At a certain point, horror movies became synonymous with Halloween. Movie marathons this time of year now consist of R-rated films that aim to terrify rather than entertain. If you prefer not to shake in your boots, check out this list of festive Halloween fun that won’t leave you with nightmares! Every movie on this list is available on multiple streaming services, so you aren’t stuck on a traditional cable TV schedule.
‘Hocus Pocus 2’ (2022)
Some of you may be mad that we’re skipping the first “Hocus Pocus” movie, but we assume it’s already part of your yearly Halloween routine. Make it a double feature with “Hocus Pocus 2,” which is available to stream on Disney Plus.
“Hocus Pocus 2” is just as fun and silly as the first film, with the Sanderson Sisters coming back to terrorize Salem. You don’t need to watch the first movie since everything is explained, but it’s helpful to catch all the throwback jokes, cameo appearances, and costumes in the background. This movie is all treats with no tricks, so settle in and enjoy the broom ride!
‘Bewitched’ (2005)
Based on the TV series of the same name, “Bewitched” has quite the Hollywood spin. Jack Wyatt (Will Ferrell) is a down-on-his-luck actor who signs on for the lead role in a remake of the popular 1960s sitcom “Bewitched.” Obsessed with boosting his own career, Jack insists on having an unknown actress play Samantha. Little does he know that the actress, Isabel (Nicole Kidman), is actually a witch!
This modern take on the classic TV show is available on several streaming services, such as Hulu and Amazon Prime.
‘Halloweentown’ (1998)
Discover a magical place called Halloweentown, where creatures such as vampires and witches lead normal lives. Enter Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown), a 13-year-old girl who learns she comes from a line of witches. After her mother, Gwen (Judith Hoag), and estranged grandmother, Aggie (Debbie Reynolds), argue about whether Marnie should learn witchcraft, Marnie and her two younger siblings secretly follow Aggie home to Halloweentown. The town is under attack from evil forces and Marnie and Aggie must work together to save it.
Featuring characters such as Benny the skeleton cab driver and Wolfie the werewolf, “Halloweentown” is sure to be a hit for the whole household. You can stream it on Disney Plus.
‘Practical Magic’ (1998)
This rom-com is based on the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman. Sisters Gillian (Nicole Kidman) and Sally (Sandra Bullock) are raised by spinster Aunt Frances (Stockard Channing) and Aunt Jet (Dianne Wiest). The girls come from a long line of Owens witches who have been cursed — any man with whom they fall in love is doomed.
The girls live starkly different lives. One is extroverted and explores the world, while the other is introverted and remains in her hometown. With the small-minded townsfolk and the newcomer detective Gary Hallet (Aiden Quinn), they fight to lift the curse. “Practical Magic” is available to watch on Amazon Prime and DIRECTV.
‘Casper’ (1995)
Afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey (Bill Pullman) moves into a haunted house to exorcise ghosts from the building, bringing his daughter Kat (Christina Ricci) with him. Shortly after their arrival, Kat meets Casper (voiced by Malachi Pearson), the ghost of a young boy. Casper quickly falls in love with Kat, but things get more complicated when Casper's three uncles, Stretch, Fatso, and Stinkie, start wreaking havoc to drive the “fleshies” away. Kat and James are tasked with helping the ghosts cross over to the other side.
This classic family-friendly film is available to stream on Amazon Prime and DIRECTV, so go meet Casper, the friendliest ghost!
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a classic Tim Burton stop-motion film, currently available to watch on Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.
Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon) is the Pumpkin King from Halloweentown. Loved by all, he becomes bored with his daily life of scaring people in the “real world.” When he accidentally stumbles into Christmastown, he forms a plot to kidnap Santa Claus and rule in his place — but things don’t go according to plan. It’s arguable whether this is a Christmas or Halloween movie, but we like to think the spookiness of the characters and themes are more reminiscent of the fall holiday.
‘The Addams Family’ (1991)
“The Addams Family” has become an iconic film, with characters such as Morticia (Anjelica Huston) and Wednesday (Christina Ricci) becoming Halloween idols. This seasonal must-watch movie is available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and DIRECTV.
The Addams family is eccentric, to say the least. The family is thrilled when, at long last, Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd), Gomez Addams’s (Raul Julia) missing brother, seemingly comes home. The ever-witty Morticia, however, is suspicious that the man is a fraud when he’s unable to remember details of Fester’s life. The family soon uncovers a plot to swindle them out of their home and family fortune.
‘The Witches of Eastwick’ (1987)
For a flirty and fun evening with the girls, we suggest “The Witches of Eastwick.” Hop on Amazon Prime or DIRECTV to watch!
Jane (Susan Sarandon), Alexandra (Cher), and Sukie (Michelle Pfeiffer), friends from the coastal New England town of Eastwick, are feeling depressed after recently becoming single. Then the mysterious Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson) arrives in town and seduces them one by one. The girls soon realize he has ulterior motives, however, and they explore their newly discovered powers to regain control of their lives.