Kid Friendly Halloween Movies

Some of the movies on television at this time of year are truly scary, and they may be too scary for the younger members of the family. Fortunately there are several flicks to choose from that fall into the thrilling but not terrifying category. Look for these titles so your children can join in the fun without the worry of nightmares for weeks to come.

"Bedknobs and Broomsticks"

Released in 1971 and starring Angela Lansbury this classic movie has just enough fantasy and mystery to be thrilling but not truly frightening. It combines real life with animation, and it is also a musical. The movie is set during World War II and Ms. Lansbury plays a novice witch who is suddenly charged with the care of three war orphans. The children, the witch, and a conman friend all travel on a magical bed in search of something very special.

"Casper"

The story of Casper goes way back, but this movie version came out in 1995 starring a young Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman. Another movie that combines animation and live action the story starts with Kat and her paranormal investigator father moving into a broken but charming home with a past and some unexpected guests.

"Scooby Doo"

This 2002 movie has the gang reuniting after having gone their separate ways. They all get a mysterious invite to a spooky island where the questions and freaky characters start to add up quickly! The cast is terrific and includes Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Rowan Atkinson.

"Under Wraps"

This movie aired on Disney Channel in 1997 and my children watched it several times that October. Three 12 year old friends accidentally stumble upon a friendly mummy who has been brought to life. The kids need to find out how to help him get back to the right place before it's too late on Halloween!

"Little Monsters"

This is an adorable monster movie with a plot that kids love. A blast from the past going all the way back to 1989 Little Monsters has a great cast including real life brothers Ben and Fred Savage as well as comedy great Howie Mandel. A mysterious world exists under young Brian Stevenson's bed, and the mischievous monster Maurice is going to show him how wild monster life can be. There are a lot of fun costumes and a lot of trouble making that kids can giggle with and relate to.

"Hocus Pocus"

This movie plays every single October and my daughter watches it each year even though she's fifteen years old now! This perfect tween Halloween movie has an excellent cast including Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and the great comedic actress Bette Midler. The actresses play a trio of witches who are brought back to life after being dead for three hundred years thanks to some local kids who light a special flame. In order to stay living the witches will stop at nothing to get what they need from the children. This movie provides a great mix of funny and freaky for younger and older kids.

"Halloweentown"/ Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge/ "Return to Halloweentown"/ "Halloweentown High"

This series from Disney movies brings you into a world where it's always Halloween. Marnie Cromwell is a young witch who learns her craft from her grandmother Aggie, played by the wonderful Debbie Reynolds. The Cromwell family has much to do in each movie as they battle evil forces in the real world and in Halloweentown. This is a really fun series my daughter enjoyed.