15. The ‘Burbs (1989)
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably had—at some point or another—a creepy neighbor who’s made you wonder what they’re up to. That’s pretty much the gist ofThe ‘Burbs!
In this black comedy film, Tom Hanks plays Ray Peterson, a surburban homeowner who teams up with his other neighbors to find out exactly what’s going on with the new family on the block and whether they’re actually part of a Satanic cult (as they assume).
WhileThe ‘Burbsdoesn’t take place on or even around Halloween, the general mood of the movie is a perfect fit for gearing up for the holiday.
Related:The Best Movies About Neighbors (Who Are Good, Bad, or Strange)
14. Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Based on Ray Bradbury’s novel of the same name,Something Wicked This Way Comeswill have you thinking of your own childhood, even if like me you grew up in surroundings that are nothing like those of the film.
Something Wicked This Way Comesis a dark fantasy tale about an evil circus that comes to visit a small American town and ends up turning the townspeople into victims of its wickedness.
This movie has zero gore, but it brings an unsettling quality that makes it perfect for watching during the Halloween season.
Related:The Best Circus Movies and Carnival Movies, Ranked
13. Arachnophobia (1990)
You might be inclined to steer clear ofArachnophobiaif you hate spiders, but if you can stomach it, we think you should definitely give this comedy horror classic an honest try.
Arachnophobiaexplores our collective fear of creepy crawlies. When these aggressive spiders invade and infest a small town, the only ones who can stop them are a cowardly doctor (played by Jeff Daniels) and a bumbling exterminator (played by John Goodman).
This horror comedy embraces its B-movie inspirations and goes along with the insanity of its man-versus-spiders setup, and Jeff Daniels and John Goodman add a lot with their goofy tomfoolery.
Related:The Best Movies About Bugs and Spiders
12. ParaNorman (2012)
You can always count on Laika—the American stop-motion animation studio that’s given us hits likeCoralineandKubo and the Two Strings—to make the most creative stop-motion treats that connect with both kids and adults in the most impressive ways.
WhileCoralinehas its share of devoted fans, we’re picking a different Laika film for Halloween:ParaNorman.
This story about a boy with a sixth sense is nothing new, narratively speaking, but what sets it apart from other films of its kind is its clever storytelling, seamless animation, and spooky scenery. It’s a wonderful tribute for horror fans, young and old.
Related:The Best Stop-Motion Animation Movies
11. Poltergeist (1982)
“They’re here!” It’s the horror catchphrase known by an entire generation, and maybe one that sends chills down your own spine. That’s one of the hallmarks ofPoltergeist, a genuine horror classic that may not be the scariest but is still one of the most entertaining.
Even so, kids beware! What could be more frightening for a kid than to be captured by ghosts inside your own house? With a few creepy scenes that add family tension,Poltergeistbrings Spielbergian whimsy to a ghost story that you will never forget.
Related:The Best Haunted House Movies
10. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The debate still rages on to this day as to whetherThe Nightmare Before Christmasis more of a Halloween movie or a Christmas one. If you want to take the easy route, the answer is… both!
The Nightmare Before Christmasis a timeless classic that we love to rewatch year after year, and we’re happy enough to bust it out on Halloween before busting it out again two months later.
The macabre animation, the unforgettable songs, the twisted lore that crosses two holidays, the charming characters, and the sincere romance all add up to one of Tim Burton’s best projects. We’ll watch it for the hundredth time this year and we won’t be ashamed of it!
Related:The Most Rewatchable Movies We Never Get Sick of Watching
9. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Tracing the origins ofLittle Shop of Horrorsis a fascinating dive for cinema buffs. The 1986 film was an adaptation of the 1982 stage musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, which was itself an adaptation of Roger Corman’s 1960 filmThe Little Shop of Horrors.
Starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, and Steve Martin,Little Shop of Horrorsis a horror-comedy musical that follows shy florist Seymour (played by Rick Moranis) taking care of a large flytrap-like plant that consumes human blood.
It’s no spoiler to say that there’s no happy ending here. Instead, you should go into this one with only one expectation: a sadistic dentist and a sharp-toothed plant doing musical numbers.
Related:The Best Movies About Giants, Titans, and Colossal Beasts
8. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Wallace and Gromit might be the last characters you’d expect to see in a horror story. But British-based Aardman Animations wanted to pay homage to Universal Classic Monsters and Hammer Horror flicks, and they did so with this pleasant Halloween seasonal classic.
Even if you’ve never seen any of theWallace & Gromitshorts or films, you can enjoyThe Curse of the Were-Rabbit, which perfectly exemplifies everything Wallace and Gromit. It’s a clever cross betweenThe WolfmanandThe Three Stooges, both spooky and hilarious.
Related:Every Wallace & Gromit Adventure, Ranked (And Their Best Moments)
7. Gremlins (1984)
InGremlins, mogwai are small, furry creatures that are somewhat magical. Kids would love to have a mogwai of their own, but there are three important rules: don’t expose them to sunlight, don’t get them wet, and never feed them after midnight.
Breaking these rules will turn mogwai into evil, mischievous gremlins. That’s why we sympathize with the main character of Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel) for not being as wicked as his fellow mogwai.
Joe Dante’s twisted classicGremlinsis a light family comedy with horror elements, which pushed the envelope back in the 1980s with its sudden violence and dark humor. That was a big part of its appeal, along with its mean-spirited character and subtle commentary.
Related:The Best 80s Comedy Movies
6. The Witches (1990)
The second movie on this list to feature Anjelica Huston—the other one beingThe Addams Familylater below—The Witchesis, in many ways, much stranger thanThe Addams Family.
This dark fantasy movie is about seven-year-old boy Luke (played by Jasen Fisher) and his grandmother Helga (played by Mai Zetterling), who warns him that witches are real and hate children. Lo and behold, Luke encounters a witch that tries to lure him with candy.
Despite its premise and PG rating,The Witchesmay actually prove to be a little too scary for younger children, so you might want to skim through it before showing it to particularly sensitive kids.
5. Young Frankenstein (1974)
Mel Brooks has created some seriously funny movies in his time, includingBlazing Saddles(1974) andSpaceballs(1987), but the director himself considers his 1974 filmYoung Frankensteinto be his finest work ever made, even if it isn’t his funniest.
Starring Gene Wilder,Young Frankensteinis a comedy flick that parodies the various takes onFrankensteinand the horror genre as a whole. It’s not just historically significant, but hilarious and uplifting—and if you ask me, it’s a must-watch for every Halloween season.
Related:The Best Feel-Good Movies for When You Need a Pick-Me-Up
4. Beetlejuice (1988)
I’m need to be careful when writing aboutBeetlejuiceas I don’t dare to write that name three times. If you don’t understand what that means, it means you probably haven’t seenBeetlejuicebefore—and if that’s the case, you should do something about that!
Starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, and a young Winona Ryder,Beetlejuice(oops, that’s the third time) was the movie that introduced director Tim Burton to most folks and it’s still one of his most iconic and recognizable characters to this day.
Related:The Best Magical Realism Movies That Mix Fantasy and the Real World
3. Ghostbusters (1984)
I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the originalGhostbusters, but you’re certainly free to substitute it with the lesser-but-adequate 2016 remake or evenGhostbusters IIfrom 1989.
No matter which film you pick, you’re in for some ghostly fun. You may or may not think they’re suitable for kids—the original and its sequel are PG, the remake is PG-13—but I have fond memories of seeing the first movie at a very young age and I think it’s fine for youngsters.
Related:The Best Sci-Fi Comedy Movies
2. The Addams Family (1991)
Here we have another classic Halloween-appropriate film that received an unnecessary modern remake. To be clear, I’m only recommending the original 1991 movie, not the 2019 animated remake of the same name!
That said, there are plenty of things that make this oldie worth watching, but the highlight has to be the chemistry between Raul Julia (as Gomez Addams) and Anjelica Huston (as Morticia Addams).
The Addams Familyis friendly enough for kids, but packed with a subtly grim humor that makes it a fun watch for adults as well.
1. Hocus Pocus (1993)
If you were around whenHocus Pocusfirst came out in 1993, you would’ve had a hard time getting anyone to watch it, let alone convincing people that the film would become a cult classic in the decades to follow.
Yet, that’s what happened! I don’t know why, but it’s almost as if we collectively—as a society—just decided that this would be one of those films that we’d keep watching, year after year.
Hocus Pocusis now remembered fondly, perhaps through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia. Even so, it’s popular enough that it garnered a sequel in 2022, which delivered even more of the same nostalgia hits.
Long story short:Hocus Pocustakes place on Halloween, is brimming with witches, and even contains a mummy and a black cat. It’s perfect for kids and adults. What more can you ask for?
Related:The Funniest Horror Comedy Movies to Watch for a Good Laugh
