Halloween is just around the corner and one of the best ways to conjure the Halloween Spirit is to watch Halloween movies.
Of course, there are the uber-scary classics like Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Friday the 13th. But, according to one psychiatry specialist at the University of Ottawa, DO NOT to let your children see horror movies without your permission and even without your company. Also, when you do give permission, be careful as most horror movies are simply NOT appropriate for children.
With the above advice in mind, this scaredy-cat has come up with a list of family-friendly, horror-free Halloween movies. So, instead of taking your family to the latest horror film, consider an evening of frightful family fun by renting Halloween-themed movies and spend the extra cash on pizza and healthy Halloween themed snacks.
Also, tell us us your favorite Halloween movie!
Practical Magic (1998) PG-13. 104 minutes. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as sisters Gillian and Sally Owens who are sent to live with their elderly aunts, who turn out to be witches. Eventually, the two sisters move away from their aunts and grow apart from each other. Gillian embarks on a string of relationships. Sally's husband dies, leaving her to raise two girls, Kylie and Antonia. The two come together again in a very interesting adventure.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966) Made for TV. 25 minutes. This family classic has been around for almost 40 years. It features the whole Peanuts gang; while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin, the Peanuts gang celebrate Halloween.
Hocus Pocus (1993) PG. 93 minutes. Hocus Pocus features three crazy witches who are inadvertently brought back to life and seek revenge. An excellent casting decision brings Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy together in the lead role. There are some tense and scary moments but the comedy helps take the edge off.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1992) PG. 115 minutes. This Steven Spielberg classic is about a boy befriending a lost alien and helping him find his way home. Your kids will love to see E.T. dress up as a ghost for Halloween.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) G. 68 minutes. The DVD includes two animated classic tales: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Wind in the Willows. Willow features Basil Rathbone as narrator and Hollow is the retelling of Washington Irving’s story narrated and sung by Bing Crosby.
The Addams Family Movies (1991 and 1993) PG-13. 99 minutes each. The two Addams Family movies were inspired by the black and white Addams Family television show and star Anjelica Huston as Morticia Adams, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, and Christina Ricci as Wednesday Adams. There are major similarities between the two films, being that in both cases an outsider is trying to pull one over on the creepy yet goodhearted Addams Family
Young Frankenstein (1974) PG. 106 minutes. This classic Mel Brooks comedy spoofs creature features from yesteryear. A young neurosurgeon inherits the castle of his grandfather, the infamous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. The top-notch cast of Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman and Teri Garr combined with the black-and-white cinematography makes this flick a must-see for you and your family.
Monster House (2006) PG. 91 minutes. This animated feature is about three kids who discover the neighbor’s house is a living breathing scary monster.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) 118 minutes. This Frank Capra classic features Cary Grant setting off on his whirlwind honeymoon. When he brings his new bride to meet his spinster aunts and his batty cousin, Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha proudly announce that they have been poisoning lonely old men, not for money, but as an act of mercy. Mortimer's creepy brother Jonathon and his friend Dr. Einstein show up with a body of their own, it becomes a comedy of errors.
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) TV. 83 minutes. Comediennes Abbott and Costello are being followed by monsters. You and your family will laugh over the silly and spooky antics of this comedy duo.
Other scream with laughter movies include:
Monsters, Inc.
Corpse Bride
Bedknobs & Broomsticks
Edward Scissorhands
Beetlejuice
The Witches of Eastwick
Meet Me in St. Louis features a Halloween scene.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Disney's animated version
The Witches featuring Anjelica Houston
Elvira – Mistress of the Dark
Shaun of the Dead
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Scary Movie 1, 2, 3, & 4
Casper
Sleepy Hollow with Johnny Depp
What is your favorite Halloween movie?