Looking for the best Halloween movies to watch in 2025? This guide is built to help you skip the endless scrolling and get straight to the good stuff. Whether it’s a cozy family movie night, a light-hearted date-night comedy, or full-on horror, we’ve organized everything by mood, age, and scare level so you can find your perfect match in seconds.
All picks are streaming-ready and updated monthly with new releases and seasonal collections — from tame not-so-scary films to terrifying horror classics and everything in between. Your Halloween vibe? Sorted.
How to Choose the Right Halloween Movie for You
Halloween isn’t one-size-fits-all—and neither are Halloween movies. Whether you’re watching with kids, craving chills, or just want festive background vibes, pick the option that matches your night below. We’ll send you straight to your ideal list.
- “I’m watching with kids under 10.”
You need zero jump scares, colorful characters, and happy endings. Think friendly ghosts, singing witches, and pumpkin-filled fun—nothing too dark or intense.
Go to: Family-Friendly Halloween Movies
- “I want to be genuinely scared.”
You’re ready for suspense, slashers, supernatural dread, or psychological horror. Bring on the classics and modern masterpieces that keep you up at night.
Go to: Classic & Modern Horror Picks
- “I love 80s/’90s nostalgia, campy witches, or spooky musicals.”
You’re here for Bette Midler cackles, Tim Burton aesthetics, and movies you’ve quoted since childhood. It’s not Halloween without Hocus Pocus on repeat.
Go to: ’80s & ’90s Halloween Classics
- “It’s date night, girls’ night, or just me + a cozy blanket.”
You want a spooky ambiance with humor, charm, or light thrills—no nightmares, just an autumnal mood and memorable one-liners.
Go to: Cozy & Fun Halloween Films
- “I’m hosting a Halloween party and need background viewing.”
You need iconic visuals, recognizable characters, and low-dialogue scenes that set the mood without demanding attention. Think jack-o’-lanterns, cobwebs, and instantly familiar theme music.
Go to: Party-Friendly Halloween Movies
Family-Friendly Halloween Movies 2025 (Ages 3–12)
-
Hocus Pocus (1993) – Musical witchy fun
Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
Director: Kenny Ortega
Scare Level: ~2/10 (mild spooky moments, no real sustained terror)
Age Rating: PG
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Disney+ (U.S.)
- Apple TV (Digital rental)
Three witch sisters are resurrected in Salem on Halloween after a teen lights the Black Flame Candle, sending the town into a night of spells, hijinks, and running gags. Max, Dani, and Allison team up with a cursed cat to stop the Sandersons before sunrise. With a dash of musicals and out-of-time jokes, it keeps the tone playful and safe for elementary-aged kids.
It’s a reliable family favorite and widely available on Disney+ each October, with frequent airings on Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween.”
-
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Gothic but gentle
Cast: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, Danny Elfman (singing voice of Jack)
Director: Henry Selick
Scare Level: ~3/10 (dark visuals but whimsical tone, minimal threat)
Age Rating: PG
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Disney+ (U.S.)
- Apple TV (Digital rental)
Jack Skellington tries to take over Christmas after discovering a new holiday, but his well-meaning plans cause chaos. The stop-motion craft and hummable songs make it feel classic. Themes of curiosity and community carry the story, while Halloween Town’s look keeps it firmly seasonal. It plays equally well in October and December, which makes it a flexible pick for family queues.
-
Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Monster comedy
Cast: Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg
Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
Scare Level: ~3/10 (mild monster antics, playful scares)
Age Rating: PG
Expected Streaming (Oct 2025):
- Netflix (Often carries during October; availability rotates. Check JustWatch for live status.)
Dracula runs a hidden resort for monsters and panics when a human backpacker bonds with his daughter, Mavis. The humor is broad and funny, with visual gags that land perfectly for kids and parents. The world-building is welcoming, not scary, introducing little ones to mummies, werewolves, and more.
-
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) – Nostalgic classic.
Cast: Peter Robbins, Sally Dryer, Chris Shea
Director: Bill Melendez
Scare Level: ~1/10 (very gentle, friendly Halloween setting)
Age Rating: TV-G / suitable for all
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Apple TV
Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin while Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and friends trick-or-treat for apples. The gentle humor, fall colors, and schoolyard rhythms make it a calm addition to any family night. At just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for very young kids or as a warm-up before a feature. The special is streaming on Apple TV+ and remains a seasonal staple.
-
Mickey’s House of Villains (2001) – Animated Disney fun
Cast: Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer
Director: Rick Calabash
Scare Level: ~1/10 (no real frights, cartoon mischief)
Age Rating: G / safe for young kids
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Disney+ (U.S.S. )
On Halloween night, Jafar leads Disney villains in a cheeky takeover of the House of Mouse. Mickey, Donald, and Goofy must win back the club amid musical bits and cameos from across the Disney universe. The anthology vibe makes it bright, safe, and full of familiar faces—exactly the “no-frights” comfort play for early grade-schoolers.
Cozy & Fun Halloween Movies 2025 (Teens, Couples, Casual Fans)
-
Beetlejuice (1988) – Quirky afterlife comedy
Cast: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin
Director: Tim Burton
Scare Level: ~5/10 (some creepy visuals, dark humor)
Age Rating: PG-13
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Max (frequently carries seasonally; rotates. Check JustWatch for live status.)
- Hulu (frequently carries seasonally; rotates. Check JustWatch for live status.)
- Prime Video (Digital rental)
- Apple TV (Digital rental)
A recently deceased couple hires a chaotic “bio-exorcist” to scare off the new homeowners, only to regret unleashing him. Burton’s playful afterlife rules, dinner-table possession scene, and sandworms make it endlessly fun and watchable. The mix of macabre visuals and goofy energy fits date night without veering into nightmares. Check Max and Hulu lineups around Halloween—both have carried it in recent seasons.
-
Ghostbusters (1984) – Supernatural buddy comedy
Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver
Director: Ivan Reitman
Scare Level: ~4/10 (spooky ghosts, but comedic tone dominates)
Age Rating: PG
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- NBC hubs (Rotates across live-TV bundles and streamers – Check JustWatch for live status.)
- fuboTV (Rotates across live-TV bundles and streamers – Check JustWatch for live status.)
Three underfunded scientists start a ghost-catching business in New York City and face a skyscraper-sized threat. The theme song and Stay-Puft finale make perfect ‘full-focus’ date night viewing. Jokes land even if you’ve seen them a dozen times, keeping the mood light and lively.
-
The Addams Family (1991) – Gothic family satire
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci, Christopher Lloyd
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Scare Level: ~3/10 (dark humor, macabre visuals, but no real terror)
Age Rating: PG-13
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Paramount+ (U.S.)
- Prime Video (Digital rental)
- Apple TV (Digital rental)
A schemer poses as long-lost Uncle Fester to infiltrate the Addams Family estate, only to be embraced by the strangest family in town. The movie balances deadpan humor with lavish, cobwebbed production design. Ricci’s Wednesday steals scenes while Huston and Julia define Morticia and Gomez for a generation. For 2025, it’s available via Paramount+ and Freeform.
-
Hubie Halloween (2020) – Adam Sandler’s silliness
Cast: Adam Sandler, Julie Bowen, Steve Buscemi, Maya Rudolph
Director: Steven Brill
Scare Level: ~2/10 (comedy-first, minimal spook)
Age Rating: PG-13
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Netflix
Hubie is a well-meaning Salem local who becomes the accidental sleuth of a small-town Halloween mystery. The comedy leans into visual gags, guest cameos, and fall-festival vibes. It’s an easy background watch for carving pumpkins or low-key hangouts. As a Netflix original, it reliably returns each October in the Halloween hub.
-
ParaNorman (2012) – Stop-motion with heart
Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Scare Level: ~4/10 (ghosts, curses, some mild tension)
Age Rating: PG
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Netflix (Often appears on Netflix/rotating services in October. Check JustWatch for live status.)
Norman can speak to the dead, and when a centuries-old curse threatens his town, he has to step up. The film folds humor and empathy into a story about fear and misunderstanding. Laika’s tactile stop-motion gives this ghost story warmth and texture for teens and adults. It pairs well with Coraline for an Animated Halloween specials mini-marathon.
Classic Halloween Horror Movies 2025 (For True Horror Fans)
-
Halloween (1978) – The slasher that started it all
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Nancy Loomis
Director: John Carpenter
Scare Level: ~8/10 (stealth horror, tension, jump scares)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Max (Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status.)
- Peacock (Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status.)
- AMC+ (Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status.)
- Shudder (Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status.)
Michael Myers comes home to Haddonfield on Halloween night, turning quiet suburban streets into a hunting ground. Carpenter’s prowling camera and now-iconic synth score build a sense of unease that never lets up, defining the modern slasher’s blueprint. Curtis’s Laurie Strode, resourceful and terrified in equal measure, became the definitive “final girl.” A lean, relentless thriller that still chills decades later—and remains an October essential.
-
The Shining (1980) – Psychological terror
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Scare Level: ~9/10 (intense, psychological dread)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Max ( Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status.)
When Jack Torrance takes a winter caretaker job at the remote Overlook Hotel, he brings his wife Wendy and son Danny, hoping for a quiet season to focus on his writing. But as snow cuts them off from the world, the hotel’s sinister history begins to seep through its walls. Jack slowly unravels under its grip, while Danny’s psychic abilities make him a target of the malevolent forces inside. What begins as eerie isolation escalates into a nightmare of violence, possession, and survival—culminating in one of horror cinema’s most unforgettable finales.
-
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – Iconic villain
Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, John Saxon, Johnny Depp
Director: Wes Craven
Scare Level: ~8/10 (dream-invasion terror)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Hulu
- Max (Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status)
- Prime Video (Digital Rental)
- Apple TV (Digital Rental)
When a group of suburban teenagers start dying in their sleep, Nancy Thompson realizes their nightmares are being stalked by Freddy Krueger — a burned killer with a knife-gloved hand. As the line between dreams and reality collapses, sleep itself becomes deadly. Freddy feeds on fear, striking when his victims are most vulnerable. Nancy must outsmart him and confront the town’s buried secrets before she becomes his next victim. A sharp concept, unforgettable imagery, and Englund’s chilling performance made Freddy an icon — and this film a slasher classic.
-
The Exorcist (1973) – Groundbreaking horror
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Max von Sydow, Jason Miller
Director: William Friedkin
Scare Level: ~10/10 (extreme supernatural horror)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Max (Typically rotates, check JustWatch for live status)
When 12-year-old Regan MacNeil begins to act violently and speak in disturbing voices, her desperate mother turns first to doctors, then to the Church. As medical science fails to explain the possession, two priests are called to perform an exorcism — a battle between faith and a terrifying demonic force. The story unfolds with slow, creeping dread, building to one of horror’s most intense climaxes. Controversial upon release, it became a cultural phenomenon and remains one of the most influential supernatural horror films ever made.
-
Psycho (1960) – Hitchcock masterpiece
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, Martin Balsam
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Scare Level: ~7/10 (psychological suspense, shock)
Age Rating: R
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Peacock (U.S)
- AMC+ (Rotations noted, check JustWatch for live status)
- Shudder (Rotations noted, check JustWatch for live status)
On the run after stealing a stack of cash, Marion Crane stops for the night at the remote Bates Motel. She’s greeted by Norman Bates — a shy, polite young man living under the shadow of his unseen mother. But the quiet motel hides something sinister. What begins as a tense thriller veers into shocking horror as Hitchcock upends narrative expectations halfway through the film. With its unforgettable shower scene, razor-sharp editing, and Bernard Herrmann’s piercing score, this classic still grips audiences more than six decades later. It’s frequently accessible on free, ad-supported streamers like Tubi each October.
Modern Horror & Elevated Halloween Films (2010s–2025)
-
Get Out (2017) – Social thriller with autumn vibes
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, LaKeith Stanfield
Director: Jordan Peele
Scare Level: ~7/10 (suspense, tension, psychological horror)
Age Rating: R
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Peacock (U.S)
When Chris travels with his girlfriend Rose to meet her family for a weekend getaway, he’s prepared for awkward small talk — but not the unsettling atmosphere that greets him. Beneath the warm smiles and liberal politeness, something is deeply wrong. As strange encounters pile up, Chris uncovers a chilling secret that turns a family gathering into a fight for his life. Equal parts sharp satire and nerve-tightening horror, Peele’s debut blends social commentary with genre thrills, making it a modern Halloween essential.
-
Hereditary (2018) – Family grief + horror
Cast: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne
Director: Ari Aster
Scare Level: ~9/10 (slow burn, disturbing content)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Max (rotations are frequent. Check JustWatch for live status.)
- Hulu (rotations are frequent. Check JustWatch for live status.)
After the death of their secretive matriarch, the Graham family begins to unravel as strange, terrifying occurrences invade their home. Annie, a mother weighed down by grief and family trauma, struggles to keep her family together as buried secrets and occult forces surface. What begins as a quiet portrait of loss slowly mutates into something far darker and more shocking. It’s a heavy, effective option best suited to seasoned horror viewers.
-
Midsommar (2019) – Daylight horror
Cast: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper, Will Poulter
Director: Ari Aster
Scare Level: ~8/10 (ritual horror, unease)
Age Rating: R
Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Hulu
Reeling from a personal tragedy, Dani follows her boyfriend and his friends to a remote Swedish village for its rare midsummer festival. As ancient rituals and cult traditions tighten their grip on the visitors. Bathed entirely in daylight, the film scares with slow, ritualistic dread — a disorienting descent into grief, control, and communal madness. Pugh’s haunting performance anchors a story that lingers long after it ends, making it a perfect (and devastating) companion to Hereditary for an Aster double feature.
-
Scream (2022/2023) – Meta slasher revival
Cast: Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Courteney Cox, Jasmin Savoy Brown
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Scare Level: ~7/10 (classic slasher elements, tension + meta humor)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Paramount+ (U.S)
Twenty-five years after the original Woodsboro killings, a new Ghostface emerges, targeting a fresh group of teens with ties to the town’s bloody past. As old survivors return to face a familiar nightmare, the line between past and present blurs in a sharp, self-aware whodunit. Balancing meta humor with genuine suspense, the film breathes new energy into the franchise without leaning solely on nostalgia. Fast, fun, and cleverly staged, it’s a perfect group watch for Halloween night — and easy to stream with the rest of the series on Paramount+.
-
Talk to Me (2023) – Gen-Z supernatural horror
Cast: Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Miranda Otto
Directors: Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
Scare Level: ~8/10 (fast scares, eerie moments)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Max
A group of teens discovers a mysterious ceramic hand that allows them to summon spirits for 90 seconds at a time. What starts as a thrilling party trick quickly spirals into something darker when one of them pushes the ritual too far. As the boundary between the living and the dead erodes, they’re forced to face terrifying consequences they can’t control. With its tight pacing, inventive scares, and eerie mythology, the film captures both the recklessness and vulnerability of Gen-Z horror — perfect for a late-night group watch or a solo scare with headphones on.
New Halloween Movies Released in 2024-25
-
Weapons 2025 – Witchcraft and Mystery
Cast: Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Amy Madigan, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss
Director: Zach Cregger
Scare Level: ~7/10 (strong bloody violence, grisly images)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Not yet on streaming services. Check JustWatch for live status.
In the town of Maybrook, seventeen children from the same class vanish simultaneously at 2:17 a.m., leaving only one child behind. As parents, teachers, and law enforcement scramble for answers, dark forces linked to the child’s mysterious aunt Gladys emerge. The film weaves together multiple perspectives in this supernatural, small-town horror mystery.
-
Sinners 2025 – Blues and Blood
Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Delroy Lindo
Scare Level: ~8/10 (vampiric violence, dark themes)
Age Rating: R
Director: Ryan Coogler
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Not yet on streaming services. Check JustWatch for live status.
Set in the deep-South Mississippi Delta of 1932, Sinners follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack as they return home with one simple dream — to build a juke joint and leave their outlaw past behind. But when a ruthless vampire clan led by the enigmatic Remmick descends on their town, that dream turns into a fight for survival. What begins as a story of brotherhood and redemption erupts into a blood-soaked battle between human will and ancient evil, set to the haunting rhythm of the blues.
-
Heretic (2024) – Religious horror / cat-and-mouse terror
https://screendollars.com/movie/heretic/
Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East
Director: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods
Scare Level: ~7/10 (psychological dread, unsettling tension, violent content)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Not yet on subscription streaming services (U.S.).
- Apple TV (Available for purchase/rental on digital platforms)
- Amazon Video (Available for purchase/rental on digital platforms)
Two young Mormon missionaries knock on the door of a recluse, Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant). What begins as a discussion of faith turns into a sinister game of control, with the missionaries fighting to preserve their lives and beliefs as Reed’s true nature is revealed.
-
Nosferatu (2024) – Gothic vampire reimagining
Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe
Director: Robert Eggers
Scare Level: ~8/10 (atmospheric dread, vampire horror, strong visuals)
Age Rating: R
Expected Streaming (as of Oct 2025):
- Peacock (U.S.)
- Prime Video (Digital purchase/rental 4K, HD)
- Apple TV (Digital purchase/rental 4K, HD)
- Fandango at Home (Digital purchase/rental 4K, HD)
In 19th-century Germany, estate agent Thomas Hutter journeys to Transylvania to meet Count Orlok, a noble who wishes to purchase property in Hutter’s hometown. Unknowingly, Thomas unleashes a terrifying vampire force, and his wife, Ellen, becomes the target of Orlok’s obsession. The remake blends gothic visuals, haunting atmosphere, and vampire mythology into a slow burn of dread.
Other Notable Releases Of 2025
- Black Phone 2 (2025) — The sequel sees Finn struggling with trauma while his sister receives eerie phone calls and visions linked to past horrors.
- Vicious (2025) — A woman fights for survival as she descends into a nightmarish, rabbit-hole horror after receiving a mysterious gift.
- The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) — Paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren tackle a terrifying new haunting in Pennsylvania in the latest Conjuring chapter.
- Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) — Death returns with vengeance as a new generation faces fate’s unrelenting designs.
- 28 Years Later (2025) — Survivors leave their island refuge to confront new horrors emerging in a post-virus mainland.
- Frankenstein (2025) — Guillermo del Toro’s reimagining, where a scientist animates a creature with devastating consequences.
Halloween Movies by Scare Level
| Scare Level | Movies | Best For |
| 1–3 (Mild) | Hocus Pocus (1993), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Hotel Transylvania (2012), It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), Mickey’s House of Villains (2001, Hubie Halloween (2020) | Family viewing, younger kids (ages 3–12), cozy background watching, zero jump scares |
| 4–6 (Moderate) | Beetlejuice (1988), Ghostbusters (1984), ParaNorman (2012) | Teens, couples, casual Halloween viewers, light thrills without nightmares |
| 7–8 (Intense) | A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), Get Out (2017), Talk to Me (2023), Scream (2022/2023), Weapons (2025), Sinners (2025), Heretic (2024), Nosferatu (2024) | Adult horror fans, group watches, late-night scares, atmospheric or supernatural horror |
| 8–9 (Very Very Scary) | Halloween (1978), The Shining (1980), The Exorcist (1973), Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019) | Hardcore horror lovers, psychological and supernatural horror fans, and night-time watch parties |
Halloween Movie Marathon Ideas
- For Kids: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown → Hotel Transylvania → Mickey’s House of Villains.
- Nostalgia Night: Hocus Pocus → Beetlejuice → Ghostbusters
- Horror Triple Feature: Halloween → Scream → Get Out
- Animated Spookiness: The Nightmare Before Christmas → Coraline → ParaNorman
Make the best of this guide
Halloween cinema isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s witches, ghosts, slashers, and pumpkin pie. Whether you want Family Halloween movies, Classic Halloween films, Halloween comedy movies, Not scary Halloween movies, or Scary Halloween movies that go all-in, you’ve got options across the big platforms.
Bookmark this guide, pick your vibe, and press play. Share your favorite with #MyHalloweenMovie and keep the Halloween movies for kids and grown-ups rolling all October.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What’s the #1 Halloween movie to watch?
A. Hocus Pocus is the most universal pick—fun, nostalgic, and full of Halloween spirit without real scares. It streams on Disney+ and airs repeatedly during Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween.”
Q. Are there Halloween movies on Netflix in 2025?
A. Yes. Netflix surfaces a Halloween hub each October with family titles and comedies—look for Hubie Halloween and rotating kid-friendly hits like Hotel Transylvania.
Q. What Halloween movies are free to stream?
A. Ad-supported platforms like Tubi, Freevee, and Pluto TV carry large seasonal libraries. Expect classic horror and older staples; titles rotate, but Hitchcock and vintage slashers often appear.
Q. Is The Nightmare Before Christmas a Halloween or Christmas movie?
A. It works for both. Most fans watch it in October, but its holiday crossover makes it a December
