How to Create the Ultimate Family Halloween Movie Night

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Ah, Halloween! The time for spooky fun, pumpkin carving, and… the classic Halloween movie night! It’s one of those traditions that never gets old, especially with little ones. The magic of cuddling under blankets, munching on popcorn, and giggling (or shrieking!) through family-friendly films is a perfect way to celebrate without the sugar rush of endless sweets.

In this post, I’ll be sharing how our Halloween movie night went, along with some family-friendly film suggestions and must-have essentials to make yours just as special. Whether you’re all about light-hearted spooks or mild thrills, I’ve got you covered!

Preparing For The Perfect Halloween Movie Night – The Boo Box

Growing up, movie nights were a big deal in our house – and Halloween was no exception! In Portugal, trick-or-treating isn’t as common, but that didn’t stop us. My brother, my dad, and I had our own tradition of dressing up and heading to the cinema for a spooky night out. It was something we looked forward to every year, and those memories are still so vivid.

Now that I have my own daughters, I’m determined to pass on that Halloween spirit. While our movie nights may be a bit cosier, I’m excited to create our own special traditions – ones they’ll hopefully look back on with the same fondness one day.

This year, Mimi and Lou started by excitedly opening their “Boo Box,” which had a few surprises to set the eerie tone.

We keep most of our Halloween books stored away and bring them back to life this time of the year, so part of the surprise was the rekindling with our favourite festive reads: Room on the Broom (with matching set pyjamas), Meg and Mog and Funnybones. We also added two new books to the collection: The Skull (which is so creepy and fun to read aloud!) and The Little Ghost Who Was A Quilt (which is adorable and celebrates the power of individuality). You can explore some more of our favourite Halloween picture books here.

Inside the box there was also some cute, themed hair accessories and cosy socks, a soft skeleton and pumpkin, some puffcorns and scary popcorn boxes.

Halloween Movie Night Essentials – The Spooky Setup

After a fun afternoon building our fort together, we dimmed the lights, bundled up, and created a snuggly, festive setup. Spoiler alert: there were more giggles than jumps!

Here’s what we used:

1. A fort building kit and strong clamps

2. Soft and Snuggly Blankets

3. Spiders and lots of webs

4. Flameless Candles (alternatively you can use fairy lights)

5. Popcorn for the grownups and other snacks

Of course, we didn’t stop at popcorn. We also whipped up some of our favourite Halloween snacks – banana ghosts, pumpkin oranges, Oreo bats and apple slice monster teeth. You can find the recipes for these snacks here and here.

6. Cushions and Pillows

6. Delicious Scent

Our Family-Friendly Halloween Movie Suggestions

Now for the main event – the films! Here are some of our favourites that strike the right balance of spooky and fun.

For Toddlers (Ages 2-4)

Room on the Broom
Monsters Inc
Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
Toy Story of Terror!
Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
Scared Shrekless/Shrek: Thriller Night/Shrek’s Thrilling Tales
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

For Early School Age (Ages 5-7)

Hotel Transylvania (1, 2, 3, Transformania)
The Addams Family/The Addams Family 2
Frankenweenie
Casper
Scooby-Doo/Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Matilda
Ghostbusters (1984)/Ghostbusters II
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Twitches
Paranorman
The Corpse Bride

For Older Kids (Ages 8-12)

The Nightmare Before Christmas
Coco
Soul
Hocus Pocus
Goosebumps
Coraline
Harry Potter
Beetlejuice
The Mummy/The Mummy Returns
Maleficent
Men in Black/Men in Black II/Men in Black 3/Men in Black International
E.T.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
The Haunted Mansion
Roald Dahl’s The Witches
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Finding Balance: Screen Time And Halloween Fun

While Halloween movie night is all about fun, it’s important to remember that screen time, like everything, is best enjoyed in moderation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s recommended that children aged 2 to 4 have no more than one hour of screen time per day, and for children under two, it’s best to avoid it altogether. Now, I know what you’re thinking—how does that fit with the excitement of a Halloween movie marathon?

Here’s the key: balance. Special occasions like movie nights are wonderful exceptions to the rule, and it’s perfectly okay to stretch those limits now and then, especially when the experience is shared as a family. The key is to make it a mindful and purposeful activity. For example, after our movie night, we made it a point to chat about the characters, ask Mimi how they made her feel, and even did some role-playing games based on the films we watched.

The WHO’s recommendations serve as a helpful guideline for daily routines, but when balanced with active play, outdoor adventures, and creative activities, screen time can actually contribute positively to your child’s learning and development. After all, watching films together fosters communication, encourages imagination, and creates lasting family memories. It’s all about making sure that the occasional movie night is part of a broader mix of physical, social, and creative experiences.

Here are some ways to ensure balance when planning your Halloween movie night:

Prep with play. Before settling in for a film, engage your little ones in some active Halloween-themed fun. Think scavenger hunts or spooky crafts that get their minds and bodies moving.
Choose interactive movies. Pick films that invite questions, imagination, and discussion. This way, you’re turning screen time into an opportunity for growth and interaction.
Take breaks. If you’re planning a longer movie marathon, be sure to take breaks in between films. Get up, stretch, or even do a quick Halloween dance-off to release that extra energy.
Follow up with a hands-on activity. After the movie, do something that relates to what you’ve watched, like making a craft inspired by the film or baking a spooky snack. This keeps the learning going beyond the screen.

Halloween Movie Night Alternatives for Non-Movie Fans

Not everyone’s little ones can sit through a full-length movie, and that’s okay! Or maybe you’re reluctant about screen time? Use the same setup to listen to stories instead! You can read them yourself with a flashlight, listen a Spotify read aloud, use the Yoto Player Halloween stories cards or listen the Tonies Spooky Tales together.

More Tips for a Successful Halloween Movie Night with Kids

Before I wrap up, here are a few things I’ve learned over the years about making family movie nights enjoyable for everyone:

Start early. Little ones have a bedtime, so get started before the overtired meltdowns begin!
Pick age-appropriate films. Even if your eldest is ready for something a little scarier, make sure the younger ones won’t be too spooked.
Snacks are key. Have a variety of healthy and indulgent options so no one gets bored of the same old treats.
Keep it interactive. Encourage your kids to talk about the movies as they watch, asking questions like “Who’s your favourite character?” or “What do you think will happen next?”
Stay flexible. If your kids lose interest halfway through, let them. The goal is to have fun, not force them to sit still for 90 minutes!

Conclusion

Our Halloween movie night was filled with laughs, cuddles, and a few “spooky” moments, all wrapped up in the warmth of family time. Whether you’re looking for film ideas or just the perfect excuse to pile up the blankets and snacks, I hope these suggestions inspire your own cosy, memory-filled night. And if you’re feeling inspired to recreate the magic, you can grab some of the essentials we used through the affiliate links above!

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your family’s go-to Halloween movie? Or maybe you’ve got a movie night tradition of your own? Drop a comment below and let’s swap ideas! And don’t forget to save this post on Pinterest so you can plan your own family Halloween movie night.

For more intentional parenting tips, fun family activities, and sneak peeks into our day-to-day, be sure to follow me on Instagram @SaraMelides!