Top 10 Family Friendly Halloween Movies

#10: “The Witches” (1990)

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Who says that a movie must merit an R-rating to be legitimately scary? Based on Roald Dahl’s book, this dementedly charming fantasy isn’t afraid to bring children’s worst nightmares to life. Some nightmares are more realistic, like losing one’s parents in a car accident. Others are more fantastic, like being turned into a mouse by ghastly witches. Whether you’re a nine-year-old or a ninety-year-old, “The Witches” is bound to creep the bejesus out of you. Amidst all the spine-chilling imagery, though, the film is also creative, atmospheric, and wickedly entertaining.

Although Wallace and Gromit are two of the most likable characters in animation, they’ve starred in some fairly dark stories. The duo is kind of like a modern day Abbott and Costello, amounting to this wonderful full-length film where they meet the vegetable-raiding Were-Rabbit. Their Oscar-winning feature debut is jam-packed with clever dialogue and whimsical action sequences guaranteed to have all ages smiling throughout. If you’re looking for something lighthearted, but that still has the month of October written all over it, you’ll be crackers about “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.”

#8: “Ghostbusters” (1984)

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While “Ghostbusters” is a great comedy to watch any time of the year, it was tailor-made to be revisited every Halloween. Audiences keep coming back to “Ghostbusters” for its unforgettable characters and quotable one-liners. The film’s so hilarious, though, that sometimes people forget just how inventive and eerie it is. From the library ghost to Zuul, to even Stay Puft, every being is a unique blend of freaky and fun. Over three decades after its initial release, the Ghostbusters are still a favorite to dress up as at costume parties.

Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” undeniably has a deadly appeal, but “Frankenweenie” is an even more horrifyingly touching fable. A remake of his 1984 live-action short, this stop-motion feature takes the premise of a boy reanimating his dog to new levels of horror, humor, and heart. The film not only pays tribute to “Frankenstein,” but also “The Wolf Man,” “Gremlins,” and even “Gamera.” At the center of everything is a meaningful story about the bond between a boy and his canine best friend. Just don’t try this at home, kids.

Realized via twisted, stop-motion artistry, “ParaNorman” is an incessantly innovative and wonderfully weird outing that resonates with the monstrous child that lives within us all. Centered on a little boy with a sixth sense, this film from the ingenious minds at Laika Entertainment (lie-ka) is full of frightful animation, delightful writing, and memorable characters. In addition to having a tremendous sense of humor about itself and being a love letter to all scary movies, “ParaNorman” is a shockingly human story that reminds us that it’s okay to be different.

#5: “Halloweentown” (1998)

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If Halloween is your favorite holiday, then you’ll definitely want to hop aboard the bus to “Halloweentown,” a realm inhabited by ghosts, skeleton cab drivers, and a witch played by Debbie Reynolds. Of course they’re all about as scary a band of trick-or-treaters or animatronics on the Haunted Mansion. Being a Disney Channel original movie, “Halloweentown” isn’t without its corny moments, but that’s widely part of its charm. Inspiring three sequels, this nostalgia hoot also works in strong morals that encourage families to stick together and listen to one another.

#4: “The Addams Family” (1991)

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Being the first family of everything ooky, how could we not invite the Addams to this party? Barry Sonnenfeld directs arguably the definitive interpretation of “The Addams Family” with extravagant sets, over-the-top visual gags, and witty one-liners. The cast, from Raul Julia, to Anjelica Huston, to Christopher Lloyd, totally embodies the lively macabre characters created by Charles Addams. Hey, is that Christina Ricci?! While essentially a series of sketches, these people are so unusually enjoyable that the monster in us can’t help but want to be part of their family.

#3: “Hocus Pocus” (1993)

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When we think of family movies that live and breath the essence of Halloween, “Hocus Pocus” is one that immediately comes to mind. With witches, zombies, candy, graveyards, candlesticks, and spell books all over the place, every inch of the film simply screamsHalloween. “Hocus Pocus” stays grounded in a comedic tone, however, with Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy all giving bewitching performances. Although the absolute scariest part of any Halloween is the prospect of still being a virgin…wait, is this really in a Disney flick?

While a majority of Tim Burton’s pictures don’t necessarily take place during Halloween, almost all of them keep the spirit of Halloweenalive. He understands that a quality Halloween movie shouldn’t just be spooky, but original, humorous, and fun too. Burton demonstrates his knack for producing ghoulishly good times in “Beetlejuice” with Michael Keaton creating a gothic icon we’ve all come to associate with this morbid holiday. If you want a movie that will have you laughing until it hurts, just remember to say, “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!” It’s Showtime! - Before we ring our top pick’s doorbell, here are a few honorable mentions: - “Casper” (1995) - “Monster House” (2006) - “Labyrinth” (1986) - “Hotel Transylvania” (2012)

#1: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993)

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Yet another film from Tim Burton’s mind, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” isn’t just a phenomenal Halloween movie. It’s a new modern fairytale that already feels like it’s been part of our popular culture for eons. With masterful stop-motion effects, timeless songs by Danny Elfman, and vibrant direction from Henry Selick, the film creates an utterly unique universe of its own. The question is whether “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is truly a Halloween movie, a Christmas movie, or equal parts both. In any case, it’s nothing short of a perennial classic. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite family friendly Halloween movie? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.