Between candy, costumes and parties, people across the nation look for any way to celebrate the spookiest day of the year, Halloween. While most of the day’s traditions focus on pure chills and thrills, others prefer to stay home and relax as children in costumes come “terrorize” them for candy. If you consider yourself one of these people, this list of spooky and creepy family-friendly movies will satisfy your Halloween needs.

Frankenweenie 

No matter if you watch the original 1984 short film or the 2012 stop-motion animated movie, this story gives audiences the nostalgic feeling of a 1950s classic monster flick. A more light-hearted retelling of Mary Shelley’s classic novel Frankenstein, Frankenweenie follows young science nerd Victor Frankenstein, and his dog, Sparky. After getting hit by a car when chasing a ball, Victor brings his beloved canine companion back to life. In the newer version, Victor’s school mates follow in his steps and try their hand at his experiment by bringing different animals back to life. But after all spirals out of control, they team up to fight the monsters they have created.

The Haunted Mansion

Based on the classic Disney Parks attraction of the same name, The Haunted Mansion perfectly recreates the feeling of its inspiration with a perfect mix of comedy and horror. After arguing with his wife about his workaholic actions, real estate agent Jim Evers decides they should take a family trip to the lake.  On their way there, they stop at an abandoned mansion that Jim had been asked to sell. When a thunderstorm breaks out, the Evers get trapped in the mansion where they discover that terrifying ghosts surround them. 

The Corpse Bride 

Considered as one of Tim Burton’s best films, The Corpse Bride still manages to entrance audiences with its heartwarming story and spooky animation style, almost 15 years after its release. After screwing up his arranged wedding rehearsal, Victor runs into the forest to practice his vows. After successfully reciting them, Victor places his ring on a “branch” which ends up being the hand of a dead woman who thinks she has just married him; after this, she ends up taking him to the land of the dead.

The Addams Family 

Based on the iconic quirky family, from both the 1990s and the 2019 animated film, The Addams Family perfectly embodies the Halloween spirit. Both movies follow as the out of the ordinary, terrifying family interact with the “normal” world surrounding them. You can find The Chant‘s recent review of the newest release to this family’s adventures here.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 

Guillermo del Toro and André Øvredal bring the classic children’s horror story series, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, to life in this 2019 chilling adaptation. This movie serves as a great gateway movie for kids who want to start watching horror movies. Legend says that if someone shows up to the abandoned Bellows mansion, Sarah Bellows, the neglected daughter, will tell them a scary story. Many people have disappeared due to Sarah’s horrifying tales, and when a group of teens in the 1960s break into the house, they find out what happens when they take one of her books. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas 

This Halloween (or Christmas) classic holds up as another one of Tim Burton’s best films. Not satisfied with the same exact Halloween celebrations, king of HalloweenTown Jack Skellington disappointedly takes a walk in the forest where he stumbles onto portals that lead to different towns that create the other holidays. After being amazed by the Christmas traditions and decorations, Jack decides that this year he will take over Christmas and put his twist on things.

Practical Magic 

Sally and Gillian Owens try to avoid witchcraft as much as they can. When Gillian’s abusive boyfriend unexpectedly dies, the sisters put themselves through a harsh crash course in magic to bring him back. The situation worsens when a cop starts to investigate the disappearance of Gillian’s boyfriend and they accidentally possess his body with an evil spirit. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star in this 1998 film.

Beetlejuice

This classic 80s flick takes an interesting spin on the underworld and death with an extremely quirky plot that makes it a cult classic. After a car accident that ended both their lives, Adam and Barbara Maitland find themselves stuck in their own house. After their home sells to the Deetzes, the couple tries everything they can to stop them from destroying their home, failing every single time. They end up enlisting the help of the ghost with the most, Beetlejuice, to kick them out of their house. 

With Halloween right around the corner, the time to sit down with a bucket of popcorn and enjoy these creepy classics finally arrived.