HERE'S TO HALLOWEEN: Keeping it "All-Ages"

Everyone knows that Halloween is the perfect time of year to watch all of your favorite scary movies, but what about the kids and their families? They shouldn't be left out of the best time of the year and clearly most horror films are not great for family viewing, especially if you have young children. That's why I have decided to compile a list of some of my favorites seasonal films that are appropriate for people of all ages. Don't think that just because you have kids you can only show them the Charlie Brown special, over the years there have been plenty of great genre movies made for a broader audience. With Halloween under a week away I know you are all looking for something good to watch with everyone, so I am here to help. 

The Tim Burton Collection

Beetlejuice (1988) Directed By: Tim Burton

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Directed By: Henry Selick

Corpse Bride (2005) Directed By: Tim Burton

Frankenweenie (2012) Directed By: Tim Burton

It is no secret that Tim Burton has created some of the weirdest and macabre movies of all-time but not everything he has made is for adult eyes only. In fact, a good chunk of his work is aimed at a younger audience starting with one of his earliest films Beetlejuice. This iconic film has become a staple of the holiday and although it is quite creepy at time its PG rating keeps it appropriate for all ages. From there he went on to write what would become one of the most popular holiday films ever made, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Working as multi holiday film this movie is the first major motion picture to fully utilize stop-motion animation. This is a slightly more obvious choice but it isn't truly Halloween until you've watched this. 

Though Burton didn't actually direct The Nightmare Before Christmas he did step into the director's chair for stop-motion over a decade later with his film The Corpse Bride. A tad more cryptic than Nightmare this film tells the story of a soon to be married man who accidentally weds himself to an undead bride. It's a lot of fun, fairly creepy, and good fun for everyone. That wouldn't be the end of Burton's stop-motion filmmaking though as he ventured into it once again just a few years back in 2012 with his film Frankenweenie. A full length feature version of a short he made back in 1984 this film is beautiful homage to all the classic horror monsters. 

The "Laika" Films

 Coraline (2009) Directed By: Henry Selick

ParaNorman (2012) Directed By: Chris Butler & Sam Fell

The Boxtrolls (2014) Directed By: Graham Annable & Anthony Stacchi

Back in 2002 Will Vinton Studios (the studio behind The Nightmare Before Christmas) was sold due to financial struggles and turned into Laika. This studio would continue to create stop-motion films and the first of theirs was Coraline. An adaptation of the Neil Gaiman book of the same name, this movie is definitely creepy and the stop-motion gives it a totally unique atmosphere. Not to mention it has an incredible score that in itself will give you the chills. After Coraline became a big success, nabbing a nomination for best animated pick they went on to make what is probably their most "Haloween" of all their films, ParaNorman. Focusing on a young boy who can see ghosts, ParaNorman may look like a pure childrens film on the surface but once you get into it you realize it is actually quite adult themed. 

The most recent of the Laika films to be released is the 2014 stop-motion film The Boxtrolls and although it isn't as memorable as the other two this is still a fun little movie that you can currently check out on Netflix streaming. Aside from ParaNorman these films aren't necessarily "Halloween" movies but the tone, style, and atmosphere of the films embody this time of year perfectly. 

The Addams Family (1991)/The Addams Family Values (1993)

Directed By: Barry Sonnenfeld 

This two film adaptations of the classic television show were made for October viewings. Keeping it all-ages these two movies are simply just plain fun and embody everything we want to see come Halloween. It's got a gorgeous and creepy design to it from the set to the costumes and all the characters are portrayed perfectly. Not to mention the theme song is a common play come this time of year. The first one is conveniently streaming on Netflix right now so grab the kids and check it out. Im sure you will be renting the sequel soon after.

Monster House (2006)

Directed By: Gil Kenan

Over the years animated films have become less about pleasing just kids and more about pleasing everyone in the audience. This is why 2006's Monster House is a fantastic watch for the whole family. Telling the story of three young kids who like to spy on their old creepy neighbor, this movie deals out more adult themes than you would expect. From youth dealing with death to going through puberty this film has a surprising amount of range. Paying homage to classic horror films like House (1977), a crazy and twisted Japanese horror film that sees an old house gain life through the death of another. This film is far more tame than that though and spins the clever story into a fun adventure movie that thoroughly entertaining for everyone. 

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Directed By: Kenny Ortega

If we are talking about pure Halloween themed movies I don't know if there is any better family film than Disney's Hocus Pocus. This movie has become a staple of the holiday  and for good reason. This story of three old witches takes place on Halloween night and delivers everything a kid could want from a movie of this kind. The film is super funny, it has a clever story, and it is actually fairly scary at times. Telling the story of a brother and sister, and a local girl who accidentally call back the Sanderson Sisters, a coven of witches that were thought only to live in legend. Now the three must send them back to where they came from before they lure all the children of Salem into their grasp. 

Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

Directed By: John R. Cherry III

Look, I know the Ernest movies are as silly as can be but when i first saw Ernest Scared Stupid as a child I was absolutely terrified. Seeing it in later years I have realized this film is far more comical than scary but when adolescent me saw the monsters in this film for the first time I was scared out of my wits, and it's good for kids to be scared every once in awhile. When Ernest accidentally wakes up an ancient sleeping troll the monster threatens to take all of the children in town and turn them into little wooden dolls. Its a simple and silly movie but it's perfect fun for October. 

The Little Vampire (2000)

Directed By: Uli Edel

This is a film that I hardly ever hear people talk about and that is a shame, especially come Halloween time. This simple little movie tells the story of a friendless small boy who meets a young vampire and ends up becoming great friends with him. It's a clever twist on vampires and one of the only films featuring the creatures that is appropriate to show to your children. If you can find this one I definitely recommend checking out before Halloween. 

Little Monsters (1989)

Directed By: Richard Greenberg

This film doesn't really have anything to do with the holiday but the subject matter makes it more than appropriate for a seasonal watch. When a young boy discovers a monster under his bed he ends up befriending him rather than repenting him. This takes him under his bed and into a crazy underworld filled with monsters, some friendly and some not. The film stars a young Fred savage and Howie Mandel and is a personal childhood favorite of mine.

Honorable Mention

Goosebumps (2015)

Directed By: Rob Letterman

In theaters now is the new film Goosebumps, based of the widely popular book franchise. The movie is as absolute blast and the perfect movie to take your kids to this month. I have already seen and reviewed the film which you can find here, so I won't go to into detail on the story. Just know it is a hilariously fun creature feature that should serve as a "Monster Squad" for a new generation. 

As always, thanks for reading and I am Zach Who Watches Movies. You can find me anytime on twitter @ZachWWMovies, smell ya later!