Halloween has arrived, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to dim the lights, cozy up on the couch, and dive into some spooky films. It’s even more enjoyable when you can share the thrills with your entire family because let’s face it, almost everyone loves a good scary movie from time to time, even the youngest members of the clan. However, the challenge is finding a movie that won’t leave the kids (and consequently, you) wide awake all night.
Your search ends here! Here’s a curated selection of the finest family-friendly Halloween movies for kids to enjoy in 2023, offering just the right amount of spooky fun for young minds:
Coco (2017)
Coco follows Miguel as he embarks on a quest to become a musician—a quest that lands him in the colorful and fantastical Land of the Dead. There, he learns the meaning and importance of culture and family.
Frankenweenie (2012)
Frankenweenie tells the story of Victor, who experiences elation when he successfully revives his beloved pet dog, Sparky. However, when his schoolmates attempt their own experiments in resurrection, the situation takes a chilling turn.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
One of the best kids Halloween movies out there! Even though Count Dracula is raising his daughter, Mavis, in the lovely “five-stake” monsters-only hotel he’s built in Transylvania, he allows her to explore the human world on her 118th birthday. And for fans, there are sequels to enjoy: Hotel Transylvania 2, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, and Hotel Transylvania: Transformania.
Goosebumps (2015)
Goosebumps draws inspiration from the popular ’90s horror book series by R.L. Stine. In this 2015 film, the author, portrayed by Jack Black, and his family must rescue their hometown from impending doom as all the monsters from his stories come to life.
Monster House (2006)
In Monster House, a seemingly ordinary house reveals itself as a malevolent, living creature. When three young friends uncover this unsettling truth, they embark on a daring mission to save the town’s children from the house’s sinister grip.
Paranorman (2012)
To say Norman Babcock isn’t your average 11-year-old boy is quite an understatement—considering he can communicate with ghosts! Now he must use his powers to save his small town from an ancient curse.
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
A modern sequel to the 1993 film, Hocus Pocus 2 tells the story of three young girls who accidentally bring the Sanderson sisters to current-day Salem.
The Addams Family (2019)
The first animated comedy about the famously creepy and kooky Addams Family offers tons of kid-friendly frights and fun. This is a great alternative for kids who are interested in the new hit show Wednesday but still a little too young to watch.
The House With A Clock In Its Walls (2018)
The movie follows a 10-year-old kid who, after he’s sent to be watched over by an eccentric uncle (Jack Black) and and his friendly neighbor (Cate Blanchett), is pulled into an ancient rivalry between witches and warlocks.
Haunted Mansion (2023)
A woman and her son enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters.
The Goonies (1985)
This beloved adventure follows a motley crew of misfits known as The Goonies on an action-packed treasure hunt to save their homes.
The Boxtrolls (2014)
While the rest of the world fears and despises them, a young human boy named Eggs considers the Boxtrolls his family. In The Boxtrolls, Eggs must confront an evil exterminator determined to eradicate his beloved clan.
A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting (2020)
Kelly Ferguson accepts a babysitting gig on Halloween night — only to have her charge captured by the Boogeyman. Luckily, she learns of a secret society of child guardians who can help her learn to fight monsters.
Gnome Alone (2018)
When Chloe moves into a new home with her mother, she finds something unexpected: a group of garden gnomes who say the neighborhood is under attack by underground beasts. It’s up to Chloe to help the gnomes save the world.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is designed for teens (PG-13) who have outgrown the most family-friendly horror films but aren’t quite ready for the likes of Nightmare on Elm Street. This film, inspired by the spine-tingling book series from our childhoods, centers on a group of young investigators who must confront local legends that begin to materialize and pose real threats.
(Note: This movie is darker and more mature than many others on this list, intended for older viewers.)
The horror genre staged a triumphant comeback following the pandemic, led by the 2021 release of A Quiet Place: Part II, which garnered a staggering US$297.4M worldwide (with over US$2.5M from UAE alone). Beyond renewing confidence in the cinematic medium, this extraordinary achievement prompted film studios to reevaluate their horror movie release strategies.
This momentum carried into 2022, as notable titles like Scream V, Smile, and Nope achieved remarkable success, captivating audiences on both the global and regional box office fronts.
2023, marked by the successful release of a series of horror films such as M3gan, Evil Dead Rise, and The Boogeyman. Alongside these, new releases such as Insidious: The Red Door, Cobweb, and Talk to Me are delighting in prosperous theatrical runs in.
However, the tale doesn’t conclude here! The horror landscape of 2023 is by no means finished, as the most exciting moments are still ahead, especially with Halloween looming on the horizon. From the highly awaited reboot of the classic psychological horror masterpiece, The Exorcist: Believer, to the spine-chilling tenth installment of the renowned SAW franchise, here’s a look at the horror movies set to grace the remainder of 2023:
The Nun 2 – 07 September 2023
A Haunting In Venice – 14 September 2023
SAW X – 05 October 2023
The Exorcist: Believer – 13 October 2023
Five Nights at Freddy’s – 26 October 2023
Thanksgiving – Expected 17 November 2023
The movie follows a serial killer in Massachusetts who attempts to make a carving board out of unsuspecting victims. The film continues the Grindhouse universe, and just like Machete and Hobo with a Shotgun, it is based on one of the fake trailers in the Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino collaboration from 2007.
Salem’s Lot—TBA 2023
Based on Stephen King’s novel, the movie follows a writer who goes to a small town, only to find out that it’s being overrun by vampires. The movie stars Pilou Asbæk in the role of Richard Straker, Lewis Pullman as Ben Mears, Spencer Treat Clark as Mike Ryerson, and Nicholas Crovetti as Danny Glick.
Dark Harvest—TBA 2023
Based on Norman Partridge’s eponymous novel, Dark Harvest concerns a specter named Sawtooth Jack who goes up against violent gangs of boys hoping to take down the supernatural creature once and for all. The horror movie boasts a stellar cast, with the likes of Elizabeth Reaser, Jeremy Davies, Luke Kirby, and Ezra Buzzington.
With these exceptional upcoming titles, audiences can look forward to more thrilling and chilling experiences as the genre continues to evolve and captivate viewers worldwide.
Source: Screen Rant, Collider, VOX Cinemas
‘Spooktober’ has finally arrived, and there’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than to watch a spine-tingling horror movie on the biggest screen of them all!.
With a number of new horror releases in cinema this Halloween – from Jordan Peele’s genre bending thriller, the final conclusion to the Halloween franchise, and a good old-fashioned exorcism, both audiences and advertisers are in for a treat.. no tricks!
Check out the movie line-up, and have yourself a bloodcurdling and wicked time at the cinema:
Orphan: First Kill
Release Date: now playing
Cast: Isabelle Fuhrman, Julia Stiles, Rossif Sutherland
Nope
Release Date: now playing
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Steven Yeun, Keke Palmer
The residents of a lonely gulch in inland California bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.
The Invitation
Release Date: now playing
Cast: Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Stephanie Corneliussen, Sean Pertwee
A young woman is courted and swept off her feet, only to realize a gothic conspiracy is afoot.
Jeepers Creepers: Reborn
Release Date: now playing
Cast: Sydney Craven, Imran Adams, Jarreau Benjamin
Forced to travel with her boyfriend, Laine begins to experience premonitions associated with the urban myth of The Creeper. She believes that something supernatural has been summoned – and that she is at the center of it all.
Don’t Worry Darling
Release Date: now playing
Cast: Harry Styles, Florence Pugh, Chris Pine, Gemma Chan
A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.
Smile
Release Date: now playing
Cast: Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner, Robin Weigert, Jessie T. Usher
After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.
Halloween Ends
Release Date: 13 October 2022
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak, Kyle Richards, Will Patton
Halloween Ends kicks off four years after the events of Halloween Kills, where Laurie is living with her granddaughter Allyson and is finishing writing her memoir. When a young man is accused of killing a boy he was babysitting, it ignites a cascade of violence and terror that will force Laurie to finally confront the evil she can’t control, once and for all.
Prey for the Devil
Release Date: 27 October 2022
Cast: Virginia Madsen, Jacqueline Byers, Nicholas Ralph
A nun prepares to perform an exorcism and comes face to face with a demonic force with mysterious ties to her past.
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Source: IMDB and YouTube
Peek a BOO… the SPOOKY season is upon us…. iIt’s Halloween!
We’re well into October, the month of Halloween, and to get you in the mood, we’ve put together a list of 10 movies, apart from the usual Hocus Pocus/Frankenstein fare.
Also be sure to check our Halloween ‘Spookymeter’ before watching a movie from the recommended list, to decide if it’s super scary, scary, or not so scary.
The House With A Clock In Its Walls (2018)
Spookymeter: Not-So-Scary – Fantasy – Kids and Family
Cast: Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen Vaccaro
Synopsis: Based on the children’s classic written by John Bellairs, this magical adventure tells the spine-tingling tale of 10-year-old Lewis, who goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking noise.
The Mortuary Collection (2019)
Spookymeter: Scary – Haunted House – Male/Female 18+
Cast: Tristan Byon, Eden Campbell, Clancy Brown
Synopsis: What’s better than an Anthology of Horror tales at this time of the year? A young drifter is hired as a mortician and learns a series of twisted tales about the place from an eccentric senior mortician.
The Wolfman (2010)
Spookymeter: Scary – Monster Movie – Male/Female 16+
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins
Synopsis: Joe Johnston’s remake of universal’s classic monster movie ‘The Wolfman’ about an American bitten by a werewolf and eventually cursed by it. It offers intense visuals in a mysterious castle filled with love, murders, and monsters.
Corpse Bride (2005)
Spookymeter: Not So Scary – Animation – Kids and Family
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson
Synopsis: 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. A must watch hilarious ageless classic.
Candyman (2021)
Spookymeter: Scary – Urban Legend – Male/Female 16+
Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Tony Todd
Synopsis: The sequel to the 1992 horror film returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend first began. Revisiting or watching the 1992 movie as a precursor is highly recommended.
Us (2019)
Spookymeter: Scary –Mystery – Male/Female 16+
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Synopsis: Jordan Peele’s (Get Out) underrated gem, about a family’s beach vacation that turns to chaos when their doppelgängers appear and terrorize them. The storyline is full of wacky twists and surprises which makes it a must watch for Halloween.
The Night House (2021)
Spookymeter: Super Scary – Haunted House – Male/Female 18+
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg, Evan Jonigkeit
Synopsis: In a haunted house on a lake in upstate New York, a grieving widow encounters her dead husband and begins to uncover her recently deceased husband’s disturbing secrets. The movie, directed by David Bruckner, is the one for the new age horror lovers.
Brightburn (2019)
Spookymeter: Scary – Supernatural- Male/Female 16+
Cast: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn
Synopsis: Do all the superhuman babies grow up to be heroes? What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, proves to be something far more sinister?
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
Spookymeter: Not-So-Scary – Comedy – Kids and Family
Cast: Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd
Synopsis: We all watch the 1984 classic as part of our Halloween celebrations. This year, director Jason Reitman brings a new take to franchise. The movie tells the story of two kids discovering their connection to the original Ghostbusters. In cinemas 18 November 2021.
Hereditary (2018)
Spookymeter: Super Scary – Cult – Male/Female 18+
Cast: Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Gabriel Byrne
Synopsis: The secret ancestry of a family is revealed over the course of the movie. The more they discover, the more they uncover the sinister fate they seem to have inherited. Want more from the same director? Check out Midsommar (2019).
Have yourself a heart-pounding and unnerving Halloween!
Source: IMDB and YouTube
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to indulge in activities such as carving pumpkins, decorating the house, buying a spook-tastic costume, applying ghoulish make-up and either heading out trick-or-treating, or enjoying the spooky day with friends and family.
But what does this day hold for those who have outgrown trick-or-treating? A Movie of course!
Nothing compares to watching a scary movie on this spooky day, for an altogether more bizarre indulgence. COVID-19 may have dominated us throughout most of 2020, but old traditions die hard, and there’s no better way than watching a movie to distract your mind from the stresses relating to the pandemic, and transport you to a world where the horrifying stuff isn’t actually real.
We at Motivate Val Morgan have got your spooky movie night covered with a roundup of some ‘all-time favorite’ monstrous, scary, truly freaky and the not so creepy magical kids flicks to get you in the spirit of Halloween this year.
The Witches:
An adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches is dark fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Zemeckis, featuring Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci. Set in 1960s Alabama, the film follows an orphaned young boy stumbles across a conference of witches, while staying with his grandmother at a hotel, and gets transformed into a mouse by the Grand High Witch.
The Witches releases in cinemas across the middle East on 29 October 2020.
In addition to The Witches, here are 13 categories of scary movies to watch on-demand, some of which will trigger self-induced nightmares.
1. Monster Movies
One of the oldest forms of horror cinema, monster movies and their dreaded villains come in all shapes. Whether they’re aliens, ghouls or demons, monsters can represent a manifestation of our own fears. Such movies are often portrayed in a way wherein humans interfere with nature, ultimately leading to a monster attack.
A Quite Place
Bird Box
2. Deformed Humans
These are the kind of films where the antagonist is a deformed human, often seen wearing a mask following a horrifying accident.
Nightmare on Elm Street
Friday the 13th
3. Inanimate Objects
This horror category has a long history of haunted/ possessed inanimate objects that inspire guffaws instead of screams. Some of them are the work of a ghost, while some are just plain inexplicable. Yet they all have one thing in common: they’re kind of baffling.
Annabelle
Poltergeist
4. Vampire
Vampires exist in the folklore of almost every society on earth. Therefore, it’s only natural that it’d be a story expressed in nearly every language and thus, films around the world.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Van Helsing
5. Found Footage
These are horror films which capture events on screen and are typically seen through the camera of the characters involved in real-time. Also usually involves an investigation after a video or audio footage that is found to discover instances of what actually happened.
Paranormal Activity
The Cloverfield Paradox
6. Schlock
Widely known as ‘Gore’ or ‘Splatter’ films, these films are light on character and plot and heavy on fake blood and guts. Mostly low on story and high on shock value.
Evil Dead
Saw
7. Supernatural
The widely popular horror category of all times, supernatural occurrences often include ghosts, spirits and demons. Many supernatural horror films have elements of religion relating to themes such as afterlife, the Devil, and demonic possession.
The Conjuring
The Exorcist
8. Curse
Films of this type are often cautionary tales, where a character unleashes a curse unknowingly or by failing to listen to a warning. While non-believers would think these as coincidences or publicity stunts in a movie setup, some of these are just too freaky to ignore.
The Curse
The Grudge
9. Serial Killer
A booming horror category! Serial killer movies are classic horror movies with plenty of incredible, terrifying and mind-boggling murders.
Silence of The Lambs
Malevolence 2
10. Zombie
Who doesn’t enjoy the living dead, the ones that are driven by hunger of human flesh, and are nearly impossible to put down permanently?
World War Z
Train to Busan
11. Comedy
Light hearted films with a mix of elements – they are both funny and scary, catering to a wide audience. No wonder these films have long been one of the most popular genres.
Scary Movie
Shaun of the Dead
12. Apocalypse
End of the world movies combine a rush of adrenaline with dread – for the ones that fancy pulse-quickening suspense.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
Legion
13. Animated
Lastly, if you are bored of the same old horror movies making the rounds every Halloween, animated movies offer something different for everyone to look forward to.
SCOOB!
The Addams Family
Team Motivate Val Morgan WITCHES you a SPINE-TINGLING Halloween!
Sources: Collider, Wikipedia, Premium Beat and ScriptFirm
BOO to you from our CREW!
Halloween will soon be upon us, and while this day is celebrated around the world with costume parties and trick-or-treating, it is also a day that has long inspired some of the scariest films over the years.
Whether you’re in the mood for a good scare or prefer to celebrate the day with a bit of humor, there’s a Halloween movie for every taste.
New movie releases over the weekend of Halloween include:
Terminator: Dark Fate
Director – Tim Miller
Starring – Mackenzie Davis, Linda Hamilton, and Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Addams Family
Directors – Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon
Voiced by -Oscar Isac, charlize Theron and Chloë Grace Moretz
In addition to the above, there are also older movie releases you can watch in the comfort of your home to get into the spirit of Halloween. From childhood classics, psychological thrillers and cult favorites, we guarantee you’ll find something to ‘tickle your fancy’ from our list of 30 spooky movies to watch this Halloween:
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Halloween movies need not be dark, bloody, and nightmare-inducing. For many, the Halloween season doesn’t begin until they’ve viewed this classic starring Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever worn a Beetlejuice-inspired costume for Halloween or, more important, dressed up as Winona Ryder’s Lydia (aka the goth girl) from the movie. The movie also stars Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis and Michael Keaton.
Hereditary (2018)
Who agrees that Toni Collette should have been nominated for all the awards for this Ari Aster movie? And how about that terrifying lucking sound her daughter makes in the movie… creepy!
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Tim Burton’s unlikely love story is just eerie enough to include in your Halloween must watch line-up. The movie stars Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder.
Halloween (1978)
For those who get a thrill from horror movies, John Carpenter’s Halloween is a must watch. Get ready to witness for the first time, or all over again, murderer Michael Myers escapes a psychiatric hospital on the night before Halloween then returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to terrorize scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis. Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode in the 2018 continuation of the time-tested franchise.
Practical Magic (1998)
Looking for enjoyable escapism? Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman play supernatural sisters earnestly attempting to end a family curse that keeps them from finding true love.
The Nun (2018)
The trailers alone were terrifying enough! The movie – about a mysterious Romanian abbey, is sure to give you full-blown nightmares.
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Not your average scary movie, Trick ‘r Treat follows five interwoven stories over the course of one fateful Halloween.
Get Out (2017)
Fans were captivated by this horror/thriller by Jordan Peel – starring Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end.
Zombieland (2009)
The world has gone all zombie… with only a few humans left to fight them off – which Woody Harrelson has no problems doing! The sequel Zombieland: Double Tap released in cinemas on 17 October 2019. Might as well watch them both this Halloween!
The Sixth Sense (1999)
“I see dead people” is one of the most famous movie quotes in history, and it all started in The Sixth Sense, starring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. This is a definite must watch/re-watch this Halloween.
The Ring (2002)
The good thing about watching this movie in 2019 is that videotapes pretty much don’t exist anymore. The bad thing is that the movie is still rather. We bet you’ll think twice about answering any phone calls while watching the movie. The film also has a sequel – The Ring 2, which released in 2005. Think you can handle watching both movies back-to-back?
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
This underrated vampire Western from director Ana Lily Amirpour is a satisfying black-and-white film for anyone who loves cats, hates men who disrespects women, and has an ear for good music.
The Conjuring (2013)
This horror film by director James Wan provides typical haunting tricks that seems fresh and terrifying once again, and guaranteed to haunt you long after you turn the lights back on. Also check out its sequel – The Conjuring 2, which released in 2016.
Saw (2004)
Watching a serial killer torture strangers for almost 2 hours is another way to get into the Halloween spirit… right? A fan of such? Then do watch its sequel from 2005 – Saw II.
Scream (1996)
You can’t let Halloween pass by without watching this one and its sequels: Screen 2 (1997), Scream 3 (2000) and Scream 4 (2011).
The Others (2001)
It’s hard to look away from Nicole Kidman’s powerhouse performance as Grace, a loving and religious mother who tries to protect her children from a photosensitivity disease that keeps them indoors.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The original Freddy Krueger film still gives a fright – decades later. If you really want a serious spook, have a marathon with all the sequels, including the 2010 remake.
A Quiet Place (2018)
In this gripping and clever monster movie, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt put their marriage to the test by starring side by side in this super-scary release where an entire family must live in silence.
Us (2019)
Jordan Peele’s most recent thriller stars Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, and Elisabeth Moss.
The Witches (1990)
This tale of a young boy who stumbles upon a gaggle of witches is still so popular that it’s getting a remake in 2020 which will star Anne Hathaway and Octavia Spencer.
IT (2017)
Whether you opt for the 1990 original or this movie, you’ll likely need to sleep with the lights on after a viewing of this terrorizing tale. And if this movie leaves you wanting more… the sequel – IT Chapter 2, hit cinemas in September and should probably be still screening at select cinemas across the region.
Family Halloween Flicks:
Coraline (2009)
Based on the popular book, Coraline follows a young girl who accidentally finds herself in an eerie version of her own world.
Goosebumps (2015)
Jack Black stars in the thrilling live-action version of R.L. Stine’s popular books. Kids and adults will love seeing their favorite Goosebumps monsters terrorize and trick a charming small town. Yikes! And while you are at it, also watch its 2018 sequel Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween.
Scooby -Doo (2002)
Who said Halloween movies can’t be light, fun and mysterious? Scooby-Doo – starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Linda Cardellini and Matthew Lillard combines comedy, a few thrills.
Ghostbusters (1984)
This legendary movie features three kooky college professors who lose their university jobs. Naturally, they opt for careers in the ghost-busting business, and they team up to de-haunt houses and save people from the supernatural. We dare you to watch this classic without singing “who ya gonna call!” The 2016 Ghostbusters stars an all-female cast which includes Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wig and Kate McKinnon – down right hilarious! Summer 2020 will also witness the release of yet another Ghostbusters movie… we can’t wait!
The Adams Family (1991)
Did anyone else wish they were part of the Addams family after watching this classic? Talk about one freakishly cool family!
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Monsters need vacations too, which is this premise behind this animated feature starring the voices of Adam Sandler as Count Dracula and Selena Gomez as his daughter, Mavis. While you are at it, also watch its sequels: Hotel Transylvania 2 and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.
Monster House (2006)
The scariest house on the street has a mind of its own in this spirited adventure story.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Eddie Murphy and his family take on the spooky residents of a neglected mansion in this Disney favorite that’s suitable for the whole family.
We ‘witch’ you a Happy Halloween!
Sources: Cosmopolitan, Country Living and Glamour
