10 Best Family-Friendly Horror Movies to Watch Together

Horror movies such as those of the Conjuring Universe can be especially scary. They often rely on jump-scares and an overwhelming sense of dread that can leave audiences sleeping with the lights on. However, not all horror movies are designed to send traumatizing chills down your spine, with some crafted specifically to entertain the whole family.

Of course, these family-friendly horror movies have their fair share of scares and thrills, but they’re nowhere near the level of horror put out by franchises such as Halloween Or The Conjuring. The spooky forces in the movies are more exciting than terrifyingAnd are more than overpowered by the presence of comedic moments, over-the-top characters and heartwarming themes. These movies have the unique ability to give audiences thrills without giving them nightmares.

10

Goosebumps (2015)

A wacky and clever adaptation

Based on RL Stine’s iconic horror book series for kids, Goosebumps is the perfect mix of horror, thrills and humor for the whole family. Jack Black portrays a fictionalized version of Stine, whose monsters come to life from the stories he wrote, leading to an exciting adventure. Schwartz also provides voice acting for the villainous Sloppy the Dummy, the mascot of the Goosebumps franchise who seeks revenge on Stine for trapping him in a manuscript.

What sets Goosebumps apart is its refreshing, self-aware adaptation of a popular book series. Rather than just telling the same stories from the books, Goosebumps takes a meta approach to Stine’s workCreating a family-friendly adventure that manages to tread the fine line between horror and humor. Black’s performance as Stine steals the show, making Goosebumps the perfect horror movie to watch for any fans of the books. What’s more, these Goosebumps The franchise is getting a Disney+ TV show, meaning the scares could continue long into the future.

9

Hocus Pocus (1993)

A cult classic that never gets old

It’s impossible to go through a Halloween season and not watch Disney’s cult classic, Hocus Pocus. The movie tells the story of three witchesPlayed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, who were raised in modern Salem. The witches have one simple goal – to eat children and use their life forces to regain their youth.

The true magic of Hocus Pocus lies in his ability to balance a plot with a pretty gruesome premise, with campy, over-the-top spookiness. The The Sanderson Sisters are some of the most memorable villains in Disney historyNot just because they’re scary, but because of their exaggerated humor and screen-stealing presence. Combining their fun antics with sharp one-liners is a match made in heaven, making Hocus Pocus One of the best family-friendly horror movies out there.

8

Corpse Bride (2005)

Flipping the script on death

Tim Burton is a master of animated horror, with his 2005 movie, dead brideBeing a testament to his ability to bring visually stunning stop-motion to the genre. dead bride Follow Victor (Johnny Depp), a nervous man who is practicing his wedding vows, when he accidentally puts the ring on the finger of a deceased bride, Emily (Helena Bonham Carter). Victor is then transported to the Land of the Dead, a land full of color and whimsy.

dead bride Defies audience expectations by making the “real world” dark, gothic and gloomywhile making the land of the dead alive and joyful. By flipping the script on orthodox notions of the afterlife, dead bride Manages to deal with the rather difficult themes of death and grief while maintaining its family-friendly tone. Burton’s signature aesthetic is in play throughout the film, with animation sure to resonate just as strongly with adults as it does with children.

7

Ghostbusters (1984)

A charming movie that has stood the test of time

There are few family-friendly horror movies like Iconic Wii Ghostbusters. Yes, there are some slightly crude scenes and lines of dialogue that may be inappropriate for younger viewers, but it’s impossible to deny the movie’s whimsical family-friendly charm. Ghostbusters goes A group of eccentric scientists who start a business of catching ghosts in New York CityEventually facing a Sumatran goddess of evil.

While the ghosts may seem terrifying at first, Ghostbusters It plays out so stupidly that it’s impossible not to laugh. From Slimer to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, these wacky specters have become some of the most iconic villains in movie history. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and the late, great Harold Ramis were truly allowed to shine in their roles as the Ghostbusters, with Comedic performances that have stood the test of time for 40 years.

6

ParaNorman (2012)

A stop-motion horror movie that’s more heartwarming than scary

Paranorman is one of the most unique and creative zombie films ever produced. It tells the story of Norman, a boy who has the ability to see and communicate with ghosts, as he fights to save his town from a centuries-old curse. While Paranorman Is Full of various typical horror characters, such as zombies and witchesIts true value lies in its social commentary, particularly how it handles Norman’s journey of self-discovery.

Norman learns to embrace his unique gift for communicating with ghosts, rather than hiding it from his peers. Paranorman Give audience An important message about embracing differences and finding strength in who you really areRather than trying to change for other people. The scary moments in the movie are tempered by the quirky sense of humor of Norman and the rest of the characters, who make Paranorman A stop-motion horror movie that’s more heartwarming than hair-raising.

5

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

A modern classic with Dracula and monsters

The first payment in the US Hotel Transylvania franchise has become one of the most beloved family-friendly horror movies of all time. Adam Sandler provides the voice of Count Dracula, the founder of the titular hotel that acts as a place for other monstersSuch as Frankenstein and the Invisible Man, to relax and escape the clutches of humans. However, Dracula’s plans go awry when a man, Jonathan (Andy Samberg), stumbles across the hotel and falls head-over-heels for his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez).

Hotel Transylvania Is able to flip the script on typical expectations of monsters, making them all lovable characters. Dracula’s overprotective parent persona is a source of humor and heartAnd is likely to resonate with any parent watching the movie with their kids. Themes of acceptance, independence and family all combine to create Hotel Transylvania A must-watch for the whole family this Halloween season.

4

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

A combination of Halloween and Christmas

The debate whether The Nightmare Before Christmas Is a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie is one of the hottest discourse in animation. Although we may never get an answer, that doesn’t stop families from enjoying Tim Burton’s classic stop-motion movie. The movie follows Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, when he accidentally discovers Christmas Town and tries to bring the joy of the festive season to his own gothic home.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Is Unique in its ability to blend the joys of both Halloween and Christmas together so seamlessly. The movie creates a world that is dark, yet whimsical, creepy, but enchanting. Coupling this with a killer soundtrack by Danny Elfman, The Nightmare Before Christmas Provides more than enough family-friendly entertainment to get you through the Halloween (and maybe even Christmas) season.

3

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Dark magic and thrilling adventures

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is arguably the most unique movie in the series. It was the only contribution of director Alfonso Cuarón Harry PotterAnd as such has a gothic, darker tone than even the later movies. The Prisoner of Azkaban goes Harry’s third year at HogwartsAs he tries to escape the clutches of Sirius Black, the man who allegedly betrayed his parents to Voldemort.

With his combination of Yearly Dementors, a howling werewolf, and the tension of Sirius’ presence, The Prisoner of Azkaban Can easily be considered a horror movie. Although some themes may be unsuitable for younger audiences, the plot remains quite intact, If a little convoluted when time travel is involved. This is a fantastic choice for families who want to experience some dark fantasy Without delving too far into the more terrifying movies.

2

The Addams Family (1991)

They’re creepy and they’re kooky

The delightfully terrifying and eccentric world of the Addams Family was brought to life in Barry Sonnenfeld’s 1991 adaptation. This version of The Addams Family Often considered one of the most beloved, follows the titular aristocrats as they attempt to reconnect with long-lost Uncle Fester.

Dark humor, iconic characters and witty one-liners all make The Addams Family One of the most imaginative and well-known family-friendly horror movies of all time. The movie is easy to laugh at, especially when it focuses on how different the Addams family is to the rest of the world around them.

However, the humor also carries with it a strong message of staying true to yourself, no matter how otherwise you may feel. The airy, gothic tone of The Addams Family Make it a must-watch For families who want to delve into some delightfully morbid fun without scaring the younger ones.

1

Scooby-Doo: The Movie (2002)

The defining live action adaptation of Scooby-Doo

While critics may have disregarded Scooby-Doo: The Movie When it first released, this live-action adaptation of the adventures of Mystery Incorporated has since amassed a cult following among all ages. Scooby-doo goes The gang as they travel to Spooky IslandA tropical resort that is harboring deep secrets. It’s a fun-filled, spooky adventure that’s full of the same heart and entertainment that made the original animated series so beloved.

The highlight of the movie is undoubtedly the casting of each character. From Matthew Lillard as Shaggy to Linda Cardellini as Velma, each actor seems to effortlessly bring their character to life, exploring a fresh take on the dynamic between them as they do so. This is the defining live-action adaptation of Scooby-dooAnd Blends just the right amount of spookiness with the slapstick humor That fans of the original series have come to expect.