Dead leaves, tasty treats, and cozying up around frightful films are part of everyone's love of Halloween. COVID-19 may make it more difficult to celebrate Halloween in some traditional ways this year but this is a great time for families to share stories together, which is one of the most special parts of the season. Remote watch parties can even be done with screen sharing through Zoom or Discord, which can make the distance between family and friends feel a little shorter.
There are some frightfully good films that capture the spirit of the season while still being appropriate for younger viewers. Media aimed at younger audiences can even have satisfying epiphanies and truths baked into the tales, just like some of the best horror aimed at older audiences. Just make sure to grab some popcorn to go with all the Halloween candy!
The Halloween Tree (1996)
The Halloween Tree is a really interesting film that doesn't get discussed nearly enough. This Hannah-Barbera produced film is based on Ray Bradbury's book and he even brings his voice to it as the narrator. His voice rides the line between all-knowing and mysterious as he takes viewers through a tale where four kids learn how big human existence really is, while also learning more about the origins of Halloween and how everyone celebrates life and death in their own ways. It certainly has the trappings of a direct-to-VHS film in terms of budget and scope but that doesn't stop it from being effective with its limited runtime. Though the journey does have some peril and scares, the characters are ultimately able to see that even though the world is much bigger than a single person, our actions can leave lasting effects on those around us. It also does really well at communicating life is as special as death is inevitable but the moments we share are what make it all worth it. The plot and locations have enough variety and movement to keep things interesting for everyone and adults will enjoy hearing Leonard Nimoy in a leading role as well.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice has the potential to be suitable for a lot of different ages but an adult might need to help some kids understand that he isn't a bad guy or a good guy; he's just ... Beetlejuice. Knowing that he's a force of chaos and fun can make his screentime that much more exciting and interesting.
The plot starts out simple enough with two newlyweds moving into their new house only to tragically succumb to injuries sustained from a car accident. The two dead but living characters (brought to life by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) are confronted with the reality of being dead and trapped in their house on Earth, which is already a lot to take process, but then they're forced to deal with a new family moving into the only thing they have left. It's already entertaining enough but Michael Keaton's performance and some terrifying and unique special effects help make it a frightfully wonderful experience. The world can never have enough Michael Keaton, which is something DC thankfully understands. There's a lot of fun to be had for most ages, and it can give parents a new way to keep kids inside whenever necessary.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a classic for a myriad of reasons but the striking visual style is certainly among them. Stop motion animation can be quite costly and time-consuming so it isn't used as often but it really allows for a unique aesthetic. The film features a story with a lot to unpack, especially for one aimed at kids (and adults, too!); Jack Skellington goes through a crisis of identity and has to find who he is while up against insurmountable circumstances as his entire world depends on him.
Jack Skellington is the Pumpkin King, and he's in charge of making sure that Halloween is a hit year after year. This proves to wear on him eventually as he begins to search for something different or new so he can feel alive and excited again. This is when he discovers Christmas and decides to convince his world to try their hand at a different holiday. An imaginative world and infectious melodies combine to craft one of the tastiest treats of the season, whether it's watched in October or a week before Christmas. While The Nightmare Before Christmas is among Disney's Halloween best, there's no shortage of spooky specials to enjoy afterward.
Monster House (2006)
Monster House is much better than the other films to come out of Robert Zemeckis' production company, such as Mars Needs Moms and The Polar Express. ImageMovers may have helped bring this film to fruition but a strong script from Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, and Pamela Pettler help make the film truly remarkable. Set in the 1980s and with absent parents built into the rising action, it often feels like an amalgamation of Stephen King's It and The Goonies. The film follows D.J., Chowder, and Jenny as they work together to discover the mysteries of a neighbor's house that lures anyone nearby closer so it can eat them. Their problems are only made worse when the adults and authority figures in their lives aren't any help and they're forced to save the day on their own. A stellar cast and some frightful moments wrapped in a meaningful message help make this is an instant classic.
Coraline (2009)
Coraline's writing and acting are only rivaled by how terrifying it is. What makes it so scary is taking some of its circumstances and plot points to their furthest conclusion or at least considering the ramifications, which is why it likely won't scare kids nearly as much as it will freak out adults. It's easy to be deceived by the lurking terror that awaits; its visual style is stop-motion and reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas because they're both directed by Henry Selick, but Coraline couldn't possibly be more different.
Coraline Jones is an eleven-year-old girl who unknowingly embraces something sinister when she's disenchanted with her family after moving to a new house. Her parents are caught up in unpacking and getting acclimated with their jobs and new surroundings, which causes Coraline to long for more from her family, like any child naturally would. Vibrant visuals and colors combine with a fearful premise to create one of the greatest Halloween films ever made, regardless of the viewer's age. It may haunt the minds of anyone old enough to consider their place in the world and anyone with enough imagination to wonder if there's more.
Halloween is a special time for a lot of families and there's no reason to celebrate it with anything but the best. Films like these are appropriate for kids and also able to captivate anyone watching. As long as there's enough candy to go around, these films should help bring the right amount of scares into your home. Once this film fest is done, catch some classic Halloween action and keep celebrating without the kids afterward to keep the scares coming.