The 57 Best Disney Halloween Movies You Can Stream on Disney+

Spooky season is fast approaching, which means it’s time to break out pumpkin carving tools and start watching my favorite Disney Halloween movies. Fortunately, I've got plenty of great options, from suspense-packed mysteries to kid-friendly films. And of course, I can’t forget about the nostalgic classics that totally freaked me out as a child (I'm looking at you, Don't Look Under the Bed).

From the beloved Halloweentown franchise to Miguel's magical journey in Coco, we compiled a list of the best scary movies you can stream on Disney+ right this second. Keep reading for 57 of the best Disney Halloween movies you can stream on Disney+.

1. Girl vs. Monster (2012)

• Cast: Olivia Holt, Kerris Dorsey, Brendan Meyer, Luke Benward
• Run time: 89 minutes
• Director: Stuart Gillard
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 58% | IMDb 5.3/10

When Skylar tries to sneak out of the house to meet her crush, she accidentally frees a monster from its chamber and discovers that her parents are actually monster hunters. Now that the creature is hell-bent on revenge, it's up to her and her friends to take it down.

Directed by Stuart Gillard, the movie won a Writers Guild of America Award for Children's - Long Form or Special. It earned an impresive 4.9 million viewers when it premiered, making it the top scripted cable TV telecast of the night.

2. Phantom of the Megaplex (2002)

• Cast: Taylor Handley, Caitlin Wachs, Jacob Smith
• Run time: 89 minutes
• Cast: Olivia Holt, Kerris Dorsey, Brendan Meyer, Luke Benward
• Run time: 89 minutes
• Director: Blair Treu
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 57% | IMDb 6.2/10

As Pete Riley and his colleagues at the Megaplex Theater prepare for a star-studded event, strange occurrences begin to take place, causing everyone to suspect that the theater is truly haunted by a phantom.

Inspired by Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel, The Phantom of the Opera, the classic DCOM was directed by Blair Treu and written by Stu Krieger.

3. Halloweentown (1998)

• Cast: Kimberly J. Brown, Debbie Reynolds, Judith Hoag
• Run time: 84 minutes
• Director: Duwayne Dunham
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 83% | IMDb 6.5/10

Young Marnie and her siblings are in for a spooky adventure when their grandmother Aggie takes them on a special tour. The destination? Halloweentown—a place filled with witches, goblins and vampires.

Duwayne Dunham's unforgettable fantasy comedy gifted fans with one-liners like "Halloween is cool"—and yes, I've dreamed about flying on a Winsweeper 5000. The movie tackles themes like bravery, self-confidence and the importance of family. It's no wonder it became a successful franchise that includes three sequels.

4. Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001)

• Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag, Daniel Kountz
• Run time: 80 minutes
• Director: Duwayne Dunham
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 83% | IMDb 6.5/10

Set just two years after the events of the first movie, Halloweentown suddenly loses all its color and magic. Now, Aggie, Marnie and her sister Sophie must team up to get to the bottom of the matter.

It's worth noting that this film has a much darker tone compared to the first installment, but both Reynolds and Brown are still as charming as ever. Also, fun fact: Towards the end of the film, you might recognize the Sanderson Sisters costumes from Hocus Pocus, which were recycled and worn by three new actresses.

5. Halloweentown High (2004)

• Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, Judith Hoag
• Run time: 82 minutes
• Director: Mark A.Z. Dippé
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 64% | IMDb 6/10

Marnie and the teens of Halloweentown land a huge victory after she convinces the Council to let kids attend high school in the mortal world. But their celebration is cut short when the evil Knight of the Iron Dagger appears to stir up trouble.

Directed by Mark A.Z. Dippé, this sequel will resonate with teens who are familiar with the ups and downs of navigating high school. Oh, and did I mention it gained more than six millions viewers during its premiere?

6. Return to Halloweentown (2006)

• Cast: Sara Paxton, Joey Zimmerman, Judith Hoag, Lucas Grabeel
• Run time: 87 minutes
• Director: Mark A.Z. Dippé
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 61% | IMDb 5.3/10

Marnie (Sara Paxton) is now 18 and headed for Witch University on a full scholarship—but it's not exactly smooth sailing. When she discovers that she holds a key to unlock the secret of an ancient prophecy, she enlists the help of her old friends.

If you're curious to know why Brown was replaced by Paxton, the actress addressed this in a 2018 Q&A. She said, “Some people asked me, or said that they heard I was working on something, which was not the case at the time. I was available and ready to do it, and had talked to them about possibly—about doing it. But Disney decided to go in a different direction and recast the role. So, that’s really all I know about the situation.”

7. Maleficent (2014)

• Cast: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley
• Run time: 97 minutes
• Director: Robert Stromberg
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 54% | IMDb 6.9/10

Sleeping Beauty gets a sinister twist in this live-action remake, where the classic fairy tale is told through the eyes of Angelina Jolie's Maleficent, one of the most iconic Disney villains ever. Though critics had mixed feelings about the movie, it's Jolie's highest-grossing film to date.

In 2015, the movie received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design, and a sequel, called Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, was released in 2019.

8. Coco (2017)

• Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renée Victor
• Run time: 105 minutes
• Director: Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb 8.4/10

When Miguel (voiced by Gonzalez), a 12-year-old aspiring musician, accidentally stumbles into the magical world of his ancestors, he uncovers some interesting secrets about his family.

Coco received two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature. PureWow Executive Editor Dara Katz says, "Like most Disney movies, Coco includes a pretty depressing origin story, but—per usual—that never stopped us from showing our toddler.  The Dia De Los Muertos visuals are stunning and the "Remember Me" reprieve is great in various tempos."

9. The Haunted Mansion (2003)

• Cast: Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Nathaniel Parker, Marsha Thomason
• Run time: 86 minutes
• Director: Rob Minkoff
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 14% | IMDb 5.2/10

A family vacation turns into a spooky adventure when real estate agent Jim Evers takes his family to a huge mansion that happens to be cursed.

The story is based on Walt Disney's theme park attraction of the same name, and though most critics weren't a fan of the horror comedy, it grossed a whopping $182.3 million at the box office. The film's success led to a 2023 reboot directed by Justin Simien.

10. Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)

• Cast: Caroline Rhea, Matt O'Leary, Charles Shaughnessy, Laura Vandervoort
• Run time: 85 minutes
• Director: Steve Boyum
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 51% | IMDb 5.8/10

Adam Hansesn and his sister are desperate to get their mom out of the house so they can go about their sneaky plans. But things take a turn for the worse when Adam realizes that his mom's new date just might be an evil vampire.

According to IMDb, there's one scene that includes a clever reference to the 1986 movie The Lost Boys, which actually features a similar storyline where the kids try to trick vampire into revealing himself.

11. Don't Look Under the Bed (1999)

• Cast: Erin Chambers, Ty Hodges, Robin Riker, Steve Valentine
• Run time: 92 minutes
• Director: Kenneth Johnson
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 68% | IMDb 6.6/10

When France McCausland gets framed for a bunch of awful pranks in her hometown, she enlists the help of her brother's imaginary friend, Larry Houdini, to clear her name.

If the Boogeyman gave you nightmares, then you'll be surprised to know the creepy monster was supposed to look even scarier. The movie's director, Kenneth Johnson, told Entertainment Weekly, "In the early concept drawings, it was really dark and [had] quills sticking out. It was nightmarish."

12. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

• Cast: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page
• Run time: 76 minutes
• Director: Henry Selick
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 7.9/10

After stumbling upon Christmas Town, Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, feels inspired to fill Santa’s shoes and bring some holiday cheer of his own. Unfortunately, his efforts quickly turn into one big nightmare.

The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score. And according to Katz, it was it big hit with her daughter. She said, "The girl loves scary things and can't get enough of Jack Skellington as well as the music. "Here comes Halloween!" is chanted regularly throughout our house."

13. Twitches (2005)

• Cast: Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry-Housley
• Run time: 86 minutes
• Director: Stuart Gillard
• Rating: TV-PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 60% | IMDb 5.7/10

Based on the book series by H. B. Gilmour and Randi Reisfeld, the movie follows identical twins Alex and Camryn. On their 21st birthday, they discover that they have magical powers and learn that there's a destiny to fulfill. Super cool fact: There's a subtle reference to the '90s sitcom, Sister, Sister in the movie. You'll notice that the two characters bump into each other at a clothing store and meet for the first time—just like how Tia and Tamera first met in the series.

14. Twitches Too (2007)

• Cast: Tia Mowry, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Kristen Wilson
• Run time: 83 minutes
• Director: Stuart Gillard
• Rating: TV-PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 70% | IMDb 5.7/10

Go Twitches! Alex and Camryn are back, but this time, as they learn to master their powers together, an evil force threatens the magical land of Coventry—and it's up to these two to save the day. For 15 years, this was the last non-musical Disney Channel Original Movie sequel to be released until 2022, when Under Wraps 2 premiered.

15. The Scream Team (2002)

• Cast: Mark Rendall, Kat Dennings, Robert Bockstael, Eric Idle
• Run time: 88 minutes
• Director: Stuart Gillard
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 55% | IMDb 6.2/10

Ian and Claire tag along with their dad when he visits his childhood home for the funeral of his own father. As the hometown plans a Halloween Festival, the kids learn that ghosts are actually a real thing—and that one of them is holding the spirit of their grandfather captive. A family-friendly comedy horror that explores the afterlife and family? Signe me up.

16. Hocus Pocus (1993)

• Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz
• Run time: 96 minutes
• Director: Kenny Ortega
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 41% | IMDb 6.9/10

Unbeknownst to three young pranksters who try to pull a harmless stunt, three villainous, 300-year-old witches are accidentally resurrected (and just in time for Halloween). Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy are all brilliant in this cult classic, which spawned a franchise that includes two sequels. Hocus Pocus 2 dropped in 2022, and the third film is now in development.

17. Return To Oz (1985)

• Cast: Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie, Fairuza Balk
• Run time: 113 minutes
• Director: Walter Murch
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 58% | IMDb 6.7/10

Okay, so it’s not *technically* a Halloween movie. But this dark twist on the classic tale makes it a fitting choice for any spooky movie night. Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) returns to Oz and is surprised to see that her old pals have turned to stone. Even worse, she has to go up against some dangerous new enemies in order to save her friends and Emerald City.

18. Frankenweenie (2012)

• Cast: Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan
• Run time: 87 minutes
• Director: Tim Burton
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 87% | IMDb 6.9/10

It’s the most entertaining twist on Frankenstein you’ll ever see. Frankenweenie follows Victor and his pet dog, Sparky. After Sparky passes away, Victor uses science to bring his pup back to life—but his new creation just might do more harm than good. The stop-motion film was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. It also won the Saturn Award for Best Animated Film.

19. Escape to Witch Mountain (1975)

• Cast: Eddie Albert, Ray Milland, Donald Pleasence, Kim Richards
• Run time: 97 minutes
• Director: John Hough
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 73% | IMDb 6.3/10

Two alien orphans are determined to learn the truth about their past, but things get rather complicated when an evil millionaire tries to exploit them for their powers. Directed by John Hough, this sci-fi fantasy is the first movie in the Witch Mountain franchise. It was followed up by sequels like Return from Witch Mountain, Beyond Witch Mountain, as well as a TV-film remake in 1995.

20. Return From Witch Mountain (1978)

• Cast: Bette Davis, Christopher Lee, Ike Eisenmann, Kim Richards
• Run time: 94 minutes
• Director: John Hough
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 50% | IMDb 5.7/10

In this sequel, Bette Davis and Christopher Lee are criminals who nearly destroy the city of Los Angeles after using a young boy for his supernatural abilities. But there might be hope yet for the city, thanks to the little boy's powerful sister and her group of friends.

21. Spooky Buddies (2011)

• Cast: Harland Williams, Sierra McCormick, Elisa Donovan, Jennifer Elise Cox
• Run time: 88 minutes
• Director: Robert Vince
• Rating: TV-PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52% | IMDb 4.5/10

A superhero team of anthropomorphic dogs is tasked with saving the day in this family-friendly movie adventure. Follow the adventures of the Buddies and their friends as they band together to stop a warlock from unleashing an evil hellhound.

22. Z-o-m-b-i-e-s (2018)

• Cast: Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Trevor Tordjman, Kylee Russell
• Run time: 94 minutes
• Director: Paul Hoen
• Rating: TV-PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 62% | IMDb 6/10

Who says that zombies and humans can't coexist? In this musical adaptation of David Light and Joseph Raso's ‘Zombies & Cheerleaders,’ a teen zombie athlete and a human cheerleader try to establish peace between their respective groups. The movie is based on the unaired pilot of a series called Zombies & Cheerleaders by David Light & Joseph Raso. It spawned a franchise with two sequels: Zombies 2 and Zombies 3.

23. Mr. Boogedy (1986)

• Cast: Richard Masur, Mimi Kennedy, Benjamin Gregory, David Faustino
• Run time: 45 minutes
• Director: Oz Scott
• Rating: TV-PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 20% | IMDb 6.5/10

Despite warnings about a mysterious ghost that's been haunting their new home, the Davises move in and learn the hard way that ancient ghosts have been lurking in their spacious abode—including the terrifying Boogedy Man. The short film, which was originally meant to be a TV pilot, was written by Michael Janover and directed by Oz Scott. It also led to a sequel named Bride of Boogedy.

24. Bride of Boogedy (1987)

• Cast: Richard Masur, Mimi Kennedy, Tammy Lauren, David Faustino
• Run time: 100 minutes
• Director: Oz Scott
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 20% | IMDb 6.5/10

Just one year after the Davis family defeats Mr. Boogedy and gets their happily-ever-after in Lucifer Falls, the evil spirit, makes a comeback. Only this time, he's hungry for revenge. Prepare for plenty of drama and adventure.

25. Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009)

• Cast: Selena Gomez, David Henrie, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone
• Run time: 98 minutes
• Director: Lev L. Spiro
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 67% | IMDb 6.2/10

A family vacation in the Caribbean goes south when Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) accidentally casts a spell that drastically alters the lives of everyone in the family and, worse yet, threatens to make the kids vanish altogether. Can she reverse the spell in time? The movie scored a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 2010.

26. The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)

• Cast: Selena Gomez, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Stone, Gregg Sulkin
• Run time: 59 minutes
• Director: Victor Gonzalez
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 80% | IMDb 6.3/10

This time, the Russo family heads to Italy to meet their relatives, but when Alex winds up conjuring a spell that creates a Good Alex and an Evil Alex, the young wizard is tasked with saving her family from her evil doppelganger. Victor Gonzalez served as director, and the special garnered an impressive 5.9 million viewers.

27. Invisible Sister (2015)

• Cast: Rowan Blanchard, Paris Berelc
• Run time: 77 minutes
• Director: Paul Hoen
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 58% | IMDb 5.9/10

An introverted teen named Cleo (Rowan Blanchard) accidentally makes her popular sister invisible when a science experiment goes horribly wrong. The only problem? Cleo has to impersonate her sister as they work together to reverse the invisibility.

28. The Ghosts of Buxley Hall (1980)

• Cast: Dick O'Neill, Victor French, Louise Latham, Monte Markham
• Run time: 120 minutes
• Director: Bruce Bilson
• Rating: TV-G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 28% | IMDb 5.6/10

Resident ghosts at the ancient Buxley Military Academy are disappointed to learn that the century-old school is merging with an all-girls school. As a result, they go out of their way to try and stop this merge. Get ready to laugh.

29. Toy Story of Terror! (2013)

• Cast: Joan Cusack, Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Wallace Shawn
• Run time: 21 minutes
• Director: Angus MacLane
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 7.4/10

After surviving their adventures at the daycare in Toy Story 3, Woody and the gang embark on a road trip in this Halloween special. But when they get a flat tire, they end up at a spooky hotel, where they experience a series of mysterious events.

30. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

• Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Mary Gibbs
• Run time: 92 minutes
• Director: Pete Docter
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 8.1/10

Welcome to the Monsters Incorporated factory, where the most skilled monsters get paid to scare as many little kids as possible. In Monstropolis, it’s believed that all children are toxic, but two monsters start thinking otherwise when one child sneaks into the factory. This charming flick will appeal to kids and parents alike.

31. Smart House (1999)

• Cast: Katey Sagal, Ryan Merriman, Katie Volding, Kevin Kilner
• Run time: 82 minutes
• Director: LeVar Burton
• Rating: TV-G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 53% | IMDb 6.1/10

Okay, so it’s not technically a Halloween movie, but it certainly has plenty of scary moments. Plus, it's easily one of Disney Channel's best originals. Ben Cooper (Ryan Merriman) and his family are stoked to win a "Smart House," but when the digital assistant, Pat, morphs into an overbearing mother, the new home turns into a nightmare.

32. Now You See It (2005)

• Cast: Aly Michalka, Johnny Pacar, Frank Langella
• Run time: 83 minutes
• Director: Duwayne Dunham
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 63% | IMDb 6.1/10

Allyson Miller (Aly Michalka), an aspiring TV producer, agrees to work on a reality show about finding the world's best kid magician. In the process, she meets an incredibly skilled young magician named Danny (Johnny Pacar), but it’s only a matter of time before she discovers his big secret. You may or may not feel the sudden urge to invest in a magician's kit after you watch this.

33. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

• Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer
• Run time: 109 minutes
• Director: Jon Turteltaub
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 40% | IMDb 6.1/10

Nicolas Cage stars as a master sorcerer who fights to protect his city from a dangerous enemy, but after realizing that he needs help, he recruits Dave (Jay Baruchel), an unlikely accomplice, and trains him on the science of magic.

34. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

• Cast: Eric Blore, J. Pat O'Malley, Colin Campbell, John McLeish
• Run time: 68 minutes
• Director:  James Algar, Clyde Geronimi, Jack Kinney, Ben Sharpsteen
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 88% | IMDb 6.8/10

Based on Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows and Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the classic fantasy follows two tales: One centers on the wealthy Mr. Toad and the other, Ichabod Crane, who travels through Sleepy Hollow one night and crosses paths with the Headless Horseman.

35. Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

• Cast: Peter Ustinov, Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette
• Run time: 106 minutes
• Director: Robert Stevenson
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 82% | IMDb 6.8/10

When the ghost of Blackbeard (Peter Ustinov) suddenly appears in New England, he learns that he's been cursed to wander the Earth until he performs at least one good deed. Thankfully, he gets his opportunity when he sees that a college track team could use his assistance.

36. Lonesome Ghosts (1937)

• Cast: Walt Disney, Clarence Nash, Pinto Colvig, Billy Bletcher
• Run time: 8 minutes
• Director: Burt Gillett
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 69% | IMDb 7.5/10

Gather the kids for this fun and spooky adventure. In this short film, three mischievous ghosts decide to have some fun with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy on a stormy night. Oh, and did I mention that this was produced by the great Walt Disney himself? He's also the voice of Mickey.

37. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)

• Cast: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, John Ericson
• Run time: 117 minutes
• Director: Robert Stevenson
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 67% | IMDb 7.1/10

Set during the Blitz in 1940, the film follows a newbie witch who intends to use her spells in the British war effort against the Nazis, but not without the help of three curious young children. The movie, which touches on themes like war and witchcraft, earned five Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Song for "The Age of Not Believing." It took home the Oscar for Best Special Visual Effects.

38. Willow (1988)

• Cast: Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh
• Run time: 126 minutes
• Director: Ron Howard
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 53% | IMDb 7.2/10

After a young farmer finds an abandoned baby, he discovers that the child’s destiny involves defeating an evil queen. But will he be able to protect her long enough to live out her calling? Despite mixed reviews from critics, Willow received two Academy Award nominations (including Sound Effects Editing and Visual Effects). A sequel television series was also released on Disney+ in 2022.

39. Monsters University (2013)

• Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Peter Sohn
• Run time: 104 minutes
• Director: Dan Scanlon
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 80% | IMDb 7.2/10

Before they were scarers/BFFs, Mike and Sully were strangers attending the same university. This film shows how the two monsters met and became lifelong pals (and it also just so happens to be Disney’s first-ever prequel film). The coming-of-age tale is filled with laugh-out-loud moments and includes quite a few life lessons about friendship. Also, it was the seventh highest-grossing film of 2013, making over $200 million at the box office.

40. The Book of Life (2014)

• Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube
• Run time: 95 minuutes
• Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 83% | IMDb 7.2/10

When Manolo, a young bullfighter, is forced to choose between pleasing his family and following his heart, he embarks on a wild afterlife adventure on the Day of the Dead. The visually stunning fantasy earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature Film and grossed $100 million worldwide. Many have also praised te movie for its exploration of Mexican folk culture.

41. Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)

• Cast: Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, Eric Jacobson, Matt Vogel
• Run time: 53 minutes
• Director: Kirk Thatcher
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 63% | IMDb 7.3/10

In the film, instead of attending an annual Halloween party, Gonzo and Page embark on one of their most terrifying adventures yet: staying in a haunted mansion for a night. What could go wrong?

It's spooky, it's silly, and it's perfect for family movie night. Director told IndieWire, “I, personally, like them playing roles. To me, the Muppets have always been like Monty Python. […] Part of the appeal was we get to see them as the Muppets, but then we get to see this Haunted Mansion version of them.”

42. Descendants (2015)

• Cast: Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, and Cameron Boyce
• Run time: 112 minutes
• Director: Kenny Ortega
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 90% | IMDb 6.3/10

The rebellious children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar and Cruella de Vil are all given a chance to redeem themselves by the Prince of Auradon. However, these teens only have one goal in mind: to free their parents from captivity.

43. Descendants 2 (2017)

• Cast: Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Mitchell Hope, China Anne McClain
• Run time: 111 minutes
• Director: Kenny Ortega
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 83% | IMDb 6.3/10

After struggling to acclimate to her newfound fame as King Ben's girlfriend, Mal realizes that she doesn't quite fit in at Auradon. She decides to return to the Isle of the Lost, but she doesn't get the warmest welcome, since her formal rival now rules the island.

Directed by Kenny Ortega, the movie features a catchy sountrack (including my fave, "Ways to Be Wicked") and entertaining action sequences.

44. The Black Cauldron (1985)

• Cast: Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Arthur Malet, John Byner, Phil Fondacaro
• Run time: 80 minutes
• Director: Ted Berman, Richard Rich
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 54% | IMDb 6.3/10

Set during the early middle ages, the movie tells the story of a young pig keeper, who, with the help of Princess Eilonwy and a minstrel named Fflewddur, tries to stop an evil emperor from taking over the world. But in order to do that, they have to find and destroy a magical ancient cauldron.

Based on The Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander, this film made history as the first Disney animated movie to feature CGI and get a PG rating.

• Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Doug Jones
• Run time: 104 minutes
• Director: Anne Fletcher
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 65% | IMDb 6/10

Everyone's favorite trio is back in this sequel. In his review, Editor Joel Calfee wrote, "Hocus Pocus 2 will please fans of the original, as well as any newcomers who may have recently discovered the ’90s hit. And while it may tread the same ground as the first installment, it provides enough laughs to keep viewers entertained, thanks to its winning leading ladies and a few surprises along the way."

The movie earned three Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Television Movie. And if you're still craving more of the Sanderson Sisters, you'll be happy to know that another sequel is in the works, with Anne Fletcher returning as the director.

• Cast: LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Dan Levy
• Run time: 123 minutes
• Director: Justin Simien
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 38% | IMDb 6/10

In this star-studded remake of the 2003 film, widowed doctor and her son move into an abandoned mansion, only to discover that it's inhabited by several ghosts. Desperate to exorcise these unwelcome ghosts, she enlists the help of a tour guide, a psychic a historian and a so-called priest.

The film was met with mixed reviews, but it's a fun thrill ride that balances the humor, drama and jump scares really well.

47. Into the Woods (2014)

• Cast: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine
• Run time: 124 minutes
• Director: Rob Marshall
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 71% | IMDb 5.9/10

Based on James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's 1987 Broadway musical, the movie follows a witch who conspires to teach important lessons to characters of popular children's stories, including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel.

I could go on for days about how brilliant Streep is in this film, but its stunning sountrack and playful take on classic fairytales are what make it stand out. While chatting with playbill about the film, Kendrick said, "Everyone in this understands what Into the Woods means to the musical theatre community because it means that much to us. We were sitting around dinner [talking] about how to maintain the integrity of the piece because we all care about it so much. I didn't feel at any point that I was nervous because people were just flying fast and loose with the changes."

• Cast: Izabela Rose, Siena Agudong
• Run time: 97 minutes
• Director: Joe Nussbaum
• Rating: Not Rated
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 50% | IMDb 5.4/10

After learning they have powers, BFFs Nory and Reina enroll at the Sage Academy for Magical Studies. Nory's skills land her in the Upside-Down Magic program, designed to train students with imperfect abilities. Even if you haven't read Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins' eponymous fantasy book series, this fun adaptation includes positive messages about friendship and individuality.

• Cast: Sterling Beaumon, Madison Pettis, Luke Benward, Brian Stepanek
• Run time: 98 minutes
• Director: Michael Giacchino
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 89% | IMDb 7.1/10

A group of monster hunters are summoned to participate in a deadly competition to find a powerful relic after their leader, Ulysses Bloodstone, dies. But along the way, they're forced to confront a dangerous new enemy.

This marked Marvel Studios' first Halloween special and the directorial debut of Michael Giacchino. It was met with rave reviews and, according to Media Play News, became the top streaming movie in the U.S. at one point.

• Cast: Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Cristela Alonzo
• Run time: 20 minutes
• Director: Ann Marie Pace
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 21% | IMDb 5.8/10

The short film follows Val, a half-human, half-vampire teen who leads a double life by keeping half her identity a secret from both worlds. Things get messy when her human BFF pays a surprise visit to Val's monster-filled school.

Regarding the film's representation, director Ann Marie Pace told POC Culture, "It became important to me to show humor and joy in this story because I wanted to tell a story about what it's like to be an outsider...I'm Mexican-American and queer and, for example, queer representation, when I was growing up and filming TV, did take a traumatic element to it. There was a lot of trauma, and that those stories are really important to be told...but at the same time, [I want to] see stories of joy from the queer community, from the Mexican community, from anyone who's felt like an outsider."

• Cast: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel
• Run time: 119 minutes
• Director: Adam Shankman
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 38% | IMDb 5.6/10

After getting their happily ever after in Enchanted, Giselle and Robert decide to live in Manhattan with Morgan, but adapting to the new community turns out to be more challenging than they thought. Worse yet, their move ends up causing chaos in both Andalasia and the real world.

While chatting with Mama's Geeky, Adams opened up about her character and said, “There’s been an evolution from the beginning of Enchanted to who Giselle is at the end of the movie. Taking that evolution of who she might be after spending 10 years [in New York City], but also making sure we keep her grounded in the truth of her feelings without losing that joy and that naiveite and innocence and purity that makes Giselle so special is where my launching place was.”

• Cast: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Joel Fry
• Run time: 134 minutes
• Director: Craig Gillespie
• Rating: PG-13
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 75% | IMDb 7.3/10

Set in 1970s London, the story follows the budding fashion genius, named Estella, as she makes friends with two thieves and starts to give in to her dark side, beginning her journey to become the villainous Cruella.

While chatting about her portrayal of the iconic villain, Stone told Glamour, “It was so cathartic. It's incredible when you let any social thoughts drop out of your head, when you think no one has to like me and in fact think, ‘I'd prefer if they didn't.’ I just want what I want. I am single-minded. It is not something that you can really live in, in real life, for very long at all but it's just so phenomenal!”

• Cast: Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Trevor Tordjman, Kylee Russell
• Run time: 87 minutes
• Director: Paul Hoen
• Rating: TV-G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100% | IMDb 5.7/10

Welcome back to Seabrook High! In this sequel to Z-o-m-b-i-e-s, high schoolers Addison and Zed pursue a new romance, but it's disrupted when a group werewolves invade their town. There are just a few mild scares, and it tackles themes like identity, prejudice and stereotypes.

Regarding the werewolves, Manheim, who plays Zed, told Hollywood Life, "I think the overall idea of both the first and second movie is that you have to be open to change and you have to be accepting of other people...In the second one, we have these werewolves come and, at first, they’re very scary and everybody is worried about that. Addison is the first person to ask them about themselves and get to know them and she starts to realize how cool they are and how awesome their culture is and how different it is."

• Cast: Nyasha Hatendi, Latarsha Rose, Jon Daly, Dale Dickey, Jonny Berryman
• Run time: 83 minutes
• Director: Nacho Vigalondo
• Rating: TV-G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 5.4/10

OK so, technically, this is an episode of horror anthology called Into the Dark, but it basically doubles as a mini film. It follows Wilson, a struggling actor who lands a new job as a mascot to promote a new toy during the Christmas season. However, the costume begins to have disturbing side effects on Wislon, including hallucinations and violent outbursts. 

A sequel to Pooka! aspart of the anthology's second season in 2020, called Pooka Lives! 

• Cast: Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Cheyenne Jackson
• Run time: 108 minutes
• Director: Kenny Ortega
• Rating: TV-G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 78% | IMDb 6.4/10

In this thrid installment of the Descendants series, Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos must work together to save the citizens of Auradon from a terrifying dark force. The musical fantasy, which marked Boyce's final Disney project before his passing, was watched by 4.59 million viewers when it premiered.

The musical film was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for Top Soundtrack, and it was followed by an animated TV special called Descendants: The Royal Wedding, in 2021.

• Cast: Lindsey Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chad Michael Murray, Mark Harmon, Ryan Malgarini
• Run time: 96 minutes
• Director: Mark Waters
• Rating: PG
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 88% | IMDb 6.3/10

Sure, Freaky Friday isn't technically a Halloween movie, but there are some spooky elements associated with it for sure. A cute, tween-friendly movie about a mother and daughter going through the growing pains of "teenagehood" so to speak, the two swap bodies on Friday the 13th as a result of a curse put on them by a server at a Chinese restaurant. With the sequel coming out next year, this is the perfect time to give the film a rewatch.

• Cast: Kirsten Storm, Phillip Rys, Raven-Symoné, Gregory Smith
• Run time: 102 minutes
• Director: Kenneth Johnson
• Rating: G
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 62% | IMDb 6.3/10

Another film that isn't technically a Halloween movie but still very much in-line with the theme, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century gives you the perfect mixture of a dark storyline, futuristic costumes/hair, an evil protagonist and great music (aka "zoom zoom zoom make my heart go boom boom").