Kids movies from the '90s to watch this Halloween

It’s finally that time of year again. The temperature drops about two degrees from the scorching summer, and suddenly we’re all excited for leaves, pumpkins, and being terrified under a blanket fort.

That’s right, blow the inches of dust off your VCR and get the blankets out of the linen closet because it’s Halloween movie time!

It doesn’t matter how old you are, those crisp, cold fall nights are always memorable. Going down to the local Blockbuster (gone, but never forgotten) and perusing the seasonal movies and spooky sections for the best Halloween movies was always a treat.

Though there is no shortage of Halloween, nor scary, movies, none seem to capture the true magic of October as a child like the ones from the '90s. So take a walk down a leaf-littered, spooky memory lane with these six classic kids’ flicks from yesteryear that are perfect to watch again this Halloween, presented in no particular order.

Hocus Pocus

Many know Sarah Jessica Parker for her fame in “Sex and the City,” but the correct people remember her from Hocus Pocus. Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker star in this 1993 film about a trio of witches that were resurrected on Halloween.

It was funny, a little creepy, but mostly fantastic. I could only wonder how Carrie Bradshaw would’ve felt about the 300-year-old dresses?

The Nightmare Before Christmas

As a child, this movie used to scare the living daylights out of me. I’m not sure if it was the animation, or particular characters, but I found it unsettling. I found the Mayor of Halloween Town to be quite unsettling.

As I got older, this movie really grew on me. Being a huge fan of Christmas, I related a lot to Jack Skellington’s noble efforts to bring the holiday into the town. The music is great, and it’s just an all-around fun movie.

Casper

Casper has a really special place in my heart. This is the movie that finally made me a little less afraid of things that go bump in the night. I distinctly remember tearing up when I found out that Casper was just a lonely little ghost. In fact, I can feel that lump in my throat again…

It was such a sweet movie, in that two lonely people found friends in one another, and a grieving widow found peace when he reconnected with his wife, who had passed. Casper is just a feel good, lighthearted Halloween movie. No nightmares here.

Halloweentown

First of all, it’s a Disney Channel Original Movie — so you know it’s great. It’s a predictable movie: girl discovers she’s from a family of witches, her family has to fight evil forces, and all that jazz. But as a kid, this was nothing less than a great movie. It was always exciting watching Disney Channel in the fall, because you knew Halloweentown was going to be on.

The Addams Family

Another one on this list with Christina Ricci on it? May as well crown her the queen of '90s Halloween.

The Addams Family movie from 1991 didn’t get the best reviews, but I consider it a classic. Not all of us grew up watching the TV series from the '60s, so this was a great reintroduction to the eccentric family and its characters.

There was a tinge of sentimental value in the movie too – the family had each other’s backs, and everyone was accepted for who they were, no matter how weird.

Ernest Scared Stupid

How could you not love this movie? The concept of a troll turning children into dolls is terrifying, but with a goofy protagonist like Ernest, it was a funny hit. Of course the star of the entire movie – his dog.

The ending is definitely a little bit cheesy, as it takes a “mother’s love” to destroy the demon. But hey, that’s kinda similar to Lily Potter’s love for her son protecting him from evil, no?

About the Author: Kelcey McClung is a freelance reporter who has been featured in a variety of publications. She loves Star Wars, Animal Crossing, and almost every PlayStation game ever made. If you think you’ve completed all the park objectives in Roller Coaster Tycoon more times than she has, she’ll take you up on that bet.

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