Disney movies have a way of making us feel nostalgic and bringing out our inner child. For movie fans that want to get into be immersed in all the autumn vibes but don’t necessarily love horror films, Disney Halloween movies are a perfect choice. With a wide variety of stories to pick from — from sisters who are secretly witches in Hocus Pocus to a hidden magical world where goblins, skeletons, and vampires roam free — there is a spooky Disney film for everyone. One of the most iconic Disney Halloween film franchises is the Halloweentown series, as outlined by The Wrap. Its original release was in 1998, and after how successful the first film was, three other Halloweentown movies were released: Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Return, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown. The film starred Kimberly J. Brown and the beloved Debbie Reynolds.
Another fan favorite Disney Halloween movie is The Haunted Mansion. The film follows a realtor and his family who end up at a gorgeous but run-down mansion that will soon be on the market. The mansion and its owner turn out to be supernatural, and Jim Evers and his family find themselves in one of the most dangerous situations they have ever been in. In 2023, per Variety, Disney will release a new version of the tale titled Haunted Mansion, which will star Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Jared Leto, Jamie Lee Curtis, LaKeith Lee Stanfield, and Danny DeVito. Until then, here are the best Disney Halloween movies to watch this season, ranked.
7 Maleficent
Disney
In 2014, Disney released Maleficent, the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty told from the titular villain’s perspective. Angelina Jolie stars as the equally evil and misunderstood fairy who is set on cursing a child, Aurora, portrayed by Elle Fanning. This film is beautiful and just spooky enough to be considered a Halloween movie as well as being perfect for audiences who like iconic Disney stories. In addition to Jolie’s impressive performance, the film has whimsical costumes and sweeping music including Lana Del Rey’s cover of “Once Upon a Dream.”
6 Cruella
Walt Disney Pictures
Another fan favorite Disney story remade from the villain’s point of view was the 2021 comedy/crime Cruella. Emma Stone is one of the most successful and beloved actresses of her generation, winning her first Academy Award for her role in La La Land at just 28 years old. Her involvement in Cruella heightened expectations for the entire project, and her performance of the youthful and determined Cruella de Vil did not disappoint. Cruella was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling, winning in the former category. The movie was such a hit that a sequel Cruella 2 is currently set to be released in 2023.
5 The Nightmare Before Christmas
With a 95% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 82% score on Metacritic, The Nightmare Before Christmas is arguably one of Disney’s most critically acclaimed Halloween movie. The stop-motion animated film directed by Henry Selick was originally released in 1993 and stars Danny Elfman and Schitt’s Creek star Catherine O’Hara as Jack Skellington and Sally. One of the most exciting and interesting parts of this film is that it could be considered both a Halloween and Christmas movie since it is centered around both holidays. The project was such a success, a sequel has been up in the air for years, and since we will be getting part two in novel form, hopefully, that will prompt Disney to give The Nightmare Before Christmas a return.
4 Twitches
Tia and Tamera Mowry star as the iconic twin witch sisters, Alexandra Fielding and Camryn Barnes in Disney’s Twitches. The film follows the two girls who were separated at birth and finally meet one another on their 21st birthday. If finding out you have a secret twin sister wasn’t weird enough, the young women also must come to terms with the fact that they were born in an alternate magical universe and witches are very much part of their reality. Alexandra and Camryn go on a wild and dangerous journey to save their birth mother and discover their birthright.
3 The Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is a fan favorite ride at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland, which first opened in August 1969. In 2003, The Haunted Mansion film was released; the story is an adaption of the ride and focuses on a realtor who takes his family to an old, rundown, but beautiful mansion that will soon be put up for sale. It is soon discovered that the mansion and its master have a dark agenda that the Evers family fell right into. Eddie Murphy, Marsha Thomason, Terence Stamp, and Wallace Shawn star in the film. In 2023, Disney will be releasing Haunted Mansion, a revised take on the iconic mansion, which is set to set Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Jared Leto, Jamie Lee Curtis, LaKeith Lee Stanfield, Winona Ryder, and Danny DeVito.
2 Hocus Pocus
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Hocus Pocus is without a doubt one of the most beloved Disney Halloween movies ever. From the story to the costumes, and the incredible cast, which includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, and Thora Birch. It’s incredible to think that the tale of the Sanderson sisters came out almost 30 years ago, in 1993. The story takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, and follows three evil witches, the Sanderson sisters, who try to wreak havoc on Halloween night. A sequel to the film Hocus Pocus 2 directed by Anne Fletcher will be released on Disney+ on September 30.
1 Halloweentown
Coming in at number one on our list of the best Disney Halloween movies is possibly the most beloved and successful Disney Halloween franchise Halloweentown. This is a Disney Channel movie classic that would constantly be airing during fall in the 2000s. People loved the story of Marnie Piper, Aggie Cromwell, and all the creatures in Halloweentown so much that they went on to make three films after the original one, including Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Return, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown. The original film was an adaption of The Nightmare Before Christmas and took the idea of a world dedicated to Halloween all-year round. This movie is a must-watch during the Halloween season.
