Not So Scary Disney Halloween Movies for Family Movie Night

Halloween doesn’t have to mean haunted houses, jump scares, or movies that leave the kids wide awake at 2 AM. Sometimes the best way to celebrate spooky season is a cozy night at home with your favorite snacks and a lineup of Disney Halloween movies that lean magical, nostalgic, and just a little bit spooky.

Whether you want to start a new family tradition, revisit the childhood favorites you’ve been watching every October since the 90s, or just enjoy a fright-free Friday night on the couch, this lineup of not so scary Disney Halloween movies is the easiest way to make the season feel festive without going full horror movie mode.

Everything in the post is available to stream on Disney+, so there’s no need to hunt for DVDs or rental anything. Just log in, press play, and let the Halloween magic begin. Add a few themed touches like spooky snacks, character-inspired decor, or a costume dress code, and you’ll turn a regular movie night into a full-on Halloween celebration.

The Best Not So Scary Disney Halloween Movies on Disney Plus

From witches and monsters to magical towns and ghostly mysteries, these Disney Halloween movies and specials have the right balance of spooky and silly. They’re ideal for families, Disney fans, and anyone who wants the seasonal vibes without the scary stuff.

Hocus Pocus Movies

The most iconic Disney Halloween movie of them all, and rightfully so. Hocus Pocus introduced us to Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, the three over-the-top Sanderson sisters resurrected in modern-day Salem on Halloween night. It’s funny, full of 90s nostalgia, and somehow more charming every single year.

Hocus Pocus 2 brings the sisters back thanks to a new group of teens, some updated magic, and a few clever twists on the original. The sequel expands the sisters’ backstory and keeps the spirit of the original going for a new generation. Together, they make the perfect double feature.

Set the scene with themed decor like a black flame candle, Book brownies, a Sanderson Sisters snack board, and a witchy outfit. If you really love everything Hocus Pocus, you can also plan a fall trip to Salem in October and walk the same streets where the original movie was filmed. Watching for the hundredth time or showing it to your kids for the first, Hocus Pocus is the ultimate Halloween tradition.

The Haunted Mansion (2023)

If you love the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney, you’ll appreciate all the little nods and details in the 2023 film. This version tells the story of a single mom and her son who move into a haunted house in New Orleans and quickly discover they’ve gotten more than they bargained for. The cast is full of familiar faces and the script balances spooky suspense with real heart, which makes it a great pick for older kids and tweens.

The film does touch on heavier emotions like grief and healing, but does so in a thoughtful way that makes it more than just a ghost story. That said, it’s still fun and mysterious with moments that will make you smile and maybe even jump a little.

To enhance your viewing, try recreating the Haunted Mansion vibe at home. Use LED candles to set the mood, play the attraction’s iconic music, and serve treats like “Ghostly Glow Cupcakes” or “Madame Leota Lemonade.” Kids can create paper gravestones or decorate their own cardboard “doom buggies” while you queue up the movie.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton’s stop-motion masterpiece doubles as a Christmas movie, which is exactly why it gets watched twice a year in most households. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, becomes obsessed with Christmas and tries to take it over, only to learn that every holiday has its own kind of magic.

The animation still looks incredible, the music is unforgettable, and the story works for kids and adults at the same time. If your family loves Halloween but is also already counting down to Christmas, this one is the perfect bridge between the two seasons.

Before the movie starts, get creative by making Jack Skellington pudding cups or decorating “Zero” cupcakes. If you’re planning to watch with friends, encourage everyone to dress in black-and-white stripes and add a pop of spooky flair with glow sticks or face paint.

Zombies Movies

If your family wants something fun, high-energy, and stacked with catchy songs, the Zombies trilogy is exactly the right pick. Set in the town of Seabrook, the story follows a group of high schoolers trying to break down barriers between humans, zombies, werewolves, and all the other supernatural creatures who eventually join the cheer squad. It’s colorful, upbeat, and full of positive messages about acceptance and friendship.

Tweens and teens are the target audience here, especially anyone who already loves a Disney Channel musical. Each film builds on the last with more magical creatures, more soundtrack moments, and more dance numbers to learn.

Make it a themed dance party by playing the soundtracks before and after the movie, then encourage neon, glitter, and any costume pieces from the films. You can even transform your living room into “Zombieland” with green lights and labeled snack stations for each of the squads.

Frankenweenie

This black-and-white animated film from Tim Burton is sweet, touching, and just a little spooky which makes it perfect for a Halloween night that’s more about heart than horror. Frankenweenie follows Victor, a young boy who brings his beloved dog Sparky back to life through science. What follows is a mix of chaos, charm, and a few resurrected pets causing trouble in their quiet town.

The animation style pays homage to classic horror films, but the story is full of warmth and emotion. It’s a wonderful pick for dog lovers or anyone who enjoys movies that blend creativity with deeper themes like love and loss.

To make it special, set up a “science lab” snack bar with bubbling punch, labeled treat jars, and little test tubes filled with candy. Kids can draw their own Frankenpets or create spooky pet name tags for their stuffed animals.

Halloweentown Movies

One of the most iconic Disney Channel Original Movie franchises, the Halloweentown series is pure magic. The first film follows Marnie Piper, a teenager who discovers that she comes from a long line of witches. When she visits the mysterious Halloweentown with her grandmother Aggie, she uncovers a world where ghosts, goblins, and ghouls live in peace and learns that she may be the key to saving it.

There are four movies in the series: Halloweentown, Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown. Together, they offer hours of magical fun and plenty of life lessons about believing in yourself, embracing your differences, and standing up for what’s right.

For your Halloweentown marathon, create a viewing space with fake pumpkins, witch hats, and cauldrons full of snacks. Kids can make their own “spells” using a mix of silly words and glitter. You could even assign everyone a magical name and write it on their own witch or wizard certificate. It’s the kind of night kids remember.

Toy Story of Terror

This short special delivers the perfect amount of Halloween fun in under 25 minutes. Toy Story of Terror brings back Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the gang as they end up at a creepy roadside motel where toys keep mysteriously disappearing. It’s a mini adventure full of suspense, laughs, and a few twists that keep things interesting for both kids and adults.

Since it’s short, this one’s perfect for a weekday treat after school or dinner. when you don’t have time for a full feature. You can pair it with Toy Story-themed snacks like cowboy cookies or alien cupcakes. After the movie, kids might enjoy re-enacting scenes with their own Toy Story toys or making up their own spooky stories starring their favorite characters.

Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches

This sweet Disney Junior special stars Minnie and Daisy as witches-in-training on Halloween. It’s bright, colorful, and full of positive messages about friendship and courage. The animation style is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and the short runtime is exactly right for shorter attention spans.

To keep little ones engaged, let them make construction paper witch hats or decorate pumpkins before the movie. Add some soft Halloween music in the background and offer snacks like fruit wands or mini cupcakes with sprinkles. This is a great pick for a morning or early evening celebration when you want something festive but low-key.

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire

This Disney Channel Original Movie from 2000 is spooky, silly, and totally underrated. In Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, a group of kids discovers that their mom’s charming new date might actually be…a vampire. Cue the chaos as they try to stop the romance before their mom becomes his next victim.

The film mixes vampire lore with family comedy and just enough suspense to keep older kids engaged. It’s the perfect pick for a family movie night when everyone wants a little mystery without anything too scary.

Pair the movie with vampire-themed snacks like “blood” punch or fang-shaped cookies, and set a countdown clock to “sunrise” for a fun twist during the film. Bonus points if anyone shows up in a cape.

Twitches and Twitches Too

Starring real-life twins Tia and Tamera Mowry, Twitches is a magical Disney Channel Original Movie about two sisters separated at birth who discover on their 21st birthday that they’re actually witches; and not just any witches, but powerful ones destined to save a magical realm from darkness. The sequel, Twitches Too, picks up the story and is also streaming on Disney+, which makes it a perfect double feature.

The films are full of spooky castles, glowing magic symbols, and sister humor that holds up. Twitches is a long-time favorite for anyone who loves stories about sisterhood, spells, and saving the world with style.

You can create a magical ambiance for your movie night with twinkle lights, celestial decorations, and sparkling drinks. Let kids make their own magical amulets or “shadow world” art to keep the fun going after the credits roll.

Descendants Movies

The Descendants movies are full of fun, fashion, music, and just the right touch of villainy. These films follow the teenage children of classic Disney villains, including Mal (Maleficent’s daughter), Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen), Jay (son of Jafar), and Carlos (son of Cruella de Vil), as they leave the Isle of the Lost to attend school in the kingdom of Auradon.

Each movie blends magic, action, and teen drama with energetic musical numbers and heartwarming messages about identity, acceptance, and friendship. The villains’ kids may have a dark legacy, but they’re determined to write a new story for themselves, and the journey is packed with spells, curses, and high-stakes adventures along the way.

These movies are perfect for a themed girls’ night, tween sleepover, or musical movie marathon. Decorate with purple and teal, make cupcakes with villain-inspired toppers, and hand out costume crowns, capes, or faux spell books.

Coco

Coco is technically a Día de los Muertos story rather than a Halloween one, but it fits beautifully into the fall season and adds real depth to your festive movie lineup. The film follows Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician, as he accidentally crosses into the Land of the Dead and uncovers long-held secrets about his family’s past.

The animation is stunning, the music is moving, and the story carries powerful messages about family, tradition, remembrance, and following your passion. Coco may not be spooky, but its themes and imagery of skeletons, altars, marigolds, and spirits make it a perfect addition to your not so scary movie rotation during October and early November.

For your movie night, consider making it a cultural experience. Set up a mini ofrenda (altar) at home, light candles, and serve traditional snacks like pan dulce or tamales. Print out coloring pages of alebrijes or papel picado and use the night as a chance to teach kids about the meaning behind Día de los Muertos. It’s the kind of movie night that blends fun and meaning into one cozy memory.

Monsters, Inc.

While Monsters, Inc. isn’t a traditional Halloween movie, it features a lovable cast of monsters and a storyline that fits perfectly with the season. Mike and Sulley are top scarers at Monsters, Inc., but their world gets turned upside down when a human child sneaks into their monster-filled city.

The movie is funny, heartfelt, and a gentle reminder that not all monsters are actually scary. It’s a great pick for younger kids and for anyone who wants something comforting on a chilly October night.

You can make your movie night extra fun by decorating with bright monster colors, using googly eyes on snacks, and letting kids make their own monster masks or drawings. Pair it with green popcorn, “Scream Canister” juice, or Boo-themed cupcakes.

Under Wraps and Under Wraps 2

These two Disney+ originals are easy wins for a family Halloween night, and they don’t get nearly enough credit. Under Wraps follows three middle schoolers who accidentally wake up a friendly mummy named Harold and have to get him home before midnight on Halloween. Under Wraps 2 picks up the next year with Harold returning for a wedding and a whole new adventure.

Both films are charming, age-appropriate, and full of friendly costumes, light suspense, and trick-or-treating fun. The small-town setting practically begs for a candy spread on the coffee table.

Pair them with a mummy-themed snack like pretzel rods wrapped in white candy melts, then let the kids design their own “wraps” for stuffed animals or dolls.

More Disney Halloween Movies and Specials to Watch

If you’re looking to expand your Halloween watchlist even further, here are more fun and festive Disney Halloween movies and episodes available on Disney+.

• Girl vs. Monster: A teen discovers she’s from a long line of monster hunters and accidentally unleashes a powerful creature right before Halloween.
• The Black Cauldron: A darker Disney animated classic with an evil warlord, magical sword, and creepy undead army—best for older kids.
• Escape to Witch Mountain: Two orphaned kids with mysterious powers go on the run in this 1970s sci-fi adventure with a spooky edge.
• Phantom of the Megaplex: A movie theater turns into a haunted mystery zone on a big premiere night, and it’s up to a group of teens to solve it.
• The Scream Team: Two kids team up with a group of ghostly investigators to help their late grandfather’s spirit move on.
• The Invisible Sister: A science experiment gone wrong turns a teenage girl’s sister invisible just in time for Halloween chaos.
• Don’t Look Under the Bed: A girl must team up with her imaginary friend to battle the Boogeyman when spooky things start happening around town.
• Halloween House Party: Join Disney Channel stars for Halloween music, costumes, games, and behind-the-scenes fun.
• Vampirina: This sweet animated show follows a young vampire adjusting to human life, with lots of seasonal episodes for little ones.
• Wizards of Waverly Place: Join the Russo family as their magical mishaps get even more festive in various Halloween-themed episodes.
• Muppets Haunted Mansion: Gonzo and Pepe spend the night in the Haunted Mansion in this hilarious, spooky special filled with ghosts, gags, and classic Muppet charm.
• Mickey & Minnie’s Holiday Songs Halloween: Short, music-filled clips featuring Mickey, Minnie, and friends singing Halloween-themed songs.
• Mickey’s Spooky Stories: A mini collection of animated Halloween tales starring Mickey and the gang in fun, not-so-scary adventures.
• Spooky Buddies: The talking puppies take on Halloween in this silly adventure featuring ghosts, ghouls, and puppy-sized scares.
• Mater and the Ghostlight: A short Cars spin-off where Mater gets spooked by a mysterious glowing orb late one night in Radiator Springs.
• Agatha All Along: A darker, witchy Marvel series spin-off from WandaVision that’s great for older kids and adults looking for Halloween vibes.
• Lego Star Wars Terrifying Tales: Darth Vader, haunted castles, and silly scares meet the Lego galaxy in this Halloween-themed Star Wars special.

Make Your Disney Halloween Movie Night Extra Magical

Watching Disney Halloween movies is already fun, but a few extra touches can turn a regular movie night into a full-blown Halloween celebration. Whether you’re watching with your kids, your best friends, or your partner, there are plenty of creative ways to make the night feel a little more magical.

Start with the atmosphere. Set the scene by dimming the lights, stringing up orange and purple fairy lights, and scattering some mini pumpkins or Mickey-themed Halloween decorations around your space. You could even use a letter board or chalkboard to write out your movie night lineup. If you want to take it a step further, play a Disney Halloween playlist while guests arrive or while you’re prepping your snacks.

Next, think about the snacks. A themed treat table makes any movie night more fun. You could put together a festive snack board with caramel popcorn, candy corn, pretzel rods dipped in orange and purple chocolate, and gummy worms. Add a few small touches like Mickey-shaped cookies, Halloween character cupcake toppers, or drinks in themed cups. If you’re planning a family night, let the kids help “design” the snack table ahead of time. It becomes part of the fun!

You can also add some interactive elements to your night. Print out movie bingo cards with things to spot during the film, like a witch’s hat, a jack-o’-lantern, or a talking animal. Or create a checklist of the movies you plan to watch throughout October and let everyone place a sticker next to each one after you’ve watched it.

Costumes always make it better. Encourage your family to wear full Halloween costumes, matching pajamas, or just themed accessories if a full costume feels like too much. Kids love showing off their favorite characters, and adults can get in on it with a witch hat, glittery makeup, or cozy seasonal gear that doubles as a vibe.

If you have little ones who can’t sit through a full-length film, keep it simple. Start with one of the shorter specials like Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches or Toy Story of Terror, then follow it up with a Halloween craft or a quick coloring session. You can even turn your night into a mini party with music, dancing, and games between movie segments.

And don’t forget to capture the memories. Take a few photos of the setup, the snacks, and everyone in their Halloween best. These are the little moments that turn into a tradition, and they give you something sweet to look back on next October.

FAQs About Disney Halloween Movies

• Are all of these movies and specials available on Disney+?
  • Yes! Everything mentioned in this post is currently available to stream on Disney+, so you can access them all in one place. Just be sure to double-check your region’s Disney+ catalog, as some titles may vary slightly based on location.
• Are these movies appropriate for young children?
  • For the most part, yes. This list was created specifically with families in mind, so all of the titles are safe for young children. That said, some options, like Frankenweenie or The Haunted Mansion, may include a few moments that are more intense. If you’re watching with toddlers or preschoolers, start with Mickey’s Tale of Two Witches or Monsters, Inc. for a gentle introduction to Halloween themes.
• Can I buy Disney-themed Halloween items to go with our movie night?
  • Absolutely! You can find Disney Halloween costumes, decorations, snacks, mugs, pajamas, and more from places like shopDisney, Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Look for items themed around Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and even Mickey and Minnie in Halloween outfits. These make great additions to your movie night and can also double as festive decor for the rest of the season.
• What if I want to host a virtual movie night with friends or family?
  • Disney+ has a feature called GroupWatch that lets you watch a movie together while syncing your screens. It’s a fun way to stay connected, especially with long-distance family or friends. Just pick a time, send the invite, and press play together. You can even chat throughout the film to share your favorite moments.

Wrap Up the Night with a Little Disney Magic

You don’t have to brave a single haunted house or sit through a real horror movie to get into the Halloween spirit. With this lineup of not so scary Disney Halloween movies, you can have all the seasonal fun with none of the fright. Whether you’re introducing little ones to Halloweentown for the very first time, queuing up the Sanderson Sisters for your annual rewatch, or just craving a hit of nostalgia with popcorn and candy corn on the couch, every one of these picks earns its place in your October rotation.

Add a few festive decorations, whip up some themed snacks, and you’ve got everything you need for a magical movie night that celebrates the fun side of Halloween. And who knows? It might just become a new tradition you look forward to every October.