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12 Not-Too-Spooky Halloween Movies for the Whole Family

Halloween is always a night of creative costumes, delicious candy and fun frights. Of course, kids love the opportunity to challenge their courage by entering haunted houses, swapping spine-chilling stories and watching scary movies . That’s a lot of spookiness for one day, though, and with the wrong film, they may be too frightened to fall asleep at bedtime. (And of course, getting them to bed in time for you to enjoy a proper horror film , like a Stephen King adaptation or classic vampire flick might be an important part of your grown-up Halloween experience!)

Fortunately, there are lots of wonderfully fun — and only slightly creepy — movies out there that kids will enjoy this year. From oldies like Hocus Pocus  to newer films like a stellar remake of The Witches , this list has plenty of options that’ll delight much more than they’ll scare. Check out 12 of the best kid-friendly Halloween flicks that make not-too-spooky treats for the entire family!

Goosebumps (2015)

The Goosebumps  book series by R.L. Stine has thrilled kids across the world since the 1990s. The series has been adapted for both TV and film, including a newer franchise for younger generations who aren’t familiar with these classics.

The 2015 flick, aptly titled Goosebumps , stars Jack Black as a fictionalized version of Stine alongside Dylan Minnette, who plays his teenage neighbor. The two team up to take down monsters from the Goosebumps  series that have managed to escape from the books and cause chaos in the real world. The film is frightening fun for kids, and there’s enough action to keep parents entertained — especially if they’re former fans of the series.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

A trio of 300-year-old witches (Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker) conjures up a little bit of hocus pocus in this Halloween classic. The 1993 film centers on what happens when the Sanderson sisters are accidentally brought back from the dead on All Hallow’s Eve.

Attempting to recapture their youth, the witches plan to steal the souls of the children of Salem, Massachusetts, so they can live for eternity. Three kids, a talking black cat and, eventually, a friendly zombie have to work together to stop the sinister sisters before it’s too late. Hocus Pocus  is certain to put a spell on you  this Halloween.  

Spirited Away (2001)

If you’re new to the world of Miyazaki , Spirited Away is a great place to start. This classic film from Studio Ghibli follows our protagonist Chihiro, just as she and her parents move to a new town. As they explore, they find what appears to be an abandoned theme park, but Chihiro quickly realizes that she has somehow crossed into the realm of spirits. Oh, and her parents have been turned into pigs. As she learns to navigate the spirit world, and ultimately free herself and her parents, she meets many memorable characters along the way.

The film won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film and became the top-grossing film in Japanese history. Don’t let the strange plot deter you. This film has won the hearts of many, and is a perfect addition to a Halloween lineup for the whole family.

Ghostbusters (1984)

These guys ain’t afraid of no ghosts, probably because the ghosts in this film aren’t too scary. This family-friendly comedy-horror was a smash at the box office in the 80s and has retained its appeal in the decades to follow. Sequels and remakes have attempted to capitalize on the success of the original, but have repeatedly fallen short.

Pop some popcorn and prepare to be entertained as a trio of paranormal exterminators face off against a gluttonous ghost, a pack of demonic dogs, and the iconic Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Monsters, Inc . is a fun comedy about — what else? — two monsters, Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), who are the number-one scare team at the scream-processing factory in the town of Monstropolis. The film, released in 2001, follows their misadventures after a human girl named Boo makes her way into their world.

Together, the two have to figure out a way to get Boo home before anyone discovers this unimaginable mistake. Despite their best efforts, which include dressing Boo up as a baby monster, they run into plenty of roadblocks along the way. Kids will probably fall in love with the cuddly Sulley before they feel an ounce of fear during this film!

The Witches (2020)

The Witches  (2020) is a fantasy-comedy film based on Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name. This reimagining of the original 1990 film follows an orphaned boy who goes to live with his grandmother in Alabama. After coming across a witch, the boy and his grandmother flee to a hotel to escape her evil clutches. However, the world’s Grand High Witch happens to be staying there — along with disguised, diabolical witches from all over the world who are helping her turn children into mice.

This remake of The Witches  is an HBO Max  original starring Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci — and it’s certainly a top choice for your family’s Halloween movie marathon.

Coraline (2009)

The 2009 animated film Coraline  is based on a dark fantasy novella of the same name. With Dakota Fanning voicing the titular character, the movie follows a young girl who discovers an alternate world that closely mirrors her own — but seemingly much happier. It’s complete with a parallel family that appears, at first sight, to be much better than the one she has.

However, when Coraline’s Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) and the rest of this parallel family try to keep her in their new world forever, she has to fight to make it back home. Kids are sure to find the stop-motion animation and colorful sets of Coraline  enchanting.

Beetlejuice (1988)

In the 1988 film, Beetlejuice , a couple dies in a car accident and finds themselves stuck in their former country home instead of a pleasant afterlife. When a new family moves in to the farmhouse, the dead couple tries to scare them away, but to no avail. They enlist the help of the troublemaking poltergeist Beetlejuice, who turns out to be a hazard to everyone involved.

The classic film has an all-star cast that includes Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin and Winona Ryder. Directed by Tim Burton, the movie offers a comedic twist on a supernatural tale that families will enjoy. Just don’t be surprised if the film’s soundtrack sparks an impromptu dance party.

Halloweentown (1998)

Starring Kimberly J. Brown and the late, great Debbie Reynolds, Halloweentown  is a Disney Channel original movie that premiered in 1998. Today, it’s revered as a classic Halloween film among the now-adults who grew up watching it every year decades ago.

On her 13th birthday, Marnie Cromwell discovers that she’s a witch, as is everyone else in her family. She and her younger siblings sneak off to Halloweentown, where her grandmother lives, to learn more about their family’s history and so Marnie can begin her witch training before it’s too late. The visit goes awry when they discover that an evil force is attempting to take over the town — but with a little magic, Marnie and her siblings can save the day.

The Addams Family (2019)

There have been several reimaginings of the original Addams Family  over the years — did you know the first cartoons were created in 1938? — but this animated film from 2019 is an especially fun version for kids. In the movie, Gomez, Morticia and the rest of the Addams clan prepare to welcome relatives for a visit. But when a TV personality attempts to get rid of them, the family has to prove that their creepy and kooky ways are no threat to their idyllic neighborhood.

The Addams Family  features the voiceover talents of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Alison Janney, Chloë Grace Moretz and others. If your family can’t get enough of this endearingly macabre group, you’ll be happy to know a sequel was just released — and it’s available to rent on streaming .

Labyrinth (1986)

It’s time to pass this cornerstone of Halloween weirdness to a new generation! The 1986 film Labyrinth  is a cult classic for so many reasons, from its fantastical setting to its magical plot to the fact that it stars the one and only David Bowie — and includes danceworthy original songs from the Starman himself.

The story follows teenager Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) as she travels through an otherworldly maze, solving riddles to rescue her baby brother from Bowie’s Jareth the Goblin King. Most of the film’s main characters are played by puppets from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, which is sure to delight kids (and deliver you an enjoyable dose of nostalgia).

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

You can’t have a kid-approved Halloween movie fest without watching 1993’s The Nightmare Before Christmas . The story follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who’s grown bored with the same old scare routine of Halloween each year. When he stumbles upon a door to Christmas Town, he decides to put his own twist on the holiday, causing complete havoc in the process.

The spooky-but-fun Tim Burton film stars Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara and Ken Page. What’s even better about this classic is that it doubles as a Halloween and  Christmas movie — and there’s no better time of year to get into the holiday spirit!

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Spooky House

Max is a lonely, recently orphaned young boy who is frequently bullied by his classmates. One night after accepting a dare, Max wanders into a mysterious mansion, where he meets the Great Za... Read all Max is a lonely, recently orphaned young boy who is frequently bullied by his classmates. One night after accepting a dare, Max wanders into a mysterious mansion, where he meets the Great Zamboni, an eccentric magician. Max is a lonely, recently orphaned young boy who is frequently bullied by his classmates. One night after accepting a dare, Max wanders into a mysterious mansion, where he meets the Great Zamboni, an eccentric magician.

• William Sachs
• Margaret Sachs
• Ben Kingsley
• Mercedes Ruehl
• Matt Weinberg
• 21 User reviews
• 9 Critic reviews
• See more at IMDbPro

• The Great Zamboni

• Mike the Mouth

• Cigar Van Driver
• (as David 'Squatch' Ward)
• Woman Neighbor

• Police Officer
• Orphanage Boy

• First Audience Child
• Second Audience Child
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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• Trivia Filmed in 1998, but not released until 2002.
• Goofs Max cuts his finger and sits on some stone steps waiting for a Band Aid. In some of the shots, the steps are in full sunshine and in others, in the shade.

Boss : Tough Kazookies.

• Connections Featured in The Making of 'Spooky House' (1999)
• Soundtracks Spooky House Written by Gary Carolla and Kenny Lamb Performed by Boyz N Girlz United

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Spooky House

2000, Comedy/Adventure, 1h 47m

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Spooky house   photos.

Max (Matt Weinberg) is a lonely, recently orphaned young boy who is frequently bullied by his classmates. One night after accepting a dare, Max wanders into a mysterious mansion, where he meets the Great Zamboni (Ben Kingsley), an eccentric magician. Zamboni is unfriendly to Max at first, but eventually reveals that he has chosen a reclusive life after making his wife disappear on stage. The two become friends, and, with Zamboni's magical help, Max learns to defend himself.

Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements)

Genre: Comedy, Adventure

Original Language: English

Director: William Sachs

Producer: William Sachs

Writer: Margaret Sachs , William Sachs

Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 2002  original

Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017

Box Office (Gross USA): $64.5K

Runtime: 1h 47m

Production Co: Spooky House Entertainment LLC

Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby EX, DTS, Dolby SR, Dolby Stereo

Cast & Crew

Ben Kingsley

The Great Zamboni

Mercedes Ruehl

Matt Weinberg

Jason Fuchs

Ronald Joshua Scott

Simon R. Baker

Myles Ferguson

Mike the Mouth

Katharine Isabelle

Kyle Labine

Carmen Moore

William Sachs

Margaret Sachs

Screenwriter

Anthony Esposito

Executive Producer

Kirk Friedman

Richard Houghton

Co-Producer

Hank Rifkin

Thomas Burstyn

Cinematographer

Jeremy Presner

Film Editing

Garry Schyman

Original Music

Production Design

Michael N. Wong

Art Director

Mary-Lou Storey

Set Decoration

Trish Keating

Costume Design

Morgan Beggs

First Assistant Director

Michael Potkins

Unit Production Manager

Mary Anne Waterhouse

Cindy Smith

Second Assistant Director

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Spooky House

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Matt Weinberg

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Ronald Joshua Scott

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Bold Move, 'Spooky House'

By Kristy Puchko | Film | September 29, 2020 |

There are many ways marketing teams try to sell movies to consumers. They brandish big names, flaunt ties to heralded filmmakers or their past hits, and paper trailers and box art in pull quotes from awestruck critics. However, sometimes those flashy quotes that proclaim a movie a “masterpiece” or a “must-see” don’t actually come from critics. A savvy consumer must look closer. Since the rise of social media, pullquotes might be plucked from random Twitter users, especially when critics have panned a picture. One critic has drawn our attention to a bold new move in the battle to market movies: a pullquote from one of the stars!

Film School Rejects ’ critic Rob Hunter, shared this charming photo set on Twitter:

I've seen a lot of marketing shenanigans in my day, but using a blurb from the film's lead actor is a new one… pic.twitter.com/lGVFBtodZy — FakeRobHunter (@FakeRobHunter) September 29, 2020

This is the newly debuted Blu-ray for the 2002 family-comedy Spooky House . Rather than plucking a quote from a positive review of the film, the back of the case boasts:

“It appeals to the child in us. And that’s what drama is partly dedicated to keeping alive.” —Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley , the Academy Award-winning actor who donned a fake mustache and lightning bolt eyebrows to play The Great Zamboni, is the one quoted on the back of this 18-year-old PG offering’s latest physical media release.

Having never seen Spooky House , I wondered what critics had said about it at the time. On Rotten Tomatoes, it doesn’t boast enough reviews to merit a score from critics. So, I dug deeper.

It seems the lack of reviews comes chiefly from a rocky road to release. In 2000, the film played at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, where it won the Children’s Jury Award and Best of the Fest. However, it then sat on the shelf for years, before opening in just 35 U.S. theaters. With such a small release, it’s little wonder Spooky House didn’t garner many reviews. Those I found don’t exactly scream “BUY THIS MOVIE!”

For instance, here’s an excerpt from Variety’s review: “Minor kidpic too often plays like a Saturday-morning TV sitcom for preteens, but boasts an impressively subdued performance by Ben Kingsley.”

So, it’s little wonder the Spooky House team went with this unconventional move of quoting its star on the box art. Yet one question remains, which online sleuthing has not answered: Is this a new or old quote from Kingsley?

Typically, when a film comes out, the media is given a press kit, which often includes quotes from the cast and crew about what making the movie meant to them. It’s possible this is where the above quote was pulled, or perhaps from an interview he gave at the time. But 2000-2002, we’re still talking the internet’s early days. The quote cannot be found online to confirm.

This leaves another option as a possibility. Kinglsey, nearly two decades away from playing The Great Zamboni was called up and asked to reflect on the magic of this magician movie. Ever game, he gave an elegant response that demanded to be on the back of a Blu-ray case. Perhaps he hoped speaking to the power of drama would finally grant this little-seen film the audience who’d appreciate it.

Spooky House is now out on Blu-ray.

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• Movie Reviews

‘Spooky House’ Blu-Ray Review – Ben Kingsley Charms In Family Halloween Tale

• By Dillon Gonzales
• October 9, 2020
• No Comments

When you are assessing the quality of a family film, you have to judge it based on several different criteria. Most importantly, will it keep its young target audience’s attention throughout the runtime of the film? This should not be an extremely high bar to clear, as children are a very forgiving audience, in general. You also have to judge whether or not your family film does indeed work for the entire family. Meaning, will it make the adults in the room want to pull their hair out? When the 2002 family film Spooky House came across my radar, I honestly did not know what to expect. This was a film that was released in 35 American theaters in 2004 and had pretty much disappeared from existence since. Yet, it had Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley ( Gandhi ) and Mercedes Ruehl ( The Fisher King ) as the adult leads, and I am always in desperate need of fresh, lighthearted content for the Halloween season. Having now watched it, sans any children in the room, I can comfortably say that Spooky House is a family film that has something for the entire household. 

The film centers on The Great Zamboni (Ben Kingsley), an extremely talented magician that has been secluded away in retirement after his wife disappeared during a performance. Zamboni does not make many appearances in the small town in which he resides, but he wears a mysterious turban and fake mustache when he does. The town children are intimidated by him, if not for his alarming appearance then for the fact that he lives in the town “Spooky House” that people avoid at all costs. There are countless stories spread around about the recluse, with the most popular being that he is a 2000-year-old vampire. Maybe the fact that he walks around with his pet jaguar, Shadow, also puts some ill at ease. Zamboni relishes his reputation for being feared; he has a bitter dislike of children and being bothered by the outside world in general. When a group of young kids find themselves breaking into his house to find their stolen pet goat (just go with it), they are met with all manner of illusions and hidden secrets that only a master magician could rig up. 

Up until this point, the movie is about equal to the level of a standard Disney Channel Made-For-TV Halloween film of the early aughts, such as Scream Team . Most of the children are not great actors, but you accept it because you know what type of film this is. Early on, we are introduced to the real villains of the film; a trio of teenage bullies, led by Mona ( Katharine Isabelle ), who steal stuff around town for their boss (Mercedes Ruehl). The teenagers are no standouts in the acting department either, but they portray their one-note characters with an over-the-top gusto that fits in with your expectations. It is because of them that we find our young protagonists in the Spooky House. All of the kids get the bejesus scared out of them and quickly flee the house. All but one, that is. Young Max ( Matt Weinberg ) is an adorable orphan who sees through the facade and chooses to pursue friendship with Zamboni. While very reluctant at first, Zamboni eventually begins to soften and teaches him some tricks, becoming something of a father figure to Max.

This all sounds very cheesy and cloying, but the movie actually handles this relationship with a deft hand in a way that plucks at your emotions. If you are going to have Sir Ben Kingsley in a movie such as this, you give him honest material like this that he can elevate with his immense acting talent. Kingsley and Weinberg are so natural with one another that they completely steal the movie. I was shocked to find that right in the middle of this fluffy film that things shifted to something that was actually substantial. The gradual softening of Zamboni is natural, as Max showcases his goodhearted nature by saving Shadow from a precarious situation rather than strictly relying on his endearing orphan powers. The film does not rush through the plot, choosing to reveal more history about Zamboni that unlocks greater poignancy within the story. The trajectory of the story is predictable, it is a family film after all, but it hits all the right emotional buttons along the way. 

This stretch does not last the entire film, though, as it does return to more of the Disney Channel Original level as it heads into the homestretch and folds in our villains once again. This mode is still a lot of fun, though, as we get a finale set on Halloween night. The film had a nice base-level spookiness throughout the first half that scratched the Halloween itch, but the finale really makes its case for being put into the Halloween rotation. The Spooky House is really explored in-depth, revealing so many fun illusions and inventive special effects over the course of a home invasion. The film does not break any new ground within the family film space, but it does prove to be more emotionally fulfilling than its exterior might present. If you are a fan of lighthearted Halloween tales, you have likely watched the majority of the classics multiple times. Spooky House is here to give you something new and fun to sink your teeth into. 

Video Quality

Spooky House makes its Blu-Ray debut with a 1080p transfer that is quite striking, but not without its issues. While I have no specific details about the transfer, this appears to be derived from a dated master that has not had much work done to it. For the majority of the film, the transfer looks incredibly clear and detailed, but certain shots look a bit soft. The transfer is naturally filmic with some impressive detail in the production design and texture of clothing. Colors stand out in a really pleasing manner with bright reds and greens leaping off the screen. Black levels are passable in their depth, but there is some crush present at points. Perhaps the most noticeable issue is the fairly frequent specks of print damage present in the transfer. It is not a mess, but it is not something you will miss either. Overall, I was quite impressed by how strong the presentation was for this little unknown film. 

Audio Quality

Kino Lorber brings us this new Blu-Ray with a lossless DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix that is a stealth powerhouse. The dialogue holds up quite nicely, coming though clearly without being stepped on by the score or sound effects. The environmental effects are delineated nicely and given a dynamic placement throughout the speakers. The sounds of a goat or jaguar noises, along with a slew of other sounds, from the rear speakers is a common occurrence. There is a scene near the end of the film in which a room is spinning where the music travels around the speakers in a way that really wowed me. The movie features many cheesy songs made especially for the film that sound great within the mix. This is a track that was way more dynamic than I ever expected it to be. A truly pleasing experience. 

Special Features

• Ben Kingsley: An 18-minute archival interview with Sir Ben Kingsley in which he discusses why he chose to tackle this film, his concern for actors that play the same role over and over, what his character brings to the heart of the film, the notion of family entertainment and more. You may feel that Kingsley took this role for the money, but hearing him discuss it makes you feel otherwise. Definitely worth a watch. 
• Mercedes Ruehl: A two-minute archival interview with the actress in which she discusses some of her inspirations and how she prefers quieter, dramatic roles over eccentric characters. 
• Katharine Isabelle: A 30-second archival piece in which the actress talks about working with Ruehl and how much fun it is to play a bully. 
• Music Videos: Eight music videos totaling twenty minutes are provided here featuring the songs from the film. The songs are cheesy, and the videos match them in that regard, but it is fascinating to watch. The highlight is hearing the song from the Six Flags dancing guy commercial. 
• Trailer: The two-minute trailer does not quite capture the heart of the film, but serves as a decent summary. 

Final Thoughts

Spooky House is a surprisingly effective family film in the truest sense of the meaning. The film offers up a lot of silly and inventive humor within the house itself, but it also gives older viewers something emotionally resonant to hold onto. The film is not an undisputed masterpiece, but is a really fun way to spend your time when you are looking for something pleasant. Kino Lorber has provided a Blu-Ray with a pretty great A/V presentation and some surprisingly engaging special features. You know you have blown through all of the Halloween films on Disney+, so why not try out something new with Spooky House ? Recommended 

Spooky House is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.

Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.

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• Movie - Spooky House - 2000

Spooky House  (2000)  المنزل المخيف

• 106 minutes
• Release Date: 4 April 2004 (Hungary) (more)
• Genre: Comedy (more)

When a group of bullies chase the young orphan kid Max into the Spooky House, a house full of magic tricks and closed, mysterious chambers, Max tries to befriend Magician Zamboni. What follows is a ...Read more set of other tricks and wonders on a spooky Halloween night.

• William Sachs (Director)
• William Sachs (Writer)
• Margaret Sachs (Writer)
• Ben Kingsley
• Mercedes Ruehl
• Matt Weinberg
• Jason Fuchs
• Simon Baker
• Katharine Isabelle

• Myles Ferguson
• Carmen Moore

• Benz Antoine
• Kyle Labine
• Yanna McIntosh
• Dave 'Squatch' Ward

When a group of bullies chase the young orphan kid Max into the Spooky House, a house full of magic tricks and closed, mysterious chambers, Max tries to befriend Magician Zamboni. ...Read more What follows is a set of other tricks and wonders on a spooky Halloween night.

• Release Date:
• Hungary [ 4 April 2004 ]
• Censorship:
• Is this a coloured title?:
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