Top 15 Classic Family Rated Halloween Movies

10/18/09

Our family tradition included taking the kids trick-or-treating and then coming home to hot chocolate, snacks, and a Halloween movie. Whether we popped an oldie but goody into the DVD/VCR or a channel was broadcasting something in honor of the night, we all enjoyed the film while feasting on snacks. Of course, all this month they will be playing various shows or movies related to Halloween.

Everyone has special movies that are only watched at "that time of year." Some of these can be seen on TV at other times, but somehow, then, they're not as much fun. I've compiled a list of favorites, you may have others.

Courtesy of the Internet Movie Database, I've included trivia for each movie.

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I will intentionally not number these movies in any order as each person has their own opinion of how they rank their favorites.

This woman was the scariest thing on the planet when I was a child and her alter ego Miss Gulch wasn't any better. Now my grandchildren are watching this and are totally mesmerized. Just shows how a classic lives on and on and on.

Did you know: Shirley Temple was the original choice to play Dorothy. Due to her commitments at another studio, and the difference in voice range, Judy Garland got the part.

The "horse of a different color" in Emerald City were actually different horses. Each colored with Jell-O crystals.

Another timeless classic. Does this bring back memories? Poor Charlie Brown and that little bully Lucy. Your heart just breaks when the "Great Pumpkin" never materializes. After years of watching this and knowing it won't happen, you hope just once Charlie could kick that football or see the Great Pumpkin.

Did you know: There's a scene where Linus walks into the living room after having written a letter to The Great Pumpkin. Lucy is sitting on the floor in front of the TV reading a copy of TV Guide. Guess who's picture is on the cover, Lucy's.

After it's first airing, children all over the country sent candy to Charlie Brown out of sympathy.

A Disney classic. Traveling around the world on a four post bed. An all around fun adventure movie.

Did you know:  In the scene of the animal soccer game, a bear is wearing a Mickey Mouse T-shirt.  The bear is in the crowd on the right side of the picture.

A Goofy holler is heard during this soccer game when the king kicks the hyena.

Who ya gonna call? Hilarious team of ghost hunters tearing up the city. And the theme song is a hit as well.

Did you know: Winston was at first to be played by Eddie Murphy. John Belushi was to be in the movie as well but because of his untimely death, the script was rewritten for different actors.

Before "Home Alone" (1990), this is the highest grossing comedy of all time.<script type="text/javascript" src="http://izearanks.com/itk/show/hubpages-com-hub-chm"></script>y

Anything Scooby Doo is fun for Halloween. They were some of the original ghost hunters. I thought the live action movies were good. The actors soooo fit the characters. But live action or cartoon, Scooby Dooby Doo is still a favorite among many.

Did you know:  Frank Welker, who is the only and original voice of Freddie Jones in the cartoon series, provides the voice of one of the evil creatures in this movie.

This movie started development in 1996, and at that time Jim Carrey was to play the part of Shaggy and Melissa Gilbert was to play the part of Velma.

Another relic, this one from 1969. Claymation party playing out at a haunted mansion with all your favorite monsters. Don't see this one anymore.

Did you know:  Dialog at the end of this movie is a take-off of the final scene in "Some Like It Hot."

Krankheit ( last name of the pharmacist that Felix works for ) is German for sickness.

Another Disney classic (1949). Children's version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Just a great Halloween story! Thrills and Chills!

Did you know: In the "Wind and the Willows" Angus MacBadger complains to Ratty and Mole that Toad is spending too much money.  This was a reference to concerns Roy Disney had that his brother Walt was spending too much money on projects.

Due to WWII there was a loss of manpower and resources at Disney Studios.  Projects were left unfinished.  So Walt would compile them to make movies such as this one, "Make Mine Music," "Melody Time," and "Fun & Fancy Free." 

What would Halloween be without Casper. Poor little guy just looking for friends, but his mean-spirited uncles always getting in the way. The live action version is truly sad at the point when Casper asks, "can I keep you?"

Did you know:  This was the first film with a computer animated title character.

The last names of Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman was Harvey.  Harvey comics is the long time publisher of Casper the Friendly Ghost.

Reminiscent of claymation is the computer generated character. This Tim Burton fair follows the journey of a young man, Victor, who accidentally falls into the world of the afterlife. Johnny Depp as Victor.

Did you know: Do you remember the scene in the woods where corpse bride's arm falls off and starts crawling to Victor? This was an intentional reference to "Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003) also starring Johhny Depp.

The character "BoneJangles" is based on the famous dancer Bill Robinson. (aka "Bojangles" Robinson)

Another Disney original about three legendary witch sisters from the 16th century who were tried and sentenced for eating children. Three young thrill seekers on Halloween night decide to visit the historic site. Unwittingly, one of them lights a candle that brings the sisters back to present day Salem. Fun for the whole family.

Did you know: The part of Max Dennison was first offered to Leonardo Di Caprio. He turned it down to appear in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape."

During a Feb.10, 2008 interview, Bette Midler stated that out of all the films she had made, this was her favorite.

Based on the Disney theme ride with the same name. Bumbling Eddy Murphy takes his family to this haunt hoping to make a real estate deal. But the Lord of the Manor has more sinister plans in store.

Did you know:  The red couch in Gracey's study was from the movie "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" which was made in 1954.

There are hidden Mickeys in this movie.  When Jim and Sara arrive at the mansion, Sara picks up the lock on the gate and there is a Mickey head.  When Ramsley pours the poison powder into Sarah's drink it forms a Mickey head.  The couch in the library resembles Mickey's head.

Tim Burton/Disney collaboration about a bunch of ghouls out to foil Christmas by kidnapping Santa Claus.

Did you know:  Jack first appeared in Tim Burton's "Vincent," at minute 4:45.  This was made in 1982.  Jack's second and lengthier appearance was in "Beetlejuice."  As Beetlejuice is rising out of the floor, upon being summoned by Lydia, Jack is on his carousel hat.

In the scene where the flood lights are looking for Jack, the theme from "Batman" (1989) can be heard playing in the background.

All the Harry Potter movies are appropriate viewing for Halloween. Follow Harry and his classmates from the witches academy as they share adventures and battle evil.

Did you know:  Dame Maggie Smith was filming this movie while undergoing radio-treatments for breast cancer.

Robert Knox, who plays Marcus Belby, was stabbed to death just days after filming finished.

A little boy and his parents move to England because his father's job requires they go. The little guy is miserable as he's constantly getting bullied by his new classmates. But a little vampire comes to the rescue. Cute and funny.

Did you know:  The family name, Sackville-Bagg was a reference to "The Hobbit."  Bilbo and Frodo Baggins are related to the Sackville-Bagginses.

Throughout the movie there are audio/video glitches where the conversation heard is not what appears to be coming out of the actors mouths.

Wallace an inventor, and his trusty sidekick Grommit, battle vermin whenever there's a call. But can they stop the were-rabbit?

Did you know:  The greenhouse in Lady Camanula Tottington's house is glass.  Her gardens feature 100 types of trees and plants.  And 700 varieties of veggies.

The film required 2.8 tons of plasticine in 42 colors.  1000 baby wipes were used per week to wipe off animator's hands.

Remember these classics: Frankenstein (Boris Karloff), Dracula (Bela Lugosi), Wolfman (Lon Chaney)? Not to mention all of the Vincent Price and Christopher Lee movies.