Chatter Box Film

This is a Chatter Box Film selection of 12 recommended spooky family-friendly films to watch on Halloween.

There are both live-action and animated films featured in this list; from the “creepy and the kooky”, to wicked witches and wizardry, a friendly ghost, as well as the Mystery Inc. Gang uncovering shady villains dressed as ghouls, families exploring haunted places and more.

Hocus Pocus 1 & 2 (1993 – 2022)

The Sanderson Sisters of Salem (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) plan on gaining an eternal youthful look by stealing the life-force of children. They begin to terrorize and hypnotize the town with their singing, and casting spells. A group of kids, a cat, and a very sleepy zombie are the only ones who stand in their way.

Read our review about the 2022 sequel to Hocus Pocus here!

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Eddie Murphy stars in The Haunted Mansion as Jim; a real estate agent who is hoping to bring his family closer together again, as well as looking to sell an old mansion, which turns out to be full of cursed ghosts.

Monsters Inc. (2001 – 2013)

Set in a world where the most-skilled scary monsters work for a company which collects the screams of children; Sully (John Goodman), Mike (Billy Crystal) and the rest of Monsters Inc. use multi-dimensional doors to achieve this, although along the way they discover something more; friendship and alternative way to help their world.

Ghostbusters collection (1984 – 2024)

“Who ya gonna call?” Ghostbusters is an awesome 80’s pop culture hit; known for it’s brilliantly written comedic scenes by Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Rick Moranis, as well as Ray Parker Jr’s soundtrack. The Ghostbusters protect New York City from the paranormal with their proton packs, although it’s not only the supernatural they have to go up against, they also face pushback from a slimey politician; who is looking to shut them down.

There are multiple films, and the recent one being Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire; which developed the newer cast further into the Ghostbusting business, while also continuing to bring the iconic cast back.

Corpse Bride (2005)

A tale of heartbreak and sorrow, when a shy Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp)”is seeking bride, he ends bringing one back to life voiced by Helena Bonham Carter. It’s a classic stop-motion animation film from the minds of Tim Burton and Carlos Grangel.

The Witches (1990)

It’s witchin’ season! A coven of evil witches seek to get rid of all children, however it won’t be as easy as they imagine it to be. Jim Henson’s Creature Shop was impeccable with creating the scary prosthetics for this cast including the extensive process for Anjelica Huston’s Grand High Witch character.

The Monster Squad (1987)

The Monster Squad features many of the classic horror villains; as they are accidently brought back by kids. There’s Dracula, The Mummy, Gill Man and Frankenstein’s Monster and The Wolf Man who escape and terrorize the town. This film has also featured in our 14 funny and spooky comedy-horror films from the 1980s article.

Harry Potter collection (2001 – 2011)

From the night that Voldermort first attacked, leaving Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) to be adopted by the Dursleys, this sets a path forced upon him filled with both tragic and heroic events in the wizarding world.

Harry Potter’s extraordinary journey as a young wizard faces many setbacks, however, he’s got the strong support of most of the teachers at Hogwarts, and his close friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson). This is a fantastic film series which spans a decade.

The Addams Family & The Addams Family Values (1991 – 1993)

The Addams Family is a comedy-horror film; where a very eccentric and macabre family live in a then-90’s world; interacting with an average American society, and dealing with con-artists who try to take their wealth. There’s a stellar cast in this; especially the late-Raul Julia, and Angelica Huston who gave incredible portrayals as Gomez and Morticia Addams.

Coraline (2009)

This is likely the most bizarre and mind-bending family-horror film in this list! A young girl called Coraline (Dakota Fanning) discovers the entrance to a parallel world where her life is turned upside-down; facing evil alternate versions of her parents and navigating a manic environment.

Scooby Doo 1 & 2 (2002 – 2004)

Director Raja Gosnell and writer James Gunn brought Scooby Doo and the rest of the Mystery Inc. Gang into live-action; based on the classic 1969 animated franchise. The gang hunt down ghosts, monsters, criminals and Shaggy and Scooby eat plenty of snacks along the way.

Casper (1995)

In the 1995 comedy film; Casper is a 12 year old boy who has been a ghost for around 100-years. He seeks a friendship, although he has not exactly been alone while having to deal with his three mischievous uncles (Fatso, Stretch and Stinkie).

The film is more than just a funny spooky story, it’s also a very sincere one about the eternal bond between a parent and a child; which parallels both Christina Ricci’s character Kat with her father James (Bill Pullman), as well as Casper’s history with his father.

Honourable mentions:

The Nightmare Before Christmas, Goosebumps, Gremlins, Monster House, and Hotel Transylvania.

If you are looking for higher age rated horror/Halloween films, here is a list of 22 spine-chilling films from the 1980s.