35 Best G-Rated Halloween Movies for Kids & Families
Halloween is one of my absolute favorite events of the year. The spooky decorations, the eerie music, and tons upon tons of classic horror movies. But also, there’s the other side – the goofy, candy-filled sugar rush of a costumed party that the whole family can enjoy. And, frankly, even if we like to get scared and watch brutal horror flicks, we all love the softer side of Halloween, too.
Now, if you’re looking for something Halloween-themed but don’t really like being scared, or if you simply want your kids not to get traumatized since childhood, don’t worry! I present to you: the ultimate list of the 35 best G-rated Halloween movies for kids and families to enjoy together and have the best darn Halloween every year. Relax, and enjoy!
The list is not ranked but rather alphabetically ordered.
Arthur and the Haunted Tree House (2017)
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Animation
Rating: G
Synopsis: Arthur, Buster, and Ladonna fear the treehouse they’re in might be haunted. Meanwhile, Francine meets a mysterious elderly woman while they’re out trick-or-treating, and Binky visits a haunted house from Mr. Ratburn.
Why you should watch it: If your kids love Arthur and his adventures, this TV movie will be the perfect choice for a Halloween movie night. It’s less than an hour long, rated G, and has all the fun, spooky, kid-appropriate Halloween features.
Watch the whole movie here.
Beetlejuice (1988)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A family moves into a new home that turns out to be haunted by the spirits of an unbearably annoying family. When they’re out of options, they hire a malicious spirit to cast them out.
Why you should watch it: Beetlejuice is a classic but perhaps not the best choice for smaller children. They might get spooked, and the PG rating stems primarily from the adult jokes they probably won’t even acknowledge. Still, when I was a kid, I absolutely loved Beetlejuice, and it made me fall in love with Tim Burton’s work.
Watch the trailer here.
Coco (2017)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Miguel is a young boy that’s all about music. However, his family has an ancestral ban on music due to one of the family members in the past. Coco enters the Land of the Dead to find the ancestor and helps him clear his name in the eyes of the family.
Why you should watch it: Coco is not really a Halloween film, but the skeletons, the Land of the Dead, and Dia de Los Muertos references absolutely fit the bill. The movie is funny, intelligent, and incredibly emotional – there’s a reason why it won 2 Oscars. Highly recommended.
Watch the trailer here.
Coraline (2009)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Animation, Drama, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Coraline is a young girl who stumbles upon a doorway that takes her to an idealized world where her home and parents aren’t as frustrating. However, she quickly realizes things aren’t as nice as she initially thought.
Why you should watch it: Coraline is NOT for small kids, especially those who get scared easily. However, it’s the perfect choice for tweens and teens because the story is incredibly well-written and educational. Also, the stop animation is just perfect and plays well into the story and the atmosphere of the movie.
Watch the trailer here.
Corpse Bride (2005)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance, Musical
Rating: PG
Synopsis: In the late 1800s, Victor Van Dort is betrothed to Victoria Everglot in a marriage out of convenience. As he practices his vows in the woods, Emily – the Corpse Bride – wakes up, thinking he has just married her. As it turns out, Victor and Emily kind of hit it off, and he’s dumbfounded with a choice – Emily or Victoria?
Why you should watch it: Again, this awesome movie is perhaps not for the youngest children, but it’s a perfect Halloween movie for a family watch. Tim Burton is masterful, while Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter killed it with voice acting – pun intended. The PG rating comes from some spooky images and action, but it’s a loving movie overall.
Watch the trailer here.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A friendly alien ends up stranded on Earth, and a kid tries to help him get back home instead of giving him up to the authorities. Still, on the way to making that happen, E.T. has to be with Elliott in his home, but he soon falls ill and has to make dire choices to save his alien friend.
Why you should watch it: E.T. is an absolute classic, and although it revolves around aliens, it’s actually an amazingly sweet, loving, and educational movie about unconventional friendships and empathy toward those who are different.
Watch the trailer here.
Frankenweenie (2012)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Victor has a best friend – his dog Sparky. They do everything together, including making home movies. However, when Sparky is suddenly hit by a car and passes away, Victor finds a way to bring him back to life, similar to Frankenstein’s monster.
The only problem is Sparky is seemingly wreaking havoc in the neighborhood, and Victor struggles to prove he is still his good old friend.
Why you should watch it: Frankenweenie might be somewhat spooky at times, but it’s also a story about love, friendship, and not giving up on those you love. It may not be suited for small kids, but it’s perfect for a family night watch with tweens and teens.
Watch the trailer here.
Ghostbusters (1984)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Genre: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Ghostbusters is a team of parapsychologists who operate in New York City, helping anyone in need of a ghost removal service. However, things take a serious turn when a malevolent spirit tries to resurrect an ancient god, threatening to end humanity.
Why you should watch it: I mean, do you need a reason to watch Ghostbusters again? It’s Halloween, it’s funny, it has ghosts and a whole lot of excitement. Even your kids will enjoy it, despite the topic being somewhat spooky.
Watch the trailer here.
Goosebumps (2015)
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Jack Black portrays R.L. Stine, the best-selling horror author known for his Goosebumps series. As it turns out, Stine is actually a prisoner of his own imagination, and the creatures he created are very real. A kid named Zach unintentionally unleashes the monsters who were bound to the manuscript, and all hell breaks loose in the town.
Why you should watch it: There are some spooky, scary monsters in the film that might scare small kids, but the tone of the film overall is humorous, light, and funny. Also, if you read R.L. Stine, you might get a kick out of the monsters that appear, and you, as an adult, will likely enjoy some adult humor that the kids won’t even pick up on.
Watch the trailer here.
Gremlins (1984)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A guy gets a new, mysterious pet that’s just insanely adorable. However, there are some rules you have to follow, or else. Of course, the guy doesn’t follow the rules, and all hell breaks loose when the cute little pet becomes a mischievous horde of Gremlins, wreaking havoc over the town of Kingston Falls, threatening to go beyond.
Why you should watch it: If you are 20 or older and you haven’t watched Gremlins yet, I don’t want to be your friend. Even if you don’t like the film, it’s just a pure pop-cultural classic that you have to be acquainted with. Truth be told, there are some scenes (like the one with the blender) that aren’t really kid-appropriate, but I assure you, they will want their own Gizmo.
Watch the trailer here.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Harry Potter is a young boy who learns that he is, in fact, a wizard when he is recruited to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also learns about his past, the manner in which his parents have passed away, and he comes face-to-face (well, face-to-faces) with the murderer of his parents, Lord Voldemort.
Why you should watch it: Harry Potter isn’t really a Halloween movie, but come on – magic, wizards, witches, creatures – what else do you need? Your kids will absolutely fall in love with the wizarding world – as we all did – and the first movie is still very much kid-appropriate.
Although the series gets progressively darker as the films go, so maybe The Sorcerer’s Stone is enough for this Halloween, especially if your kids are still small.
Watch the trailer here.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A teenage boy and his sister move to Salem, where they accidentally wake up three witch sisters who were cursed and executed in the 17th century. The sisters have time until dawn to get their spell book and make their return permanent.
Why you should watch it: I only watched Hocus Pocus recently because the sequel got out this past month, and although I found the film a bit goofy, to say the least, my nephew laughed hysterically every time the sisters hit the screen. In other words, you might not enjoy this film as much as your kids – it’s a classic and very well worth a watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
IMDb Rating: 6.0/10
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: The Sanderson Sisters are back once again after two young women are tricked into returning them back from the dead. The witches, yet again, try to find a way to survive the dawn and continue feeding on children to remain young, but perhaps they have met their magical match this time around, ending their curse for good.
Why you should watch it: I tried not to include too many sequels to this list (Gremlins 2, Ghostbusters 2, etc.), but seeing that Hocus Pocus 2 is still so fresh, I had to include it. The Sanderson Sisters are back in full force, and they haven’t really missed a beat despite nearly 30 years passing since the last movie.
Again, your kids will likely enjoy the jokes more than you, but the ending is somewhat satisfying, and the effects look better, so it can be a fun family watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Count Dracula operates a high-end non-human hotel where all kinds of creatures mingle and enjoy their holidays. However, after his teenage daughter meets a boy, he goes full-on berserk with overprotection – especially when he learns that the boy is, in fact, human.
Why you should watch it: The first Hotel Transylvania movie is, above and beyond, the best in the four-movie series. However, if your kids like this one – which I’m sure they will – then they’ll likely want more, and then you have a whole franchise worth of films to play for them while you nap. You can thank me later.
Watch the trailer here.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: TV-G
Synopsis: The Peanuts crew, including Charlie and Snoopy, celebrate Halloween, hoping to get a visit from The Great Pumpkin.
Why you should watch it: Charlie Brown and Snoopy are timeless classics, and although this is quite a short film (only 25 minutes long), you can’t go wrong with it, be it with little children, tweens, or even teens, who’ll enjoy it due to the popularity of Snoopy and Charlie in popular culture. Oh, did I mention the story is hilarious?
Watch the trailer here.
Monster House (2006)
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Kids play around their neighborhood and a neighbor’s house that everybody jokes were haunted. However, they soon realize the house is not just haunted – it’s a real, live monster.
Why you should watch it: Be careful with this film if your kids are spooked easily – there were some sequences that gave me the chills too. But, overall, it’s a cool Halloween film that has a deeper message and goes beyond being just scary.
Watch the trailer here.
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: G
Synopsis: Monsters of all shapes and forms live in a happy synergy in a secret town where there are no humans. However, to power the city with electricity, they have to collect the screams of children by scaring them in their rooms at night. As the movie progresses, the monsters realize a child’s laughter works exponentially better than a scream.
Why you should watch it: Monsters, Inc. is still one of my favorite animated movies of all time. I was still in preschool when it came out and was scared straight of my closet because the door kind of hung a bit, and you could only see the darkness inside.
After watching Monsters, Inc., however, I was never afraid anymore. In fact, I looked at that closet door, hoping a monster would come out to cheer me up. If that isn’t enough for you to watch it with your kids this Halloween, I don’t know what is.
Watch the trailer here.
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: G
Synopsis: It’s Halloween in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Roo and Lumpy are excited to go trick-or-treating. They learn the story of the Gobloon, who turns you into a lantern if he catches you, but grants you a wish if you catch him first.
Why you should watch it: Any Pooh story is just awesome, but the thing I loved about this one is presenting Halloween in a hilarious, child-friendly way while still including all the fun elements like ghosts, Jack-O-Lanterns, trick-or-treating, etc. This one-hour TV movie will certainly be a treat for your kids and a trick for you to have some chill time while they watch.
Watch the trailer here.
Room on the Broom (2012)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rating: TV-G (Not rated)
Synopsis: A kind, friendly witch and her cat lose some things and are helped by a god, a bird, and a frog to find them. In return, the witch allows the trio to ride with her on her broom – which her kitty doesn’t really enjoy. However, after a dragon destroys her broom, all the animals band together to form a monster-looking creature and scare the dragon away.
In return, she makes a broom with extra seats on it so they can all ride together – and even the cat is fine with it.
Why you should watch it: This short TV movie (about 25 minutes long) is awesome for several reasons. One, it has animals. Two, it’s witch-themed, making it perfect for Halloween. Three, it has dragons (!), and four, it’s an educational tale about kindness, friendship, acceptance, and helping those who are in need. It’s a great little warm-up film for your Halloween movie night.
Watch the trailer here.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: TV-G
Synopsis: Scooby and the gang visit Moonscar Island, only to find it infested with zombies. Or are they really zombies? Maybe this time, the gang got more than they bargained for…
Why you should watch it: You can literally pick any Scooby-Doo movie, and it will not only be suitable for Halloween, but your kids will probably rejoice while watching it. I chose to put Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island on this list because it’s a bit different from the other Scoob-based flicks, but you wouldn’t go wrong with Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost or the Alien Invaders, too.
Watch the trailer here.
Spirited Away (2001)
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A young girl and her parents wander into a supernatural world full of witches, ghosts, and gods – but no humans are allowed there. When her parents are turned into pigs, the girl has to find a way to save them – and herself – and get out of there before it’s too late.
Why you should watch it: I get goosebumps right now thinking about this film. Don’t get me wrong, I strongly believe it’s not for small children, not just because of the spooky creatures, but because there’s no way they could understand the underlying messages presented in the film. It is – by far – my favorite animated film of all time, and I kind of recommend you watch it without kids.
Watch the trailer here.
Spooky Stakeout (2016)
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Genre: Adventure, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Four kids try to solve a perplexing mystery in an ancient, haunted castle. Each of them has different motivations for doing what they do, but their end goal is the same – finding a real ghost.
Why you should watch it: This is an Irish film with not that big of a budget, so you can see why it flew under the radar. The effects are horrible, but the humor is quite refreshing, and the scares are appropriate for kids. It might be an unconventional choice to watch this Halloween, but I low-key enjoyed it.
Watch the trailer here.
The Addams Family (1991)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Synopsis: The Addams family is quite wealthy but macabre – their butler is kind of a Frankenstein Monster, and their servant is a severed hand. Still, they are loving and sweet and welcome their long-lost uncle Fester back home with open arms. However, as it turns out, Fester might not be who he claims to be…
Why you should watch it: Let me be clear – The Addams Family movie is NOT for small kids. The crude humor might be too much; hence, the PG-13 rating – but despite the topic, the Addams Family is not a scary film. It’s a funny, witty, awesome flick that my family and I watch yearly.
Watch the trailer here.
The Addams Family (2019)
IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: The famous Addams family goes through new challenges as their daughter, Wednesday Addams, befriends the daughter of a local reality show host that despises them. Things get quite heated between the two families as the explosive-loving son, Pugsley, gets ready to complete the Addams family tradition with a saber.
Why you should watch it: This isn’t a sequel, nor a remake of the 1991 movie, but rather a fresh story depicted in an animated film. Honestly, I don’t know why it’s rated so poorly because I laughed out loud at some jokes. And, despite the obvious violence that comes with The Addams Family, the film is quite kid-friendly. Give it a go; you might enjoy it as I did!
Watch the trailer here.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Rating: G
Synopsis: The movie consists of two stories – both retelling famous stories in a fun, child-appropriate way. The two stories are The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Why you should watch it: I absolutely love this old but gold Disney classic. The animation is astounding, and the stories are told in such a seamless, witty, funny way that you don’t even pick up that they are actually spooky stories.
I highly recommend it for families with younger kids that want to experience Halloween vibes spook-free. There are moments where your kids could get spooked, though, but in its entirety, the movie is simply loving.
Watch the trailer here.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
IMDb Rating: 5.1/10
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A realtor is summoned to a mansion along with his family. Soon, they realize the mansion is haunted, and they don’t have much time to escape. Meanwhile, the father realizes just how distant and neglectful he has been towards his family.
Why you should watch it: The movie has a poor rating, but I genuinely loved it when I was a kid. Eddie Murphy is Eddie Murphy, and although there are some spooky moments throughout the film, the underlying subtext and the overall vibe of the movie kind of worked for me. Maybe you won’t be a huge fan, but your kids certainly will.
Watch the trailer here.
The Little Vampire (2000)
IMDb Rating: 5.7/10
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A small boy has issues with loneliness as he struggles to find company after moving from the US to Scotland. However, he meets another boy who he becomes best friends with, only to realize the boy is actually a vampire.
Why you should watch it: I chose to put the live-action version of The Little Vampire on the list because that’s the one I enjoyed as a kid. It shows how important it is to accept differences, as you never know where you could find love and friendship. There’s a newer, animated version of The Little Vampire that came out in 2017, which was ok, but I still prefer the old version.
Watch the trailer here.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Jack Skellington rules Halloween Town in a world where every holiday has its own city. He grows bored with doing nothing but scaring people, so when he discovers Christmas Town, he wants to bring it back to his own town and make his townfolks help him organize Christmas themselves. Of course, things go sideways quickly.
Why you should watch it: My absolute favorite Tim Burton movie (although he wasn’t the director) and one of the most popular Halloween classics ever, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a must-watch for my family every Halloween and then again every Christmas.
Some sequences might be spooky for young children, but the music, the characters, and the overall vibe of this film will enamor you in ways you couldn’t imagine it could.
Watch the trailer here.
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Rating: G
Synopsis: A field mouse seeks the help of a colony of rats to help her save her sick son, only to realize she might have more in common with the rats than she initially thought.
Why you should watch it: The synopsis I’ve given you is only a scratch of the surface. The movie is much deeper, with an incredibly emotional storyline, deep messages, and wonderful moments that will have you sobbing as if you were a kid, too. Oh, and then there are the spooky elements, but they are quite child-friendly.
Watch the trailer here.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Jared and Simon Grace are twin brothers who move into the Spiderwick Estate, a run-down property, with their mother and sister, Mallory. Soon, they realize the Estate is a doorway to a world filled with mythical creatures, such as fairies, gnomes, and so much more.
Why you should watch it: While there are several spooky moments in the film, The Spiderwick Chronicles is quite a kid-friendly film, filled with cute creatures and awesome cinematography. Sure, the CGI is very 2008, but I think the film is a bit underrated, especially if the audience is kids.
Watch the trailer here.
The Witches (1990)
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Rating: PG
Synopsis: A convention of witches is interrupted when a young boy unwittingly stumbles upon it in a seaside hotel in England, where the group of witches met. They turn the boy into a mouse, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to stop them and break their mischievous, evil plans.
Why you should watch it: The original movie from 1990 still holds the advantage in front of the newer 2020 remake, and it has become somewhat of a classic. It’s a spooky story and might not be suitable for small kids, but tweens and teens will love it, especially if they’re into witches and that kind of topic.
Watch the trailer here.
The Worst Witch (1986)
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Family
Rating: G
Synopsis: A young witch just can’t seem to get anything right while attending a prestigious witchcraft academy, and she is often bullied, not just by her peers but teachers as well. However, when the evil twin sister of the headmistress plots to destroy the entire academy, the young witch has to put all her powers into stopping the madness.
Why you should watch it: The Worst Witch first came out in 1986 as a TV movie, just a bit over an hour long. For me, it’s still the best version of the story (and the one that’s most kid-friendly), but there are two other versions in the form of TV shows, one from 1998-2001 and one from 2017 that is still ongoing.
Watch the entire movie here.
Toy Story of Terror (2013)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Short
Rating: TV-G
Synopsis: This is a short animated film (22 minutes long) in the Toy Story universe. Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the crew get caught up at a roadside motel, where suddenly, one by one, they start going missing. Woody leads the charge in trying to figure out what is going on.
Why you should watch it: It’s a short movie, but if your kids love Toy Story as much as I loved it (and still do), then this is absolutely the perfect choice for a little Halloween screening. It has some spooky moments, but it’s just Toy Story at its finest.
Watch the trailer here.
Under Wraps (1997)
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Genre: Comedy, Family, Horror
Rating: G
Synopsis: A group of teenagers accidentally release a very confused mummy, and they go on an adventure together to try and return him to his sarcophagus before Halloween midnight, as it’s the only way to reunite him with his lover, who is already gone for about 4500 years.
Why you should watch it: Under Wraps was a hilarious TV movie that I still like to watch every now and then. The mummy might be a bit spooky appearance-wise, but he is just so silly that even the youngest kids would laugh out loud at some of the situations in the movie. The story isn’t very deep or ambiguous, but it’s absolutely worth a Halloween watch.
There’s also a remake of Under Wraps created in 2021 if you want something more contemporary, but it didn’t give me the same vibes as the original – it’s above and beyond, worse than the 1997 version.
Watch the trailer here.
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: G
Synopsis: Wallace and Gromit embark on another adventure, trying to solve the mystery of the garden sabotage that is happening all over their village, which threatens the giant vegetable growing contest.
Why you should watch it: If you love the Gogs, Chicken Run, and other films with similar animation, then you’ll certainly enjoy Wallace and Gromit. They have all kinds of clay stop-animation stories, but this one is particularly tethered to Halloween. It’s a great watch both for children and adults.
Watch the trailer here.
