21 Must See Family Friendly Halloween Movies

Source

Some of the fondest memories as a kid were spent watching Halloween movies with my family while enjoying special treats and decorating the house with Halloween spirit. 

I watched a good majority of these movies as a kid, yet remember them as if I watched them yesterday.  Hope you can find some favorites that you'll love and create some traditions of your own.

If you'd like to make sure these movies are appropriate for your family, Kids in Mind is a helpful resource that provides detailed information about each movie, including its levels of language, violence, and other potentially sensitive content.

***Descriptions from IMDb. Images from Google Images.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.***

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

A Troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape Earth and return to his home world.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible event that haunts his magical world.

Gremlins (1984)

A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

                        Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Wallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, set out to discover the mystery behind the garden sabotage that plagues their village and threatens the annual giant vegetable growing contest.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Three Former Parapsychology professors set up shop as a unique ghost removal service.

Monster's Inc. (2001)

In order to power the city, monsters have to scare children so that they scream.  However, the children are toxic to the monsters, and after a child gets through, 2 monsters realize things may not be what they think.

Corpse Bride (2005)

When a shy groom practices his wedding vows in the inadvertent presence of a deceased young woman, she rises from the grave assuming he has married her.

Frankenweenie (2012)

When a boy's beloved dog passes away suddenly, he attempts to bring the animal back to life through a powerful science experiment.

Paranorman (2012)

A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

Halloweentown (1998)

When a young girl living with her good0witch grandmother learns she too is a witch, she must help her grandmother save Halloween from evil forces.

The Adams Family (1991)

Con artists plan to fleece an eccentric family using an accomplice who clains to be their long lost uncle.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

A curious youngster moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.

Beetlejuice (1988)

The Spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, and hire a malicious spirit to drive them out.

Casper (1995)

An afterlife and therapist and his daughter meet a friendly young ghost when they move into a crumbling mansion in order to rid the premises of wicked spirits.

Monster House (2006)

Three teens discover their neighbor's house is really a living, breathing, and scary monster.

Labyrinth (1986)

Sixteen-year-old Sarah is given thirteen hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue her baby brother Toby when her wish for him to be taken away is granted by the Goblin King Jareth.

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teenaged daughter.

Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)

Dracula and his friends try to bring out the monster in his half human, half vampire grandson in order to keep Mavis from leaving the hotel.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

An animated adaptation of "The Wind in the Willows" followed by "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"

Coraline (2009) 

Audience-Teens and Adults

An adventurous 11-year-old girl finds another world that is a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets.

American River Cherry Company U-Pick Cherries & Berries - A Charming Farm with Sweet Fruit & Sweet Views

2240 Dias Drive, Placerville, CA 95667

Opens Spring-Summer for U-Pick

Website

Instagram
Facebook

From the time I planned on having children, I vowed to give them the best life possible, filled with lots of love, adventures, and lessons. A lot of the activities I choose to do with my kiddos are influenced by my own past experiences, and U-Pick experiences are no exception.

I still remember my first U-Pick experience about 16 years ago, when I was a young adult picking peaches from trees during a three day bus tour somewhere between San Francisco and Yosemite National Park. That experience stuck with me, and as a parent, I wanted my kids to have that same opportunity to get their hands dirty, experience something new, and discover where their food comes from.

Like many of us who grew up buying our food from grocery stores, it's easy to go through life without ever really thinking about how our food is grown, who grows it, or how much work goes into getting it onto our tables. I was excited to give my kids the chance to see that process firsthand while also fulfilling my own curiosity. More than anything, I wanted them to develop a deeper appreciation for the food we eat and the people who grow it.

When I discovered the American River Cherry Company U-Pick experience, I knew it was the perfect place to bring all of this together.

The drive from Reno to the farm is an adventure in itself. You’ll drive through Lake Tahoe and the El Dorado National Forest, taking the same scenic route you would take to Apple Hill since they are in the same vicinity. If you're coming from Reno, you'll pass a beautiful waterfall just before you arrive. Bridal Veil Falls in Pollock Pines can be found right next to the freeway on the left, with a pull off area where you can stop and check it out up close. The waterfall flows year round, making it a beautiful little bonus along the way.

Even after leaving the freeway, the drive continues to be scenic. The winding roads are lined with shade giving trees, making the journey to the farm feel like part of the experience.

Upon arriving at the farm, my eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful "Homes & Garden" house, surrounded by gorgeous flowers, tall trees, and freshly mowed green grass. If you head down the hill to the left of the house, you'll find a pond with the perfect little picnic area that includes a classic red picnic table and swing, water lilies, koi fish, and playful dragonflies.

After parking, we checked in at the stand and were greeted by kind and welcoming workers. As we headed toward the U-Pick area, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves surrounded by berries. The whole family screamed with excitement and immediately set out to pick some fruit. From the berry section, a line of whimsical cherry trees stretched into the distance, creating an incredibly beautiful landscape.

The availability of fruit each year depends on the weather and the availability of pollinators in the area, so make sure to call ahead or follow the farm's social media for the most current information. On our visit, we had gone a couple of weeks after opening and found that lots of cherries had already been picked.

The kids especially loved collecting blueberries, which were plentiful and at the perfect height for picking. I can't describe how special and exciting it is to pick your own blueberries. Store bought ones just can't compare.

If you're traveling with little ones, I highly recommend arriving early in the morning and early in the season to avoid the hotter temperatures. If you find your little ones aren't up for picking for long periods of time, don't fret. You can find pre picked fruit available for purchase at check in, so you won't have to leave empty handed.

By the end of the day, we left with smiles and smears on our faces, along with a new love for delicious homegrown fruit and U-Pick experiences. Seeing the excitement on the kid's faces made me realize just how special these simple experiences can be.

NOTES
*hand wash station available
*Popsicles and honey available for sale at check in
*Berries are super fragile (esp, fresh-picked), so I suggest rounding up some clam shell containers from the store for storing them in for safe transport
*check website for varieties and prices
*don't forget sunscreen, water, and hats
*check the weather before your trip to plan accordingly
*In-N-Out nearby
*Boa Vista Orchards is also nearby and open year-round if you're looking for fresh & frozen baked apple goods, panty staples, kitchen tools, fresh produce, hard ciders, wines, and so much more
*Entrance fee($5/person, 12 yrs and younger-free) stated on website, but when we went, we were not charged.  If charged, you may feel like you're not getting your money's worth, but I think the atmosphere and experience alone is worth the entrance fee and would gladly pay any the fee on any visit.
*Koi fish feed available next to pond - bring quarters
*Limited parking spots available in front of house.  Additional parking outside house available
*keep berries separate from cherries due to differences in price

*Rinse berries only when ready to eat as excess moisture can cause them to mold 

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.***

Photography

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Categorized under "U-Pick and Seasonal/Holidays"