Most Halloween-themed movies [1] involve a lot of blood, horror, and gore, which — don't get us wrong — can be great, but sometimes curling up with a cup of hot apple cider [2] and a bowl of your favourite sweets and popcorn while watching a lighthearted comedy [3] is all you want to do on a cold and spooky fall night. Plus, it's much easier to enjoy your favourite seasonal foods and snacks [4] when there isn't a slasher flick on with Freddy Krueger haunting nightmares or Ghostface menacingly monopolising phone lines. This upcoming Halloween [5], stream a funny movie that'll get you into the seasonal spirit, without making you check over your shoulder for days or stay up all night in fear.
From '90s family fan favourites [6] like "Hocus Pocus [7]" and "Halloweentown [8]" (and "Halloweentown 2" and "Halloweentown 3") to quirky flicks like "Ghostbusters" that you'll want to watch on repeat, this selection of fun Halloween movies will keep you entertained all 31 nights of the spookiest month, and even before then! Check out the best funny comedy Halloween movies [9] compiled by POPSUGAR ahead, and enjoy a hilariously haunting holiday night in.
— Additional reporting by Stacey Nguyen, Becky Kirsch, Lindsay Kimble, and Ryan Roschke
"A Haunted House" 1 and 2
Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins are a hilarious duo in this horror spoof of "Paranormal Activity." When Malcolm's (Wayans) girlfriend, Kisha (Atkins), moves into his house, he discovers that the love of his life has been possessed by an evil spirit. So he enlists the help of a funny priest, psychic, and ghostbusting team to exorcise the demon.
Think the original is funny? You'll want to check out the sequel, "A Haunted House 2," when Malcolm tries to start over with a new girlfriend but still finds himself plagued by paranormal events.
Where to stream it: "A Haunted House" on Amazon Prime Video [11] ($4 to rent), "A Haunted House 2" on Hulu [12]
"Death Becomes Her"
This 1992 dark comedy stars Meryl Streep [13] and Goldie Hawn [14] as frenemies who become immortal in their quest for eternal youth and beauty. Oh yeah, and did we mention the love triangle with Bruce Willis [15]'s plastic-surgeon-turned-reconstructive-mortician?
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video [16] (£4 to rent)
"The House With a Clock in Its Walls"
When young orphan names Lewis goes to live with his quirky uncle (Jack Black [17]), he realises that his uncle is a powerful magic practitioner, which is a good thing since Lewis accidentally awakens the dead.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video [18] (£4 to rent)
"Frankenweenie"
In Tim Burton's animated "Frankenweenie", a young Victor Frankenstein figures out how to reanimate Sparky, his dead bull terrier. Chaos ensues when all the other kids want to resurrect their dead pets as well.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [19]
"Halloweentown"
Marnie and her siblings discover they come from a family of witches in this OG Disney classic. If the first "Halloweentown [20]" has you hooked, you'll want to check out the three following films.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [21]
"Hocus Pocus"
Arguably one of the best Halloween [22] movies , "Hocus Pocus [23]" features Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker [24], and Kathy Najimy as three witches who are on a hunt for eternal youth on Halloween. Thora Birch plays the heroic young trick-or-treater who falls into their clutches when her older brother wakes them from a deep sleep.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [25]
"The Haunted Mansion" (2003)
Based on the Disneyland ride of the same name, "The Haunted Mansion" is a silly, spooky treat that stars Eddie Murphy [26] as Jim Evers, a workaholic real estate agent. During a family holiday, Jim, generally a nonbeliever when it comes to the supernatural, brings his wife and kids up to a creepy mansion to make a business deal. Things don't go as planned when a storm traps them there, and the Evers get caught up in the manor's curse.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [27]
"The Addams Family"
This 1991 flick tells the tale of a creepy, mysterious, and spooky — but above all, kooky — family who are visited by their long-lost uncle. This "uncle" is actually a con artist, and he soon realises that he messed with the wrong family.
Where to stream it: Paramount+ [28]
"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"
This holiday treat from the Peanuts gang focuses on Charlie Brown's right-hand man, Linus, as he waits for the mysterious Great Pumpkin (Halloween [29]'s answer to Santa Claus.) Oh, and Charlie Brown goes trick-or-treating — and gets a rock [cue the sad theme music].
Where to stream it: Apple TV+ [30]
"Edward Scissorhands"
The story of Edward, a young man assembled in a laboratory whose creator dies before he's complete, is the perfect blend of Gothic strangeness and heart. The movie isn't scary, but it gives us major Halloween [31] feelings thanks to Burton's trademark touches of dark whimsy and the presence of scary-movie favourite Winona Ryder [32]. Burton's movie is a fairy tale for Halloween-lovers and anyone who has ever wished Frankenstein had a happier ending.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [33]
"Scoob!"
This animated Scooby-Doo story showcases how Scoob and Shaggy met and is full of hilarious hijinks. The all-new mystery plot is fun to watch all year, but especially great for around Halloween [34].
Where to stream it: YouTube [35] (£4 to rent)
"Hubie Halloween"
Adam Sandler [36]'s 2020 Halloween flick, "Hubie Halloween," has his classic movie humour written all over it. The film even features his wife, Jackie, and daughters, Sunny and Sadie [37].
Where to stream it: Netflix [38]
"Double, Double, Toil and Trouble"
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen [39] are the '90s. The twin icons' Halloween [40] classic isn't exactly high cinema, but it's a delightful throwback to simpler times when a story about sisters saving their parents via trick-or-treating sounded like a perfectly reasonable movie plot. Add in Cloris Leachman seeming to have a blast playing the girls' evil aunt, and you have the perfect recipe for an enduring Halloween treat.
Where to stream it: Apple TV+ [41]
"The Nightmare Before Christmas"
There's a reason "The Nightmare Before Christmas" finds its way back to theatres every year around this time. Another one from Tim Burton, the film captures the spirit of the holiday with a whole lotta heart, a bit of romance, and a few catchy songs.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [42]
"The Witches" (1990)
It's hard to believe that "The Witches" is made for children. Anjelica Huston pulling her face off and luring children to their demise with chocolate is hardly family-friendly fun. However, it does make for a spooktacular Halloween [43] treat.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video [44]
"Casper"
Ah, "Casper", the movie that made you want a ghost best friend. This sweet little movie is all about the nostalgia and the lighter side of Halloween [45]. That makes it a perfect film to share with the youngsters in your life.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime (£4 to rent) [46]
"Addams Family Values"
This sequel to "The Addams Family" might be even better than the original — and that's saying something, because we love the first one!
Where to stream it: Paramount Plus [47]
"Don't Look Under the Bed"
A classic Halloween [48] movie for kids, "Don't Look Under the Bed" is a light spin on the Boogeyman. Smart and generally a non-believer, Frances McCausland soon finds the Boogeyman wreaking havoc on her life and must now rely on her brother and his imaginary friend to help her.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [49]
"Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire"
The Hansen kids find themselves grounded, so they unknowingly set their mother up with a vampire to sneak out of the house. The youngest Hansen is sure their mother's date is a vampire, so the kids end up meeting with none other than Van Helsing to sort out the situation. In this cult classic, you might recognise familiar TV stars such as Caroline Rhea, Charles Shaughnessy, and Robert Carradine.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [50]
"Under Wraps"
After three friends discover a mummy in the basement of their dead neighbour's house, they accidentally bring him back to life. While they are terrified of him at first, they soon realise that he's actually very friendly. But when they find out that he'll cease to exist if he doesn't return to his coffin by midnight on Halloween [51], they must scramble to try and get him there without crossing paths with their neighbour, who faked his own death to avoid paying his taxes. They eventually return him safely after saying goodbye to their new (but old) friend.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [52]
"Beetlejuice"
Say his name three times, and Beetlejuice will show up at your door to cause some Halloween-appropriate mayhem. It's a shame this brilliant film still hasn't gotten a sequel, but thankfully, you can visit the Underworld with Michael Keaton whenever you like.
Where to stream it: Hulu [53]
"Practical Magic"
This movie about two sisterly witches is a love story above all, but it's still got a Halloween [54] scene (not to mention the valuable lesson of putting the lime in the coconut).
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video [55] ($4 to rent)
"Scary Movie" 1-5
This popular film franchise pulls plots, characters, and scares from the most recent scary movies. The result is a hilarious, satirical amalgamation of every horror trope you can possibly imagine.
Where to stream them: Scary Movie [56] on Amazon Prime (£4 to rent)
Scary Movie 2 [57] on Amazon Prime (£4 to rent),
Scary Movie 3 on Amazon Prime (£4 to rent) [58]
Scary Movie 4 on Disney+ [59]
Scary Movie 5 on Amazon Prime Video [60]
"Teen Witch"
You can't "Top That!" Though the best scene in this '80s movie is that rap song, the real story is about main character Louise's (Robyn Lively, Blake's big sister) transition into witch-hood. She made it look so glam.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime with HBO ($4 to rent) [61]
"Twitches"
Tia and Tamera Mowry star as Alex and Camryn, twin witches (aka twitches) who reunite on their 21st birthday. They discover that their unique powers are even stronger when they team up. After you get your twitchy fix from Twitches, be sure to check out the sequel as well.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [62]
"Hotel Transylvania"
Adam Sandler [63] voices Dracula in this kid-friendly Halloween [64] movie. The famous vampire has built an extravagant castle in the mountains of Transylvania, where all supernatural creatures, including his teenage daughter, Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez [65]), will be safe from the prying eyes of humans. His plan works until a human boy (Andy Samberg [66]) shows up and falls in love with Mavis.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime ($4 to rent) [67]
"Ghostbusters"
The theme song is a classic, but it's nothing compared to the sheer amount of fun packed into this Bill Murray [68] and Dan Aykroyd classic. Ghostbusters is everything a Halloween [69] movie should be: a little bit scary, hilarious, and infinitely rewatchable.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime ($4 to rent) [70]
"Idle Hands"
If you're jonesing for a little guilty pleasure with your Halloween [71] films, then this one is perfect. Devon Sawa stars as a high school kid whose laziness turns deadly when his hand is possessed. It's got a few gross-out moments, but it's worth it for the cheesy laughs.
Where to stream it: YouTube [72] (£4 to rent)
"Coraline"
Every kid has wished for a different set of parents on one occasion or another. Coraline's wish just happens to come true. Unfortunately for her, her other mother has button eyes and an appetite for children.
Where to stream it: Hulu [73]
"Monster House"
You'll get "Goonies" vibes from this animated film about three kids who are up against a creepy, sentient house in their neighbourhood.
Where to stream it: Hulu [74]
"Corpse Bride"
A visit to the underworld? Check. Goosebumps-inducing claymation? Double check. This doomed wedding is a twisted feast for the imagination.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime Video [75] (£4 to rent)
"Girl vs. Monster"
In this newer Disney Channel Original Movie, Skylar learns that her parents are monster hunters after she inadvertently unleashes an unsavory creature. Now, it's up to Skylar to fight the monster and get her parents back safe and sound.
Where to stream it: Disney+ [76]
"Scooby-Doo" and "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed"
The classic mystery-solving gang Velma, Daphne, Fred, Shaggy, and Scooby first must uncover what's going on at Spooky Island in "Scooby-Doo: The Movie." Then they are back to save the town of Coolsville from a monstrous attack in "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed."
Where to stream it: "Scooby-Doo" Google Play [77] (£5 to rent) and "Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" on YouTube [78] (£4 to rent)