Halloween is nearly upon us! But in a year where nothing is normal and trick-or-treating is among the many holiday festivities severely impacted, Halloween for the little ones might seem grim. Halloween can never be canceled, though, not in spirit anyway, as there’s plenty of other ways to embrace the best holiday of all.
The easiest, of course, is to do something most of us do all year long- watch more horror. Whether young or young at heart, go big this week. Carve pumpkins, make Halloween themed snacks or feasts, and settle in for a Halloween marathon.
This week is dedicated to family-friendly frights, the movies that don’t get too scary (mostly) but serve as fun gateway movies for the budding horror or Halloween fan.
Here’s where you can stream them…
Don’t Look Under The Bed – Disney+
High school student Frances Bacon McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for a series of pranks plaguing her small town. Frances suspects the culprit is new kid Larry Houdini (Ty Hodges), but it quickly becomes apparent that only she can see him. It turns out that Larry is an imaginary friend and Frances’ only ally in her fight against the real villain- a terrifying boogeyman that has it out for her. This Disney original movie offers a sweet message at its core, in true Disney style, but it’s not afraid to unleash boogeyman terror. The dolls in Frances’s room move on their own, in creepy haunted house fashion, and then there’s the matter of Larry becoming a boogeyman, sharp teeth and all. It’s that perfect tonal blend of funny and scary that’ll give young viewers an adrenaline rush.
Monster House – Peacock
Getting terrorized by a haunted house seems standard, but this animated twist sees its young protagonists scared by a sentient house during Halloween. Twelve-year-old D.J. has been keeping a close eye on grumpy neighbor Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi), who viciously chases away anyone that dares step foot on his lawn. But when Mr. Nebbercracker suffers a heart attack and gets taken to the hospital, D.J. notices the house behaving rather strangely in his absence. He enlists two friends to investigate, leading to a series of heartbreaking reveals and Halloween horrors. It’s the precise type of family-friendly Halloween movie that both kids and adults alike can enjoy.
ParaNorman – Netflix
In a small New England town, young Norman suffers ostracization and bullying for being different. He sees and speaks with ghosts, though no one believes him. Thanks to the town’s centuries-old curse, it’s up to Norman to take on ghosts, zombies, and grown-ups to save the day. This gorgeous stop-motion animated feature boasts a stacked voice cast, immersive spooky atmosphere, and a smart script that makes it an annual must-watch for Halloween. It’s also clear that writer/co-director Chris Butler is a horror fan, too, not just revealed in dialogue and visuals, but in the snippets of Halloween’s score used.
The Witches – Netflix
If you’ve already checked out the 2020 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel on HBO Max, then it’s time to introduce the kiddies to the 1990 film that instilled nightmares in a generation. In it, young Luke and his grandma must deal with a convention of witches that seek to eradicate children. Directed by Nicolas Roeg (Don’t Look Now), The Witches unnerved thanks to a memorable performance by Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch and creepy creature designs by way of practical effects. If you haven’t seen either, make it a double feature!
Poltergeist – Netflix
If any of the films mentioned above seem too benign, or you’ve got older kids ready to upgrade their scares, Halloween is the perfect season to introduce this classic. Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg’s seminal haunted house horror movie tested MPAA ratings’ boundaries, initially earning an R-rating before appealing to receive a P.G. (before the advent of PG-13). That means that despite the family-friendly setup, the scares and imagery are far more grown-up. The Freeling family’s unique battle with the ghosts haunting their home and targeting youngest daughter Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) offers something for everyone.