With Halloween just around the corner, cinema-goers are running screaming down the aisles, kids under blankets are reading ghost stories by torchlight, and parents are manically trying to transform old bedsheets into acceptable trick-or-treat costumes.
But, if you want to settle down altogether as a family, you’re going to need a happy medium. And these family-friendly Halloween-adjacent films could provide just that.
1. Ghostbusters (1984) and Ghostbusters II (1989)
Despite the 2016 all-female remake and the Paul Rudd reboots Afterlife and Frozen Kingdom, the original Ghostbusters films remain the best.
To avoid getting into a “sequels that are better than the original” argument, we’re lumping the first two together and advocating a Halloween double bill.
Starring Bill Murray, Dan Ackroyd, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver among other huge names, both films provide great family fun. When ghosts – including the memorable Slimer – start appearing over New York, who ya gonna call?
Created by Ackroyd and Harold Ramis, the original sees the team tackle the demigod Zuul. The sequel, meanwhile, features a river of slime and a memorable finale involving the Statue of Liberty.
Both films provide great family fun and laughs, with just the right number of ghostly scares.
2. All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989)
This late-80s classic from the studio behind An American Tail and The Land Before Time might not seem like obvious Halloween fare. Until you remember that it’s about a murdered dog returning to Earth from Heaven to exact revenge on his killers.
Thankfully, the story that follows is a touching tale of friendship, when avenging angel Charlie meets the young orphan girl, Anne-Marie.
Set in New Orleans in 1939, the film features the voice of Burt Reynolds as German Shepherd, Charlie B Barkin. Along with its central premise – outlined in the title – the film’s lessons about kindness, friendship, and love ensure it’s family-friendly, despite an ever-present sense of peril.
3. The Addams Family (1991) and The Addams Family Values (1993)
Another spooky season double-bill sure to provide laughs for the whole family is The Addams Family.
Centred around the macabre goings on at the Addams’ family mansion, Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley and Thing, take on a band of con artists.
The original film stars Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, and Christina Ricci as Wednesday (more recently portrayed by Jenna Ortega in the Tim Burton-produced Netflix series). And all three – along with the majority of the cast – returned for its sequel.
Running through various subplots of murder and mayhem is the family’s need to adjust following the birth of baby Pubert.
4. Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus is a fantasy comedy that stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
When a young boy in Salem accidentally resurrects three witches on Halloween, 300 years after their execution, the trio have just one night to perform the spell that will prevent them from turning to dust.
This cult classic spawned a 2022 sequel for which the three main stars returned.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Sure to top Christmas and Halloween best-film lists, the Tim Burton-produced The Nightmare Before Christmas ticks both boxes.
This musical comedy is a stop-motion animation directed by Henry Selick, with songs penned by Danny Elfman.
Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, accidentally stumbles into Christmas Town and quickly becomes obsessed with sharing the wonders of the festive season. But how will Jack’s Halloween Town friends react?
The Nightmare Before Christmas was Selick’s directorial debut.
6. Coraline (2009)
Based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman, Coraline’s titular hero is an 11-year-old girl who stumbles across an idealised version of her own world. This alternate dimension, though, hides dark and sinister secrets.
Another Henry Selick-directed feature, it marked the filmmaker’s fourth film. It stars Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, and Ian McShane.
Certified PG (Parental Guidance), it’s probably not suitable for the youngest children so discretion is advised.
7. Secret Magic Control Agency (2021)
In a fantasy kingdom regulated by the Secret Magic Control Agency, government employees Hansel and Gretel take on the case of the abducted King.
The secret agents must join forces and use all of their investigative skills, teamwork, and a healthy supply of magic. Along the way, they’ll battle a witch who wants to eat them and begin to rebuild their broken relationship.
A film for all the family, the fast-paced plot provides excitement and humour for viewers of all ages.
