Horror films and Disney+ are not usually put together in a sentence. However, with the multitude of new movies being put on the streaming site, many fans find themselves wanting a bit of a scare or to show their children some must-see films, so here's 10 to get you started.
From the offset, it should be noted that these films are not as scary as The Exorcist. After all, these are Disney films and are meant for families. Although, it cannot be ignored that some of these films stick in your brain and are guaranteed to give any kid a bit of a scare and maybe even a nightmare.
The Haunted Mansion: 5/10
Based on the beloved Disney ride, this Eddie Murphy classic tells the tale of a realtor and his family who are summoned to a mansion by its owner, only to discover that the house they get trapped in is haunted.
Ultimately, this film is all about the importance of family, but what most people will are the fantastically hilarious singing statue heads that are both irritating and funny at the same time. What makes this creepy and somewhat scary for children are the many ghosts and skeletons that plague the film itself, as well as the fantastic Madame Leota who appears as a gypsy spirit inside a crystal ball, played by Jennifer Tilly. Although not a great film, it is likely to give some kids some bad dreams.
The Watcher In The Woods: 6.3/10
Although rated pretty low, this is arguably the scariest film of the list. This film is about a family who moves to a new house where they start experiencing strange happenings that seem to have a link to the ghost of a missing girl.
Anyone who watched this when they were young will tell you that this film was TERRIFYING! If you are scared of the dark, you better be prepared for that to be made worse and don't expect to be looking in the mirror anytime soon. This suspense thriller is bound to scare even adults and that mirror scene will stick with you for years.
Return To Oz: 6.7/10
This sequel to The Wizard Of Oz is unintentionally nightmare filled. This film is all about Dorothy who is saved from a psychiatric hospital by a mysterious girl and is called back to Oz to save it yet again.
This supposedly family film is unforgettable, just not in a good way. From electroshock therapy to a hallway of severed heads, this film is both dark and disturbing. Although energetic and undeniably creative, it is still scary. Those wheelers will stick in your mind forever and bring shivers down your spine no matter how old you are.
Frankenweenie: 6.9/10
When a boy's dog sadly es away after being hit by a car, a seemingly mad scientist revives the beloved dog, terrifying the neighborhood around him. This famous black and white animation of Frankenweenie is both unique and memorable whilst also exploring the harsh reality that death is inevitable. Certainly worth a watch, if you haven't already.
What puts this on the list is its somewhat creepy animations of the characters, as well as the revived creatures throughout the film. Interestingly, there is a live-action short from 1984 that could be a little creepier, but it seems to be less mysterious and emotional than the 2012 feature-length animated remake.
Hocus Pocus: 6.9/10
Who doesn't love this absolute classic? Hocus Pocus is one of the most popular Disney Halloween films ever. Telling the tale of a curious youngster who accidentally awakens a trio of witches intent on stealing children's souls, it is impossible to not smile whilst watching.
It is worth noting that this film is, in fact, scary but without the need to be profane or overly frightening. Perhaps the only things that are relatively scary to some kids are the corpses and the spotlight that is shined on death. Nevertheless, it remains fun to watch with a wonderful soundtrack behind it -- the perfect family Halloween film.
Don't Look Under The Bed: 6.9/10
When a teen begins being haunted by a boogeyman, she enlists the help of her imaginary friend named Larry Houdini to deal with him.
Apparently, this film was banned from TV after countless complaints from parents that it was too intense for their children. Upon watching the film, they can't be far wrong! The boogeyman itself is pretty freaky, along with his sharp pointy teeth and long claws. What truly makes this film pretty scary is the way it sticks to the "don't show the monster" rule, which leaves you guessing and imagining the worst you can.
The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad: 7/10
This animated adaptation consists of two beloved stories, The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Wind In The Willows is wholesome and rather poetic, whereas The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow is surprisingly chilling.
What makes it chilling and the scarier of the two is both its content and its animation. Interestingly, this film contains a particularly famous scene in which the headless horseman throws a flaming pumpkin at the screen, making it feel like an almost 3D-but-not-3D jumpscare. This scene inspired part of Tim Burton's 1999 film, Sleepy Hollow.
Mr. Boogedy: 7.3/10
Similar to The Watcher In The Woods, this movie tells the tale of a salesman who moves his family into a new home, only to find out that the house is haunted by the people who once lived there years ago.
The only reason this film is scary is because of Mr. Boogedy's freaky face, it's just nightmare-inducing! All things considered, this is a greatly silly Halloween film for the whole family. Ridiculous for the adults and a relatively good start to horror films for the kids, this is undeniably a memorable watch.
Fantasia: 7.8/10
One of the masterpieces of Walt Disney's collection, Fantasia follows eight animated musical scores based on a series of classical music by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and with songs like the Nutcracker Suite, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Night On A Bald Mountain and Ave Maria.
Each short is filled with fantastic animations and classic Disney vibes -- all accept its finale. Night On A Bald Mountain depicts Satan himself wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting town. All in all, the scene is rather creepy and unsettling and Ave Maria rings through your soul as the film draws to a close.
Nightmare Before Christmas: 8/10
It's impossible to talk about scary films without mentioning perhaps the Nightmare Before Christmas seems to go beyond the label of a cult film. Coming out in 1993, it has retained its extreme popularity from then until now. This film depicts the King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, as he discovers Christmas Town and ends up kidnapping Santa Claus.
The Danny Elfman songs are guaranteed to haunt your brain and weave their way into your memory whilst the beautifully creepy stop motion animation may unsettle some young children. Ultimately, this film is an eerie horror musical whilst withholding its fantasy and suspenseful comedy status.
