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10 Spooky Halloween Movies For Toddlers To Enjoy With The Family

November 5, 2022
halloween movies for toddlers

Do you have your Halloween decorations up and have been stocking up on candies but finding it hard to choose the best Halloween movies for toddlers? Not to worry, We have curated a list of really fun and not-too-scary Halloween movies for the wee little ones. 

The following movies are sure to get everyone from your youngest to the oldest kids in full Halloween spirit. We have rounded up movies that are quite spooky but at the same time, we have also added a few more entertaining and less frightening movies if your little one does not enjoy scary stuff.  In fact, some of the movies are quite funny and the children won’t stop giggling.

Line of discretion – The movies are mostly in the PG as Halloween movies to some extent tend to have scary images and sequences, some crude humour and brief language. We intend to list movies that are usually okay for Toddlers to watch. 

List of Best Halloween Movies for Toddlers

  1. Monster House
  2. Toy Story of Terror! 
  3. Spookley the Square Pumpkin
  4. Spooky Buddies
  5. It’s Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
  6. Monter’s Inc
  7. The Nightmare Before Christmas 
  8. James and the Giant Peach
  9. Wallace and Gromit- The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
  10. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad

Here Are the 10 Best Halloween Movies for Toddlers

1. Monster House (2006)

IMDB rating: 6.6/10

Movie rating: PG

Director: Gil Kenan

Monster House takes the ‘Haunted House’ trope to a whole new level. The story follows three kids who discover an empty house that seems to be a monster craving for people but no adults believe them. The movie has everything for a great family Halloween night, an unassuming neighbourhood, an eccentric elderly neighbour who scares kids ( keep in mind he can be a bit scary for the young ones), curious friends spying on said old neighbour and also on the house that turns out to be a monster. 

Monster House was produced by the one and only Steven Spielberg and released in 2006 as a 3D computerised animation film. This movie will be well-liked by children and parents alike. Monster House is one of my childhood favourites and is one of the Best Halloween movies for Toddlers on Netflix.

2. Toy Story of Terror! (2013)

IMDB rating: 7.5/10

Movie rating: G

Director: Angus MacLane

Toy Story is one the most beloved animated film franchises and if your child enjoys Toy Story movies, then Toy Story of Terror! will be perfect for you. The story features all of our special characters like Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang. The toys are on a road trip when a flat tire leads Bonnie and her mother to spend a night at a motel.  

The motel seems creepy and when Mr Potato Head goes missing, the others begin to search for him but find themselves caught up in spooky and mysterious events. The film is only 21 mins and therefore ideal for toddlers. You should check out Toy Story of Terror!, it is the perfect option for the best Halloween films for Toddlers on Disney Plus. 

3. Spookley the Square Pumpkin (2004)

IMDB rating: 4.9/10

Movie rating: G

Director: Bernie Denk

Spookley the Square Pumpkin is exactly as the name suggests, a poor pumpkin named Spookely who is square instead of round. Because of his shape, he is teased and taunted by other mean pumpkins. A scarecrow and a spider help Spookley overcome his feelings of shame and help him come to terms with his unique appearance. 

This movie is more heartwarming than scary and hence it’s perfect for your tiny little ones this Halloween. This movie brings back such nostalgia from when I saw it as a kid. If you are looking for less-scary movies for toddlers then Spookley the Square Pumpkin is a great option for you. 

4. Spooky Buddies (2011)

IMDB rating: 4.5/10

Movie rating: G

Director:  Robert Vince

A movie with adorable Golden retrievers at the centre? Who wouldn’t like that? Spooky Buddies is a part of the Disney Air Bud Franchise and oh boy there are more than 13 movies about these cuties! 

A sports-playing Golden retriever named Buddy joins forces with other adorable puppies to defeat the villainous Warwick the Warlock and save the world. The movie is spooky and funny at the same time and if you’re looking for Best Halloween Movies for Toddlers then Spooky Buddies is the right choice for you.

Also Read: Disney Movies for Toddlers

5. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

IMDB rating: 8.2/10

Movie rating: 

Director: Bill Melendez

As Halloween approaches, the gang – Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy Van and the rest go to the local pumpkin patch to find a large pumpkin. They find the Great Pumpkin who is a supernatural figure who rises from the pumpkin patch on Halloween evening and flies around to bring toys to sincere children.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a part of the Peanut’s classic which now has 2 more Halloween specials ‘It’s Magic, Charlie Brown’ and ‘Charlie Brown All-Stars’. If you are looking for the best Halloween movies for Toddlers then these movies should be a great option for you. 

6. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

IMDB rating: 8.1/10

Movie rating: G

Director: Pete Docter

Monsters, Inc. is a very well-received movie from the popular Monsters franchise by Disney/Pixar. This movie is not technically a Halloween movie but it’s a great flick for your Toddlers to watch this season. The animated story is set in a fictional world of monsters who scare kids for a living. The lovable Sulley and Mike Wozowski are the top scare teams at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory of Monstropolis.

A little girl named Boo accidentally enters their world and the monsters are scared of the girl. It’s up to Sully and Mike to safely return the girl home safely undetected. (Fair warning for Parents whose kids might find Lizards scary, yeah there’s a monster based on that). Monsters, Inc. is a sweet loveable movie that is sure to fit well in your search for the Best Halloween movies for Toddlers.

7. The Nightmare Before Christmas  (1993)

IMDB rating: 7.9/10

Movie rating: PG

Director: Henry Selick

The Nightmare Before Christmas is an animated movie. It is often referred to by the title Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas since it was inspired by a poem written by Tim, who also produced the movie. The title might make you think this is a movie about Christmas, but don’t worry; this one is as classic as a Halloween movie gets. 

The story follows Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, who is bored of himself and his same old scare tricks of Halloween. He accidentally falls through a portal to Christmas Town and decides to make Christmas his own by putting a spooky spin on it. This film is a classic and is often a favourite for adults as well. If you are searching for the best Halloween movies for toddlers, then try watching Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.

8. James and the Giant Peach (1996)

IMDB rating: 6.7/10

Movie rating: PG

Director:  Henry Selick


James and the Giant Peach was inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book of the same name. A young boy named James comes into possession of magic crocodile tongues after he rescues a spider from his cruel aunts. When he accidentally spills them in the garden, they grow a giant peach.

The movie never fails to impress me, the story is really fun and the stop-motion animation is beautifully detailed. The film is just spooky enough to keep your older kids just as engaged as your little ones. James and the Giant Peach movie will fit well in your search for the best Halloween movies for children. 

Also Read: Movies like Super 8

9. Wallace and Gromit- The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

IMDB rating: 7.5/10

Movie rating: PG

Director: Nick Park, Steve Box

Wallace and Gromit is a British stop-motion comedy franchise. The franchise consists of various films, shows and spin-offs. Wallace is a good-natured but eccentric and cheese-loving inventor while Gromit is a silent, loyal and intelligent human-like beagle. This franchise first began with a short feature film A Grand Day Out (1989).

Wallace and Gromit-The curse of the Were-Rabbit follows the story of Wallace and his dog Gromit as they try to track a beast that destroys the vegetable garden plots right before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition. The movie is made as a highly entertaining parody of horror films. If you are looking for the best Halloween movies for Toddlers then try this delightful film Wallace and Gromit-The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

10. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad (1949)

IMDB rating: 6.9/10

Movie rating: PG

Director: Clyde Geronimi, James Algar, Jack Kinney

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad is a two-part animated film, the second half is called The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and takes place around Halloween. The movie is genuinely scary and funny, and the character of Mr Toad is very entertaining.

For every 80s kid, it was such a nostalgic tradition to watch this every October because some network channel would always show this film. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad’s music, animation and ability to spiritually uplift and positively gratify a person make it a superb watch. Looking for the best Halloween movies for kids? You should surely check out The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr Toad. 

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few children’s movies that didn’t make this Halloween films for kids list, but you can consider them as well:

  1. Coco
  2. Lonesome Ghosts
  3. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
  4. Mickey’s House of Villains
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When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe. 

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost. 

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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