Spooky season is in full swing, and with Halloween just around the corner, there’s no better time to settle in for a cozy movie night.
If you’re not into horror films or prefer something a little more magical than gory jump scares, Disney+ has just the thing. Whether you’re in the mood for lighthearted chills, nostalgic favorites, or a dash of witchy fun, Disney+ has plenty of Halloween-themed films perfect for counting down the final days to Oct. 31. Here are some of the best ones to add to your watchlist this season.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is Disney’s undisputed face of the season, even though half the film was all about preparing for Christmas. In other words, you get the best of both seasons when you watch it!
This stop-motion animated feature takes place in an imaginary land called Halloween Town, where “Pumpkin King” Jack Skellington has grown tired of their yearly spooky celebrations. In his musings, he comes across a door in the woods that takes him to Santa’s winter wonderland. Safe to say that Jack was changed, deciding to trade his pumpkin king title for something a little bit more festive.
Beyond its engaging plot and fascinating characters, the film is also a musical, so it’s peak Disney magic and a must-watch this season!
Genre: Fantasy, Animation, Musical
Running Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Directed by Kenny Ortega (“Dirty Dancing” and “High School Musical”), “Hocus Pocus” is pure magic and has bewitched audiences for decades with its perfect mix of humor, mischief, and, of course, a touch of spooky charm!
In the film, three 17th-century Salem witches are accidentally resurrected by unsuspecting children on Halloween night. Determined to regain their youth, the witches then set out to steal the life force of the town’s children, unleashing chaos in the process. It’s up to Max Dennison (Omri Katz), his sister Dani (Thora Birch), and their friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw) to stop them before sunrise.
From the sinister Sanderson sisters to the cozy small-town setting and '90s vibe, it’s the kind of film that never gets old and is the perfect movie to revisit (or discover) this October. Let’s be honest, we still think about this movie every time “I Put a Spell on You” comes on.
ICYDK, Disney also released a sequel in 2022, which brought back Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker to play Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson for a whole new sinister adventure.
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Return to Oz (1985)
“Wicked: For Good” may still be a month away, but you don’t have to wait that long to return to the wonderfully green Land of Oz this Halloween.
This 1985 dark fantasy served as the unofficial sequel to the original 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” and was based on a mix of L. Frank Baum’s novels, “The Marvelous Land of Oz” (1904) and “Ozma of Oz” (1907). The story follows Dorothy Gale (Fairuza Balk), who returns to Oz, which has now been conquered by an evil Nome King. Along the way, she discovers a ruined kingdom filled with creepy wheeled minions and a Princess who turns out to be more like a wicked witch with her many stolen faces. On the other hand, Dorothy also makes new friends along the way who help her restore Oz to its former glory.
This movie is much darker and more sinister than its predecessor, so be warned! There are scary monsters, headless maidens, and other terrifying imagery. It may not show the magical land we all love and remember, but it makes a pretty good film to watch this October!
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Action-Adventure
Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
Halloweentown (1996)
You can’t get any more Halloween than this Disney Channel Original movie, which follows Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brow) who discovers that she’s from a family of witches! This series has become a cult classic for Halloween over the years for its charismatic characters, family-friendly scares, and small-town charm. In fact, it was such a hit that it was followed by three more sequels, making it the ideal series to binge leading up to the 31st.
In the first film, Marnie secretly follows her eccentric grandmother Aggie to Halloweentown, a place where all sorts of monsters and mythical creatures live, and yes, it’s always Halloween there! But when an evil force began to take over the town, Marnie and her siblings must learn to harness their newfound powers and work together to save the town, as well as the mortal realm.
Fun, adventure-filled, and charmingly spooky, “Halloweentown” is the perfect film to cozy up with on a laid-back weekend afternoon. Or better yet, turn it into a full-on marathon with “Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge” (2001), “Halloweentown High” (2004), and “Return to Halloweentown” (2006)—all streaming on the Disney+!
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Coming of Age, Action-Adventure
Running Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Care to step into an abandoned mansion? This 2023 supernatural comedy stars actor and comedian Eddie Murphy, and is said to be loosely based on the popular Disneyland haunted house ride.
In the movie, Jim and Sara Evers are successful realtors who are on their way to the lake for a family vacation with their two children. However, they get sidetracked when Sara is contacted by the residents of Gracey Manor to negotiate a sale. Little did they know the evil schemes they’re about to get tangled up in as they’re pulled through secret doors and deeper into the mansion’s hidden secrets.
Equal parts thrilling and humorous, the movie has a neatly paced plot and is definitely a great pick for family movie night. It has adventure, heart, and a good amount of jump scares that’s balanced out by laugh-out-loud moments, courtesy of one of the best comedians of all time.
Genre: Thriller, Fantasy, Comedy
Running Time: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Twitches (2005)
Nope, you’re not seeing double. There are definitely two of them! We love a good twin movie, and “Twitches” is right up there on our list. The best part about it is that it’s tied to the Halloween season!
Starring Tia and Tamara Mowry, this Disney Channel Original Movie was based on the “Twitches” novel by Scholastic Press and tells the story of twin royal witches, born on Halloween night but separated at birth, when their kingdom was attacked by an evil dark force. They are reunited again on their 21st birthday, where they learn to navigate their special powers, while also running from the very entity that has forced them apart from the start.
If you like witchy films dressed in that nostalgic 2000s charm, this is it!
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Drama
Running Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Maleficent (2014)
If there’s one thing Disney is known for apart from their animated classics, it’s that they love to produce live-action remakes. While several of these films fall short of the brilliance the original animation has provided, some were actually good enough to have become box-office successes.
One of them is “Maleficent,” a live-action retelling of “The Sleeping Beauty” but with a wicked twist as the story is narrated from the perspective of the villain. This gave a deeper look into the life of the infamous fairy and how she earned the title “Mistress of Evil.” For a villain story, it’s incredibly heartfelt too, providing depth into her intentions and clarity on her actions towards Aurora and her kingdom.
In the spirit of spooky season, what better way to celebrate it than with a good old villain tale? If you enjoyed this, you can also make it a marathon and watch the sequel.
Genre: Fantasy, Action-Adventure
Running Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Into the Woods (2014)
Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece makes it to the silver screen with a star-studded cast including Meryl Streep, James Corden, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, and Chris Pine.
The film follows the original musical, which follows the story of a Baker and his wife who go on a quest into the dark woods to retrieve four items for a wicked witch who promised to lift the curse on the couple’s family that has kept them unable to have a child. Throughout their adventures, they bump into other fairytale characters like the Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Rapunzel, who are all going through their own problems.
A perfect pick for Halloween, “Into the Woods” weaves together beloved fairytales into one dark, enchanting musical. With its haunting score and clever twists, it explores what happens after “Happily Ever After” and is equal parts whimsical and eerie. Perfect for those who prefer their spooky films magical with a hint of the macabre.
Genre: Fantasy, Musical, Dramedy, Family, Action-Adventure
Running Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes
Cruella (2021)
If you’re looking for a Halloween movie that’s more fashionably wicked than frightening, Disney’s live-action “Cruella” is the one to watch.
Starring Academy Award winner Emma Stone, this film shines the spotlight on the stylish but unhinged villain from “101 Dalmatians” and dives into her punk glam origins. Set in 1970s London, young Estella is an aspiring designer who encounters the legendary Baroness von Hellman. While working for her, a rivalry begins to form, which becomes the foundation of her transformation into the most notorious and revenge-driven fashion icon, Cruella de Vil.
With stunning costumes, high energy, and a killer soundtrack, this movie serves chaos and couture, perfect for a mischievous Halloween night.
You can watch all these spooktacular movies on Disney+. Follow the platform on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more magical Disney films.
Genre: Drama, Crime
Running Time: 2 hours, 17 minutes
