Drowning in the countless Halloween movie recommendations? Worry not, this piece critically selected the 20 best Halloween movies worth watching along with their ratings and viewers’ comments. From family-friendly ones to scary head-off films, and everything in between. 🎃
Table of Contents
20 Best Halloween Movies List
Short on time? Check the 20 best Halloween movies list here. The first 10 are lightly scary and kid-friendly. The latter 10 are more terrifying. To know more about each, navigate to the next parts which feature spoiler-free synopsis and movie ratings.
1. The Addams Family: 1991, dark horror in a Gothic style.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas: 1993, combines Halloween and Christmas.
3. La Cité des Enfants Perdus: 1995, fantasy and kids-friendly Halloween movie.
4. Don’t Look Under the Bed: 1999, Disney Halloween movie focuses on growth.
5. Harry Potter: 2001, the wizard theme is suitable for all ages.
6. Spirited Away: 2001, a masterpiece by director Hayao Miyazaki.
7. Corpse Bride: 2005, a film about a deceased bride and dark humor.
8. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children: 2016, weird yet cute ghosts.
9. Coco: 2017, a classic Halloween movie tells being forgotten is the real die.
10. Nightbooks: 2021, a micro horror story combining Grimm’s fairy tales.
11. The Exorcist: 1973, a girl behaves weirdly and needs to be exorcised.
12. Ju-On: The Grudge: 2002, a cursed house and a scary little boy.
13. Let the Right One In: 2008, A lonely boy meets a vampire girl.
14. Annabelle: Creation: 2017, tells the origin of a creepy doll, Annabelle.
15. Hereditary: 2018, the legacy left by passed ones and the dark truth behind it.
16. Late Night with the Devil: 2023, a talk show turns into a horror show in seconds.
17. Sister Death: 2023, a Spanish film talks about a nun and the supernatural.
18. Strange Darling: 2023, one-night stand turns into a killer’s orgy.
19. Beetlejuice 2: 2024, a family back to their hometown and finds a mysterious portal.
20. Speak No Evil: 2024, a family is invited by their friends, only to find them strange.
To be noticed, with thrilling scares coming from all corners of the world, some movies might require a dedicated server or be trapped behind geo-blocked streaming services. Use X-VPN to unblock any movie in your pick! There are 8000+ servers all over the world, making Sister Death from Spain and Spirited Away from Japan all under one click!
How to Access Any Halloween Movie with X-VPN?
Step 1. Download X-VPN to your devices.
Step 2. Navigate to “All Locations” and find the server where your preferred Halloween movie can be accessible.
Step 3. Tap on the server to connect. Lying down on the sofa, watch movies with popcorn in hand!
Top 10 Family Halloween Movies to Scream Together
Here are the top 10 family Halloween movies that are kids-friendly ranked in year order. Grab the kids fresh off trick-or-treating and snuggle up on the couch for these spooky yet funny Halloween movies.
1. The Addams Family (1991)
Have you watched last year’s hit “Wednesday”? Were you impressed by the dark charm of Wednesday and her family? Well, congratulations, with the family Halloween movie “The Addams Family”, you got a chance to walk closer into their world. This movie tells the story of the Addams family reuniting with a claimed long-lost relative. See how the Addams family copes with it with your family, and embrace the Gothic charm as well as whimsical horrors.
⏰ Length: 1h 39m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 67%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.9/10
🤔 Reviews: “A classic, perfect way to start spooky season”
🔥 Casts: Raul Julia, Christina Ricci, Anjelica Huston
📺 Where to Watch: Netflix, fuboTV, Paramount Plus, Apple TV
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is another classic Halloween movie for kids. This musical tale follows the story of people in 2 towns – Halloween Town and Christmas Town. The clear contrast between spine-tingling Halloween Town and cheerful laughing Christmas Town makes “The Nightmare Before Christmas” an optimal choice for this special season.
⏰ Length: 1h 16m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 95%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.9/10
🤔 Reviews: “Just one those classic movies that you can watch over and over again.”
🔥 Casts: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
📺 Where to Watch: Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video
However, as we know, Disney+ is geo-restricted. How to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas if it’s not available in your region? Use a Disney Plus VPN!
3. La Cité des Enfants Perdus (1995)
“La Cité des Enfants Perdus” (The City of Lost Children) is a visually stunning French film directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. It tells a mad scientist who kidnaps children to steal their dreams. La Cité des Enfants Perdus is selected as a kids Halloween movie for the theme of childhood and dreams. Though there are a few scary moments, it’s no gore at all.
⏰ Length: 1h 52m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 80%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.5/10
🤔 Reviews: “The City of Lost Children is something of a masterpiece, using state-of-the-art physical, optical and digital special effects to stretch cinematic boundaries.”
🔥 Casts: Marc Caro, Judith Vittet, Ron Perlman
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video
4. Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)
Another family friendly Halloween movie is called “Don’t Look Under the Bed”. This story tells a teenage girl named Frances who must team up with Larry to save her brother from being taken by a mythical creature known as the Boogeyman. This Disney Halloween movie is optimal for children to watch since it follows the growth of Frances as she confronts her fears and grows stronger.
⏰ Length: 1h 40m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 68%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.6/10
🤔 Reviews: “It had a good atmosphere, good tone which is what you want these kind of fun, scary movies.”
🔥 Casts: Ty Hodges, Jake Sakson, Erin Chambers
📺 Where to Watch: Disney+, Sling TV, fubo TV, Hulu, YouTube TV
Some of the streaming platforms, though, are geo-restricted to certain areas. For example, Disney+ and Sling TV. If your region is blocked from Don’t Look Under the Bed, try to use X-VPN to change your IP.
5. Harry Potter (2001)
The “Harry Potter” film series is for sure one of the best Halloween movies for a whole family to watch. It combines elements of mystery, adventure, and just the right amount of spooky charm, making it a perfect choice for audiences of all ages. Gather your family, grab some popcorn, and follow the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends.
⏰ Length: more than 2 hours
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 81%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.6/10
🤔 Reviews: “An exceptional big-screen half-term treat.”
🔥 Casts: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
📺 Where to Watch: Peacock, Max, Sling TV, fubo TV, Hulu, YouTube TV, Apple TV
6. Spirited Away (2001)
How can we talk about Halloween movies without mentioning Japanese movies? Besides the scariest ones, which will be mentioned in the next section, Japan also has some mild horror animations that are suitable for children. The best choice for a family Halloween movie night is “Spirited Away”, which tells the story of a young girl and a mysterious spirit world. The movie was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and received high praise. Many of Miyazaki’s other good stories, such as “Princess Mononoke” and “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”, are also very suitable for the Halloween atmosphere.
⏰ Length: 2h 15m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 96%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 8.6/10
🤔 Reviews: “The film is strewn with casual poetry. Its colors, often blue and green, are muted and weak, like a tear-spattered love letter.”
🔥 Casts: Rumi Hiiragi, Daveigh Chase, Tara Strong
📺 Where to Watch: Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, Apple TV
7. Corpse Bride (2005)
Imagine marrying a deceased bride. Doesn’t that sound scary enough? What if she’s charming? That’s the story of Victor Van Dort, the protagonist of Corpse Bride. While practicing his wedding vows in the woods, he accidentally proposed to a deceased bride. The film blends gothic romance with black humor to create a spooky atmosphere that’s not too much for kids, perfect for family Halloween night. Oh, and what about the poor living fiancée?
⏰ Length: 1h 17m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 84%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.4/10
🤔 Reviews: “This may be light family entertainment, but it’s also a pleasingly perverse celebration of Victorian morbidity.”
🔥 Casts: Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Danny Elfman
📺 Where to Watch: Max, Hulu, YouTube TV, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
8. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
The orphanage, headless Ghost, twin ghosts—all these horror elements are gathered in “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children”, one of the best Halloween movies of the 2010s. This film follows a young boy named Jake as he walks into this mysterious orphanage in Wales, which is crowded with extraordinary ghosts with supernatural powers. It explores belonging and identity, and stresses everyone’s uniqueness, making it for sure the best for kids and family to watch.
⏰ Length: 2h 7m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 64%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.7/10
🤔 Reviews: “Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. great version of ‘horror’ to suit the children.”
🔥 Casts: Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Priah Ferguson
📺 Where to Watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
9. Coco (2017)
Happened on the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Coco is also an optimal choice for family Halloween movie night. This movie focuses on the music dream of a little young boy, Miguel. On the way to pursuing it, he found out about the family’s past and understood the importance of remembering loved ones. Explore Mexican music and cultures with Coco!
⏰ Length: 1h 49m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 97%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 8.4/10
🤔 Reviews: “An unexpectedly brilliant and dynamic story about lineage, connection, and self-discovery.”
🔥 Casts: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
📺 Where to Watch: Disney+
10. Nightbooks (2021)
If your kids love Grimm’s Fairy Tales, then the Nightbooks by J.A. is perfect for your family Halloween. This Halloween movie on Netflix tells a boy Alex Mosher been captive by a witch in a magical apartment. This witch forces him to tell stories every night to stay alive and needs the story to end badly. Watch this movie to see how Alex runs away from that witch and builds a friendship with a little girl.
⏰ Length: 1h 43m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 88%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 5.8/10
🤔 Reviews: “Nightbooks takes a while to warm up, but the back half brings the gateway horror fun.”
🔥 Casts: Winslow FegleyLidya JewettKrysten Ritter
📺 Where to Watch: Netflix
10 Scariest Halloween Movies to Watch
Finding these scary Halloween movies a bit boring? Then prepare your scream, and look at the following scariest Halloween movies.
1. The Exorcist (1973)
The first scary Halloween movie introduced here is “The Exorcist”. This novel-based horror movie tells about how a young girl possessed by a demonic entity becomes violent and scary. There are many extreme gore and grotesque effects like bulging eyes and sores, guaranteed to raise your insulin levels dramatically. This classic Halloween movie is considered one of the greatest horror films of all time, making it a must-watch.
⏰ Length: 2h 12m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 78%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 8.1/10
🤔 Reviews: “Perhaps the most influential American horror movie ever made.”
🔥 Casts: Linda Blair, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Miller
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, Google Play Movie, Netflix, Hulu
2. Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
Finally, it’s the Halloween horror movie from that scary country. “The Grudge” is a Japanese horror movie released in 2002. The movie revolves around a cursed house that will devour anyone who enters it. The image of the scary little boy created in this movie is deeply rooted in people’s hearts, coupled with the disturbing atmosphere, everyone watched it tossed and turned for several nights and can not sleep well.
⏰ Length: 1h 32m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 80%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.7/10
🤔 Reviews: “Ju-on delivers on its promise to terrify even long after the movie has ended.”
🔥 Casts: Takako Fuji, Yuya Ozeki, Megumi Okina
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
3. Let the Right One In (2008)
“Let the Right One In” is a novel-based Sweden field about vampires. The story follows a lonely 12-year-old boy named Oskar who is bullied at school and struggles with isolation. Everything changed when he met his neighbor Eli, who’s actually a Vampire that needs to feed on human blood. Follow Oskar to see how their relationship gonna change.
⏰ Length: 1h 54m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 98%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.8/10
🤔 Reviews: “Paradoxically, one of most beautiful horror movies ever made!”
🔥 Casts: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar
📺 Where to Watch: YouTube, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
4. Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Though the first season of Annabelle didn’t look well. But the second one, Annabelle: Creation is loved by many people. It serves as a prequel to Annabelle and focuses on the origin of the haunted doll. With a two-strand braid and cute smile, Annabelle is there waiting for you to watch.
⏰ Length: 1h 39m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 70%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.5/10
🤔 Reviews: “Annabelle: Creation is a prequel, It shows what happened before the first Annabelle, It’s creepy, terrifying, and way better than the first film.”
🔥 Casts: Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Brian Howe
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
5. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is widely considered one of the most standout horror films of its decade. It’s a horror Halloween movie no gore. Hereditary focuses more on psychological horror with supernatural elements, revealing the disturbing truths about the dark legacy of a family. Watch this film on Halloween to see how they are tormented by sinister occurrences.
⏰ Length: 2h 7m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 90%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.3/10
🤔 Reviews: “I love this movie. it’s not for everyone but if you like creepy slow burning stuff check it out! I’ve watched it 5 times.”
🔥 Casts: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Max
6. Late Night with the Devil (2023)
“Late Night with the Devil” is another terrifying Halloween movie using a documentary filmmaking technique. Set in the 1970s, this story unfolds during a live television broadcast of a late-night talk show. To boost the show’s low ratings, the host invited some special guests like psychic, medium, and skeptic. They encounter a series of unsettling events and supernatural occurrences as the show progresses. Follow this film to see everything weird happening in the world.
⏰ Length: 1h 33m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 97%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.0/10
🤔 Reviews: “What a wild, freaky night at the movies.”
🔥 Casts: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss
📺 Where to Watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
7. Sister Death (2023)
Sister Death is one of the best Halloween movies in Spanish. Released in 2023, this film tells a novice nun named Narcisa new to a former convent and is disturbed by supernatural occurrences and gets increasingly haunted by dark visions. It serves as a prequel to chiller Veronica, which you can also check and have a look using a Netflix VPN if you like this subject.
⏰ Length: 1h 31m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 82%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 5.7/10
🤔 Reviews: “Is it about a supernatural thing? Yes. What it’s really about, though? War, injustice, and cruelty.”
🔥 Casts: Aria Bedmar, Sandra Escacena, Almudena Amor
📺 Where to Watch: Netflix
8. Strange Darling (2023)
Strange and Daring is a plot-twisting story released in 2023. It begins with a one-night stand and ends with a serial killer’s brutal killing spree. The story is divided into 6 chapters, each of which will definitely blow your mind. Choose this movie for your Halloween and see the serial killer’s years-long killing spree across the American West.
⏰ Length: 1h 36m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 95%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 7.2/10
🤔 Reviews: “A hidden gem. Great performances overall. Crazy but realistic storyline. Deserves more recognition & worth a watch!”
🔥 Casts: Willa FitzgeraldKyle, GallnerMadisen, Beaty
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, Prime Video
9. Beetlejuice 2 (2024)
Another big surprise for “Wednesday” fans, there’s another Halloween movie cast by our little Wednesday. “Beetlejuice” tells the tragedy of a family returning to their Winter River home, and their rebellious daughter finds a mysterious portal to the afterlife. It is a sequel to the Beetlejuice 1988 version and creates a fantastic dark world.
⏰ Length: 1h 44m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 77%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.9/10
🤔 Reviews: “Unlike the Ghostbusters reboots, this does have at least some of the charm of the original.”
🔥 Casts: Tim Burton, Michael Keaton, weJenna Ortega
📺 Where to Watch: Apple TV, YouTube
10. Speak No Evil 2 (2024)
The second season of Speak No Evil released in 2024 is the last horror thriller film recommended today. This story follows an American family who are invited to visit a remote farmhouse in Britain. The British couple seems to be nice at the very beginning but gradually things become weird and hidden truths are uncovered.
⏰ Length: 1h 50m
🙀 Scary Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🍅 Tomatometer scores: 84%
⭐️ IMDb rating: 6.9/10
🤔 Reviews: “As a fan of the original, I really think this did it justice and added a new twist and made its own film.”
🔥 Casts: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy
Conclusion
As we wrap up our spine-tingling tour of the top 20 Halloween movies for 2024, have you got any picks for your Halloween night? However, imagine how sad it is when you’re all set for a fright night, only to discover your favorite Halloween movie is locked behind a streaming service. But fear not! This Halloween, grab X-VPN and unlock the full potential of your frightful film fest!
FAQs
Are There Halloween Movies Scary But Not Gory?
Yes, many of the recommended Halloween movies above are not gory. For example, you can choose Harry Potter, La Cité des Enfants Perdus, and Hereditary to watch.
Are There Scary Movies Coming Out in 2024?
Yes, there are a few 2024 newly come-out movies for Halloween worth watching. For example Smile 2, Die Alone, Ghost Game, Salem’s Lot, etc. You can check the schedule at your local cinema.
Any of These Halloween Movies Based on True Story?
Yes, it is said that The Exorcist is inspired by a true event, there was actually an exorcism of a young boy from Maryland in 1949.
