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Family fun

31st Oct 2021

5 classic kid-friendly Halloween films perfect for a movie marathon

Melissa Carton

Only a couple more weeks until Halloween!

I love having a Halloween movie marathon once October 31st rolls around but while most people love getting in the Halloween spirit, not everyone wants to watch scary movies.

This is particularly true for young children (the last thing we need are nightmares).

Luckily there are plenty of movies perfect for watching on Halloween that won’t have you ducking under the covers and below I’ve listed five of my favourite classic kid-friendly films.

The Halloween Tree (1993)

I feel like the Halloween Tree gets forgotten about when it comes to Halloween movies but it was one of my favourites as a kid.

The film centers around four children who learn the origins of Halloween customs while trying to save the life of their friend.

Really original take on a children’s animation and the ending will really get you in the feels.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Next up is everyone’s favourite Halloween flick, Hocus Pocus.

The film follows Max who has just moved to Salem, where he struggles to fit.

His struggle to fit in becomes the last thing he had to worry about though as on Halloween night he lights a candle awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.

A must-watch for adults and kids alike come October to be honest if only for the I Put A Spell On You scene if nothing else.

Casper (1995)

I still remember going to see this in the cinema when it first came out and having the glow-in-the-dark stickers of the ghosts.

In Casper, an afterlife therapist and his daughter meet a friendly young ghost when they move into a crumbling mansion in order to rid the premises of wicked spirits.

What it leads to is probably one of the most romantic dance scenes ever in a kid’s movie.

Also, while on the topic of Christina Ricci films, it’s not on the list but Addams Family is also a great Halloween choice and it is on Netflix.

The Little Vampire (2000)

This is another movie I don’t see make Halloween movie lists but it’s an absolutely brilliant family-friendly Halloween movie.

The Little Vampire tells the story of a lonely American boy living in Scotland makes a new best friend, a fellow nine-year-old who happens to be a vampire.

And yes that is the kid from Stuart Little.

Halloween Town (1998)

Starring the late, great Debbie Reynolds, Halloween Town is a true festive classic.

After learning she is a witch, 13-year-old Marnie has to help save a town full of other supernatural creatures.

Halloween Town also has several sequels including Halloweentown 2, Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown if you want to do a full marathon of all of them.