If you want to indulge in something spooky without having wild nightmares, we’ve got you covered. Halloween movies from the 90s-00’s are essential for reliving your childhood. They’re exciting and thrilling, but will leave you with a sweet feeling of nostalgia for a simpler time. I mean, come on- we’d be lying if we never secretly hoped to be the one to help break a witches evil curse on our own town.
Casper Meets Wendy
It’s great for kids of all ages, but perhaps the best part is a young Hilary Duff pre-Lizzie McGuire. An adorable combination of live action and animation, the movie was inspired by the Harvey Comics. Casper the Friendly Ghost and Wendy the Good Witch team up to fight the evil warlock.
Hocus Pocus
This movie has become a Halloween staple for all ages. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, three teenagers and a talking cat set out to break a lasting curse cast by the Sanderson Sisters. Directed by Kenny Ortega (yes, the same man who directed AND choreographed High School Musical 1, 2 and 3) and staring Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler, this movie deserves its cult following. Perhaps the best part is the when we all grew up and realized that Max is a virgin, because he successfully lights the candle.
Addams Family
They’re mysterious and spooky but we love ‘em! Uncle Fester has been missing for 25 years, and shows up at Gomez’s house as a decoy uncle Fester in order to find the hidden vault to pay back the loan shark, Abigail Craven.
Mom’s Got A Date with A Vampire
An early 2000’s Disney Channel Original classic about a divorced mother of three, Lynette finds herself entangled with a vampire as her kids plot to get her into the dating scene again. Little does she know, she finds herself with a vampire (Mr. Sheffield from The Nanny) who stops at nothing to turn Lynette into a vampire.
Halloweentown
Debbie Reynolds stars as the coolest grandmother ever, Aggie who helps her teenaged granddaughter Marnie discover her magical witch powers. Aggie then brings Marnie to Halloweentown, where it’s Halloween everyday to stop Kalabar from taking over the town. If you enjoy Halloweentown, you’ll enjoy the second and third ones as well!
Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Anything Charlie Brown is always nostalgic and a true classic. This movie is perfect way to celebrate fall with the Peanuts gang as Linus eagerly waits for the great pumpkin.
The Little Vampire
Looking back, this movie should’ve terrified me as a kid, but it didn’t. Maybe deep down, I wanted to be friends with vampires, the same way Tony (Jonathan Lipnicki) was. This film featured a more realistic depiction of vampires.
Beetlejuice
This is a legendary Tim Burton film chronicling a recently deceased married couple who set out to drive away the new family moving into the house. They call upon Beetlejuice for help, a rambunctious spirit who ends up doing more harm than good.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Another Tim Burton masterpiece, featuring the iconic Jack Skellington and Sally. Jack is the Pumpkin King of Halloween who decides to spread some Christmas cheer this Halloween, only to realize he is creating a literal nightmare for the kids across the world. Little did he know, he just needed Sally by his side.
The Haunted Mansion
If you are a fan of the Disney World or Disneyland attraction The Haunted Mansion, then you are already familiar with this classic. A realtor (Eddie Murphy) is summoned to a house along with his wife and kids who quickly learn it is haunted.
I live in New York, representing the East coast portion of Words Between Coasts.
