Top 10 Best Disney Halloween Movies

Based on Disney’s “The Haunted Mansion” theme park attraction, this ghostly comedy follows Jim and Sara Evers, both real estate agents, and their two children on their way to a family vacation. But Jim, a total workaholic, decides to take a detour to meet Edward Gracey at his property. Gracey Manor has all the spooky Halloween aesthetics from crypts to cobwebs. Fans of the ride will appreciate all the familiar faces they run into, like Madame Leota and the Grim Grinning Ghosts. You can also find some recognizable characters in 2021’s “Muppets Haunted Mansion” on Disney+. The 2003 flick may not revolve around the holiday but what better way to celebrate than with a haunting atmosphere?

Halloween is a time for ghost stories, and Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is undoubtedly one of the best. So it’s no wonder this movie, which draws on it, is such a treat. Its latter half tells the story of Ichabod Crane, who comes to the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow for work. At a Halloween party, he hears about the legendary Headless Horseman who roams the woods every October 31st night looking for a new noggin. As if that wasn’t enough to get us in the spirit, Ichabod has his own frightening encounter with the villainous spector later on. Packed with chilling content, this Disney Halloween classic is a must-watch every spooky season.

Many people have a birthday on October 31st, including the powerful protagonists of this beloved DCOM. Tia and Tamera Mowry star as Alex Fielding and Camryn Barnes, twin sisters who were separated at birth and unaware of the other’s existence. On the day of their 21st birthday, they meet, and discover they have extraordinary abilities. Celebrating being born on Halloween is always fun, but finding out you’re a witch sure takes the pumpkin flavored cake. The sisters returned two years later for “Twitches Too” which saw them dig deeper into the history of their whimsical homeland of Coventry. If you’re looking for a DCOM double-feature this Halloween, we suggest these two spellbinding flicks about a magical sisterly bond.

Did you know the Disney Channel’s first original movie was Halloween-themed? Yeah, and it’s a good one! Horror movie-loving Marshall has a room with wall-to-wall monster memorabilia, so for him, everyday is Halloween. We’re here for it! He and his two friends Amy and Gilbert break into the house of a seemingly deceased creepy neighbor and accidentally revive a mummy. Marshall, of course, decides to keep him, affectionately dubbing him Harold. But soon they find out that Harold will disappear if they don’t return him to his receptacle by the time the clock strikes twelve on Halloween. “Under Wraps” was the first of many awesome DCOMs, and it certainly left a delightfully frightening impression.

We may have outgrown our fear of the Boogeyman, but this DCOM still creeps us out, which is exactly why it’s a great choice. Frances acquires an imaginary friend when strange things start happening around Middleberg, with her being the prime suspect. Larry Houdini shows up and complicates her life at every turn. The pair have to team up to defeat the Boogeyman and save Frances’ little brother Darwin. Larry has his own boogey problems, leading to some genuinely scary moments. This one might be for a slightly more mature crowd as it deals with heavy topics. Still, if you’re looking for a fun and frightful time on All Hallow’s Eve, the dark Disney feature is sure to give you nightmares.

“The Black Cauldron” is an oft-forgotten cult classic, but it deserves to get some recognition – especially when October rolls around. Taran, an assistant pig keeper, embarks on a tumultuous journey with a magically powered pig Hen Wen. He’s been tasked with keeping the animal out of the bony hands of the evil Horned King, who seeks the legendary Black Cauldron for nefarious reasons. Things escalate pretty fast from there. The tale conjures up some dark and gloomy imagery, and features a truly terrifying villain. Plus, it’s the perfect introductory flick for kids, ushering them into the world of dark fantasy and horror. In other words, it’s beyond worthy of a spot in your Halloween movie rotation.

Here’s something a little different from the usual Halloween fare. “Coco” follows young aspiring musician Miguel whose family has a strict music ban. On Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, the protagonist finds himself in the Land of the Dead meeting his deceased relatives. While working to get home with the help of a man named Héctor, Miguel learns about his family history and realizes there’s more to the story than almost anyone knows. “Coco” beautifully celebrates Mexican culture and captures the true essence of the season. It’s bright and colorful, with lots to feast your eyes and ears on. You won’t be screaming in horror, but there are plenty of moments that’ll have you laughing and crying.

“Hocus Pocus” has become a Halloween staple, and if you ask us, it’s worth rewatching multiple times throughout the fall. California native Max Dennison hates his new home of Salem, Massachusetts, mostly because he’s not into all the Halloween stuff that the town loves. The autumnal foliage and colors makes this a dream location for the holiday. When he’s forced to take his little sis Dani trick-or-treating, he runs into his new crush Allison. The three of them have a wild night filled with a talking black cat, a helpful zombie, and, most importantly, truly iconic resurrected witches, the Sanderson sisters. The formidable, sinister, hilarious, and musically-gifted siblings returned yet again for the 2022 nostalgia-filled, spooktacular sequel on Disney+.

Marnie Piper loves all things weird and creepy, much to her strictly “normal,” magic-hating mother’s dismay. So it’s no surprise that Halloween is her favorite time of year, or that we’re obsessed with her! When she learns she’s a witch, there’s no stopping her or her younger siblings from following their wonderfully witchy grandma Aggie to the titular town. It’s the best thing she could do. “Halloweentown” was such a perfect seasonal flick that it spawned a slew of sequels, titled “Kalabar's Revenge” “Halloweentown High”, and “Return to Halloweentown”. They give us plenty more threats, magic, and fun to sink our teeth into. The series remains a fan-favorite, which tells you everything you need to know.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Frankenweenie” (2012)
Bring Out the Tissues for This Tim Burton Flick About a Kid & His Reanimated Dog

“The Scream Team” (2002)
A Trio of Ghosts Help a Brother & Sister Save Their Grandfather’s Spirit & It’s Unforgettable

“Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire” (2000)
Three Kids Try to Rescue Their Mother From a Charming Bloodsucker in This Chilling Classic

“Toy Story of Terror!” (2013)
A Spooky Special with Our Favorite Talking Toys

“Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (1971)
A Witch in Training Memorably Tries to Aid England in World War II

Is it really Halloween without Tim Burton? The prolific filmmaker has a whole filmography well-suited for this time of year but nothing beats “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” If you’d like to see something strange, this movie is the ultimate Halloween treat. Jack Skellington, the celebrated “Pumpkin King” of Halloween Town, longs for something more than just red, black. and slimy green. After stumbling upon snowy Christmas Town, he becomes convinced that he needs to co-opt the December celebration. But life’s no fun without a good scare, and his plan leads to some truly creepy shenanigans. If you’re a Halloween lover who’s also a fan of Christmas, this is the perfect pick to transition from one magical holiday to the next.