction, families who enjoyed the original Ghostbusters

20. The Witches (2020)

A young boy and his grandmother encounter a coven of witches planning to turn all children into mice. Based on Roald Dahl’s book, this remake starring Anne Hathaway focuses on the boy’s courage and his grandmother’s wisdom in fighting the witches’ evil plan. Best for: Ages 8+, fans of Roald Dahl stories, kids who can handle mild witch-related scares

🌙 Magical Adventures

21. Abominable (2019)

Teenager Yi discovers a young Yeti on her apartment building’s roof and helps him return to his family on Mount Everest. This DreamWorks film combines stunning visuals of China with themes of friendship, family, and environmental conservation while celebrating Chinese culture. Best for: Ages 6+, kids who love adventure stories, families interested in Chinese culture and landscapes

22. The Secret of NIMH (1982)

Mrs. Brisby, a widowed mouse, must move her family before the farmer destroys their home, but her youngest son is too ill to move. She seeks help from mysterious superintelligent rats who knew her deceased husband. Don Bluth’s animation creates a rich, detailed world. Best for: Ages 8+, kids who appreciate detailed animation, families comfortable with mild peril and sad moments

23. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

Thirteen-year-old witch Kiki moves to a seaside town to complete her witch training, starting a delivery service using her flying abilities. This Studio Ghibli film explores themes of independence, self-doubt, and finding your place in the world with gentle wisdom. Best for: Ages 6+, kids dealing with self-confidence issues, families who appreciate coming-of-age stories

🎨 Creative & Colorful

24. Encanto (2021)

Mirabel is the only member of her magical Colombian family without a special gift, but when their family’s magic is threatened, she might be their only hope. This Disney musical celebrates Colombian culture while exploring family expectations, self-worth, and the magic found in being yourself. Best for: Ages 6+, kids dealing with family pressure, families interested in Colombian culture and music

25. Soul (2020)

Jazz musician Joe Gardner gets the chance of a lifetime but accidentally separates his soul from his body, landing in the “Great Before” where souls get their personalities. This Pixar film explores purpose, passion, and what makes life worth living with sophisticated themes. Best for: Ages 9+, kids interested in music and philosophy, families discussing life’s meaning and dreams

26. Luca (2021)

Sea monster Luca experiences life on land in the Italian Riviera, hiding his true nature while forming friendships and discovering his love of learning. This Pixar film celebrates friendship, curiosity, and the courage to be different, all set against gorgeous Italian coastal imagery. Best for: Ages 7+, kids who feel different or hide parts of themselves, families who appreciate Italian culture

🏰 Fantasy & Adventure

27. The Princess and the Frog (2009)

Hardworking waitress Tiana kisses a frog prince in 1920s New Orleans, but instead of breaking the spell, she becomes a frog too. Disney’s return to hand-drawn animation celebrates jazz music, Creole culture, and the importance of hard work alongside believing in dreams. Best for: Ages 6+, kids who love princess stories with strong heroines, families interested in New Orleans culture

28. Turning Red (2022)

Thirteen-year-old Meilin discovers she turns into a giant red panda when she gets excited or stressed. Set in 2002 Toronto, this Pixar film explores puberty, mother-daughter relationships, and cultural identity with humor and heart, celebrating both Chinese-Canadian heritage and early 2000s nostalgia. Best for: Ages 10+, preteens dealing with changes, families discussing cultural identity and growing up

29. The Good Dinosaur (2015)

In a world where dinosaurs never became extinct, young Apatosaurus Arlo becomes separated from his family and must find his way home with help from a human cave-boy. This Pixar film explores fear, courage, and unlikely friendships against stunning natural landscapes. Best for: Ages 6+, kids dealing with fears, families who love dinosaurs and nature

30. Onward (2020)

Elf brothers Ian and Barley use magic to bring back their deceased father for one day, but the spell goes wrong, giving them 24 hours to fix it. Set in a modern fantasy world, this Pixar film explores grief, brotherhood, and finding magic in everyday family relationships. Best for: Ages 8+, kids dealing with loss, families navigating grief and sibling relationships

🍿 Tips for the Perfect Family Movie Night

• Set the mood with cozy blankets and dim lighting
• Prepare themed snacks like pumpkin-shaped cookies or “monster” popcorn
• Create a comfort zone where kids can hide if scenes get too intense
• Watch together so you can pause and discuss any concerns
• Have a backup plan with an even gentler film ready to switch to

🎯 Age Guidelines

• Ages 3-5: Focus on shorter films with familiar characters and simple stories
• Ages 6-8: Mild supernatural elements, gentle lessons, and colorful animation
• Ages 9-12: More complex stories with deeper themes and mild suspense

These movies prove that Halloween and holiday entertainment doesn’t have to be terrifying to be thrilling! Each film brings the magic of the season while keeping young viewers comfortable and engaged, offering valuable lessons about friendship, family, courage, and acceptance.

Which movie will you watch first? Let us know in the comments below!