There’s just something magical about snuggling up with a warm blanket, a big bowl of popcorn, and a Halloween flick playing on the screen. It’s the perfect recipe for making memories with your family, or for a date-night-in with your boo. Whether it’s the classic thrills of Ghostbusters or the eerie adventures of The Nightmare Before Christmas, these movies have a way of adding an extra sprinkle of spookiness to the season!
I’ve ranked the list below from what is, in my opinion, least scary to most. I’ve also added the Common Sense Media age recommendations next to the ratings because holy cow. The rating system of yesteryear and the rating system of today are very, very different.
For example, Poltergeist, the terrifying movie from my childhood (“Carol Anne...do not go into the light!”), is somehow rated PG. Wha?? I can still vividly see that swimming pool scene in my head and will never get over it. Meanwhile, Ghostbusters: Afterlife is rated PG-13, and our son has been happily watching that one since he was six.
So, to each their own when it comes to your desired level of creepy, crawly fun. I loved Freddy Krueger as a kid, but can’t handle anything excessively gory or violent now. Consider the movie suggestions below a starting point, grab the popcorn, and enjoy some cozy fall vibes with the ones you love.
Here’s to creating new Halloween traditions!
Family Halloween Favorites
From sweet and silly to a little spooky, these are some of our favorites for a family movie night.
“It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (1966) - rated TV-G - CSM rated 4+
“Spookley the Square Pumpkin” (2005) - rated G - CSM rated 4+
“Hotel Transylvania” (2012) - rated PG - CSM rated 6+
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) - rated PG - CSM rated 7+
“Casper” (1995) - rated PG - CSM rated 8+
“Frankenweenie” (2012) - rated PG - CSM rated 9+
“Coraline” (2009) - rated PG - CSM rated 9+
“Goosebumps” (2015) - rated PG - CSM rated 9+
“Corpse Bride” (2005) - rated PG - CSM rated 10+
“Monster House” (2006) - rated PG - CSM rated 10+
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (2021) - rated PG-13 - CSM rated 10+
Spookier Family Favorites
For older kids, teens + grown-ups who are ready for a few more scares, these are some of our favorite Halloween classics.
“Hocus Pocus” (1993) - rated PG - CSM rated 10+
“Hocus Pocus 2” (2022) - rated PG - CSM rated 10+
“Ghostbusters” (1984) - rated PG - CSM rated 11+
“Haunted Mansion” (2023) - rated PG-13 - CSM rated 11+
“The Addams Family” (1991) - rated PG-13 - CSM rated 11+
“Clue” (1985) - rated PG - CSM rated 12+
“Young Frankenstein” (1974) - rated PG - CSM rated 12+
“Edward Scissorhands” (1990) - rated PG-13 - CSM rated 13+
“Beetlejuice” (1988) - rated PG - CSM rated 13+
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” (2024) - rated PG-13 - CSM rated 13+
“Poltergeist” (1982) - rated PG - CSM rated 13+
Seriously Spooky Favorites
For the brave ones who like their Halloween movies seriously spooky. No CSM ratings here because we think these are all aptly labeled. Consider yourself warned!
“The Birds” (1963) - rated PG-13
“The Craft” (1996) - rated R
“The Lost Boys” (1987) - rated R
“Sleepy Hollow” (1999) - rated R
“Scream” (1996) - rated R
“Shaun of the Dead” (2004) - rated R
“Psycho” (1960) - rated R
“Zombieland” (2009) - rated R
“The Shining” (1980) - rated R
Picked your movie? We’ve got the rest!
Our Real Happy Halloween Movie Night Kit includes everything you need for a cozy night in, including spooky-cute tableware for four, simply salted microwave popcorn, movie theater candy + a reusable Halloween popcorn bowl. Just pick a movie from the list, pop the popcorn + settle in for more real happy hours with the people you love!
