10 Spooky Moviesto Watch With the Kids
Ten movies for a spooky night in with the family. Pick something fun, a little creepy, or somewhere in between.
You’ve watched all ten. Which one would you watch again?
Some picks are creepier than others. Check the age guidance and trailer to find what suits your family.
Monster House
WHY WE PICKED ITI don’t think the animation has aged that well, but the story and the friendship between the kids still make this a great watch. Finding out the sad truth behind the house gives it more heart than you might expect.
For parents Ages 11+
Common Sense Media recommends age 11 and up.
A frightening living house, children in danger, some rude language and references to death.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
ParaNorman
WHY WE PICKED ITBeing able to see ghosts makes Norman the odd one out, until his town needs his help. The zombies make it a fun Halloween watch, but the way it deals with being misunderstood gives it a lot of heart too.
For parents Ages 11+
Common Sense Media recommends age 11 and up.
Creepy zombies, frightening scenes, bullying, death and some rude humour.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Coraline
WHY WE PICKED ITOne of the scariest movies I watched growing up, but I loved it nonetheless. The other world looks so inviting at first, which makes it even creepier when you realise what’s actually going on.
For parents Ages 9+
Common Sense Media recommends age 9 and up.
A dark fantasy with disturbing transformations, trapped children and an unsettling villain.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
WHY WE PICKED ITOne of my favourites growing up. Jack Skellington is the man, and I loved the Xbox game too, although I think that scared me more than the film did!
For parents Ages 7+
Common Sense Media recommends age 7 and up.
Spooky creatures, removable body parts and a threatening villain, mixed with songs and humour.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Corpse Bride
WHY WE PICKED ITA nervous groom practising his vows accidentally awakens an undead bride who believes he’s married her. Trying to sort out that misunderstanding turns into a charming, spooky story that makes you care about the people on both sides.
For parents Ages 10+
Common Sense Media recommends age 10 and up.
Talking skeletons, decaying bodies and themes of death, with a romantic story.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Hotel Transylvania
WHY WE PICKED ITAs a kid, seeing all these monsters living and working at a hotel was a great time. Watching Dracula deal with guests, his friends, and a daughter who wants more freedom makes it funny in a way the whole family can enjoy.
For parents Ages 6+
Common Sense Media recommends age 6 and up.
Mostly playful monsters, brief scares, toilet humour and some flirting.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Frankenweenie
WHY WE PICKED ITA boy brings his dog back to life because he can’t bear to lose him, and things get complicated when other people try to do the same. It’s strange and a little spooky, but his love for Sparky makes it easy to get behind him.
For parents Ages 9+
Common Sense Media recommends age 9 and up.
A pet dies and is brought back to life. Later scenes include frightening animal monsters.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island
WHY WE PICKED ITMy brothers and I watched this growing up, and it genuinely gave us a few scares. Seeing the gang face something that might actually be supernatural made the mystery more exciting, while their usual antics kept it fun.
For parents
This mystery has real zombies, scary transformations and characters in danger. It is creepier than the usual Scooby-Doo adventure.
This is our parent note. A Common Sense Media age recommendation for the original 1998 film could not be verified.
This preview is the official opening ten minutes from WB Kids. Availability varies by country and may change.
Spirited Away
WHY WE PICKED ITGhibli movies have a way of making the strangest worlds feel believable, and this is one of their best. Following Chihiro through a bathhouse full of spirits is a fantastic adventure, especially as she starts finding the courage to handle things herself.
For parents Ages 9+
Common Sense Media recommends age 9 and up.
Strange creatures, frightening transformations, separation from parents and a scene with blood.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Wendell & Wild
WHY WE PICKED ITTwo demons convince a girl they can help bring her parents back, and their plans get messy pretty quickly. The strange characters and stop-motion animation make it a good Halloween pick, with a story about grief and second chances underneath it all.
For parents Ages 11+
Common Sense Media recommends age 11 and up.
Demons, parental death in a car accident, tense scenes and some strong language.
Full Common Sense Media guideAvailability varies by country and may change.
Not sure where to start?
Age recommendations are from Common Sense Media, checked 1 November 2026. Every child is different. Our movie scores are separate from the age guidance.
