8 90s Halloween Disney Movies to Watch this Halloween [List]

Whether you’re a fan of Disney or not, there’s no denying they know how to make movies kids adore — especially when it came to their older films. While most Halloween films lean into psychological scares, slashers, and gore, Disney takes a different route, proving that the supernatural can be playful and funny too, even if it still gives you the occasional jump.

So, whether you’re a “Disney Adult” or just looking for something to keep the kids entertained this spooky season, fear not — here’s our list of ’90s Disney Halloween movies to watch this October. Here are our recommendations in order of release:

Hocus Pocus (1993)

A cult classic enjoyed by both nostalgic adults and kids alike, Hocus Pocus is a movie about teen Max Dennison (Omri Katz), who moves to Salem. He isn’t exactly thrilled about his new hometown — at least not until Halloween night takes a turn for the weird.

While urbexxing in an old, supposedly abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw), Max accidentally brings back three wicked witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who once terrorised the town. With the help of a talking cat (and a lot of bad luck), the trio must outsmart the Sanderson sisters before they can reclaim their power — and live forever!

There are some concerns voiced online about the amount of innuendos featured in a film aimed at children. However, these are fairly mild and are most likely to go over a kid’s head. The movie has a PG rating, which is appropriate.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Another cult classic! This ’90s Halloween Disney movie is one to watch either during the spooky or the festive season. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, has grown tired of the same old scare routine year after year.

After accidentally discovering Christmastown during a walk in the woods — a place bursting with colour, lights, and cheer — Jack becomes obsessed with the idea of bringing that joy home. His plan? Kidnap Santa Claus and take over Christmas himself. But when his good intentions collide with his love of the macabre, Jack learns that even the best ideas can unravel in the most spectacularly spooky way.

Some particularly sensitive kids may find this movie a little too spooky. However, most should love the variety of characters, the mix of Christmas and Halloween, and, of course, the stop-motion animation!

Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh (1996)

In this Halloween tale, we follow Pooh and his friends as they prepare for a night of trick-or-treating — and face a few scares along the way. When Piglet’s fear of Halloween gets the better of him, the group’s plans take an unexpected turn, leading to a stormy night full of confusion, courage, and friendship.

It’s a gentle, autumnal story about facing fears and discovering bravery in the unlikeliest of ways. This one is a great film to watch with the kids!

Under Wraps (1997)

Amy, Marshall, and Gilbert, three twelve-year-old kids, come across a mummy that has been undiscovered for over 3000 years. While researching, they accidentally awaken him, but he must be returned to his resting place by Halloween at midnight or he will never find his long-lost love.

If this film isn’t enough for you and the kids, then Under Wraps 2 was released in 2022!

Tower of Terror (1997)

Former journalist Buzzy Crocker, now reduced to writing sensational stories for a tabloid, stumbles onto what might be a real supernatural mystery. When an elderly woman claims she witnessed five people vanish inside the Hollywood Tower Hotel decades ago, Buzzy decides to investigate — hoping the story could revive his career.

With help from his young niece and the hotel’s caretaker, he digs into the building’s dark history and the strange curse said to trap its guests between worlds. But as Halloween night approaches, Buzzy learns the truth behind the haunting runs deeper — and far more personal — than any ghost story he could have imagined.

This ’90s Halloween Disney movie is based on the theme-park ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (or Tower of Terror) at Walt Disney World Resort. If you’re a fan of theme parks, you should watch this one.

Halloweentown (1998)

Marnie Piper always feels like her mum is hiding something — especially when she’s never allowed to celebrate Halloween. When her eccentric grandmother Aggie arrives for her yearly visit, Marnie and her siblings discover the truth: their family comes from a magical place called Halloweentown!

Halloweentown is a place where witches, ghosts, and monsters live peacefully away from the human world. Sneaking after their grandmother, the kids find themselves in a world that’s equal parts enchanting and dangerous. But when a dark force threatens the town, Marnie must embrace her true heritage before it’s too late.

This is a classic kids’ movie. Not one I have personally watched, but many on the net sing it’s praises.

Can of Worms (1999)

After a rough football injury, teenage misfit Mike Pillsbury starts to wonder if he even belongs on Earth — literally.

Convinced he might be an alien, Mike sends a desperate message into space asking to be rescued. To his shock, someone answers. Soon, a talking alien dog named Barnabus shows up, claiming Mike’s signal has drawn the attention of all sorts of extraterrestrial visitors — some friendly, others not so much.

As the situation spirals from strange to dangerous, Mike and his friends find themselves caught in an intergalactic mess that forces him to confront who he really is and where he truly belongs.

Whilst not your typical “Halloween” movie, this arguably has the right amount of spookiness for an October watch.

Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)

A film that Disney eventually pulled it from regular airing after complaints from parents who felt it was too intense for kids. This movie is set in the town of Middleberg, where strange pranks and supernatural events start happening, and high schooler Frances Bacon McCausland finds herself blamed for them.

She soon discovers that the real culprit is a sinister boogeyman feeding on children’s disbelief. With help from Larry Houdini — her younger brother’s imaginary friend brought to life — Frances learns that the boogeyman is actually what happens when imaginary friends are forgotten too soon. To stop him, Frances must confront her own loss of innocence and rekindle her belief in the unseen before the creature takes over completely.

Beneath the supernatural scares, the film touches on deeper, more mature themes: belief and loss of innocence, sibling relationships, and fears tied to illness (Frances’s brother, Darwin, having had cancer). Perhaps if you decide to watch this one with the kids, you should be on hand in case it gets a bit too heavy or spooky for them.

What do you think of our list? Let us know in the comments below.