As we all know, October is well underway and that means that it’s high-time to kickoff the Halloween festivities here at Frozen Mouse Fever. The first step? Counting down the best Disney movies to watch this Halloween. While you’ll never turn to Disney for hair-raising slasher-horror flicks, you can certainly find hilarious, spell-binding, magical films that capture the frightful spirit of the festive season.
From ’90s classics to Disney Channel favourites to even some of Walt Disney’s oldest films – Halloween has always been a holiday favourite for the House of Mouse. So whether you’re looking for Halloween movies appropriate for the young ones or you just need a break from the frightful scares of Freddy Krueger, these are the movies for you! But given Disney’s extensive Halloween collection, which ones made the cut of absolute best movies to watch this year? Let’s grab a pumpkin spice latte and find out.
15. Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie
“Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie” is the perfect feel good movie to ring in the festivities. Like many frightening movies before it, Tigger is terrified after seeing a mysterious figure in the Hundred Acre Wood and classic hijinks ensue. This movie is filled with magic, hilarity and of course, unbreakable friendship. Every holiday needs a little Winnie the Pooh and friends to add to the festivities and Halloween is no different.
14. Lonesome Ghosts
This Disney short is the oldest movie on the list, released just a mere few days after “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937. Mickey and his friends have had plenty of Halloween adventures over the years, but very few top the original adventure Mickey, Goofy and Donald had in a haunted house with a plethora of mischievous ghosts. An inspiration for many family ghosts movies down the line, “Lonesome Ghosts” is definitely a secret treasure for Halloween fans.
13. Don’t Look Under the Bed
If you’re looking for a real fright without all the gore – “Don’t Look Under the Bed” is definitely the movie for you. Labelled by many as the scariest Disney Halloween movie ever, this DCOM was the first to be given a PG rating for its frightening scenes. The story follows Frances, a teenage girl who doesn’t believe in anything supernatural, until she realizes with the help of an imaginary friend that the bogeyman is framing her for dastardly deeds. Despite its overall Disney nature, the bogeyman is truly terrifying!
12. Monsters, INC.
While “Monsters, INC.” isn’t technically considered a Halloween movie, it does revolve around the concept of monsters terrifying children in the middle of the night, which fits in perfectly with the season. This Pixar classic is a treat anytime of the year and if you’ve gotten through the remainder of this list before Halloween, take the time to re-watch Mike and Sully try to return the adorable Boo to the human world before getting caught – it’s always a treat.
11. The Adventures of Icahbod and Mr. Toad
“The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad” was the final packaged film to be released during Disney’s Wartime Era in the 1940s. The first half of the movie has a few spooky elements, but it’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow portion that really brings the scares. Taking place around Halloween, Ichabod travels to Sleepy Hollow, a town known for its ghost hauntings. It’s during this trip he meets a collective of terrifying residents including the infamous Headless Horseman. If you’re a Disney Park lover and miss the Halloween Party – this is the movie to watch (just for the Headless Horseman alone).
10. Frankenweenie
An homage to the classic Mary Shelley book “Frankenstein”, “Frankenweenie” is one of many Tim Burton Halloween favourites that captures the spirit of the season with heart, humour and a level of child-friendly creepiness. The humanoid monster that we’ve all come to know is traded in for Sparky the pup. It’s an excellent introduction for kids to the monstrous world of Frankenstein and the perfect parody filled with tricks and treats for adult fans of the original “Frankenstein” film.
9. Toy Story of Terror!
Looking for something short and sweet to satisfy your Halloween movie cravings? Then this is the special for you! Woody, Buzz and a handful of the “Toy Story” characters we’ve come to love over the years reunite in a creepy motel where Mr. Potato Head goes missing and hidden traps are lurking in every corner as they search for their friend. “Toy Story of Terror!” perfectly emulates classic scary movie tropes and ensures frightful entertainment from start to finish.
8. The Haunted Mansion
This is the Halloween movie for anyone out there who misses Madam Leota and the Singing Busts and wishes they could ride the Haunted Mansion at Disney World or Disneyland this Halloween. On the way to their family vacation, Eddie Murphy’s Jim Evers and his family decide to stop at the incredibly creepy mansion he’s trying to sell. As soon as they set foot in house, they realize selling a mansion with 999 happy haunts is no easy feat.
7. Mickey’s House of Villains
“House of Mouse” is probably one of the most underrated Disney Channel shows out there and “Mickey’s House of Villains” is the ideal example of that. It’s a big night for Mickey and the gang at the House of Mouse on Halloween. However, their festivity plans take a turn when Jafar brings together all of our favourite Disney villains to take over the dinner theater and declare their dominance over their foes. It’s basically a Halloween fever dream for any Disney fan.
6. Twitches
Who doesn’t love a good old fashion, discover you have a twin story? Tia and Tamera Mowry are wickedly delightful in this DCOM about royal twin witches who are separated at birth and removed from their kingdom to protect them from the darkness. Twenty-one years later, they are coincidentally reunited and realize they have magical powers. It’s a magically fun journey from the beginning and only gets better as they grow into their powers in “Twitches Too.” Go Twitches, go Twitches, go Twitches!
5. Halloweentown
One of the most successful Disney Channel franchises of all-time, “Halloweentown” is an epic family affair that contains every single thing that is beloved about the holiday: witches, ghosts, monsters, and a terrific assortment of pumpkins! The story begins when Marnie and her siblings learn that they come from a long-line of witches and sneak off with their grandmother Debbie Reynolds to visit Halloweentown. This series deserves a definite binge this Halloween, although you can totally skip its last installment, “Return to Halloweentown”. We like to pretend that one doesn’t exist.
4. Maleficent
The tables have turned in this retelling of the classic Disney story, “Sleeping Beauty”. Arguably one of Disney’s best villains, Maleficent takes center stage as we learn the course of events that led to her cursing Aurora. Maleficent was already iconic prior to this film, but Angelina Jolie’s performance brought the popularity of the character to a whole other level. The amount of Maleficent costumes you see on Halloween pretty much says it all. This is a wicked must-watch every Halloween.
3. Coco
It’s rare that mainstream films give us a glimpse into non-secular cultures and traditions during the Halloween season. However, “Coco” takes place during the Day of the Dead in Mexico, which shares common roots with Halloween. Not only does this film give you insight into this Mexican holiday, it also takes us on an emotional journey with Miguel in the Land of the Dead. “Coco” reminds us that Halloween isn’t all about costumes and candy – it’s also about family. If you need a good cry this Halloween – this is the movie for you!
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Do you love Halloween, but also can’t wait for Christmas? Then “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is definitely the holiday film of your dreams. This cult classic is so beloved by Disney fans that it’s often featured in both the Halloween and Christmas parties at Disney Parks. The story follows Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who accidentally falls into a portal that takes him into Christmas Town and a whole bunch of wackiness ensues. This is the perfect Halloween movie for all the little weirdos out there.
1. Hocus Pocus
“Hocus Pocus” has boiled, boiled, toiled and troubled its way into the hearts of so many over the years and it’s not hard to understand why. The Sanderson Sisters manage to be hilariously delightful on their evil quest to reconquer their youth after inadvertently being resurrected by a teenage boy. This Halloween adventure is one for the ages, and if you only have time to watch one Disney movie this Halloween season – this is without a doubt the one you need to watch!
What’s your favourite Disney Halloween movie? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels. And make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for some fun Halloween surprises.
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