Summary
It’s time to break out the Pumpkin Spice and the jack-o-lanterns because Halloween is finally here! Whether it’s hayrides and trick-or-treating ordressing up in awesome costumes, Halloween is an exciting time for many. Kids and adults alike look forward to this time all year long, and everyone has their own special traditions.
One of the best Halloween traditions is watching movies to get into the holiday spirit. While some like to dive into horror classics likeThe Exorcist, or the blood-and-guts indulgence ofThe Evil Dead,others would rather not be subjected to nightmare-inducing viewing. Thankfully, there are still plenty of movies out there to bask in the fun and frenzy of Halloween without making one’s stomach churn, and they’re all available to stream from home.
Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magicstars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as witchy sisters Jillian and Sally. Stricken by personal tragedy, Sally has sworn off all magic and love from her life. Jillian, however, is a free spirit who lives every day like it could be her last. When they accidentally kill Jillian’s abusive boyfriend, the sisters use their magical abilities to bring him back from the dead. However, they soon learn that magic can’t solve every problem.
For Halloween fans who prefer something more on the romantic side,Practical Magicis a great fit. The spooky factor is minimal, and the story focuses mainly on the bond Sally and Jillian share.
Practical Magicis free to watch with aHulusubscription or can be purchased or rented onPrime Video.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it a Halloween movie? Is it a Christmas movie? Why not both?The Nightmare Before Christmashas the king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, feeling restless with his old routine. He decides to shake things up by taking over Christmas for Santa Claus, but Jack’s good intentions turn into a literal nightmare.
This classic family movie has everything - eerie atmosphere, catchy tunes, and holiday cheer - for whichever holiday fans prefer. In this case,The Nightmare Before Christmasis a great Halloween movie that is lots of fun without being super scary.
The Nightmare Before Christmasis available to watch onDisney Plusor can be rented or bought onPrime Video.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
A cult favorite turned modern classic,Hocus Pocusis a good time at any age. The wicked Sanderson sisters are brought back to life after 300 years, and they’re ready to enact their revenge on the children of Salem. Only the kids who resurrected them can put an end to their evil plans, along with a cursed talking cat, Binx.
Whether it’s the fantastic costumes, the laugh-out-loud humor, or the overall Halloween vibes,Hocus Pocushas something for everyone. Bette Midler’s performance of “I Put A Spell On You” is easily one of the movie’s most iconic scenes. It’s perfect for fans of Halloween who love a spooky good time without the scary bits.
Hocus Pocusis available to stream onDisney Plusand it can be rented or bought onPrime Video.
Ghostbusters (1984) & Ghostbusters II (1989)
With all the fun and none of the scares, the original 1984 and 1989Ghostbustersmovies are classic Halloween fare. In the firstGhostbusters,paranormal experts Peter Venkman, Ray Stanz, and Egon Spangler team up with Winston Zeddmore to save New York City from ghosts, a giant marshmallow man, and an ancient Sumerian god. InGhostbusters II,the group goes up against the spirit of an evil sorcerer.
Not only areGhostbustersandGhostbusters IIhilarious, but there are just enough thrills and chills to satisfy even the most cynical Halloween movie fan. The ghosts are more cartoony than terrifying, yet with just enough of a spooky factor to make these movies ideal for Halloween viewing.
GhostbustersandGhostbusters IIcan be streamed onPeacockor bought and rented viaPrime Video.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuiceis an iconic ’80s comedy from the mind of writer-director Tim Burton. When teenager Lydia and her parents move into a new house, they don’t realize that the previous tenants never left. Though the ghost couple haunting the place is perfectly nice, the pinstriped spirit in the attic has plenty of tricks and treats up his sleeve.
Possibly one of Michael Keaton’s best roles,Beetlejuicehas all the haunted hijinks and hilarity that Halloween lovers will ever need. There is one scene in the film’s third act that might be a bit intense for younger or more sensitive viewers, but most of the movie is fine.
Beetlejuiceis available to stream onMaxor to rent or buy onPrime Video.
Monster House (2006)
Everyone remembers that one creepy old house in the neighborhood that kids avoided. InMonster House,those fears are well-founded. Best friends DJ, Chowder, and Jenny notice that there is something not quite right about the house across the street. Then they witness the demented domicile gobbling up one of the neighbor kids. Of course, none of the adults believe them, so they take it upon themselves to go inside the house and put a stop to its evil rampage.
Monster Houseis an action-packed, animated adventure that is perfect for fans who want an enjoyable Halloween movie that doesn’t give them nightmares. It’s got humor, fun, and a good story for viewers to sink their teeth into.
Monster Houseis available onHulu, or it can be rented and bought onPrime Video.
Coraline (2009)
Coralineis a great gateway movie for anyone who wants a scary - but nottooscary - viewing experience. Eleven-year-old Coraline Jones has just moved into a new home with her mom and dad. When she finds a mysterious hidden door in the house, Coraline is transported into a mirror world that seems like it’s out of a dream but is actually a living nightmare.
Coralineis a creepy ghost story and a coming-of-age story in one, and it’s practically required viewing during the Halloween season.There are some intense scares(the Other Mother isterrifying),but they are more on the mild side, and there is no blood or gore to be found.
Coralineis streaming onMaxand can be bought or rented onPrime Video.
The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)
There have been many renditions of the famous Charles Addams’s New Yorker cartoon, yet none quite as beloved as 1991’sThe Addams Familyand 1993’sAddams Family Values.While the first movie sees the Addamses reunited with the long-lost Fester, the sequel has Fester being taken in by the gold-digging black widow, Debbie. Yet perhaps the best part ofAddams Family Valuescomes from the scenes with Wednesday and Pugsley in the purgatorial Camp Chippewa.
Whether viewers watch one or both movies, it’s a win-win. Both movies have all the creepy and kooky antics that the Addamses are known for, and both are ideal for a Halloween movie marathon without any nightmares.
Both movies are available to stream onParamount Plusand they can be rented or bought onPrime Video.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Adam Sandler is Dracula in the animated family comedyHotel Transylvania.The famous vampire is the proud owner of the only resort for vacationing monsters and ghouls. When his daughter falls in love with a human tourist, Drac is horrified, and determined to put a stop to it.
The cast of characters inHotel Transylvaniaincludes all the great movie monsters fans know and love. It also happens that the cast is made up of Sandler’s nearest and dearest, such as David Spade, Kevin James, and Steve Buscemi. It is a sweet, fun-filled movie that is perfect Halloween viewing for families and Sandler fans alike.
Hotel Transylvaniais onHuluand it can be rented or bought onPrime Video.
ParaNorman (2012)
ParaNormanis an animated adventure by the same director asCoraline,so fans can expect good things. Norman can talk to ghosts, which makes him an outcast in his little New England town. But when a curse threatens the population, Norman is the only one who can save everyone from the wrath of the undead.
ParaNormanhas a little bit of everything. There’s a ghost story, mystery, zombies, and a sweet and satisfying conclusion. The movie is everything fun about Halloween wrapped up in a neat little package, but it won’t leave its audience afraid to turn off the lights at night.
ParaNormanis streaming onStarz, and available to rent or purchase onPrime Video.
