Planning a Halloween movie night with younger audiences can feel like a challenge. The good news is there are tons of horror movies that the whole family will enjoy! Below, we outline our favorite scary movies for kids of all ages!
Watching a scary movie is a great way to celebrate Halloween! But when you have tweens at home, finding a good horror movie can be difficult.
While kids in this age group may be ready for a little more horror than kid-friendly classics, full-fledged horror films aren’t the best option. When your preteen is ready for a good scare without all the gore, try watching one of these best horror movies for tweens.
Below we’ve included a range of scary movie options — we’ve tried our best to start with the less scary options at first and build to more mature movies that parents will need to use their discretion on.
Best Horror Movies for Tweens (PG)
When you’re looking for a good Halloween movie for your tween, there’s a fine line between spooky and scary. These pre-teen friendly movies feature enough scares to satisfy your tweens without the violence and gore found in adult-oriented horror movies.
Hocus Pocus
This story of three witches on a hunt for children to eat may sound like a scary plot, but the comic relief throughout this classic movie balances out the zombies and kidnapping.
Goosebumps
Your tweens will love watching the characters from their favorite R.L. Stine horror books come to life in this fun kid-friendly horror movie.
Gremlins
While the monsters that star in this 80s classic are adorable, their antics are anything but cute. That makes this fun horror movie perfect for tweens!
Haunted Mansion
Based on the Disney World ride, this spooky movie takes place in a Haunted House. But thanks to Eddie Murphy, this horror movie is more of a comedy.
Ghostbusters
While this movie is technically a comedy, the ghosts and jump-scares will make your young tween feel like they’re watching a horror movie.
The Witches
A group of scary witches hope to rid the world of children in this spooky 90s horror movie.
Beetlejuice
The mix of horror and comedy in this classic ghost movie is perfect for tweens. In this scary movie, a group of ghosts try to escape their house with the help of a comical demon.
Monster House
This fun horror movie takes the idea of a haunted house to a new level. And since it’s animated, the scary elements of this fun horror movie are tame enough for younger tweens.
Coraline
Another animated option, this kid-friendly scary movie follows Coraline as she fins a secret, spooky, new world.
The Addams Family
You can’t go wrong by watching one of the most loveable spooky families on film! This classic movie follows the Addams Family as the plan a celebration to wake the dead.
ParaNorman
While the main character of this animated horror movie can see and speak with the dead, the scares and thrills are tame enough for kids of any age to enjoy.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls
When the main character of this tween-friendly horror movie finds out his uncle is a powerful magician, he accidently awakens the dead.
Poltergeist
This classic horror movie is set in a haunted house and follows a family as they uncover the strange mysteries behind the home’s history. While Poltergeist is rated PG, it does have some scary depictions of ghosts, making it a good option for older tweens.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
While this adventurous movie is more fantasy than horror, The Spiderwick Chronicals does offer plenty of scares as the characters uncover a hidden world of magic.
PG-13 Horror Movies for Tweens
Older tweens can take their horror to the next level with some PG-13 rated thrills. These tween-friendly movies are perfect for older pre-teens who are mature enough to handle those bigger scares.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
When the stories in a book start to become real for the teens reading them, they must uncover the mysterious secrets the author of the book is trying to hide in this horror movie.
The Ring
A video tape has the power to cause the death of anyone who watches it in this spooky story filled with supernatural frights.
Jaws
Watch as a killer shark terrorizes a beachside town in this Steven Spielberg hit. While this classic horror movie is technically rated PG, it does contain some nudity, making it a better option for older tweens.
The Sixth Sense
An eight-year-old boy is the center of this classic horror movie. And the scariness of this film centers around the unknown more than violence or gore.
Happy Death Day
If your preteen is itching to watch a classic horror movie, give this horror twist on Groundhog Day a try. While Happy Death Day does depict murder and suicide, the scenarios are portrayed without showing much blood or gore.
A Quiet Place
This suspenseful thriller is a great intro to the horror genre for tweens. The film follows a family who must live their life in silence as they run from mysterious creatures who hunt by sound.
Signs
Aliens are at the center of this supernatural thriller starring Mel Gibson. This M. Night Shyamalan thriller is perfect for older tweens hoping for a scare.
The Village
Another M. Night Shyamalan classic, The Village depicts an unknown evil inhabiting a forest that surrounds a turn-of-the-century village.
Arachnophobia
Any tween with a fear of spiders will find this horror movie scary as they watch John Goodman fight against an infestation of killer spiders.
The Others
While living in a secluded island mansion, a family encounters a ghostly presence in their home in this scary thriller starring Nicole Kidman.
Little Shop of Horrors
While this musical centers around a killer plant, the fun song and dance numbers balance out the violence in this classic horror movie.
These are great options if you’re planning a Fun Halloween Movie Night Party (For Kids or Adults!) as well!
Looking for something less scary? Check out our list of not scary movies to watch in October or stream a classic like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
You may also like our Harry Potter Snacks, Ghostbusters Ice Cream, Witch Hat Cookies, or Nightmare Before Christmas Brownies!
Our bloody intestines treats recipe is the perfect snack for a horror movie party or on Halloween night!
What are your favorite horror movies for tweens?
Make the night complete with one of these horror movies for tweens and 27+ Halloween Movie Night Snacks!
Love this list of scary movies? Save it for later!
