As a kid, I vividly remember getting excited for the Halloween season to kick off on Disney Channel because they always played the best Disney Halloween movies. I am not someone who likes scary movies (I can barely survive the Haunted Mansion), so Disney Halloween movies were the only way I could enjoy the spooky season growing up.
Disney+ has definitely turned into a lifesaver because they have an entire section dedicated to Halloween movies. Some of the movies in this section are the ones that used to play on Disney Channel when I was growing up. I want to share with all of you my favorite Halloween-inspired Disney movies, and I’d love to hear which ones are your favorites.
Hocus Pocus
The first movie I want to bring up is a no-brainer: Hocus Pocus. This movie is iconic. My mom watches this movie every year on Halloween while waiting for trick or treaters to knock on the door. Hocus Pocus started my obsession with Bette Midler and Kenny Ortega. With the movie taking place in Salem, I think it’s a great movie to kick off the Halloween season. I also think that if you are someone who is missing the Hocus Pocus stage show from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this is the perfect movie for you.
The Halloweentown movies
Next up we have the spectacular – or should I say spooktacular –Halloweentown movies. These movies would play on the Disney Channel during the Halloween season, and my friends and I used to get so excited when they would show them. They have the perfect balance between spooky, fantasy, and action. The Halloweentown movies started in 1998 and ended in 2006 with Return to Halloweentown. Another Disney Channel classic is Twitches starring Tia and Tamera Mowry. The two movies in this series are about twin witches, and they’re less spooky and more comedy-based.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Of course, we can’t forget about The Nightmare Before Christmas, which is definitely a Halloween movie and not a Christmas movie. The music in this movie always gets me into the Halloween spirit, which is why this is one of my favorite movies to watch in the days leading up to Halloween. I also love Zero the ghost dog. He is just the cutest. Tim Burton movies are sure to get you in the Halloween mood.
The Haunted Mansion
For those of you that would prefer a spookier movie, I suggest The Haunted Mansion movie starring Eddie Murphy. I suggest this movie because I can barely watch it; I get very scared. I remember hiding behind a couch while watching this movie as a kid. So for those of you who enjoy the scarier side of things, watching this will get you ready for Halloween.
As I mentioned above, these movies can be found on Disney+ in a section labeled “Halloween Movies and Series.” This section has many favorites including The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, Spooky Buddies, and Frankenweenie. If Halloween isn’t your thing, you can also check out the “Celebrate Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month” section on Disney+ throughout the month of October.
What are your favorite Halloween-inspired Disney movies?