‘Tis the season for all things spooky, scary and sinister. While scary movies grace both the big and small screens throughout the year, there’s something special about watching them in October, as Halloween looms near and creaking steps and dark shadows seem a bit more ominous. And while there are plenty of scary movies guaranteed to keep you up at night, there are also plenty of family-friendly ones that’ll keep the kids (and skittish adults) from having to wonder what’s going bump in the night.
Here’s a look at some Halloween movies that’ll satisfy audiences all over the scare spectrum.
Hocus Pocus
This classic Disney movie follows three teens who accidentally resurrect the Sanderson sisters, witches who want to kidnap the children in Salem so they can steal their youth and live forever. The witching talents of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy make this film a must-watch for the Halloween season.
Halloween
While there are now 10 movies in the Halloween franchise, the original is the best. After escaping the sanitarium where he was locked away for 15 years for murdering his sister, Michael Myers has his eyes on 17-year-old Laurie Strode (played by Jamie Lee Curtis). The slasher film might have you avoiding the dark and checking your closets for a knife-wielding villain.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
The Peanuts gang celebrates all things fall, with Linus waiting for a visit from the Great Pumpkin and Charlie Brown hoping for an invitation to a Halloween party. This animated TV special, which debuted in 1966, is well-deserving of being an annual primetime tradition.
Sleepy Hollow
Based on the classic tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman, Sleepy Hollow mixes horror and fantasy. Johnny Depp plays Crane, and the movie features plenty of wit and romance to break up the suspenseful parts.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Whether you watch it in October or December (or both), this stop motion animated favorite highlights Tim Burton at his best. The dark fantasy musical tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King from Halloween Town, who decides to take over Christmas. But his well-intentioned plan comes with a few morbid twists, which quickly cause mayhem. Funny, sincere and with a creative plot, it’s easy to see why this movie is a seasonal favorite.
