Movies to watch during the spooky season

[TeenHelp]

Movies to watch during the spooky season
By Cassie (cynefin)

Spooky season is quite a fun time, from pumpkin picking and hayrides to cozying up on the couch to watch your favorite Halloween movies. Here are a few different Halloween movies to consider watching now, or any time of year. Please note that no horror movies are included in this list; it is meant to be a lighthearted, feel-good list of movies. While some of these movies are Halloween themed, others have minimal mentions or are simply spooky without Halloween as an element.

At the time of publishing, streaming services listed throughout the descriptions are accurate for those in the US. Those outside the US should check to see which services are available to them. Some TV channels do run Halloween or spooky themed movies around this time of year, so check to see what is available for you.

Hocus Pocus (1993) & Hocus Pocus 2 (2022): Hocus Pocus is a classic favorite in many homes. Both movies feature the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) causing havoc in Salem, Massachusetts. Hocus Pocus and its sequel are available to stream on Disney+.

Halloweentown (1998): Halloweentown is about a young witch, Marnie Piper (Kimberly Jean Brown) discovering her powers. Three additional movies followed the first one: Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004), & Return to Halloweentown (2006). The original actress, Kimberly Jean Brown, does not appear in the Return to Halloweentown as her role was recast. These movies are available on Disney Now (Free), Disney+, and other subscription streaming services.

Tower of Terror (1997): This movie was made based on the theme park attraction with the same name. Buzzy Crocker (Steve Guttenberg) and his niece Anna (Kirsten Dunst) investigate an accident in which five people disappeared in an elevator on Halloween in 1939. Unfortunately, this movie is hard to find and is currently unavailable to stream. It can, however, be purchased on DVD.

My Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire! (2000): This movie follows three Hansen siblings. While grounded, the older two siblings set their mom (Caroline Rhea) up on a date so they can go out. The youngest sibling believes his mom’s date is a vampire, and all three siblings spend their night trying to protect their mom. This movie is available to view on Disney Now (Free), Disney+, and other subscription streaming services.

The Scream Team (2002): Siblings Claire and Ian lose their beloved grandpa. While spending the night at his house after his passing, they realize their grandpa is unable to cross over to the other side. Claire and Ian spend time investigating the reasons as to why he cannot cross over, so they can learn how to help his spirit move on. This movie can be watched with Disney Now (Free), Disney+, and other subscription streaming services.

Ghost Cat/The Cat that Came Back (2003): This movie features Elliot Page as Natalie, a teenager struggling with the death of her mother. Natalie and her father move to a new home to process the death and come across the ghost of a cat with an important message. The movie itself is not Halloween themed but is still a good spooky watch. This movie is available on Roku Channel (Free), Tubi (Free), and Amazon Prime Video (Free with Prime).

The Haunted Mansion (2003): Jim Evers (Eddie Murphy) plays a real estate agent who works too much. After his wife confronts him about being too busy with work, he takes his family on a vacation. They stop along the way at a mansion that Jim has been asked to sell, and they all experience a night they’ll never forget. This movie is available on Disney+. A Muppet’s version of this movie is also available on Disney+.

The Halloween Tree (1993): This originally aired on Cartoon Network and begins with friends (Jenny, Ralph, Tom, and Wally) preparing for Halloween. Each friend is shown to viewers as they are preparing their costumes and walking to their meeting place for the night. Pip, the firth friend, doesn’t make it to the meeting spot and is instead taken away in an ambulance. The four friends see what they believe to be Pip's ghost and follow him to various places on Halloween night. This movie is available on Tubi (Free) and can also be purchased on Amazon (US) in DVD format.

Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999): Francis doesn’t believe in ghosts or spirits but is forced to reconsider her views when the boogeyman appears under her bed. Once she comes to terms with the boogeyman’s existence, she must figure out how to help him. This is available on Disney Now (Free) and Disney+.

Casper (1995): Casper is a friendly ghost who haunts a mansion in New England. A Dr. Harvey and his daughter Kat come to the mansion to communicate with Casper and other spirits present at the home. Casper develops feelings for Kat, and they spend time investigating what Casper's life was like before he died. This is available on Tubi (Free).

[Astro04]

Hmm, didn't saw anyone of this videos except casper when i was younger, and i was afraid of that. I want to rewatch it now.

[Rika]

Halloweentown was good when I was much younger. I rewatched as an adult recently, and it just didn't feel or hit the same for me.

[furuta]

Thanks for the information!