Halloween is a time for thrills, chills, and plenty of family-friendly fun. While the classic Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown movies are staples of the season, there's a treasure trove of underrated, spooky-yet-sweet films that deserve their moment in the spotlight. From supernatural comedies to heartwarming tales of friendship, these 13 Halloween movies offer something for every member of the household to enjoy.

Unleash the Magic of Unexpected Halloween Delights

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Cult Classic Reborn

While the beloved TV series starring Sarah Michelle Gellar has cemented its place in pop culture, the 1992 film that inspired it, starring Kristy Swanson, is a hidden gem worth rediscovering. Blending campy humor with supernatural thrills, this cult classic follows the story of Buffy, a high school student who discovers her destiny as a vampire slayer. With a star-studded cast that includes Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens, and a young Luke Perry, the film offers a lighthearted take on the Buffy universe, perfect for families seeking a spooky-yet-comedic Halloween treat.

My Babysitter's a Vampire: A Paranormal Romp with Laughs Galore

This 2010 vampire-comedy feels like a Disney Channel Original Film, but with a delightfully unexpected twist. When geeky 14-year-olds Ethan and Benny discover that their babysitter, Sarah, is a vampire fledgling, they embark on a hilarious and spooky adventure to save their town from a group of 100-year-old bloodsuckers. The film's success spawned a subsequent TV series, which expanded the paranormal universe and introduced even more supernatural hijinks. With a talented cast, plenty of laughs, and a premise that's both thrilling and family-friendly, My Babysitter's a Vampire is a Halloween gem that keeps on giving.

Liar, Liar, Vampire: When a Lie Becomes Frighteningly Real

In this 2015 hidden gem, a teenage boy named Davis, who is the subject of constant bullying, decides to trick his new school by claiming to be a vampire. As his lie spreads and he becomes the talk of the halls, the pressure to maintain his supernatural facade becomes increasingly complicated. Starring Brec Bassinger and Rahart Adams, Liar, Liar, Vampire offers a fun, Halloween-themed lesson about the consequences of taking a lie too far, all while capturing the spirit of the spooky season.

Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls - A Carnival of Supernatural Surprises

When the Hall of Horrors carnival comes to town, best friends Beth and Kellen, along with their friends, can't wait to get spooked. But their fun takes a dark turn when they discover that the showman, Dr. Hysteria, and his assistant are trapping the souls of unsuspecting teens. Featuring a talented cast that includes Dove Cameron, Ryan McCartan, and Katherine McNamara, Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls blends teen romance, supernatural thrills, and the excitement of a carnival for a Halloween adventure that's both chilling and charming.

Girl vs. Monster: A Tween Heroine Embraces Her Destiny

Olivia Holt shines in this Disney Channel Original Movie, where she plays Skylar Lewis, a tween who discovers on Halloween that she is a fifth-generation monster hunter. When Skylar accidentally releases a spooky creature, she must team up with her friends, including the cute guitarist Dean (Luke Benward), to recapture it and save her parents. With its blend of supernatural elements, budding romance, and a strong-willed heroine, Girl vs. Monster is a delightful Halloween treat that celebrates the power of friendship and self-discovery.

Casper Meets Wendy: A Ghostly Friendship Defies Expectations

While the original Casper the Friendly Ghost is a beloved classic, this 1998 spin-off featuring the character is a hidden gem. Starring a young Hilary Duff as Wendy the Good Little Witch, Casper Meets Wendy follows the unlikely friendship between a ghost and a witch, as they team up to take on a malevolent warlock. With a talented supporting cast, including Cathy Moriarty, Teri Garr, and Shelley Duvall as Wendy's three aunt witches, this bewitching tale offers a heartwarming and humorous take on the supernatural.

Hubie Halloween: A Spooky Romp with a Comedic Twist

While it may have been overshadowed by its 2020 release during the pandemic, Hubie Halloween is a delightfully spooky and hilarious Halloween film. Starring Adam Sandler in the lead role, the movie follows Hubie, a well-meaning but often overlooked resident of Salem, Massachusetts, as he tries to save Halloween against all odds. With a star-studded supporting cast that includes Kevin James, Julie Bowen, and a host of other familiar faces, Hubie Halloween blends Sandler's signature humor with a touch of Halloween magic, creating a family-friendly romp that's sure to delight.

Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire: A Supernatural Twist on a First Date

This Disney Channel Original Movie, released on Friday the 13th in 2000, is a delightfully campy take on the vampire genre. When a single mom is set up on a date by her children, they soon realize that their mysterious new suitor might just be a vampire. Starring the iconic Caroline Rhea (of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame), Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire offers a humorous and heartwarming exploration of the perils of first dates, with a supernatural twist that's sure to entertain the whole family.

Monster House: A Haunted Home with Heart

Sony's first motion-capture animated film, Monster House, captivated audiences with its unique blend of spooky thrills and heartwarming storytelling. When 12-year-old D.J. and his friends investigate the legends surrounding their crotchety neighbor's house, they discover that the home itself is a living, breathing entity with a dark past. Featuring the vocal talents of Steve Buscemi, Kevin James, and Nick Cannon, Monster House is a delightfully unexpected Halloween treat that combines the excitement of a haunted house with the emotional resonance of a coming-of-age tale.

Fun Size: A Tween Comedy with a Halloween Twist

This 2012 Nickelodeon-produced teen comedy may have flown under the radar, but it's a perfect light-hearted Halloween watch for the tween set. When Wren's Halloween plans go awry, she's forced to take her younger brother trick-or-treating instead of attending a party with her friends. Along with her best friend April, Wren embarks on a hilarious journey to find her missing brother before sunrise. Starring Victoria Justice, Fun Size offers a relatable and humorous take on the challenges of navigating social status and family responsibilities during the spooky season.

The Boy Who Cried Werewolf: A Nickelodeon Supernatural Comedy

Before her theatrical Halloween movie debut in Fun Size, Victoria Justice starred in this made-for-television spooky season comedy. When 17-year-old Jordan inherits her late mother's family castle in Wolfsberg, Romania, she accidentally steps on a vial of blood and begins to experience wolf-like symptoms. With the help of their housekeeper, Madame Varcolac (played by the incomparable Brooke Shields), Jordan and her younger brother, Hunter, race to find a cure for her lycanthropy before she's cursed forever. The Boy Who Cried Werewolf blends supernatural elements with a coming-of-age story, creating a delightfully quirky Halloween treat.

The Little Vampire: A Heartwarming Friendship Across the Supernatural Divide

This 2000 film follows 9-year-old Tony Thompson, who struggles to fit in after his family moves from California to a castle in Scotland. When Tony begins to have dreams about vampires and mythical creatures, he soon realizes that they may be more than just figments of his imagination. Befriending a young vampire named Rudolph, Tony embarks on a heartwarming adventure filled with flying cows, the Scottish countryside, and the power of friendship to overcome the supernatural divide.

Don't Look Under the Bed: A Spooky Cautionary Tale

While this Disney Channel Original Movie may be the scariest of the bunch, it's a creative fantasy horror film with a powerful message. When Frances starts noticing strange occurrences in her community, an older boy named Larry Houdini claims that the Boogeyman is responsible. What follows is a tale that explores the dangers of losing one's sense of wonder and childlike curiosity as we grow older. Though it may be too intense for some younger viewers, Don't Look Under the Bed offers a unique and thought-provoking Halloween experience.