Favorite not-scary Halloween shows

[Fall fanatic]

Good day, everyone.

Looking for suggestions.

I love a good, scary flick, especially around Halloween. But I also enjoy some of the not so scary Halloween shows of my youth. They are very nostalgic to watch, even today. With three daughters at home -- who will all be aged 5, 3 and 10 months this Halloween season, I enjoy sitting down and watching some of these old Halloween shows with them.

I really like The Great Pumpkin, The Halloween that Almost Wasn't (or The Night Dracula Saved the World), A Disney Halloween (or Disney Halloween Treat). I even like Halloween is Grinch Night, but the kids don't seem to care for that one.

Anyone have any good suggestions for me? Only a couple of months before I'll start bringing 'em out.

Have a great day, everyone.

[Andybev01]

I think that Hocus Pocus would be an obvious choice, with 3 daughters.

The Garfield Halloween special is on the cute side.

Spaced Invaders, an underappreciated classic.

[Murfreesboro]

I was going to say Hocus Pocus. My daughter is 17, but she and I still love that one and think it is maybe the best Halloween movie ever, something for everyone. It has all the iconic motifs but isn't really scary at all, just very amusing.

When she was little she loved an animated one called Scary Godmother. We had it on DVD. I think there was a sequel as well. A little girl who is easily frightened goes TOTing and runs into the "Scary Godmother," who is having her annual Halloween party. All the monsters show up, but they are very friendly. The little girl learns to be brave around them, and she has more courage than the neighborhood bully, who is frightened of the monsters. I believe that is the gist of it. I recall thinking it was very cute.

What about the movie version of Casper from the '90s? My kids liked that one, too, when they were in grade school. Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, IIRC.

[Kolchak]

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein was released in 1948. Younger kids might not know who Abbott and Costello were, but I think most would still get a kick out of the movie. Despite the title, the movie also has Dracula played by Bela Lugosi and the Wolfman played by Lon Chaney Jr. The Monster is played by Glenn Strange.

In addition to that movie there is Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy and Abbott and Costello Meet Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, with Boris Karloff playing Jekyll & Hyde.

Something a little newer and that is kid friendly is Ernest: Scared Stupid. This is a comedy starring the Late Jim Varney as Ernest and while adults enjoy it too, it is aimed for a younger audience.

I really liked Spaced Invaders too and think it was underappreciated by fans and critics.

The old Scooby Doo cartoon show was made into at least two movies starring Freddie Prinze Jr, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini. Good special effects and it mirrors the cartoon well imho.

[vrb8919]

I think that Hocus Pocus would be an obvious choice, with 3 daughters.

The Garfield Halloween special is on the cute side.

Spaced Invaders, an underappreciated classic.

+1. Hocus Pocus is one of, if not my favorite Halloween movie. Halloween would not feel complete to me if I didn't watch it at least once during the season.

[Fall fanatic]

Thanks for the suggestions. Always looking for quantity to avoid too many repeats in a season. And I think my older girls are finally to the age where they can sit through Hocus Pocus.

Well, I'm off for my holiday weekend soon. And by the time I get back, July 4 will be in the rear view mirror, which for me is always kind of the first signal to get back in the spirit.

Ciao.

[NeverMore]

Hotel Transylvania?

[tantraman]

Halloween Tree has been a favorite of mine

[ScarecrowJack]

Definitely second Scary Godmother. The full title of the first one is Halloween Spooktacular and the sequel is The Revenge of Jimmy. I have both DVDs and still watch them. The Nightmare Before Christmas is pretty family friendly, but I have heard of a few kids who found it off-putting. Also the movie version of Something Wicked This Way Comes from the Ray Bradbury book of the same name.

Depending on your children, have you thought about the History Channel Halloween documentaries? They did two I'm aware off, The Haunted History of Halloween and the True Story of Halloween. Your kids might find them too dry, but they might enjoy them.

[tantraman]

I HAVE THE HISTORY CHANNELS SHOWS LOVE THEM

[NeverMore]

I HAVE THE HISTORY CHANNELS SHOWS LOVE THEM

Pawn Stars? Because I can't think of anything else they show.

[Andybev01]

I think he means the box set with the History of Halloween, poltergeists , etc.

I have them and watch frequently.

And yes, the 'History' Channel is a joke for all intents & purposes.

[ScarecrowJack]

I was referring to the box set, as well as a separate second one they did on Halloween. And yes, these were done back when History Channel actually covered, you know, History. It's sad to see what the channel has become.

[TheHallow1]

Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask

[Demonic Duck]

I love Ernest Scared Stupid as well.