Spooky season is upon us. You know what that means: a little less studying and a little more movie marathons!
Here’s a list of Halloween movies from your childhood that you might’ve forgotten about but are a necessity to watch before October 31st creeps upon us.
The Halloweentown Franchise (1998-2006)
If you were a kid in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, chances are that you’ve heard of this Disney Channel movie series. Throughout the entire series, we see the kids of the Piper family go from finding out about the magical wonders of “Halloweentown” to mastering their very own magical powers. If you want to spend all day binging one series of movies, then this is the series for you.
Where to watch: Disney+ (subscription), Hulu (premium subscription), Amazon Prime ($3.99/ea), YouTube ($5.99/ea), Google Play ($5.99/ea), Disney Now (free with cable)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
‘90s kids, this one is for you. The idea of old spirits having to acclimate to a more modern age of the 90s is always an interesting concept, and “Hocus Pocus” is no exception. A group of kids that save the day with some supernatural help? That’s everything a 90s movie needs! This film just hits you right in the nostalgia.
Where to watch: Disney+ (subscription), Amazon Prime ($2.99), YouTube ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99)
Casper (1995)
Rewatch for the adventures, and weirdly enough, the puppy love that comes to flourish between Casper and Kat in this 1995 film. If you want a throwback to watching reruns of “Casper” during October when you were a kid, then here you go.
Where to watch: YouTube ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Amazon Prime ($3.99)
Ghostbusters (1984)
Now, we all know this classic, right? Watching this monster hunting quartet defeat some of the most iconic creatures in cinematic history is always a necessary watch for Halloween.
Where to watch: Hulu (premium subscription), Vudu ($2.99), Amazon Prime ($2.99), YouTube ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), Freeform (free with cable)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Whether you consider this classic a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie (or both if you’re feeling crazy), that’s up to you. But, this remains a top contender for Halloween movies for me. It’s safe to say that this is an iconic movie for the 2000s kids.
Where to watch: Disney+ (subscription), Amazon Prime ($2.99), YouTube ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99)
Coraline (2009)
I think that anyone who has ever watched “Coraline” is either in love with this film or completely terrified (or at least when they were kids). Personally, this is one of my favorite movies to watch (even when it’s not Halloween, sue me). It’s one of those oddball movies that both weird you out, but also make you reflect and learn something. Definitely a top-tier Halloween watch.
Where to watch: Hulu (premium subscription), Starz (subscription), Sling TV (premium subscription), Amazon Prime (premium subscription), YouTube ($2.99), Google Play ($2.99), Vudu ($2.99)
Twitches (2005)
If you were a fan of the Mowry sisters in the 90s and early 2000s, then you probably know this DCOM gem. The long-lost twin story where they come together to save the world, although probably overdone by now, was a crazy plot back in 2005. In this quirky movie, we see Tia and Tamera Mowry save the entire world from darkness on their birthday, October 31st. (I would also recommend watching this movie’s sequel, “Twitches Too” (2007).)
Where to watch: Disney+ (subscription), Google Play ($7.99), Hulu, (premium subscription), Amazon Prime ($3.99), YouTube ($5.99), Disney Now (free with cable)
Child’s Play (1988)
Okay, so this isn’t really a movie that we should’ve watched as kids, but we all did it anyway. This is one of those Halloween movies that we were terrified of when we were kids but laugh at now that we’re older. Also, the SFX of the late 80s is definitely something when you rewatch this movie. Although not really a feel-good movie, it brings back memories of watching this with your friends when you weren’t supposed to.
Where to watch: YouTube ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Amazon Prime ($3.99)
My Babysitter’s a Vampire (2010)
Weirdly enough, I do think this movie warrants a spot on this list. The constant referencing other vampire-centric movies of the time (I’m looking at you “Twilight”) makes this movie a ton of fun to rewatch. Vampire movies are always great to watch, whether they’re more serious like “Twilight” or goofier like “My Babysitter’s a Vampire”.
Where to watch: iTunes ($7.99)
Corpse Bride (2005)
Ah, Tim Burton does it again. That man never really missed when it came to kinda odd, but kinda cute movies (animated or not). I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t watch “Corpse Bride” until a few years ago, but this is definitely one of Burton’s more romantic(ish) movies. This film, although living in the shadow of Burton’s more famous “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), does hold its own if you give it a chance.
Where to watch: Hulu (premium subscription), YouTube ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), iTunes ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Amazon Prime ($3.99), Freeform (free with cable)
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
“Hotel Transylvania” is one of those movies where you might’ve not watched it when it first came out. Maybe you thought you were “too old” to watch animated movies, but it’s actually a very enjoyable movie. Although a bit childish with some jokes, the overall concept of an overprotective dad wanting the best for his daughter will always resonate with the audience, no matter what age.
Where to watch: Hulu (premium subscription), Vudu ($2.99), Amazon Prime ($2.99), YouTube ($3.99), iTunes ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), Freeform (free with cable)
Scooby-Doo (2002)
I’m not sure if everyone has seen this oddly iconic movie, but this one is a very good representation of everything about the early 2000s. From the wonky CGI to the exaggerated personalities of the characters, “Scooby-Doo” is a trip and a half, to say the least. I would highly recommend watching this with friends who will probably just laugh along with the cheesy storylines and terrible CGI that scared us half to death as kids.
Where to watch: HBO Max (subscription), YouTube ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), iTunes ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Amazon Prime ($3.99)
Spooky Buddies (2011)
Let’s be honest here, who doesn’t love puppies? Watching the Halloween installment of the “Air Buddies” franchise is perfect for Halloween spooky prep. As always, the pups get themselves involved in some mischief that causes problems that they eventually have to solve. If you want just a totally feel-good movie, then “Spooky Buddies” is the perfect match for you.
Where to watch: Hulu (premium subscription), HBO Max (subscription), Amazon Prime (premium subscription), iTunes ($2.99), Google Play ($3.99), YouTube ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99)
Beetlejuice (1988)
Being one of Tim Burton’s first movies as director, Beetlejuice marks the beginning of the odd and weirdly endearing movies for many. Definitely recommended for those who are more into the 80s Halloween movie vibe, but a great movie to watch to really get you into the creepy, spooky Halloween mood.
Where to watch: YouTube ($3.99), iTunes ($3.99), Vudu ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), Amazon Prime ($3.99)
Monster House (2006)
This movie, while still scary, has the feel-good messages that we all love in kids’ movies. Whether you watched this movie when it came out in theaters or when it was rerun on TV, you’ll love this one when you see it.
Where to watch: Vudu ($2.99), Amazon Prime ($2.99), YouTube ($3.99), Google Play ($3.99), iTunes ($3.99)
Featured image by the city of St. Helens, Oregon