Halloween is the time of year when horror appeals to all ages and backgrounds, but especially so for the young and young at heart. Horror has a way of creeping into everything, especially in October, and even Disney isn’t immune. That means there’s no shortage of films available that embrace the Halloween spirit and get playful with things that go bump in the night. While Disney staples like Hocus Pocus and A Nightmare Before Christmas dominate the airwaves in October, there’s a wealth of gateway horror movies in Disney+’s catalog that bring the Halloween fun.
For those looking for family-friendly frights to sink their fangs into this Halloween season, don’t miss these 10 gateway horror films on Disney+ this month.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
This animated feature contains two segments: The Wind in the Willows, based on Kenneth Grahame’s novel, and an adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The first segment lulls viewers into a false sense of complacency as they watch Mr. Toad’s adventures, making the spooky Halloween segment that follows even more terrifying. For the easily spooked Ichabod Crane, he’s already scared before that infamous trip home through the dark woods when his rival tells him of the Headless Horseman. Even still, it doesn’t quite prepare him for his encounter with the terrifying legend. Brilliantly designed and animated, the menacing Headless Horseman and his flaming jack-o-lantern are pure Halloween thrill.
The Black Cauldron
The film that earned Disney its first-ever PG rating also nearly killed Disney Animation, as it was the most expensive animated film ever made (at the time), and subsequently tanked upon release. It’s not the financial gamble that makes this one so scary, but the dark tone and content. It sounds like your standard Disney fantasy on paper, in which plucky Taran is entrusted with protecting a magical pig and finding the magical black cauldron before the Evil Horned King does. But that doesn’t quite cover just how dark this kid’s feature really is. The Horned King wants to raise an army of undead, and these characters face shocking mortal peril.
Don’t Look Under the Bed
The first PG-rated Disney Channel Original Movie to premiere on television in 1999 received many complaints from parents for being too scary for kids. New high schooler Frances begins noticing strange occurrences in town, pranks that seem to frame her as the one responsible. She teams up with Houdini, an older kid who reveals himself to be an imaginary friend. He tells her that it’s the Boogeyman that’s framing her. There’s an interesting mythology behind the Boogeyman here, and this movie also explores some rather adult themes of death. But more importantly, the boogeymen (yes, plural) in this film are pretty freaking creepy. Especially for a Disney film. Seriously. They look like they’re beginning their transformation into full-blown demons from Lamberto Bava’s Demons.
Escape to Witch Mountain
The Legend of Hell House and American Gothic director John Hough brings the creep factor in this 1975 sci-fi fantasy adaptation of Alexander H. Key’s 1968 novel. That’s largely thanks to its central pair, orphaned siblings Tony (Ike Eisenmann) and Tia (Kim Richards), eerie children with psychic and telekinetic powers. They’re actually the protagonists of this story as they seek home, all while evil men look to exploit them for personal gain, and locals are convinced they’re witches. There are no actual witches here, but the unsettling atmosphere, including creepy marionettes and not-quite-human lead characters, pushes this into gateway horror territory.
Halloweentown
Young teen Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) discovers she hails from a long line of witches who reside in Halloweentown in this 1998 Halloween staple. Marnie’s grandmother invites her to begin her witch training, but there’s an ulterior motive at play: something evil has taken root and only Marnie can save it. It’s not hard to see why this family-friendly Halloween film defined a generation; it’s the spirit of Halloween come to life in a magical hamlet we’d love to visit. Werewolves, goblins, and taxi-driver skeletons roam free in a quaint town that embraces the best holiday all year round. Speaking of Halloweentown, don’t miss the Hallmark Original movie Haul Out the Halloween this Saturday, October 11, which will serve as a fun little Halloweentown reunion.
The Haunted Mansion
On Disney+, you have multiple options when it comes to features inspired by the classic theme park dark ride. Muppets Haunted Mansion delivers seasonal fun when the Muppets’ annual Halloween party leads to a stay at Disney’s most haunted locale. There’s also 2023’s Haunted Mansion that packs in the easter eggs along with its 999 haunts, for many, though, 2003 feature starring Eddie Murphy is the tried-and-true film that brings the family fun frights of Disneyland’s attraction to life. It’s silly, ghoulish, and whimsical with its supernatural shenanigans, including a fun appearance by Jennifer Tilly as the disembodied Madame Leota.
Mr. Boogedy
Aired as an episode of “The Disney Sunday Movie” in 1986, Mr. Boogedy follows a novelty salesman and his family as they move into a new house. While initially believing the series of strange occurrences is dad just playing practical jokes, they eventually learn that their new house is haunted. For the budding horror fan, Mr. Boogedy is that perfect blend of haunted house scares with practical joke laughter to chase the chills away. Perhaps most telling of all, though, is that the writer, Michael Janover, drew inspiration for the ghost’s name from Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye. In “The Ledge,” Cressner taunts Johnny Norris along his death walk across the narrow ledge by popping out and yelling, “Boogedy! Boogedey!”
Phantom of the Megaplex
This loose retelling of The Phantom of the Opera trades the opera house for a 26-screen theater megaplex, one rumored to be haunted, making for a unique entry point into the realm of classic horror. It follows the megaplex’s assistant manager, 17-year-old Pete Riley (Taylor Handley), as he begins to notice eerie occurrences in the theater while working a special premiere screening event. Like its source inspiration, there’s a mysterious, mischievous Phantom wreaking havoc on the event. Phantom of the Megaplex embraces mystery over scares, creating a charming gateway mystery whodunnit with Mickey Rooney in a supporting role.
Return to Oz
Return to Oz picks up after the first film, with Aunt Em (Carrie’s Piper Laurie) and Uncle Henry’s farm wrecked thanks to the tornado, which means they’re in financial trouble. Dorothy, now played by Fairuza Balk (The Craft), has insomnia after returning from Oz- a place her aunt and uncle don’t believe exists. So, the opening scene sees Dorothy committed to a mental hospital for electroshock therapy. She’s freed and nearly drowns in her escape. When Dorothy finds herself back in Oz, it’s a grimmer, creepier place ruled by rock-dwelling demon Nome King, and his underling Princess Mombi, a terrifying witch with many, many heads. That’s only the beginning of this horror-tinged sequel that takes Dorothy’s grim reality and applies it to an even grimmer and weirder adventure in Oz. It’s nightmare fuel.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Disney+ has finally brought this quintessential gateway Halloween horror gem to streaming for the first time. Director Jack Clayton’s horror/dark fantasy film Something Wicked This Way Comes, adapted for the screen by author Ray Bradbury, didn’t shy away from getting pretty dark. Set in late October, two young boys visit a traveling carnival, led by the mysterious and ominous Mr. Dark. Faustian offers of wishes granted curdle the boys’ fantasies into waking nightmares. A haunting carousel, a blind witch, autumnal vibes, and more ensure there’s enough Halloween tricks and treats here for all. Just beware that some imagery may be far too intense for really young viewers, including a tarantula scene that’ll induce arachnophobia.
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