Best Family Friendly Horror Movies on Disney+ to Watch Right Now

While true horror films can be too intense to watch with the entire family, streaming services like Disney+ have an outstanding selection of thrillers and mysteries that fit the bill. These family-friendly horror movies tread the line between scary and not-so-scary quite perfectly. The action and humor are fun enough to get the adrenaline going but not too graphic or vivid to give you nightmares.

Disney has long been known for blending the right amount of horror with humor and adventure. Titles like Hocus Pocus and the Halloweentown franchise are an ideal example. They build tension through eerie music, dark shadows, and sinister laughter, but are never too traumatizing. The streaming platform’s collection of family-friendly horror movies spans decades of films that are known to thrill audiences while also scaring them a little, and here are 10 such movies.

10 The New Mutants (2020)

A spin-off film in the X-Men film series and based on the Marvel Comics landscape, The New Mutants is a brilliant addition to the superhero genre. what makes it more compelling is that it is tinged with subtle elements of horror. In the movie, Dani Moonster and four other teenagers who underwent traumatic experiences are held in a secret facility. Each of these individuals possesses unique supernatural abilities they have not yet learned to control. When strange events occur in the facility, they fear for their safety and work together to protect themselves.

An Original Twist on the X-Men Franchise

Despite being a part of the same mutant storyline and the official timeline, The New Mutants puts a fresh spin on the story and becomes its own thing. Fans of the Marvel universe will find something creative in its creepy atmosphere, air of suspense, and focus on mystery over action in several pivotal scenes. The movie, directed by Josh Boone, stars a bunch of young stars like Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, and Blu Hunt. Overall, with its subtle frights, tough female leads, and creative use of visual effects, the movie is a must-watch.

9 Return to Oz (1985)

Co-written and directed by Walter Murch, Return to Oz is an unofficial sequel to the 1939 classic, and it stars Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, and Piper Laurie. Fairuza Balk makes her screen debut as Dorothy Gale, who may have returned home but is struggling with bizarre dreams of her time in Oz. She returns to the fantastical land only to find it in ruins. Dorothy resorts to her new friends like Tik-Tok and Billina to stop the wicked Nome King and his accomplice Princess Mombi.

Darkly Imaginative and Grand in Scope

Just as surreal as its predecessor, Return to Oz builds on L. Frank Baum’s early 20th-century Oz novels. It brings to life the intricate magical world with lavish set pieces, practical effects, and stunning make-up artistry. Some may consider Return to Oz an unnecessary sequel because it doesn’t have Judy Garland nor the nuance of the original movie, which fascinated generations with its wonder. However, the movie still feels like it was a nightmare brought to life because of all the horrific and captivating elements.

8 Morbius (2022)

Read Our ReviewMorbius is a recent action horror superhero movie starring Jared Leto. It follows the story of a dedicated and troubled biochemist, Michael Morbius, who attempts to cure a rare blood disease. In a haste to be “normal” again, he ends up infecting himself with the drug and develops a form of vampirism. After brutally attacking his crew, Morbius realizes that he has attained superhuman strength, speed, and senses. As he grapples with his new powers, a criminal mastermind manipulates him to use his abilities for his own dangerous gains.

Fashions a New Brand of Marvel Anti-Hero

This new film tries to introduce an intriguing Marvel character to the mix but fails drastically. Derided for its borderline nonsensical narrative and tedious attempt at humor, Morbius did not make it out of the box office unscathed. However, in terms of presenting an empathetic antihero struggling between science and darkness, the themes are refreshing enough. Moreover, Leto’s twisted turn as the vampire and the visceral action scenes also provide some terror.

7 Werewolf by Night (2022)

A TV special exclusive to the streaming platform, Werewolf by Night is directed by Michael Giacchino. Continued after the events of the movie and the rest of the content in the franchise, the movie begins on a dark and somber night, when a secret group of monster hunters gather on a remote manor. Now that their leader, Ulysses Bloodstone, has died, these hunters must compete with each other to obtain a powerful relic, defeat a mysterious monster, and become the new leader.

A Delightful Monster Mash

Shadowy and mysterious, Werewolf by Night delves deeper into Marvel’s darker and deeper vein. Much like Moon Knight, this Halloween special brings the horror using stunning effects, historical intrigue, and gripping colors to the screen as legends come to life. Under Giacchino’s atmospheric direction, and Zoë White’s black-and-white cinematography, the haunting play-by-play of each monster hunter is a delight to watch. Definitely enjoyable by grown folk, the movie is a bone-chilling throwback to the genre.

6 The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is an anthology film that features two animated adaptations of classic literature. The first is based on a children’s novel titled ‘The Wind in the Willows,’ and it centers around the wealthy Mr. Toad, who desperately wants to own an automobile, and he embarks on adventures to fulfill his wish. The second is based on ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,’ a short story written by Washington Irvin. It tells the tale of a bumbling schoolmaster and his ghostly encounter with the Headless Horseman.

Whimsical and Timeless

In classic Disney fashion, the movie breathes new animated life into the beloved tales. Each of these shorts is animated with such impeccable detail that they transport the audiences straight into the fanciful world. Despite having charming characters and delivering timeless life lessons, the movie is also tinged with darkness and is perhaps Disney’s most terrifying animated movie to date. Especially the final 10 minutes of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which go full-throttle into horror territory.

5 Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)

Don’t Look Under the Bed is infamous for being one of the most terrifying Disney Channel original movies of all time. Its story centers around a curious young girl named Frances Bacon McCausland who does everything in a neat and logical way. However, there are strange things happening in her town of Middleberg. When Frances befriends an older boy, Larry Houdini, who tells her he’s her “imaginary friend,” Frances is blamed for all of the town’s troubles.

Thrives on Atmospheric Dread

Directed by Kenneth Johnson, the movie is packed with ’90s nostalgia but is also downright creepy. Frances and Larry may seem like a team together, but underneath their fantastical hijinks are genuine scare-inducing horrors that some parents wanted their kids to stay away from at the time. Johnson also deftly uses music and shadows to create an eerie atmosphere and match the shaky camerawork. All in all, Don’t Look Under the Bed is a delightful family-friendly made-for-TV horror.

4 Return to Halloweentown (2006)

Originally, Halloweentown was a horror-comedy trilogy starring Kimberly J. Brown as the main character. But this fourth installment in the franchise marked the end of a beloved saga. The Disney Channel Original Movie follows Marnie Piper enrolling in the Witch University of Halloweentown. However, once she gets there, she realizes that the witches and wizards are forbidden from using their powers, and instead, a mysterious dark force controls their magic.

Heartwarming and Frightful

Return to Halloweentown reunites some fan-favorite characters from the original series. They are played by Joey Zimmerman, Judith Hoag, Debbie Reynolds, and Lucas Grabeel, while Sara Paxton makes her first appearance as Marnie Piper. The movie captures all the magic and mystery and spins it around for the new generation. As expected, there are shadowy subplots, spirited townsfolk, and a formidable foe that lurks above. These elements encompass some feel-good frights that are perfect to revisit with the family over and over again.

3 Frankenweenie (2012)

Blending elements of science fiction, horror, and comedy, Frankenweenie is a one-of-a-kind 3D stop-motion animation movie that made big numbers at the box office. In the movie, young Victor Frankenstein is a science aficionado. He often dreams of bringing his beloved dog Sparky, who died in a tragic accident, to life. Through an experiment, Victor reanimates Sparky, but he now looks like a monster. When word of Victor’s project reaches the neighbors, trouble ensues.

A Black-and-White Ode to Classic Monsters

Written by John August and directed by Tim Burton, Frankenweenie is both a parody and an homage to the young Frankenstein tales we grew up watching. The stunning stop-motion animation takes us back to the 1930s and sparks our spectacular curiosity. Stars like Charlie Tahan, Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, and Martin Landau lend their voices to add to the spookiness of the narrative. Critics lauded Frankenweenie as an “exquisite, macabre mayhem,” and we couldn’t agree more.

2 Hocus Pocus (1993)

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy established themselves as the mischievous and evil Sanderson sisters back in the 1990s with Hocus Pocus. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the movie transports you to Halloween night in Salem, when a young boy named Max moves to town with his family. He inadvertently resurrects three witches who were cursed 300 years ago. Once alive, Sarah, Dani, and Mary suck the life force out of children and wreak absolute havoc in Salem.

Filled with Hysterical and Scary Misadventures

A timeless manic misadventure, Hocus Pocus is a movie that only gets more appreciation and a larger cult following with time. Set in Salem, the movie combines whimsical spells and potions with pop culture callbacks in a way that is entertaining to viewers of all ages. An essential on home video, the film’s box office performance was decent, but it didn’t last long enough. Fortunately for Disney, the Halloween spirit and themes of bravery and sacrifice paired with hysterical moments of horror made it a holiday classic.

1 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Read Our Review

Steering away from Marvel’s usual humor-tinged projects, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness drew the audiences into a whole new world. It follows Dr. Stephen Strange battling threats from across the universe when a young girl named America Chavez is introduced. After casting a forbidden spell and opening the doorway to the multiverse, Strange faces his biggest foe yet – alternate, evil versions of himself. He teams up with Wanda Maximoff and Wong to fight back.

Visually Mind-Blowing and Terrifying

Perhaps the greatest credit for turning Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness into a terrifying romp goes to Sam Raimi, who is known particularly for his work in the Evil Dead franchise. He gives new dimensions and layers to the regular superhero story and fashions a mind-bending sequel that also tackles themes of grief and destiny. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen are distinctively stronger and more threatening as they fight to overcome the scariest evil of all. An entertaining mix of horror and action from start to finish.