As the spooky season descends upon us, it’s time to brew some cinematic magic for your little ghouls and goblins. We’ve conjured up a list of the top 5 Halloween films that promise thrills, chills, and a whole lot of family-friendly fun.
Having a child who has not always enjoyed the Halloween season, it is wonderful to now be able to share with him some of my favourite films too. Here’s what we have been watching in the run up to Halloween:
1. “Hocus Pocus” (1993):
What better way to kick off our list than with the bewitching tale of the Sanderson sisters? In “Hocus Pocus,” Max Dennison, his sister Dani, and their friend Allison must stop the wicked trio of witches from unleashing chaos on Halloween night.
I have to say that this is one of my childhood favourite films. My 9 year old is not the biggest fan of ‘real life’ films aka non-animated films but last Halloween when Hocus Pocus 2 came out, I used it as an excuse to pre-watch Hocus Pocus 1.
2. “Hocus Pocus 2”:
Get ready for a double dose of magical mischief! The sequel to the iconic original film, “Hocus Pocus 2” continues the adventures of the Sanderson sisters as they return to modern-day Salem.
I longed for the old characters and the loveable cat, Binx. My son prefers the sequel – looks more current and we have watched it a few times now.
3. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993):
Step into the enchanting world of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, in this Tim Burton masterpiece. When Jack stumbles upon Christmas Town, he decides to bring a bit of holiday cheer to his spooky domain, leading to delightful chaos. Filled with memorable music, inventive animation, and a heartwarming tale, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a timeless classic that bridges the gap between Halloween and Christmas, making it a perfect pick for the season.
We had the discussion before watching: is the Nightmare before Christmas, Halloween? This is the first time that I have watched this film. I’m surprised by the 1993 date as 30 years old and still looks timeless.
This film looked a little dark and spooky for my boy and so this is also the first year he has chosen to watch it. It went down well!
4. “The Addams Family” (2019, Animated):
Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, and the rest of the Addams family are in the animated adaptation. The film beautifully captures the quirky charm of the Addams family, providing laughs and life lessons in equal measure.
I haven’t managed to switch him to the ‘real life’ version of the Addams Family yet so we are still on the animated film. Hoping soon as I absolutely love the 1990s film series.
5. “The Witches” (1990):
Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, “The Witches” tells the story of a young boy who encounters a group of witches with a nefarious plan to turn all children into mice. With a star-studded cast and a mix of humour and suspense.
This is our next option for our Halloween film fest. I hands down prefer the 1990s version but I do think the 2020 version will be the only one which will appeal to my 9 year old. I will keep you posted!
There you have it, 5 films to lead you to the pinnacle night of trick or treating. A curated selection of Halloween films that are sure to bring smiles and spooky excitement to your young ones.
Not sure about the age and appropriateness for your children? Be sure to check them out on common sense media first!
So, dim the lights, prepare the popcorn, and let the Halloween film fest begin.
Looking for something other than popcorn to treat your little terrors too? Check out these 10 spooky snacks.
