October 31, 2026, 7:02 a.m. ET
Halloween this year is a time for trick-or-treating and filling in the long hours before all that trick-or-treating can begin.
While it’s great for all Halloween fans that the spooky, candy-filled holiday falls on a Saturday this year, with no school or work the next morning, it presents a dilemma for most parents: How do you keep your kids from climbing the walls the long day leading up to the party?
With no school Halloween parades to distract them on October 31, kids might enjoy celebrating the season with these Halloween specials, TV shows and movies. And while there is a time and place for “Hocus Pocus,” “Beetlejuice” and even horror movies when kids are preteens and older, there are also toddlers and preschoolers who may not be ready for these “family” movies aimed at more mature children.
Enjoy our guide to Halloween TV shows and movies for all ages and stages. And if you’re looking for more adult recommendations, check out our movie guides for horror fans and scaredy cats.
Best Halloween Movies and TV Shows for Toddlers
“A Mickey Mouse Halloween Spooktacular” (Disney+): One of many Mickey Halloween specials and television episodes, this one in particular will be enjoyed by fans of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”
“Room on the Broomstick” (available for digital purchase): Based on the picture book by Julia Donaldson, this rhyming, fast-paced short film is just what younger viewers need.
“Curious George A Halloween Boo-Fest” (PBS Kids YouTube): Simply festive and not too scary, little ones will love the colors and costumes.
“Blippi’s Scary Halloween Plight” (Hulu): The familiar children’s entertainer offers a very sweet Halloween special.
“Daniel Tiger” and other Halloween episodes from PBS (PBS Kids): The wonderful and educational shows on PBS, including “Daniel,” “Pinkalicious” and “Carl the Collector,” all have age-appropriate Halloween specials accessible from their website.
Best Halloween Movies and TV Shows for Preschoolers
“Cars: A Spooky Halloween Adventure” and “Toy Story of Terror” (Disney+): These Pixar shorts bring back your favorite characters for some silly, spooky Halloween-themed fun.
“Sing: Thriller” (Netflix): If your kids prefer the musical “Sing” to Pixar films, a Halloween short is also available.
“Wild Kratts: Scary Creatures” (PBS): This fun and educational PBS Kids series focuses on spooky science for its Halloween special, exploring the world’s strangest animals.
“Vampirine” (Disney+): This series aimed at young children is not specifically about Halloween, but follows young Vampirina, or “Vee”, as she moves from Transylvania to Pennsylvania. High banter ensues.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” (HBO Max): For little ones who are ready for feature films and want something seasonal but not at all scary, there’s no better choice than this Hayao Miyazaki classic about a witch-in-training.
Best Halloween Movies and TV Shows for Elementary School Students
“Are you afraid of the dark?” (Paramount+): Your older child may be ready to face the sometimes very real scares of this Nickelodeon classic and find their new favorite TV show to boot.
The “Halloweentown” films (Disney+): Millennial parents will also enjoy revisiting these Disney Channel Original Movies about a magical world where it’s Halloween every day (maybe avoid “Halloweentown High”).
“Double Double Toil and Trouble” (available for digital purchase): To complete the nostalgia, try this cute and silly movie from the Olsen twins.
“Over the Garden Wall” (Hulu): This Cartoon Network gem is a television miniseries that tells the sweet and whimsical story of two stepbrothers who must travel through a mystical forest to return home.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Disney+): Tim Burton’s holiday favorite is good now, or you can wait until the Christmas season to enjoy the scares.
Best Halloween Movies and TV Shows for the Whole Family
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” (Apple TV): There isn’t a toddler, teen, or adult who doesn’t love this Peanuts classic. Don’t miss the season to watch it.
“Is it a piece of cake? Halloween” (Netflix): Kids (and many adults) can’t look away from the delicious deceptions of “Is it Cake?” » from Netflix. where bakers try to make cakes look like real objects. Enjoy this Halloween edition, with spooky treats.
“Mommy Has a Date with a Vampire” (Disney+): This campy classic is silly and tame enough for little kids but funny enough for older kids to enjoy.
“Coco” (Disney+): A great, heartbreaking Pixar film that features Dia de los Muertos and has wonderful music to boot.
“Muppets: Haunted Mansion” (Disney+): This 2021 special features all the Muppet characters your kids love plus some famous cameos for adults, including Will Arnett, John Stamos, and Darren Criss.
Gn entert
