Fun with Halloween films

By Lynn Trimble | October 20, 2012

Families eager to enjoy Halloween films together have several to choose from on DVD and in movie theaters. Here’s a sampling to help you plan October movie nights:

MOVIES IN THEATERS NOW OR COMING SOON

“Frankenweenie.” A boy finds a way to bring his beloved dog back to life but changes to the dog and others’ reactions complicate their reunion. 2012. 87 minutes. Rated PG. Info at disney.go.com/frankenweenie.

“Fun Size.” A teen’s plans to enjoy a big Halloween party are complicated when the little brother she’s in charge of watching goes missing. 2012. Rated PG-13 for crude and suggestive material, partying and language. Info at paramount.com/funsize.

“Hotel Transylvania.” Dracula tries to fend off a human boy who has discovered both a resort he runs for monsters and his teenage daughter. 2012. 91 minutes. Rated PG. Info at welcometohotelt.com.

MOVIES FEATURING FAMILIAR CHARACTERS

“Arthur’s Scary Stories.” Stories address common childhood fears (bedtime fears of the dark and outdoor fears of wild animal noises) with humor and sensitivity. 2002. 40 minutes. Not rated.

“Barney’s Halloween Party.” Barney, B.J. and Baby Bop enjoy games, crafts and trick-or-treating while emphasizing sharing and Halloween safety. 2003. 52 minutes. Not rated.

“Dora’s Halloween Parade.” Dora, Boots and Little Monster share two nighttime adventures before enjoying a musical Halloween parade. 2011. 97 minutes. Not rated.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.” Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the gang celebrate Halloween as Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin to visit the pumpkin patch. 1966. 75 minutes. Not rated.

“Mickey’s House of Villains.” Mickey Mouse and pals battle a House of Mouse takeover by Disney villains on Halloween night. 2002. 70 minutes. Not rated.

“Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie.” Roo and Heffalump Lumpy are eager to trick-or-treat until Tigger warns of a “Gobloon” haunting the Hundred Acre Wood. 2005. 67 minutes. Rated G.

“Spongebob Squarepants—Halloween.” Includes 10 episodes varying in length. Not rated. Includes the “Scaredy Pants” music video. 2003. Not rated.

MOVIES FEATURING FAMILIAR VILLAINS

“Igor.” Hunchback falls in love with female monster he created to enter in an evil invention contest. 2009. 87 minutes. Rated PG.

“Little Monsters.” Young boy dreams of monsters under his bed, only to learn that they are really there. 2004. 100 min. Rated PG.

“Monster House.” House that swallows children and toys battles three young neighbors who save the day on Halloween. 2006. 91 min. Rated PG (though some critics felt it should be PG-13).

“Monsters, Inc.” Little girl named Boo terrifies monsters when she visits their “scare factory” in monster world. 2006. 92 min. Rated G.

MOVIES FEATURING MORE MATURE FARE

“Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride.” Man who runs out on his bride-to-be accidentally resurrects a murdered girl who claims to be his wedded wife. 2006. 77 min. Rated PG.

“Ghostbusters.” Goblins haunting New York City are chased by three unemployed parapsychology professors. 2003. 107 min. Rated PG.

“Hocus Pocus.” Three witches accidentally conjured during a prank find themselves transported from the 17th to the 20th century. 1993. 97 minutes. Rated PG.

“The Dog Who Saved Halloween.” A dog and his family investigate strange happenings at a neighbor’s house after moving to a new neighborhood. 2011. 89 minutes. Rated PG.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Pumpkin ruler of Halloweentown tires of the creepy holiday and decides to put on a joyful Christmas holiday instead. 2004. 76 min. Rated PG.

MOVIES FEATURING CLASSIC STORIES

“The Addams Family.” Eccentric family is visited by fake long-lost uncle as an evil doctor tries to swindle them out of their fortune. 2006. 99 min. Rated PG-13.

“The Phantom of the Opera.” Opera house ghost wreaks havoc as he watches the opera singer he loves fall for another man. 2005. 143 min. Rated PG-13.

“The Wizard of Oz.” Young girl who enters a strange land after her house is uprooted by a tornado seeks a way home again. 2005. 101 min. Rated G (though flying monkeys, a booming wizard and the wicked witch may frighten young children).