With Halloween right around the corner — yes, the decorations have already arrived at Target — many of us are already feeling all the spooky vibes. Around this time of year, it’s so much fun to decorate the house and share favorite Halloween movies and specials with our kids … but what about the littlest members of our family?
My daughter, who is now a toddler, has been into all things creepy since she was tiny, whether it’s ghosts, zombies, or witches. This also means that I’ve been watching Halloween movies and shows on repeat all year long — enough to feel like an expert in the subject of what will and won’t scare the youngest spooky fans.
Looking for shows and movies to watch to kick off your Halloween season? Here are plenty of toddler-friendly watches to check out — and what you need to know to determine if it’s going to be too spooky or just spooky enough for your little ones.
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'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'
This one is a classic and probably a special you can remember watching every year as a kid, too (and secretly wondering if the Great Pumpkin actually is real). There’s nothing in this special that should scare even the youngest viewers, but it might end up getting them extra pumped to go trick-or-treating.
'Super Simple Songs': Halloween Edition
Baby and toddler parents are probably already well aware of the existence of Super Simple Songs, and yes, there are Halloween videos on YouTube that include spooky-themed songs to help the youngest viewers learn about and get pumped for the holiday.
'Toy Story of Terror'
Toy Story fans are going to love this special, which is streaming on Disney+. In Toy Story of Terror, Mr. Potato Head goes missing while the toys are on a road trip with Bonnie and her family, leading to some creepy moments as they try to figure out how to get their friend back — and why he disappeared. This one might be a little much for a child who scares easily, but otherwise it is more funny than scary.
'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
This Halloween (and Christmas) classic is also streaming on Disney+. Though the Tim Burton movie does have majorly creepy vibes as it tells the story of Jack Skellington kidnapping Santa Claus in order to bring Christmas to Halloween Town, it’s a fun movie for elementary-aged kids, as well as brave toddlers.
'Coraline'
Speaking of movies on the creepier side … Coraline might be worth a try for those kiddos who love Nightmare Before Christmas but might be ready for something a bit scarier. The film is about a girl who moves into a new house with her family but quickly discovers a hidden tunnel that leads her to a world ruled by the Other Mother, a version of her own mom who seems perfect at first but actually has far more sinister motivations.
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'Vampirina'
In my opinion, Vampirina is the perfect “gateway” spooky show for toddlers who might be ready for scarier stuff. It’s a Disney Junior show (which is also streaming on Disney+), so it’s totally toddler-appropriate, but it features characters who are vampires, ghosts, and other spooky creatures after Vampirina moves to a new town where nobody knows she’s actually a vampire.
'Spidey & His Amazing Friends': 'Trick or TRACE-E'
Another Disney Junior show that’s beloved by the toddler set is Spidey & His Amazing Friends, and the Halloween episode should do the trick for any little ones looking for a dose of spooky. This is episode eight from the show’s first season, and it shares how Spidey saves his town’s Halloween parade when Gobby tries to sabotage it.
'The Scariest Story Ever'
Found on Disney+, this cartoon features Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and their friends as he attempts to prove that he can tell Donald’s nephews the scariest story ever after they return home from trick-or-treating on Halloween night. This special is more silly than anything else, and kids of all ages should enjoy it.
'Muppets Haunted Mansion'
In this special (also streaming on Disney+), Gonzo and Pepe try to spend the night in the Haunted Mansion — the one from the Disney parks attraction and the movies of the same name. Adults will enjoy this special, too, thanks to an all-star cast that includes Yvette Nicole Brown, Will Arnett, John Stamos, Taraji P. Henson, and more.
'Coco'
The Disney/Pixar movie Coco isn’t about Halloween but the Mexican holiday el Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. It follows a boy named Miguel who accidentally ends up in the Land of the Dead and is determined to track down Ernesto de la Cruz, the famous singer who he believes is his great-great-grandfather. Not only is Coco not scary, but the music is great and it might even make you cry!
'Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest'
The youngest Halloween fans among us will love this Curious George special. It’s a fun hourlong show perfect for preschoolers and even younger children because George is getting ready for a Boo Festival and gets a little spooked after he hears the legend of a scarecrow with no head called No Noggin.
'Hotel Transylvania'
Hotel Transylvania is a mildly spooky Halloween movie about classic monsters who come to a hotel to relax without worrying about humans trying to hunt them down. And good news: If your child ends up loving this one as much as mine does, there are several sequel movies and a TV series for them to enjoy.
'Corpse Bride'
If you’ve already discovered your child is a Tim Burton fan, you absolutely need to watch Corpse Bride. The movie does deal with the concept of death (and, you know, the word “corpse” is in the title), but it’s a fun film with lots of music and funny moments that is appropriate for older preschoolers and elementary-aged kids.
'Frankenweenie'
Add another Tim Burton movie to the list! Frankenweenie, which is streaming on Disney+, is about the absolute chaos that ensues when a little boy brings his beloved dog back to life, which only encourages his classmates to do the same. This one is a bit creepy, but older toddlers should be just fine with it!
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'Hocus Pocus'
What’s Halloween without Hocus Pocus? Fortunately, this is a movie that’s appropriate for all ages, though be warned that some toddlers may end up getting bored with it before it really gets good. Don’t worry; in time, they, too will learn to love the Sanderson sisters.
