As October chills send tingles down spines, Halloween looms darkly on the horizon. Just one night of trick or treating may not be enough. For many of us, the haunted holiday should last the entire month. But it’s important to find things that capture the spirit of Halloween without ruining sleep. No slasher flicks. No fear-filled novels. Limited amounts of adrenaline and blue light.
Here’s a round-up of the best books, podcasts, movies, and TV shows (plus a playlist) that will help get you ready for dreamtime this spooky season, without keeping you up all night. We’ve included a fear factor rating for each, so you know how frightening they are, and if they’re appropriate for little boos to enjoy with you.
Halloween bedtime stories, movies, and TV shows to watch with kids
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
When a witch grows the biggest pumpkin ever and wants to turn it into pie, she needs help from her spooky friends to make her delicious dreams a reality.
Fear factor: May cause an intense craving for pie.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Phantom Pups
When Freddie and his family move into a haunted house, he discovers a pack of ghostly puppies, then works with his sister and new friend to bring them back.
Fear factor: Your child will start constantly pestering you for a dog.
Series | Available on Netflix.
Unspookable
Informative episodes delve deep into the stories behind mythical creatures and urban legends — and why we believe they’re true.
Fear factor: More educational than eerie.
Podcast | Find out more.
Dia de Los Muertos by Roseanne Greenfield
Thong Fun and fact-filled, this rhyming children’s picture book brings Mexico’s Day of the Dead to life.
Fear factor: Perfect for niños and niñas.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Mandatory Halloween viewing for trick-or-treaters of all ages, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Fear factor: May make you nostalgic for your childhood.
TV | Available on Apple TV+.
Nightbooks Trapped in an evil witch’s apartment, a young boy must tell her a new scary story every evening to stay alive.
Fear factor: Kids might jump out of their skins a few times; adults won’t flinch.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
For the PG-13 crowd
Stranger Things: Season Four Soundtrack
From Kate Bush’s soaring anthem “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” and the Talking Heads’ morbidly bouncy “Psycho Killer” to Metallica’s epic thrashfest, there’s something for every music fan.
Fear factor: Potential whiplash from headbanging to “Master of Puppets.”
Playlist | Available on Spotify.
A Wicked Magic by Sasha Laurens
When a spell goes terribly wrong, BFF witches Dan and Liss stop being friends until they must reunite to save Liss’ beau and another missing teen.
Fear factor: Causes heartbreak, not heart attacks.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Motherland: Fort Salem
A trio of witches is conscripted by the U.S. Army to fend off attacks by the Spree, a terrorist organization fighting against the conscription of witches.
Fear factor: Chilling and thrilling, but not horrifying.
Series | Available on Hulu.
For those who want more humor than horror on Halloween
Wendell & Wild
Key and Peele reunite to play demon brothers in this quirky stop-animation horror comedy directed by Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline).
Fear factor: You won’t notice your goosebumps because you’ll be chuckling.
Movie | Available on Netflix.
Only Murders in the Building
An unlikely trio of new-friends-turned-bumbling-detectives start a podcast to solve a grisly murder and, naturally, hijinks ensue.
Fear factor: Clothing may become stained from spitting out your drink when you laugh.
Series | Available on Hulu.
Wine & Crime
Three true crime-obsessed gal pals get together to knock back a few bottles of rosé and chat about murder, mystery, and spooky stories.
Fear factor: You’ll be laughing too hard to feel afraid.
Podcast | Find out more.
For the faint of heart
Death in Paradise
The island of Saint-Marie has gorgeous weather, beautiful beaches, and enough murders to keep the local detective working from morning until each radiant sunset.
Fear factor: Causes an irresistible urge to take a tropical vacation.
Show | Available on Amazon.
Jim Harold’s Campfire
A podcast of real people recounting real stories of paranormal encounters and supernatural experiences – believe them or not.
Fear factor: It’s more kumbaya than come-and-getcha.
Podcast | Find out more.
Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb
A serial killer who only slays on holidays sends Batman on a less-than-festive hunt to stop him before another victim is claimed.
Fear factor: Not as scary as Heath Ledger’s Joker.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Spine tinglers and gut wrenchers to watch well before powering down for the night
Don’t Worry Darling
It’s The Stepford Wives on steroids for the 21st century with an electric twist that will shock you.
Fear factor: Can cause trust issues between spouses.
Movie | Find out more.
Day of the Dead
George A. Romero’s genre-defining zombie flick is reimagined as a series following a group of strangers as they struggle to survive an undead invasion.
Fear factor: The Walking Dead-level thrills.
Movie | Available on Syfy.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
A barefoot and bruised young girl shows up at a backwoods cabin claiming she has been sent from the stars to witness five miracles, plunging her new caretakers into a whirlwind of dark drama.
Fear factor: Brace yourself for some gut-wrenching twists and turns.
Book | Available on bookshop.org.
Clickbait
A twisting, turning social media-powered mystery told from multiple perspectives that will make you suspicious of every character as it barrels toward a you-won’t-see-it-coming conclusion. Fear factor: You may get rid of all your devices after watching it. Movie | Available on Netflix.
