What do you feel like watching tonight? With streaming services at our fingertips, there are too many things to add to your watch list. We present our list of top picks, some just in time for Halloween
The kids are already in bed. You’ve done the dishes, put the laundry away, and had that nice, long shower. It’s too early to sleep – or you’re doing the revenge bedtime procrastination thing (no judgment!). Should you read a book? Nah, too much brain power. Why not watch something?
Sounds good, but there’s one caveat: too many shows to sieve through and pick! But don’t worry, we’ve done all the hard work. Here’s our guide to what you should binge-watch on the available streaming services. Psst, we’ve curated this list, especially for Halloween, so enjoy!
Spooky shows to get cozy to and watch this Halloween
Highly recommended shows for adults – kid-free zone
1. The Conjuring
Nothing beats a classic horror film like The Conjuring – a good ol’ malevolent spirit haunting a family. The family contacts the Warrens, two renowned demonologists to conduct an investigation but as things take a turn for the worse. Will the Warrens be able to save them before the spirit tears the family apart?
2. Train to Busan
Train to Busan is a Korean zombie movie that has made its rise to fame internationally, and it’s currently available on Netflix just in time for Halloween. Follow the journey of a father and a daughter trying to escape to the only safe city as a zombie apocalypse sweeps the nation. The majority of the movie takes place on a KTX, South Korea’s MRT, traveling from Seoul to Busan and makes for an interesting premise for a zombie movie.
3. IT
It’s definitely not your fun-loving birthday party clown in IT – think more of a cosmic entity capable of transforming into your worst fear and feeding off your energy. A group of seven young misfits come into contact with this terrifying being as it emerges from the sewers after 27 years and must overcome their fears to battle it. Make sure you put your kids to bed before you put this on Netflix or they’ll never see clowns the same again!
4. Chucky
If you’ve been following the cult-classic movie franchise, this show on Netflix takes place after the seventh movie installment Cult of Chucky. 14-year-old Jake Wheeler stumbles across this doll in a yard sale to use in his art project for Halloween – little does he know this doll is possessed by the spirit of a serial killer Charles Lee Ray, known as Chucky. While it mostly is horror, the series does have a twisted sense of humour and it’s only eight episodes – definitely something to binge watch if that’s your cup of tea!
5. Halloween Ends
Halloween Ends is not for the squeamish – the 13th installment of the Halloween franchise is just as gorey as the rest of ’em. Four years after Michael Myers’ last killing spree, he makes an appearance again – just as survivor Laurie Strode decides to liberate herself and live life free of fear. The town of Haddonfield, Illinois is once again plagued by a series of murders but will Laurie once again make it out and survive?
Watch Halloween Ends
Kid-friendly choices
6. A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
What would you do if you discovered that there were monsters and creatures that terrorise kids at night? Teen babysitter Kelly Ferguson decides that she wants to protect the kids and learns how to hunt these monsters and fight back – definitely a very empowering watch for the little ones. Fill the kiddos’ hearts with hope as Kelly takes on the monsters and perhaps they’ll feel like they too could tackle anything (including nasty veggies and the horrors of school work).
Watch A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
7. Corpse Bride
This one’s a classic – Corpse Bride is not just a creepy Halloween movie but also a humorous and romantic stop-motion animated film! The nervous groom Victor somehow accidentally marries a corpse, Emily, on the eve of his wedding and descends into the underworld. While the movie is filled with dead bodies, skeletons, and death, the cartoony nature makes it a lot cuter than you would think so boot up Netflix and make it a movie night with the fam!
8. The Addams Family
They might be a little weird and creepy but there’s a lot to learn from The Addams Family. This creepy but close-knit bunch really embrace themselves and aren’t afraid to be who they want to be, despite getting nasty stares from the neighbourhood. Gomez and Morticia Addams encourage their kids and always support them, even if they are dark and twisted. The parents also put a lot of work into keeping their love life alive, despite having an unconventional love story. While gothic and dark, this family warms even the coldest of hearts!
9. Scaredy Cats
Black cats, witches, and tweens learning magic – perfect for a Halloween binge watch! On her 12th birthday, Willa Ward learns that her mother is a witch after inheriting her magical amulet. Willa and her two friends find out two evil witches are after the amulet and must learn magic to fend them off – they also turn into cats with the help of a potion.
10. The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween
Young readers who enjoy the Captain Underpants series will love this one – get ready for some low-brow humour and gags! The protagonists Harold and George create their own spooky holiday when Melvin tries to cancel Halloween – watch how they make it a success.
Watch The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween
Halloween on Disney+
11. Hocus Pocus
Get ready for some witch-y fun with Hocus Pocus! Three evil witches have accidentally been revived by a teenager Max and have one night to make sure they stay resurrected. Max must make up for his mistake with the help of some friends and a talking cat.
12. Muppets Haunted Mansion
The furry puppets are back in their Halloween special, Muppets Haunted Mansion. Instead of going to the usual Halloween party, Gonzo and Pepe take on the fear challenge at the haunted mansion – can they survive the night? Featuring three new original songs and the same ol’ characters in their Halloween garb, the kiddos are gonna be both spooked and entranced by this musical comedy.
13. The Haunted Mansion
Settle in for another family comedy with Eddie Murphy in The Haunted Mansion! Loosely based on the Disney attraction, Jim Evers and his family take a trip to a lake and decide to stay Gracey Manor – little did they know that they’ll be trapped and have to break a curse to escape. There’s a takeaway to the story as well – Jim Evers was a workaholic father who paid little to no attention to his family. As they work together to escape, he realises this and learns a lot more about his family. It’s a good reminder for parents to make time for their little ones even if you’re busy with work.
14. Spooky Buddies
If you remember the loveable pups from the Air Bud franchise, these cute furry friends are back in a slightly spookier fashion. The Buddies are on a trip to a creepy manor far across town and must band together to stop Warwick the Warlock with the help of some new friends, including a friendly ghost. Another cute one to add to the list and binge watch this Halloween!
15. The Villains of Valley View
You don’t really follow the adventures of a supervillain family but that’s what makes The Villains of Valley View a unique show. After one of the members stood up to the leader of the League of Villains, the family needed to go into hiding in a quite suburb in Texas and conceal their powers. They now have to work hard to leave regular lives while avoiding the League of Villains, superheroes, and the authorities.
Watch The Villains of Valley View
Check out these selections on Prime Video
16. Costume Quest
Based on the video game series, Costume Quest entails four kids who must use the must learn to unlock and master the magical powers of their homemade costumes to face off against the dark forces to save their town on Halloween. Teach the kiddos about the power of imagination and how they can think of creative solutions to tackle just about any problem
17. Casper
Casper is a classic for the parents of today – not to make you feel old but it might be time to pass it on to the next generation! Even if it is from the 90s, what’s there not to love about a friendly ghost who just wants a pal? His uncles are a little unfriendly though, and want to chase all the “fleshies” or humans away.
Happy binge watching, folks!
This article was originally written in 2022 by Sufyan Saad and updated by Raiz Redwan in 2024.
