It may only be September, but Fall is upon us and that means it's time to break out the Halloween movies. If you are anything like me you may enjoy a scary movie from time to time, but with having little kids around you don’t get to enjoy them as often as you would like.
You may be saying, "Kari, just watch the movie after the kid goes to sleep". Yes, that would solve the problem, but I have a tendency of going to bed around the same time as my child. I am now old and go to bed early. "Sigh"
This leaves us in a bit of a spot with the urge to watch our Halloween movies, but not scare our children
for dear life from those who can enter our dreams and kill us or Clowns that entice us to go play.
So what is a mama to do? We look long and hard for family-friendly holiday movies. I have compiled a list of movies that I love. The movies are listed in order of release date as I don't really know if I could organize them using favoritism since it all depends on my mood.
1. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966) [NR] Charlie Brown played a major roll in my life while growing up. I grew up reading the comics as well as watching the videos with my family. It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown will forever hold a special place in my heart.
2. Young Frankenstein (1974) [PG]
We all know the classic story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, but have you heard the one about his descendant Dr. Frankenstein (pronounced Fr-onkenstein). Gene Wilder gives an amazing performance that will make the entire family laugh.
3. Ghostbusters (1984) [PG]
Ghostbusters is a classic that is good at any time of the year but really why not bust it out to get into the mood this Halloween season. I haven't been able to check the newest release of Ghostbusters, but you better believe that it is on my list of things to do.
4. Transylvania 6-5000 (1985) [PG]
Transylvania 6-5000 is one of those wacky classic movies that many people haven't ever heard of, but are truly missing out on. Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr. portray two reports attempting to debunk or capture a werewolf. It is a perfect movie to laugh at for simple slapstick comedy.
5. Little Shop of Horrors (1986) [PG-13]
Feed me Semor feed me....
6. Beetlejuice (1988) [PG]
This iconic classic doesn't need to be described. Between the epic cast and the story, it is just a must-watch for every Spooky season.
7. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988) [PG-13]
Elvira may not be for everyone or even the littles, but this story is pure silliness of a woman who is trying to get a man.
8. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989) [G]
Kiki is the witch we all want to have as a friend. She just wants to grow up and be a proper witch, but first, she has to get experience on her own. It's not exactly spooky, but hey there is a witch and talking cat. What else do you need?
9. Spaced Invaders (1990) [PG]
Prepare to die earth scum! A little town is invaded by a group of Aliens who intercept a radio transmission and think they are supposed to invade Earth. This little group of aliens are hilarious and in the end, are save this little town.
10. Edward Scissorhands (1990 ) [PG-13]
Edward is an artificially made man, left alone, and falls in love with the daughter of the woman who finds him.
11. The Witches (1990) [PG]
A convention of witches is being held at a hotel and things go wrong for this boy when he learns they want to turn all children into mice...
12. The Addams Family (1991) [PG-13]
The family that has set the standards for many families on what it means to be dysfunctional. The Addams Family may be weird, but they are weird together.
13. Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) [PG]
Ernest scared stupid was one of the first traditional movies for myself. Aside from the X-Files it was the first movie that scared me when I was little. I know I know, but at the time I felt the Troll was gross and scary. It is silly and spooky all rolled up together.
14. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) [PG-13]
Buffy is just an average girl trying to make it through her high school years. Then vampires show up. Uggg what's a girl to do.
15. Hocus Pocus (1993) [PG]
It's all just a bunch of hocus pocus, right? In a little town, three sister witches are brought back and aim to steal the life of the children.
16. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) [PG]
This is one of those movies that fits under the collection of both Halloween movies and Christmas movies. Really you can watch this movie any time of the year and it is justifiable.
17. Casper (1995) [PG]
Casper, the friendly ghost. He is the friendliest ghost you'll meet. Right? Growing up I watched the Casper cartoons and even some of the other movies, but this is my preferred version. A great not so spooky ghost movie.
18. Tower of Terror (1997) [NR]
Is it a movie? Is it a ride? Or is it a t.v. episode from the twilight zone? It can be, all right? It's enjoyable that is all I know. A little of the silliness of what goes on in the ride. This movie is great for the Halloween season.
19. Halloween Town (1998) [no rating found]
I think we all wish there were a town like Halloweentown where we could go and enjoy all the spooky and everyone is just awesome.
20. Practical Magic (1998) [PG-13]
Practical Magic is a movie the children won't really enjoy, but it also won't scar the children if they are walking around the tv. A story about sisters who are witches and what they go through together.
21. Alvin and the Chipmunks meet Frankenstein (1999) [G]
I do believe the title is self-explanatory on why this movie has made it to my list. Alvin and the chipmunks. Solid gold right there.
22. Little Vampire (2000) [PG]
The story about a boy who becomes friends with a family of vampires. Cute cuddly and a great spooky movie for kids.
23. Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000) [G]
Oh, dear poor Theodore is becoming a Werewolf! The kids will love it.
24. Scooby Doo (2002) [PG]
The mystery team is at it again solving the mystery. This time the mystery isn't so easy as part of the team starts to become zombies.
25. The Haunted Mansion (2003) [PG]
So which came first the ride or the movie? Oh who cares. Eddie Murphy gets us laughing through his adventure through the classic spooky house.
26. Corpse Bride (2005) [PG]
It's the classic story boy sings a song about marriage and accidentally marries a corpse. The love is strong... or something.
27. Monster House (2006) [PG]
We never really expect the house to be the creepy bad guy in a story, but that is exactly what happens to these kids. I know. I like to keep some of my descriptions of things nice and vague. You should just watch it and let me know what you think.
28. Igor (2008) [PG]
I stumbled upon IGOR years ago and fell in love with this little guy. The story of Igor. He was supposed to be the assistant, not the Dr.
29. Coraline (2009) [PG]
A spooky story thru and thru Coraline shows that what you think you want isn't always what you really want. Spooky, creepy, and fully enjoyable.
30. Monsters vs Aliens Halloween edition (2009) [no rating found]
I fell in love with this collection of Monsters back when it first came out, but I think the Halloween special is my favorite. The silliness is the best. Seriously a must-watch.
31. Scared Shrekless (2010) [no rating found]
If you aren't quite in the mood for a full movie, but really want something fun than Scared Shrekless is perfect. This is a collection of short spookish stories that will get the kids laughing.
32. Hotel Transylvania (2012) [PG]
Dracula is a staple story for those who love spooky and scary stories, but Sandler's take on the classic character is something the entire family can enjoy. Honestly, I love this movie as well as Hotel Transylvania 2 and 3. Great for a family night of spook.
33. Frankenweenie (2012) [PG]
It has been years since I have watched this movie, but I think this is the year I will be introducing my son. You know. Just the love between a boy and his dog.
34. Toy Story of Terror (2014) [TV-G]
35. Goosebumps (2015) [PG]
Who better to spend a spooky night with than R.L Stine? Or at least Jack Black portraying R. L. Stine.
36. Monster Family (2017)
There are movies you come across by accident not expecting to find something you enjoy so much, but this movie is exactly that. A family that becomes their costumes and learn to love each other both because of and in spite of. This is a serious feel-good family movie.
37. Coco (2017) [PG]
Coco is such a wonderful story about a boy who learns the truth about his family from his ancestors on Día de los Muertos.
38. Mary and the Witch's Flower (2018)
The story about a little girl and her discovery of a special flower and the world of magic and witches.
39. The Addams Family (2019) [PG]
40. Scoob (2020) [PG]
I am a die-hard Scooby-Doo fan, but I will be honest and admit I haven't watched the new one yet. 2020 is a year that has been filled with craziness and new movies aren't something I seem to get to enjoy. However; I know you should watch it. I can feel it in my nerdy bones.
There is a number that I haven't seen myself that haven't made it on the list so please drop the name in the comments so I can check it out!