The 13 Most Popular Halloween Movies—Ranked From Worst To Best

Here are some of our favorite Halloween-themed movies that are perfect for spooky season.

13. Corpse Bride (2005)

It’s not a Halloween movie list without a few creepy Tim Burton classics. We can’t get enough of the gloomy Victorian setting, and Emily’s, Victoria’s, and Victor’s stories are as haunting as they are heartbreaking. We also love that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter shine in their voice roles as the lead characters, adding their signature flair to the movie. 

12. The Craft (1996)

A clique of teenage girls appear to be outsiders to their peers, only to discover that they’re witches. With themes of belonging and teenage angst, we still love this ‘90s classic as much as we did back in the day. The girl power vibes are immaculate, making it the perfect Halloween movie for a girls' night in.

11. Edward Scissorhands (1990)

It’s safe to say that this might be the most bizarre movie on this list (and that’s saying something), but that’s what makes it so charming. A man with scissors for fingers (as Amber Heard would say) becomes the talk of the town, but all he really desires is to be loved for who he is.

10. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

It’s safe to say that Christina Ricci was the Queen of Halloween in the ‘90s, and Sleepy Hollow is one of her more underrated movies. She stars alongside Johnny Depp in this horror classic where a murderer (who just happens to be a headless horseman) haunts the town of Sleepy Hollow, and it’s up to them to solve the mystery.

9. Casper Meets Wendy (1998)

In one of the more wholesome movies on this list, Casper is a friendly ghost nephew of the infamous ghostly trio and Wendy is the good witch of her coven. The two join forces to defeat an evil warlock, and wholesome hijinks ensue. One of our favorite parts of this movie is that it stars a young Hilary Duff, who we can never get enough of, for obvious reasons.

8. Beetlejuice (1988)

Horror and comedy rarely play well together, and that’s what makes Beetlejuice so unique and timeless! He’s a ghost with a quirky side who is summoned to spook the new residents out of a newly deceased couple’s home, but chaos ensues more than scares. It also features a teenage Winona Ryder, making it the perfect throwback for Stranger Things fans.

7. Practical Magic (1998)

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in the same movie? Count us in! In the only rom-com on this list, two sisters (who may or may not be witches) desire romance, but the men they love tend to be cursed. The two sisters work together to find true love and break the curse, but is true love the antidote to the curse?

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Known to be both a Halloween and a Christmas movie, Jack Skellington, Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers the magic of Christmas during an accidental visit to Christmas Town. The citizens of Halloween Town are confused when he introduces them to a new holiday but ultimately learn the true meaning behind both holidays. It can be a little dark, but this Tim Burton classic is a Halloween staple.

5. Halloweentown (1998)

This Disney Channel classic is another staple for many, and though you could argue the sequel is better, the original Halloweentown still wins out in the end. A teenage girl discovers that she’s a witch and travels to Halloweentown to learn more about her background from her grandmother (played by the iconic Debbie Reynolds), and wholesome adventure inevitably follows.

4. The Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family may be a children’s movie, but the adventures of this wacky family will always live in our hearts. From Wednesday’s (Christina Ricci will always be our favorite Wednesday) hilariously dark and dry sense of humor to the eccentricity of Gomez and Morticia, we can’t get enough of this spooky family.

3. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

This classic was not only a childhood favorite for many of us, but it’s just as fun to watch as an adult. Though horror movies can be enjoyable during spooky season, it’s also fun to go back to the days when we all crossed our fingers that we wouldn’t get a rock in our trick-or-treating bags.

2. Halloween (1978)

The Halloween franchise isn’t for the faint of heart (it is a slasher movie, after all), but it’s a classic for a reason. The first installment of the series features a young Jamie Lee Curtis taking on Michael Myers for the first time. Though there are plenty of movies in this franchise, nothing beats the first one.

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

If you didn’t expect this classic to be the top pick, we don’t know what to tell you. This classic is not only a childhood staple for every Millennial, but is as hilarious as it is spooky. The Sanderson sisters are the queens of Halloween, and how could you possibly celebrate the holiday without Hocus Pocus?

Closing Thoughts

From the wholesome story of Casper Meets Wendy to the horror of the first Halloween movie, there’s a perfect Halloween movie out there for everyone. Whether you prefer something wholesome or scary, we’ve got you covered for your next Halloween movie night.

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