Light Horror/Spooky (seen)
by Pantstrovich | created - 31 May 2016 | updated - 2 weeks ago | PublicLighter horror/spookiness for families, kids and people who think they don't like horror. Good for Halloween. Something for everybody.
Obviously you'll want to check the Parents Guide or my notes before showing to all. People are scared of different things, although I think kids handle scary concepts better than adults a lot of the time. They are often more logical about it.
In progress.
I also recommend checking out these lists:
Light Horror/Spooky (not yet seen)
Halloween (seen)
Halloween (not yet seen)
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1. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966 TV Movie)
TV-G | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.
Director: Bill Melendez | Stars: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Sally Dryer, Cathy Steinberg
Votes: 22,003
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 4+.
2. The Little Vampire (2000)
PG | 95 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A lonely American boy living in Scotland makes a new best friend, a fellow nine year-old who happens to be a vampire.
Director: Uli Edel | Stars: Jonathan Lipnicki, Rollo Weeks, Richard E. Grant, Jim Carter
Votes: 11,510 | Gross: $13.57M
Despite the vampirism (I think they only drink milk from vampire cows, rather than blood), this is a very cute, child-friendly movie.
The only scary things that happens are some bullying, a vampire hunter is stalking the main vampire family & the suspense that they may not manage to become human in the end. Oh, and I guess the bad guy got pushed off a cliff, but he sucked, so...
I've watched this a bunch of times.
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
PG | 76 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.
Director: Henry Selick | Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
Votes: 375,171 | Gross: $75.08M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 7+, but I might go as high as 9+ myself. It really depends on the kid.
Mild, non-realistic body horror. Some creepy character designs. A mad scientist holds a ragdoll-girl captive. Kidnapping, drugging and scary toys.
4. Beetlejuice (1988)
PG | 92 min | Comedy, Fantasy
The spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Annie McEnroe
Votes: 340,162 | Gross: $73.71M
Some sexual concepts/lewd jokes that may go over a lot of kids' heads. The character Beetlejuice sexually harasses women, including an underage girl, which he tries to force to marry him. Some cartoony body horror and monsters. Concept of death in general. References to suicide. Some gross out humour, such as spitting and bug eating. Bugs, snakes and spiders. Racial gay stereotypes.
5. Gremlins (1984)
PG | 106 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Director: Joe Dante | Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, John Louie
Votes: 247,830 | Gross: $148.17M
Comedic violence. Body horror (of the gremlins). A creepy story about a girl finding her father dead around Christmas (not shown; she just tells the story). A rabbit heart in a classroom. The gremlin forms after being a cute mogwai could be scary to some children. The gremlins bullying Gizmo may disturb some.
6. The Halloween Tree (1993 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 69 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Four children learn the origins of Halloween customs while trying to save the life of their friend.
Director: Mario Piluso | Stars: Ray Bradbury, Leonard Nimoy, Annie Barker, Alex Greenwald
Votes: 2,406
Spooky concepts and situations surrounding death and Halloween-like customs from around the world.
The fact that a child might die will be upsetting for some (he doesn't die). The fact that the villain wants to take a child's soul may frighten some children. Kids in danger (getting chased by mummies, etc).
It's not too much scarier than Scooby Doo.
7. Ghostbusters (1984)
PG | 105 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Votes: 450,304 | Gross: $238.63M
This one has a fair bit of sexual and adult concepts (for a family film- see Parental Guide).
A man harasses a woman for a date. A character is possessed and tries to seduce men. The dog-monsters may scare some children. Some of the ghosts are somewhat grotesque, but are not shown for long. The giant marshmallow man may scare some children.
A ghost goes to give a man a blow job, but you might miss it if you blink. Some other crudeness.
It's implied that two characters, who are not romantically involved, have sex, while each are possessed (uh, weird), but you might not even notice if I hadn't told you.
8. Hocus Pocus (1993)
PG | 96 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A teenage boy named Max and his little sister move to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.
Director: Kenny Ortega | Stars: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz
Votes: 155,950 | Gross: $44.34M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 10+.
Some crudeness. Cartoony zombie gore. Young siblings in danger may be upsetting to some. Kidnapping. Bullying. Witches suck the soul out of a child & are hung early in the film - not graphic. Some cartoony violence (a cat is hit by a bus but unflattens & comes back to life). A cat is thrown (not so cartoony), hits a tombstone & dies. This part is quite upsetting, especially for children. Concept of death & losing a sibling.
9. Hotel Transylvania (2012)
PG | 91 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teenaged daughter.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky | Stars: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez
Votes: 281,100 | Gross: $148.31M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 7+.
Very mild, cartoony body horror, like Frankenstein's monster constantly falling apart.
I think the worst you have to fear is if your kids want to watch nothing but this for a while. I've definitely been hearing about it happening to people. I guess it's pretty popular with kids.
I liked it. I think it's one of the best family-friendly spooky movies to come out in a long time!
Too bad I don't feel the same about the second movie.
Haven't seen the third or the TV series yet.
10. Young Frankenstein (1974)
PG | 106 min | Comedy
An American grandson of the infamous scientist, struggling to prove that his grandfather was not as insane as people believe, is invited to Transylvania, where he discovers the process that reanimates a dead body.
Director: Mel Brooks | Stars: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle
Votes: 168,911 | Gross: $86.30M
This has a lot of sex jokes (and even non-consensual sex, at first...) but it's not very graphic.
It would likely be more entertaining for adults, but there are plenty of bad puns and the like for all.
Most people seem the most entertained by Gene Wilder in this role, and I do love him, but Marty Feldman (Igor) was my favourite part. He's so funny!
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 12+.
11.
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988–1991)
Episode:
Pooh Oughta Be in Pictures
(1988)
TV-Y | 23 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
After seeing a Giant Monster film in the movie theater, Christopher Robin decided to make his own Monster movie with Pooh and his friends as the actors.
Director: Karl Geurs | Stars: Jim Cummings, Paul Winchell, John Fiedler, Ken Sansom
Votes: 138
12. Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
PG | 95 min | Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
In a small American town, a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk.
Director: Jack Clayton | Stars: Mary Grace Canfield, Richard Davalos, Jake Dengel, Jack Dodson
Votes: 10,617 | Gross: $8.40M
This one is better for older kids and teens. Too much for younger kids probably.
13. Stranger Things (2016–2025)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl.
Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder, David Harbour
Votes: 1,336,363
Some parts of this are very scary, and it mainly deals with being around the age of just starting puberty, as well as some of being a teen, and the adults surrounding them.
This is more for 12 and up. It would be much too scary for most younger kids, and they probably couldn't relate to the characters yet.
This may also be very nostalgic for adults who were kids in the 80's, as that is when it takes place. Every episode leaves you wanting more. I can't wait for the next season.
14. The Skeleton Dance (1929)
Approved | 6 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
The clock strikes midnight, the bats fly from the belfry, a dog howls at the full moon, and two black cats fight in the cemetery: a perfect time for four skeletons to come out and dance a bit.
Director: Walt Disney | Stars: Walt Disney, Carl W. Stalling
Votes: 6,294
15. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Horror, Musical
A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.
Director: Frank Oz | Stars: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Levi Stubbs
Votes: 86,393 | Gross: $38.75M
There is domestic abuse shown in silhouette and someone cutting up a dead body, which is heard, but I think you only see some shadows. There is also a blood/people-eating plant, and some sexual innuendo.
16. Frankenstein (1931)
Passed | 70 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Dr Henry Frankenstein is obsessed with assembling a living being from parts of several exhumed corpses.
Director: James Whale | Stars: Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, Boris Karloff, John Boles
Votes: 79,721
In the uncut version, Frankenstein's monster kills a little girl. I'll have to give it a rewatch to remember the rest.
17.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Episode:
Hush
(1999)
TV-PG | 43 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy
When everyone in Sunnydale loses their voice, the Scooby Gang must silently solve the mystery of the monsters who stole their ability to speak.
Director: Joss Whedon | Stars: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, James Marsters
Votes: 8,255
For starters, have a look at the pictures for this episode to decide if you think "The Gentlemen" (that's the monsters of the episode) would give somebody nightmares. They are pretty freaky. Though part of that is in their movements. I think they were on some sort of wheels and doing mime.
Otherwise, the show in general is for teen and up.
18. Garfield in Disguise (1985 TV Short)
Not Rated | 25 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
When Garfield and Odie are out trick-or-treating, they end up at a haunted house.
Director: Phil Roman | Stars: Lorenzo Music, Thom Huge, Gregg Berger, C. Lindsay Workman
Votes: 2,303
19. The Monster Squad (1987)
PG-13 | 82 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
A group of young monster fanatics attempts to save their hometown from Count Dracula and his monsters.
Director: Fred Dekker | Stars: Andre Gower, Robby Kiger, Stephen Macht, Duncan Regehr
Votes: 35,314 | Gross: $3.77M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 14+.
20. The Midnight Hour (1985 TV Movie)
Unrated | 94 min | Comedy, Horror, Romance
Phil, Melissa, Mitch, Mary, and Vinnie are high school friends, who unwittingly raise the dead on Halloween night. Once the dead have returned, Pitchford Cove will never be the same again....or will it?
Director: Jack Bender | Stars: Jonelle Allen, Shari Belafonte, LeVar Burton, Peter DeLuise
Votes: 2,235
Probably teen and up.
21. Igor (2008)
PG | 87 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Animated fable about a cliché hunchbacked evil scientist's assistant who aspires to become a scientist himself, much to the displeasure of the rest of the evil science community.
Director: Tony Leondis | Stars: John Cusack, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi, Myleene Klass
Votes: 24,333 | Gross: $19.53M
22. Hair-Raising Hare (1946)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
A sneaker-wearing, hairy monster chases Bugs through a castle belonging to an evil scientist.
Director: Chuck Jones | Star: Mel Blanc
Votes: 3,145
23. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
Not Rated | 67 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Hypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.
Director: Robert Wiene | Stars: Werner Krauss, Conrad Veidt, Friedrich Feher, Lil Dagover
Votes: 70,061
24.
Recess (1997–2001)
Episode:
Terrifying Tales of Recess
(2001)
TV-Y | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Butch reminises three terrifying Halloween tales which occured at 3rd street school to TJ and the gang.
Director: Howy Parkins | Stars: Andrew Lawrence, Pamela Adlon, Allyce Beasley, Jeff Bennett
Votes: 130
Aimed at 10 year olds probably. I think the main characters are in the 5th grade.
25.
Regular Show (2010–2017)
Episode:
Terror Tales of the Park
(2011)
TV-PG | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The gang sits around trying to tell the scariest Halloween story.
Director: John Davis Infantino | Stars: J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Mark Hamill
Votes: 3,473
Regular Show is based around people in their early 20's doing stuff like dealing with a job they hate, dating (nothing explicit) and interdemensional shinanigans.
It seems popular amongst many age groups, but I think only 16+ would really get what it's like having a job and whatnot.
Only interdemensional travellers will get the interdemensional shinanigans.
26. Trick or Treat (1952)
Approved | 8 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
When the nephews come to Donald's house in their Halloween costumes he dumps water on them and laughs at his trick. A witch sees this and decides to help the kids. By magic she gives Donald a bad time and the kids finally get their treats.
Director: Jack Hannah | Stars: Ken Darby, June Foray, James MacDonald, Clarence Nash
Votes: 2,150
27. The Addams Family (1991)
PG-13 | 99 min | Comedy, Fantasy
Con artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who claims to be their long-lost uncle.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld | Stars: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Hedaya
Votes: 179,989 | Gross: $113.50M
28. Addams Family Values (1993)
PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Fantasy
The Addams Family try to rescue their beloved Uncle Fester from his gold-digging new love, a black widow named Debbie.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld | Stars: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd, Joan Cusack
Votes: 109,606 | Gross: $48.92M
29. Ghostbusters II (1989)
PG | 108 min | Action, Comedy, Fantasy
The discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business.
Director: Ivan Reitman | Stars: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis
Votes: 224,852 | Gross: $112.49M
30. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
G | 85 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, set out to discover the mystery behind the garden sabotage that plagues their village and threatens the annual giant vegetable growing contest.
Directors: Steve Box, Nick Park | Stars: Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Peter Kay
Votes: 146,104 | Gross: $56.11M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 7+.
I personally didn't like this one very much. All of the other W&G movies I've seen were better.
31. Monster House (2006)
PG | 91 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Three teens discover that their neighbor's house is really a living, breathing, scary monster.
Director: Gil Kenan | Stars: Mitchel Musso, Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, Ryan Whitney
Votes: 138,220 | Gross: $73.66M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 10+.
32. Halloween Is Grinch Night (1977 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
A strange wind blows into Whoville, making all the inhabitants stay indoors. They know the wind means the Grinch will be in a foul mood and out to do harm. However, young Eukariah decides to confront the Grinch.
Director: Gerard Baldwin | Stars: Hans Conried, Hal Smith, Gary Shapiro, Irene Tedrow
Votes: 1,481
33. Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh (1996 TV Short)
TV-G | 21 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
On Halloween night, Pooh and the gang are ready for Halloween, but Piglet is too scared to join in.
Director: Rob LaDuca | Stars: Peter Cullen, Jim Cummings, John Fiedler, Michael Gough
Votes: 1,026
34. Broom-Stick Bunny (1956)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Witch Hazel's claim to be the ugliest witch of all is threatened by a Halloween witch who turns out to be Bugs trick-or-treating.
Director: Chuck Jones | Stars: Mel Blanc, June Foray
Votes: 1,635
35.
Rugrats (1991–2003)
Episode:
Curse of the Werewuff
(2002)
TV-Y | 24 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Angelica convinces the babies to give her their candy or they'll turn into whatever they dress up as. Chuckie finds his inner werewuff and stands up to Angelica.
Director: Joseph Scott | Stars: Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Kath Soucie, Cheryl Chase
Votes: 84
36.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror
(1990)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
The Simpsons move into a cursed house, then are abducted by aliens, before Homer is ensconced in a tale by Edgar Allen Poe.
Directors: Wesley Archer, Rich Moore, David Silverman | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 5,361
37.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror VII
(1996)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Bart's Siamese twin swells in the attic; Lisa's science experiment creates a miniature universe of advanced civilization; aliens possess Clinton and Dole.
Director: Mike B. Anderson | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 3,501
38.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror VIII
(1997)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Homer battles mutants after Springfield is annihilated by a neutron bomb; Bart has his DNA mixed with a fly; Marge is revealed to be a witch in colonial Springfield.
Directors: Jim Reardon, Mark Kirkland | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 2,941
39.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror X
(1999)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
The Simpsons attempt to cover up their accidental murder of Ned Flanders. Bart and Lisa acquire super powers. An electronic apocalypse threatens Springfield.
Directors: Pete Michels, Jim Reardon | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 2,513
40.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror IX
(1998)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Homer receives an evil hair transplant; Bart and Lisa get trapped in an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon; Maggie is revealed to be an alien.
Directors: Jim Reardon, Steven Dean Moore | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 2,843
41.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror XIV
(2003)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
First, Homer kills the Grim Reaper and takes his place in Reaper Madness. Then, Professor Frink's father is revived, only to kill people and steal their organs in Frinkenstein. Finally, ... See full summary »
Directors: Jim Reardon, Steven Dean Moore | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 2,097
42.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror XI
(2000)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Homer must do one good deed to get into Heaven; Bart and Lisa encounter a witch in a gingerbread house; Super-intelligent dolphins strike back at humanity.
Directors: Jim Reardon, Matthew Nastuk | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 2,369
43.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror IV
(1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
Homer sells his soul to the Devil for a donut, Bart contends with a gremlin on the side of the school bus which only he can see, and the family discovers that Mr. Burns is a vampire.
Director: David Silverman | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 4,293
44.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror III
(1992)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
An evil Krusty the Clown doll tries to kill Homer; Marge is captured by a giant ape who falls in love with her; Bart inadvertently raises the dead.
Director: Carlos Baeza | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 4,082
45.
The Simpsons (1989– )
Episode:
Treehouse of Horror VI
(1995)
TV-14 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
A lightning storm causes giant advertising mascots to come to life; The children are terrorized by Groundskeeper Willie in their dreams; Homer finds himself trapped in another dimension.
Directors: Bob Anderson, David Mirkin | Stars: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith
Votes: 3,763
46. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Not Rated | 75 min | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Mary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Baron Henry Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, builds his monster a mate.
Director: James Whale | Stars: Boris Karloff, Elsa Lanchester, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson
Votes: 53,264 | Gross: $4.36M
47. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Not Rated | 118 min | Comedy, Crime, Thriller
A Brooklyn writer of books on the futility of marriage risks his reputation after he decides to tie the knot. Things get even more complicated when he learns on his wedding day that his beloved maiden aunts are habitual murderers.
Director: Frank Capra | Stars: Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Jack Carson
Votes: 74,975
48. The Haunted House (1929)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Mickey seeks shelter from a storm in a house that turns out to be haunted. The skeletons command him to play the organ; they dance and play along.
Directors: Walt Disney, Jack King | Stars: George Magrill, Walt Disney
Votes: 1,446
Skeletons and Death menace Mickey when he takes shelter from a storm in a haunted house. They force him to play an organ and they dance. The dancing is fun.
49. The Mad Doctor (1933)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Mickey must save Pluto from a mad doctor's lair.
Directors: David Hand, Wilfred Jackson | Stars: Billy Bletcher, Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, Florence Gill
Votes: 1,659
Might be disturbing to some to see a dog get kidnapped and threatened. A chicken is also a prisoner of the mad scientist and it cries.
The mad scientist wants to chop off their heads and swap them.
There are also skeletons menacing Mickey and he gets strapped to a stretcher and nearly sawn in half.
Everything is ok in the end.
50.
Regular Show (2010–2017)
Episode:
Terror Tales of the Park II
(2012)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Mordecai and Rigby are driving to a Halloween party and tell scary stories to pass the time.
Director: John Davis Infantino | Stars: J.G. Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, Mark Hamill
Votes: 3,237
51.
Regular Show (2010–2017)
Episode:
Terror Tales of the Park IV
(2014)
TV-PG | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Mordecai, Rigby, and the gang decide to visit Muscle Man's mother on Halloween. On the way the group tells ghost stories, including one where Mordecai and Rigby die and return to haunt Benson.
Directors: John Davis Infantino, Sean Szeles | Stars: Steve Blum, Linda Cardellini, John Cygan, Grey Griffin
Votes: 2,691
52. Room on the Broom (2012 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
To the annoyance of her cat a kindly witch allows a dog, a bird and a frog who have helped her retrieve things she has lost to ride on her broomstick, making it top heavy. The broom is ... See full summary »
Directors: Jan Lachauer, Max Lang | Stars: Simon Pegg, Gillian Anderson, Rob Brydon, Timothy Spall
Votes: 4,707
Not really spooky at all, but it has a nice witch. There is a possibly slightly scary dragon (depending on the kid), who is going to eat the witch, but everything turns out okay. Very cute and sweet. Probably aimed at little kids (but I liked it at 34).
53. Lost Creek (2016)
TV-PG | 92 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
As they approach the end of childhood, three elementary school kids must brave the woods on Halloween to face a monster born from their nightmares.
Director: Colin Adams-Toomey | Stars: Brynna Bartoo, Reuben Becker-Kline, Sophie Becker-Kline, Lisa Coruzzi
Votes: 264
This centers around kids probably around 11 to 13, and that's probably the audience it's aimed at. This would probably be too scary for younger kids.
It is pretty creepy in parts and deals with some bigger issues like divorce, death and fear.
Everything turns out okay in the end, but it's a little bittersweet.
It's unfortunate that the acting wasn't very good, because the cinematography, music, costumes and atmosphere are all pretty great.
54. The House of the Devil (1896)
Not Rated | 3 min | Short, Horror
With the help of a magic cauldron, Mephistopheles conjures up a variety of supernatural characters.
Director: Georges Méliès | Stars: Jehanne d'Alcy, Jules-Eugène Legris, Georges Méliès
Votes: 3,982
55. The Haunted Pumpkin of Sleepy Hollow (2002 Video)
Not Rated | 47 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
It's Halloween and friends Nick and Kate are on a mission to find the biggest pumpkin in the patch. Unfortunately, the pumpkin they choose is haunted by the ghost of the Headless Horseman, and he wants his head back.
Stars: Joanna Ruiz, Jules de Jongh, Eric Meyers, Tom Clarke Hill
Votes: 141
56. Scooby-Doo (2002)
PG | 86 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
After an acrimonious break up, the Mystery Inc. gang are individually brought to an island resort to investigate strange goings on.
Director: Raja Gosnell | Stars: Matthew Lillard, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini
Votes: 125,548 | Gross: $153.29M
57. Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost (1999 Video)
Unrated | 66 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Gang visit Oakhaven, Massachusetts to seek strange goings on involving a famous horror novelist and his ancestor who is rumored be a witch.
Director: Jim Stenstrum | Stars: Scott Innes, Mary Kay Bergman, Frank Welker, B.J. Ward
Votes: 9,320
58. Casper (1995)
PG | 100 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
An afterlife therapist and his daughter meet a friendly young ghost when they move into a crumbling mansion in order to rid the premises of wicked spirits.
Director: Brad Silberling | Stars: Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle
Votes: 146,842 | Gross: $100.33M
59.
CBS Storybreak (1984– )
Episode:
The Monster's Ring
(1987)
TV-Y7 | Animation, Short, Family
Russell Crannaker, a rather timid boy who is eager to frighten the school bully, acquires a monster ring from the owner of a mysterious magic shop and it gives him the power to transform himself into a hideous monster.
Stars: Vivian Bonnell, Hamilton Camp, Christopher Carter, Pat Fraley
Votes: 17
60. Are You Afraid of the Dark? (1990–2000)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
A group of teenagers meet in the woods, and tell scary stories.
Stars: Ross Hull, Daniel DeSanto, Raine Pare-Coull, Jodie Resther
Votes: 16,188
61. Little Monsters (1989)
PG | 100 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
A boy discovers an incredible and gruesome world of monsters under his bed.
Director: Richard Greenberg | Stars: Fred Savage, Howie Mandel, Daniel Stern, Margaret Whitton
Votes: 14,200 | Gross: $0.79M
This has A LOT of swearing for a kids movie. It also deals with divorce and has a couple of scary-looking monsters. Based around a 6th grader and probably aimed at kids around that age group (10-13).
62. Extraordinary Tales (2013)
Not Rated | 73 min | Animation, Horror, Mystery
An animated anthology of five tales adapted from Edgar Allan Poe's stories.
Director: Raul Garcia | Stars: Christopher Lee, Bela Lugosi, Julian Sands, Guillermo del Toro
Votes: 3,562
Teen+
These animated shorts are based on the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe and all have to do with death.
(SPOILERS)
The Fall of the House of Usher
Has to do with a man going mad while his sister is dying. When she does die, they put her in a coffin and nail it shut. Her brother thinks he can hear her and that they have buried her prematurely. Her ghost appears to him and seemingly drags him down to hell. Then the entire estate collapses, while the friend flees.
The Tell-tale Heart
Is about a man who hates another (elderly) man's eye so much that he decides to murder him (by strangulation), dismember him, and put the body parts beneath the floorboards. The police come because a neighbour reported a shriek. The murderer narrates his paranoia and then confesses to the deed. The animation surrounding his paranoia is rather unsettling.
Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar
Is about a doctor obsessed with the idea of "mesmerism," which in the case of this short, seems to be healing through hypnosis. The scary part is when this doctor has convinced his doctor friend to let him experiment on him while he is dying. He hypnotizes him on his deathbed before he dies, and he seems to die while still hypnotized, which halts death, in a way. He speaks a couple of times, under hypnosis, and tells the doctors that he is dead, and yet his body does not decay. They do do disturbing tests on him, the doctor un-hypnotizes him, and he basically explodes into a puddle of decayed goo. Fairly disturbing.
The Pit and the Pendulum
This is about a man imprisoned by the Spainish Inquisition in a particularly cruel prison. He faints and is dragged into a cell with no light (though a small window and door window are shown and you can see the animation). He is subjected to starvation and thirst, no bedding, a pit in the floor in the dark, drugging, rats, and being strapped down as a large, sharp pendulum comes ever closer to him. He survives.
The Masque of the Red Death
This tale seems to be more of an allegory than meant to actually be happening. Nonetheless, it starts by showing nude dead bodies being dumped into a fire, due to a plague. Royalty and nobels are shown having a hedonistic masquerade ball (while the poor suffer and die outside), which shows an orgy with some sexual activity, nudity and, presumably, opium smoking. Eventually a figure dressed as a victim of the "Red Death" plague shows up. The prince confronts the figure, contracts the disease and dies. The princess removes the figure's mask, and nothing is inside. Everyone suffers the plague and dies.
63. Invaders from Mars (1986)
PG | 100 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
A boy tries to stop aliens who have taken over his town and are attempting to brainwash its inhabitants.
Director: Tobe Hooper | Stars: Karen Black, Hunter Carson, Timothy Bottoms, Laraine Newman
Votes: 10,588 | Gross: $4.88M
64. With Friends Like These... (1991 Video)
PG-13 | 81 min | Comedy, Horror
Three short stories about three extraordinary friendships gone wrong; An antique car comes into the life of the young couple of Alex and Kathleen. The young bachelor Frank finds a new ... See full summary »
Directors: Chris Malazdrewicz, Thomas Parkinson, Alain Zaloum | Stars: Rachel Bruneau, Michael Burns, Patty Carderelli, Carolyn Davine
Votes: 212
It's not very good.
Probably 13+ or so.
It does deal with dating and relationships, but I don't think anyone even kissed. Wait, no, there was at least one kiss in the first segment.
A refrigerator monster also tries to choke a couple of people, and a robot freaks out and his arm falls off, which makes a lady scream for ages. I think a talking car and a dirty guy were a bit rude.
65. Happy Death Day (2017)
PG-13 | 96 min | Comedy, Horror, Mystery
A college student must relive the day of her murder over and over again, in a loop that will end only when she discovers her killer's identity.
Director: Christopher Landon | Stars: Jessica Rothe, Israel Broussard, Ruby Modine, Charles Aitken
Votes: 162,802 | Gross: $55.68M
Surprisingly uplifting.
Deals with university life and young adults.
66. Scooby-Doo and the Legend of the Vampire (2003 Video)
Not Rated | 72 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The gang go to Australia to investigate the recent disappearances of the performances at the music festivals, by the so called 'Yowie Yahoo'.
Director: Scott Jeralds | Stars: Casey Kasem, Frank Welker, Nicole Jaffe, Heather North
Votes: 5,919
67. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Not Rated | 83 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
The Wolf Man tries to warn a dimwitted porter that Dracula wants his brain for Frankenstein monster's body.
Directors: Charles Barton, Walter Lantz | Stars: Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi
Votes: 19,567 | Gross: $4.80M
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 7+.
68. The Tingler (1959)
Not Rated | 82 min | Horror, Sci-Fi
An obsessed pathologist discovers and captures a parasitic creature that grows when fear grips its host.
Director: William Castle | Stars: Vincent Price, Judith Evelyn, Darryl Hickman, Patricia Cutts
Votes: 9,463
Creepy monster! Questionable ethics! Vincent Price does acid!
69. Goosebumps (1995–1998)
TV-PG | 22 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
"Goosebumps" was a series of scary anthology stories based on the children's books by R.L. Stine. Series one was hosted by R.L. Stine for twelve episodes.
Stars: R.L. Stine, Kathryn Short, Cody Jones, Scott Wickware
Votes: 15,229
I started trying to watch this again recently, but the acting was so bad that I couldn't get through the first episode. I switched to Are You Afraid of the Dark, which is much better.
70. The Addams Family (1964–1966)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Horror
The misadventures of a blissfully macabre but extremely loving family.
Stars: John Astin, Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy
Votes: 21,803
71. Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (1969–1978)
TV-G | 22 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A group of teenage friends and their Great Dane (Scooby-Doo) travel in a bright green van solving strange and hilarious mysteries, while returning from or going to a regular teenage function.
Stars: Don Messick, Casey Kasem, Nicole Jaffe, Vic Perrin
Votes: 41,532
72. Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
PG | 89 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky | Stars: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James
Votes: 143,052 | Gross: $169.70M
I really don't recommend this one. They really dumbed it down and it has some terrible messages to be putting into kids' heads. Check out my review on Letterboxd. I use the same name everywhere.
73. Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
PG-13 | 106 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
The Gremlins are back, and this time, they've taken control of a New York City media mogul's high-tech skyscraper.
Directors: Joe Dante, Chuck Jones | Stars: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Howie Mandel, Tony Randall
Votes: 112,861 | Gross: $41.48M
74.
Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993–1999)
Episode:
While the Cat's Away
(1993)
TV-G | 21 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Stu and Dwight decide to rob a house in order to buy new bikes. However, they only find a werewolf, Frankenstein, a couple of vampires and some zombies.
Director: Laura Shepherd | Stars: John Kassir, Daniel DeSanto, Noam Zylberman, Lorna Wilson
Votes: 108
75. Snow-White (1933)
7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Trouble starts when the queen's magic mirror says Betty Boop is fairest. Cab Calloway sings "St. James Infirmary Blues."
Directors: Dave Fleischer, Roland Crandall | Stars: Cab Calloway, Billy Murray, Mae Questel
Votes: 2,214
76. Water, Water Every Hare (1952)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Bugs Bunny's rabbit hole floods, causing him to float to the laboratory of an evil scientist who wants to use his brain for a robot.
Director: Chuck Jones | Stars: Mel Blanc, John T. Smith
Votes: 2,295
77. Fright to the Finish (1954)
Approved | 6 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Olive is reading ghost stories to the boys. Popeye scoffs; Bluto decides to take advantage of this by staging various pranks (a headless man, an animated skeleton, and a sheet-over-balloon ... See full summary »
Directors: Seymour Kneitel, Al Eugster | Stars: Jackson Beck, Jack Mercer, Mae Questel
Votes: 337
78. Hyde and Hare (1955)
Approved | 7 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Bugs Bunny gets himself adopted as a pet by a kindly soul who has been feeding him carrots every day. Bugs' friend turns out to be Dr. Jekyll who drinks his evil potion and turns into a monster.
Director: Friz Freleng | Star: Mel Blanc
Votes: 1,272
79. Hyde and Go Tweet (1960)
6 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Sylvester is sleeping on the ledge outside the office of Dr. Jekyll, who is drinking the potion that turns him into a monster. Sylvester chases Tweety as he flies by and Tweety ends up in the Hyde formula turning him into a giant.
Director: Friz Freleng | Star: Mel Blanc
Votes: 570
80. Bewitched (1964–1972)
TV-G | 25 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A witch married to an ordinary man cannot resist using her magic powers to solve the problems her family faces.
Stars: Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, Dick Sargent, Agnes Moorehead
Votes: 24,388
81. Beetlejuice (1989–1991)
TV-Y | 22 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Adventures of the ghostly con-artist and his 12-year-old pal, Lydia.
Stars: Stephen Ouimette, Alyson Court, Tabitha St. Germain, Elizabeth Hanna
Votes: 7,958
82. A Funny Shave (1906)
16+ | 2 min | Short, Comedy
A man tries to shave, but his mirror keeps playing tricks on him.
Director: Segundo de Chomón
Votes: 598
83.
Wishbone (1995–1998)
Episode:
Frankenbone
(1995)
TV-Y7 | Adventure, Comedy, Family
David is making a secret project for the school science fair. This leads Wishbone to recite the classic story Frankenstein.
Stars: Larry Brantley, Jordan Wall, Christie Abbott, Adam Springfield
Votes: 26
84.
Boy Meets World (1993–2000)
Episode:
And Then There Was Shawn
(1998)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
The gang finds themselves locked in the school, all alone, during detention.
Director: Jeff McCracken | Stars: Ben Savage, William Daniels, Betsy Randle, Will Friedle
Votes: 961
85.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2017)
Episode:
In Dreams
(2014)
TV-Y7 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The turtles get trapped in their dreams by Dream Beavers. They can't escape except with the help of a man.
Directors: Sebastian Montes, Ciro Nieli, Chad Van De Keere | Stars: Seth Green, Sean Astin, Greg Cipes, Rob Paulsen
Votes: 188
86. Trick or Treaters (2007)
Not Rated | 75 min | Animation, Comedy, Crime
Countryside thieves are won over by a young orphan girl.
Director: Hayo Freitag | Stars: Joachim Król, Bela B., Charly Hübner, Katharina Thalbach
Votes: 898
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 9+.
The English dub tries to make it sound like the plot has to do with Halloween, but it's not about Halloween at all. It's just about orphans and a greedy, evil woman who owns an orphanage. Happy ending.
Nice animation with lots of cute background details.
87. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
G | 97 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A waitress, desperate to fulfill her dreams as a restaurant owner, is set on a journey to turn a frog prince back into a human being, but she has to face the same problem after she kisses him.
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker | Stars: Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Oprah Winfrey, Bruno Campos
Votes: 166,856 | Gross: $104.40M
88. Fantasia (1940)
G | 124 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
A series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.
Directors: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe Jr., Norman Ferguson, David Hand, Jim Handley, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield, Ben Sharpsteen | Stars: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Corey Burton
Votes: 103,991 | Gross: $76.41M
89. Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
Approved | 9 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Mickey, Donald and Goofy run the "Ajax Ghost Exterminators" agency. They receive a call from lonely and bored ghosts to come to their house where they are scared silly by the hilarious haunts and taunts of these spirited pranksters.
Director: Burt Gillett | Stars: Billy Bletcher, Pinto Colvig, Walt Disney, Clarence Nash
Votes: 3,369
90. Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright (2013 Video)
Not Rated | 75 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Daphne and Fred try out for a talent show that takes place in an old opera house, but the show may be cancelled before rehearsals when a masked Phantom re-appears from the past.
Director: Victor Cook | Stars: Frank Welker, Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin, Mindy Cohn
Votes: 2,281
Common Sense Media recommends this for ages 7+.
91. Eerie, Indiana (1991–1992)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Teenage weirdness investigator Marshall Teller adventures through his new small-town home with his friends, geeky Simon Holmes and mysterious Dash X.
Stars: Omri Katz, Justin Shenkarow, Mary-Margaret Humes, Francis Guinan
Votes: 6,295
92. The Lost Boys (1987)
R | 97 min | Comedy, Horror
After moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires.
Director: Joel Schumacher | Stars: Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Barnard Hughes
Votes: 161,179 | Gross: $32.22M
93. Dead of Night (1977 TV Movie)
76 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Three horror stories about a vintage car that transports its driver back to 1926, the mistress of an old Victorian mansion who is scared of a vampire and a mother tormented by her dead son who she has brought back to life.
Director: Dan Curtis | Stars: Ed Begley Jr., E.J. André, Ann Doran, Christina Hart
Votes: 1,625
94. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
R | 105 min | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people; the culprit is legendary apparition The Headless Horseman.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Michael Gambon
Votes: 383,935 | Gross: $101.07M
95. The Halloween That Almost Wasn't (1979 TV Movie)
30 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Upset by rumors that Halloween may end, Dracula calls his mild-mannered monsters together and delivers an ultimatum - either regain their frightening image, or leave his Transylvania castle forever.
Director: Bruce Bilson | Stars: Judd Hirsch, Mariette Hartley, Henry Gibson, Jack Riley
Votes: 608
96. R.L. Stine's Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls (2015 TV Movie)
PG | 86 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
Teenage friends must resist the spell of an evil showman staging a house of horrors show in their small town.
Director: Peter DeLuise | Stars: Dove Cameron, Braeden Lemasters, Katherine McNamara, Casey Dubois
Votes: 2,430
97. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
R | 99 min | Comedy, Horror
The uneventful, aimless lives of a London electronics salesman and his layabout roommate are disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.
Director: Edgar Wright | Stars: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis
Votes: 594,045 | Gross: $13.54M
98. Dracula (1931)
Passed | 75 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Transylvanian vampire Count Dracula bends a naive real estate agent to his will, then takes up residence at a London estate where he sleeps in his coffin by day and searches for potential victims by night.
Directors: Tod Browning, Karl Freund | Stars: Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Dwight Frye
Votes: 58,642
99. The Wolf Man (1941)
Passed | 70 min | Horror, Mystery, Romance
Larry Talbot returns to his father's castle in Wales and meets a beautiful woman. One fateful night, Talbot escorts her to a local carnival where they meet a mysterious gypsy fortune teller.
Director: George Waggner | Stars: Claude Rains, Warren William, Lon Chaney Jr., Ralph Bellamy
Votes: 30,710
100. House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Approved | 75 min | Crime, Horror, Mystery
A millionaire offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.
Director: William Castle | Stars: Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long, Alan Marshal
Votes: 30,835
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