Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

10 Halloween Dog Movies to Watch With Your Pup in Spooky Season

woman eating popcorn while watching movie with dog

Halloween month is the best month of the year, with its haunted houses, cornfield mazes, cozy sweaters, pumpkin patches, and scary movies. What’s not to love? Unfortunately, you can’t always take your favorite canine companion with you on Halloween adventures. So, how can you celebrate the holiday with your dog?

Why not pull up a few Halloween dog movies to watch with your pup and settle in for a movie night? You’d be surprised how many Halloween dog movies there are, ranging from family-friendly to downright spooky. Here are 10 Halloween dog movies that are perfect to watch with your pup!

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

The 10 Halloween Dog Movies

1. Frankenweenie

Release Date: 2012
Rating: PG
Film Length: 1 hr 27 min

If you’re looking for a fun and sweet Halloween dog movie for the whole family, look no further than Frankenweenie! This 2012 film by Tim Burton is actually a remake of a 1984 film. Though the original was live-action and featured a real canine, Burton’s remake is stop-motion animation.

Frankenweenie tells the story of a young boy named Victor Frankenstein who is determined to resurrect his beloved and recently deceased pup, Sparky. Sure enough, he achieves his goal, but is it wise to bring back the dead? This family-friendly film is sure to delight humans and dogs alike!


2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Release Date: 1966
Rating: G
Film Length: 25 min

Is there any Halloween dog movie that’s more of a classic than It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown? And what better dog to watch for Halloween than America’s favorite canine, Snoopy? In this animated film, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and their friends have a grand adventure as they search for the mysterious entity known as the Great Pumpkin.

With plenty of classic Charlie Brown-style antics and lots of canine action, this family-friendly film is one your dog will love to watch with you!


3. Poltergeist

Release Date: 1982
Rating: PG
Film Length: 2 hrs

While Poltergeist is rated PG, it is definitely not a film for the little ones. However, as it features a loyal golden retriever, it makes a fantastic Halloween dog movie to watch with your pup. This genre classic tells the story of a family who recently moved into a home where odd things begin to happen. Soon enough, they’re in a fight for their lives, but will they survive?

If you love ghosts and seeing dogs doing some of their favorite dog things (digging up things, fetching balls, and eating scraps), then you’ll surely love Poltergeist. It delivers the thrills and chills in equal measure!


4. Scooby Doo

Release Date: 2002
Rating: PG
Film Length: 1 hr 26 min

While any version of Scooby-Doo makes for excellent Halloween viewing with your pup, the 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo is the perfect dog-friendly Halloween flick. This quirky film features a line-up of the biggest stars of the early ‘aughts, as well as a spooky mystery. It’s silly and fun and, of course, stars one of the most loved cartoon canines ever.

Your dog will love cuddling up on the sofa to watch Scooby and the gang figure out the mysteries of Spooky Island! And if they love watching this film with you, there’s not only a sequel but tons of Scooby-Doo cartoons you can follow up with.


5. Spooky Buddies

Release Date: 2011
Rating: G
Film Length: 1 hr 28 min

You might remember the Buddies series, which featured lots of adorable talking Golden Retriever puppies. If not, you’re in for a treat! This Halloween edition of the Buddies sees these pups going through a haunted mansion on a super spooky adventure. Best of all, these pups wear Halloween costumes!

Not only is this a film that’s perfect for you and your dog to watch together, but it might also give you some idea of what to dress your dog up as for Halloween.


6. The Dog Who Saved Halloween

Release Date: 2011
Rating: PG
Film Length: 1 hr 25 min

Here’s another family-friendly Halloween dog movie you can watch with your pup and the whole fam! In The Dog Who Saved Halloween, talking canine Zeus and his family move into a new home that turns out to be right next to a haunted house. Strange sounds abound, and odd lights are a constant, so what’s going on? Zeus and his family decide to investigate to find out what the deal is and find themselves on a creepy adventure.

The Dog Who Saved Halloween is part of a series that includes The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation, The Dog Who Saved the Holidays, and The Dog Who Saved Christmas.


7. The Lost Boys

Release Date: 1987
Rating: R
Film Length: 1 hr 38 min

If you’re Gen X, you’ve definitely seen this film! The Lost Boys is a campy classic featuring a ton of “It” actors of the 80s, such as Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, and Kiefer Sutherland. It’s a ridiculous (yet amazing) film about two brothers who discover their town is full of vampires. Best of all is Nanook, the Alaskan Malamute, who is able to detect vampires and helps protect his person from them. He’s definitely the hero of this flick!

This is why this is a perfect Halloween dog movie to watch with your favorite four-legged friend. It is not for the kiddos, though!


8. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Release Date: 1993
Rating: PG
Film Length: 1 hr 15 min

Yep, we have another Tim Burton classic on the list! The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 stop-motion animation all about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who becomes bored with Halloween, discovers Christmas Town, and cooks up a plan to take Christmas Town over. By his side is his ghost dog, Zero, who is a very helpful and very good boy!

This film has everything from fantastic musical numbers like “This is Halloween” to a love story to action and adventure. It’s an amazing film to watch with your pup during Halloween month!


9. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Release Date: 2010
Rating: R
Film Length: 1 hr 26 min

Enjoy your Halloween fun with a side of comedy? Then Tucker & Dale vs. Evil might be the perfect Halloween film to watch with your dog. This hilarious horror-comedy features a couple of hillbillies who are headed to vacation at their cabin when they run into a bunch of annoying and obnoxious college kids. The kids mistakenly get the impression that the hillbillies are out to murder them, and from there, misunderstandings and mishaps abound. It’s great fun (but also a bit gory at times).

Of course, the best character in the film is Jangers, the one-eyed American Bulldog, who hangs with the hillbillies and manages to keep his cool throughout all the murderous mayhem. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil is the perfect scary yet hysterical film to watch with your pup!


10. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Release Date: 2005
Rating: G
Film Length: 1 hr 25 min

If you’re a fan of the classic monster movies or Hammer horror, you’ll likely love Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Featuring the British stop-motion animation characters of Wallace and Gromit, who have been around since the late 1980s, this fun film is fantastic for watching with your favorite canine pal (and the rest of your family)! Wallace is an inventor who has a trusty sidekick in his beagle, Gromit. In this flick, they discover a were-rabbit is stealing the town’s produce and set out to stop them. Will they succeed? Who will be the hero of the day? (Hint: it’s Gromit!)

This fun and only slightly frightening flick is sure to be a hit with pups, kids, and adults alike!

divider dog paws 3 oct 2024

In Conclusion

Halloween dog movies are relatively abundant (we didn’t even cover the ones with dogs being scary!), so if you’re looking for a Halloween flick to share with your pup, you won’t have a lack of options. Whether you want a family-friendly film that everyone can watch or something a bit more frightening that’s for adults and canines only, you’ll find what you need with this list. So, make some popcorn and cuddle up with your dog for a good scare (and some laughs!) this Halloween!


Featured Image Credit: yousafbhutta, Pixabay

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

100+ Food Names for Dogs: Scrumptious Options for Your Pup

Narrowing down a name for your furry family member can be tricky, but you’re already halfway there by considering a food-inspired name. Even...

Can Dogs Eat Eggs With Cheese? Vet-Reviewed Health & Nutrition Guide

Feeding your dog tasty treats is one of the simple joys in life, and as many dog owners will attest, it’s even more...

German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & More

The German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix, also known as the Dalmatian Shepherd, is a fascinating hybrid breed that combines the intelligence and loyalty of...

How to Certify an Emotional Support Dog: 4 Steps to Take (Vet-Reviewed)

Our canine companions improve our lives in a myriad of ways. However, dogs can improve things immensely for those dealing with emotional or...

More related

What Is Japanese Style Dog Grooming? Canine Hairstyle Facts & FAQ

With Japanese-style dog grooming, the goal is to make dogs look stunningly cute, so traditional ideas about haircuts and trims are thrown out...

How Old Is 4 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide to Each Size of Dog

While the “one human year for every seven dog years” has been a convenient way to correlate a dog’s age to that of...

White French Bulldog: Info, Pictures, History & Origin

French Bulldogs are a popular breed of dog, known for their characteristic Frenchie face and bat-like ears. They come in a variety of...

10 Guard Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed (With Info & Pictures)

The bark of some dogs is worse than their bite. With a guard dog, you want the opposite. That’s not to say that...

Keep reading

Authority Puppy Food Review 2025: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary A new puppy can bring a lot of excitement into your life! Along with the adorable pictures and play, there are some tough questions, like what you will be feeding your new bundle of fur. If you are...

Dogster_Authority Puppy Food Review

Is It Alright if My Dog Only Eats Wet Food? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

We all want to ensure that we are feeding our dogs a well-balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs. Not only are there an overwhelming number of choices for dog food brands and food varieties, but there is a...

dog eating wet food

Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs? Vet-Reviewed Facts & Safety Guide

If you find yourself at a barbeque party and notice your dog begging you for a little bite of your hot dog, you may be wondering if it’s safe for them. It is estimated that 150 million hot dogs are...

Can Dogs Eat Hot Dogs

Can Dogs Eat Mussels? Vet-Approved Benefits & Safety Tips

Dogs can eat mussels in moderation. Mussels are high in protein and other nutrients that may benefit your dog; however, they don’t provide everything your dog needs, so they should only be considered an occasional treat. It’s best to steam...

Can Dogs Eat_Mussels

10 Best Dog Foods for Morkies in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Morkies are tiny, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have an appetite! These little dogs are surprisingly high-energy. That set of traits comes with its own challenges when you need to pick a food. Finding a food that will pack...

Morkie lying in bed_SarahChai_Pexels

Can Dogs Eat Squash? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Dogs are omnivores (facultative carnivores) and can both eat plant and animal foods to stay happy and healthy throughout their lives. Most dogs are not picky about their food and will even rummage through the garbage for scraps to munch...

Can Dogs Eat_squash

10 Best Dog Foods for Rhodesian Ridgebacks in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a beloved family member in many households around the world. These medium-large-sized, sweet, and sensitive dogs are equally intelligent and energetic, making them the perfect friend, playmate, and jogging partner. They’re also a healthy breed for...

Rhodesian Ridgebacks

True Chews Dog Treats Review 2025: Pros, Cons, Recalls & FAQ

Review Summary True Chews dog treats are part of the Blue Buffalo line (though they weren’t always) and can be located in most pet stores and online, so you may be familiar with them. The brand offers a fairly good...

Dogster_True Chews Dog Treats Review