We all know that Halloween is a time for parties, dressing up, and trick-or-treating, but it can also be the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with the family.
When Halloween night arrives, there’s nothing better than preparing delicious snacks, turning off the lights, and having a scary movie marathon with our loved ones and friends. But, since there’s sometimes a blurry line between mild suspense, dark fantasy, and the deeply terrifying, at Global Comment we’ve compiled the best animated horror movies suitable for all ages that still have the perfect vibe for this time of year.
From Hotel Transylvania to The Nightmare Before Christmas and ParaNorman, we recommend the best animated movies to watch on Halloween that will captivate adults and children alike. Without further ado, here is our selection, which includes both essential classics and more recent films.
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
Directed by: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Screenplay by: Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters may be an excellent choice to watch on Halloween, especially for families looking for a movie with a monster and demon theme that isn’t too scary. For the uninitiated, the production has already become one of the streamer’s most-watched shows of all time, and has even placed songs on the Billboard Top 100 chart.
According to the Sony Pictures Animation website, the story centers on a female K-pop group that fights demons using martial arts and their music. Singers Rumi, Mira, and Zoey use their secret identities as demon hunters to protect their fans and the world from supernatural forces. But things get complicated when an irresistible rival boy band made up of demons in disguise tries to destroy everything they love and know.
The film features a large number of pop songs that make it more entertaining and lighthearted.
Stream on Netflix.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Directed by: Genndy Tartakovsky
Screenplay by: Peter Baynham, Robert Smigel
Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky (Samurai Jack), this entertaining feature film presents Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) as the owner of a hotel for traveling monsters. Everything seems to be going swimmingly until his 118-year-old daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) falls in love with a human boy (Andy Samberg), who accidentally arrives as a guest.
Essentially, the plot centers on Dracula’s love for his daughter Mavis and his excessive attempts to protect her. The dilemma facing the “eternal count” is that, as an overprotective father, he must learn to let go of his daughter so she can embark on her own path in life.
What we like most about Hotel Transylvania is that, instead of portraying classic monsters as terrifying creatures, the film humanizes them and turns them into funny, eccentric characters with adorable personalities.
Stream on Peacock.
ParaNorman (2012)
Directed by: Sam Fell, Chris Butler
Screenplay by: Chris Butler
Made in stop-motion style, this ingenious film comes to life thanks to a versatile cast, including the voices of Kodi Smit-McPhee, Jeff Garlin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Anna Kendrick, among others.
ParaNorman tells the story of Norman Babcock, a young man from a small town in Massachusetts who discovers he can communicate with the dead. To make matters worse, Norman’s life takes another unexpected turn when his eccentric uncle, Mr. Prenderghast, reveals that the town is under a century-old curse cast by a witch and that he must put an end to it as soon as possible.
As you might expect, chaos and zombies ensue (along with lots of laughs) in this story of a teenager who just wants to fit in. ParaNorman is a horror movie for kids that, rather than scaring them, seeks to generate empathy for those who are different.
At the time, it received generally positive reviews, which praised its animation, script, and entertainment value, and it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Stream on Prime Video.
Coraline (2009)
Directed by: Henry Selick
Screenplay by: Henry Selick
Coraline is undoubtedly a great film to watch with the family, as it deals with the relationship between parents and children. However, it is fair to warn you that the content may not be suitable for very young children or those who are easily frightened.
Based on Neil Gaiman’s 2002 children’s book of the same name, this animated feature film tells the story of a young girl who discovers an “idealized” parallel world behind a secret door, only to realize that it hides a sinister secret.
It all begins when the Jones family moves into a new apartment complex. The problem is that, due to their work obligations and the moving process, Coraline Jones’ parents don’t always have time for her. One day, while exploring her boring new home, Coraline discovers a magical door that leads her to a parallel universe. There, she meets more considerate parents and finds an idyllic version of her existence. However, behind the apparent perfection lurks a malevolent shadow that will try to trap her.
The film conveys a powerful message about the importance of appreciating what you have (even with its imperfections), and Coraline soon discovers that children should be careful what they wish for.
Buy or rent online: Prime Video, Apple TV.
Monster House (2006)
Directed by: Gil Kenan
Screenplay by: Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, Pamela Pettler
Directed by Gil Kenan and produced by Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Monster House centers on a group of teenagers who discover that their neighbor’s house, Mr. Horace Nebbercracker, is a living, conscious monster possessed by the spirit of his late wife.
Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and a Golden Globe Award, the film skillfully balances fear with humor and addresses important themes such as deceiving appearances, teamwork, compassion, and overcoming fears.
Buy or rent online: Prime Video, Apple TV.
The Corpse Bride (2005)
Directed by: Tim Burton, Mike Johnson
Screenplay by: John August, Caroline Thompson, Pamela Pettle
Another film we had to recommend for this Halloween is The Corpse Bride, an animated gem by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson that blurs the boundaries between the world of the living and the dead.
Set in the Victorian era, the story centers on an unusual love triangle involving a young man, his living fiancée, and a mysterious dead bride. The film is inspired by a 16th-century Russian-Jewish folk tale called The Finger, and features the voices of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter.
Released in 2005 and nominated for an Oscar, The Corpse Bride challenges traditional notions of death as something sad and frightening. Instead, it presents the afterlife as a place full of life, music, and freedom, suggesting that death can be a new beginning.
Stream on Max.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Directed by: Henry Selick
Screenplay by: Caroline Thompson
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a gothic musical fantasy that has gained immense popularity and become a cult classic.
Co-written by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick (James and the Giant Peach), it tells the story of the iconic character Jack Skellington, the “Pumpkin King” — the most famous resident of spooky Halloweentown — who accidentally stumbles upon the concept of Christmas and is completely dazzled by it.
The thing is, Jack becomes so obsessed with the holiday that he kidnaps Santa Claus and tries to take over the season completely. However, his twisted vision of Christmas results in a macabre version of the celebration, which ends up confusing everyone.
Stream on Disney+.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Directed by: Bill Melendez
Screenplay by: Charles M. Schulz
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown offers an innocent and cheerful perspective on the holiday, moving away from the horror themes that predominate today. First broadcast in 1966, this classic follows Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, and Lucy as they celebrate Halloween.
Those who experienced their childhood in the company of this film production will find in it evocations of times past and the spirit of Halloween.
Stream on Apple TV+.