Whether you’re looking for a fright or a spooky story that’ll make you laugh out loud, these are some of the best Halloween movies you’ll find on Disney+.
One of the best ways to get in a Halloween mood is to turn on something spooky. Fortunately, the Disney+ streaming library is filled with Halloween choices, from feature films to captivating series. And we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch so you can easily find ghoulish stories and haunting horror flicks for all of your seasonal streaming.
Below, find the best Halloween movies to stream on Disney+, no matter your taste. From terrifyingly spooky to full of fun, there’s something for everyone (including kids!).
Classic Disney Halloween Movies
If you’re someone who loves to watch the same Halloween movies each year as October 31 draws near, Disney+ is home to countless classics. You’ll find movies that date back to your childhood, including staples for Disney fans of all ages (and those who loved the Disney Channel Original Movies of the early 2000s will catch all of their spooky favorites here!). Here are some of the best classic ghoulish tales to watch on Disney+.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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Is it even Halloween if you don’t watch Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas?! For many Disney fans and Halloween enthusiasts, that’s a firm no. This must-watch movie is a haunting holiday staple. Featuring the Pumpkin King himself, Jack Skellington, on a quest to adopt the traditions of Christmas Town in Halloween Town – and become Santa – it’s got everything a good classic needs. From traditional Halloween frights to humor to iconic music, it’s still fun to watch year after year.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)
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If there’s a classic animated Halloween character, it’s definitely the Headless Horseman. While you can catch his appearance at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World or Disney California Adventure Park in Disneyland Resort, you can watch his original animated appearance right at home. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad combines two classics – The Wind in the Willows and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow – into one animated adaptation. The second half, which tells the tale of Ichabod Crane and his encounter with the terrifying Headless Horseman, is a Halloween must-see.
Halloweentown (1998)
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As one of the most memorable Disney Channel Original Movies to ever premiere, Halloweentown is filled with nostalgia for ‘90s kids and holds up as a classic nearly three decades later. Featuring teenage witch Marnie, her lovable grandma Aggie, and an entire world of Halloween decor and characters, it’s both exciting and heartwarming. Halloweentown is such a beloved classic that it spawned an entire franchise, and you can find all of the films – the original as well as Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004), and Return to Halloweentown (2006) – on Disney+ for a seasonal movie marathon.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
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This one will put a spell on you! Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween staple for many Disney fans, with the tale of Max Dennison bringing the Sanderson sisters back to life by lighting the infamous black flame candle capturing viewers’ hearts for over three decades. It’s lighthearted, wonderfully spooky, and just plain irresistible, no matter how many times you watch it (and it’s honestly just as good today as it was back in the ‘90s!). Though it’s often on TV throughout the month of October, you can catch this classic on Disney+ and stream it any time the Halloween mood strikes.
Lonesome Ghosts (1937)
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Okay, technically this one is a cartoon short and not a feature-length film. But if you’re looking for a classic Halloween cartoon to watch on Disney+, you don’t want to miss Lonesome Ghosts. This animated Mickey Mouse short from the 1930s features old-school Disney animation and three of your favorite faces: Mickey, Donald Duck, and Goofy. The trio works together to exterminate some pesky, playful ghosts, and things obviously go awry!
Coco (2017)
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More heartwarming than spooky, Pixar’s Coco is a relatively new “classic”, but it’s one you’ll want to watch each year come October. Miguel gets transported to the Land of the Dead during the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. He discovers a shocking secret about his family’s history and relies on the help of his deceased family members to return to the living. Colorful, full of incredible music, and featuring an all-Latino principal cast, it’s one to watch every year ahead of Day of the Dead.
Spooky Movies
If your favorite thing about Halloween is getting scared, you’ll find plenty of fright-inducing movies to stream on Disney+. Sure, the family-friendly streaming platform is filled with options for movie-watchers of every age, but there are a surprising number of terrifying films that’ll give even adults a chill down their spine. Here are some of the best spooky Halloween movies you can watch on Disney+.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
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Even though it’s been decades since The Sixth Sense premiered in theaters, it’s still such an iconic spooky film. I mean, is there anything more memorable than the moment Cole whispers, “I see dead people” in fear? This twisted psychological horror movie follows child psychiatrist Malcolm Crowe as he tries to help troubled kid Cole, who has many of the same issues as one of Crowe’s previous patients (who himself couldn’t be helped). By the movie’s end, Crowe isn’t redeeming himself – he’s discovered a stunning secret about ghosts who don’t even realize they’re dead.
Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)
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Part spooky comedy, part fright fest for younger viewers, this Disney Channel Original Movie premiered in 2000 and immediately became a Halloween seasonal favorite. Phantom of the Megaplex is very loosely based on the classic The Phantom of the Opera, but the chaos and ghoulish happenings of the story take place inside a megaplex while the premiere of a major movie is taking place. From malfunctioning equipment to disappearing staff, 17-year-old Pete Riley tries to investigate the “phantom” behind many mishaps (and there are plenty of frights!).
Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)
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If you’ve ever been terrified by the thought of monsters hiding underneath the bed, 1999’s Don’t Look Under the Bed won’t make it any easier to sleep at night! This Halloween movie on Disney+ is a frightening tale about a teenager who stubbornly refuses to believe in all things supernatural – until she actually meets the bogeyman hiding under her bed, that is. Over the course of the film, she enlists the help of paranormal figures like her brother’s imaginary friend to combat destructive pranks that just might ruin her hometown and her reputation.
Maleficent (2014)
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Maleficent has long been a frightening fairytale figure in Disney history, thanks to her fiery dragon form and curse in Sleeping Beauty. But in this 2014 film, viewers finally learn more about Maleficent’s backstory, and it sheds light on how she came to be a villain. You’ll discover Maleficent’s youth, discover what kind of betrayal hardens her heart, and how she becomes obsessed with getting revenge. As a film that features epic battles, iconic curses, and even a bit of Aurora’s story that you already know, it’s frightening, eye-opening, and intriguing all at the same time.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
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2023’s Haunted Mansion isn’t yet available to stream on Disney+ in time for the Halloween season, but there’s another frightful movie you can: The Haunted Mansion from 20 years ago! Featuring one seriously spooky set, some familiar ghoulish faces, and many nods to the beloved Disney attraction, this earlier film tells the story of the Haunted Mansion with a cast of characters that includes a workaholic real estate agent, his wife, his two kids, and one very sinister mansion. With a bit of humor mixed in, you’ll get frights as well as few laughs while watching the original.
Films With Halloween Humor
Instead of feeling a bit of fright this spooky season, you can laugh your way through plenty of seasonally-themed Disney+ movies! If you’re in search of some Halloween humor, the following movies include laughs as well as hauntingly funny moments. They’re especially great for younger viewers – or those who love a more lighthearted approach to Halloween, with fewer scares and screams.
Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
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One of the biggest perks of Disney+ is you can catch plenty of Muppets content on demand, any time! And Disney hasn’t shied away from adding fresh new movies and series featuring the Muppets – like 2021’s Muppets Haunted Mansion. As the very first Halloween special for the Muppets, this Disney+ exclusive is full of laughs. With inspiration pulled from the beloved Haunted Mansion attraction itself, Gonzo tries to spend the night in this spooky home. And of course, all of your other favorite Muppets (like Kermit and Miss Piggy) pop up along the way!
Frankenweenie (2012)
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While plenty of Tim Burton’s movies are full of frights (just look at Edward Scissorhands, another Halloween-ish movie on Disney+!), this one is different – and more fun. While Frankenweenie features the same spooky setting and colors of any classic Tim Burton film, it’s far more fun. The movie follows a young Victor Frankenstein, who loves science and his dog, Sparky. After Sparky unexpectedly passes away, Frankenstein uses science to bring him back to life, but hijinks obviously ensue! Though the movie follows a bit of the original story of Frankenstein, it’s a lighthearted spin on the supernatural and spooky, with few scares and a lot of fun.
Spooky Buddies (2011)
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Talking golden retriever pups who visit a haunted mansion for Halloween, all while wearing adorable costumes? Kids and kids at heart will enjoy this lighter Halloween fare on Disney+! As part of the Air Buddies franchise, Spooky Buddies follows the talking dogs as they work together to stop Warwick the Warlock and his Halloween Hound. There are plenty of ghostly ghouls and supernatural enemies along the way, but it’s more entertaining than frightening all around.
