Family Halloween Movies Based on Books

The Witches

Author: Roald Dahl

Illustrator: Quentin Blake

Year: 1983

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 7 – 10

Plot

A little boy and his grandmother come face-to-face with the Grand High Witch and all her evil minions. When the boy is turned into a mouse, he needs to figure out how he can defeat them and turn back into human form. This classic Halloween movie was recently remade!

Why Jackie loves it

Roald Dahl’s children’s books often skew towards the creepy side, but this one in particular is perfect for Halloween. I love the original movie and the remake with Anne Hathaway.

Find this book in: Witch Books for Kids / Halloween Chapter Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Author: Washington Irving

Year: 1820

Genre: Classic Horror

Age: 16+

Plot

In the secluded glen of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman haunts the residents. He’s the ghost of a soldier from the Revolutionary War.

New schoolmaster Ichabod Crane encounters the ghoul, and the legend lives on. This classic fantasy novel is a must-read around Halloween.

Trigger Warnings

Racism

Why Kirsten loves it

I was first exposed to this tale as a child via the Disney animated remake of Irving’s beloved story. I found the original quite compelling and it solidified to me why it’s such a reknown tale.

Find this book in: Literary Classics / Family Halloween Movies Based on Books /Best Short Stories and Collections

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Author: Roald Dahl

Illustrator: Quentin Blake

Year: 1964

Genre: Middle Grade Classic

Age: 6 – 9

More info: Charlie Bucket #1

Plot

Charlie is thrilled when he gets a golden ticket to see inside Willy Wonka’s amazing chocolate factory, but this is no ordinary candy factory. The machines and recipes behind the walls of the factory are what dreams are made of. Step into the wonderful world of Willy Wonka and you’ll never be the same again.

Trigger Warnings

Fatphobia

Why Kirsten loves it

This story is quite the classic and it revolves around all things candy! With its creeptastic vibes, it’s also wonderful for Halloween. I’ve loved this story for a long time, but I don’t love the author. Please be advised that he is a known for incredibly problematic comments about women, Jews, and minority groups.

Find this book in: Best Classic Books for Kids / Best Books for an 8-Year-Old / Read Aloud Children’s Books / Kids Food Books / Books about Candy

Casper The Friendly Ghost

Author: Lars Bourne

Illustrator: Warren Kremer

Year: 1952

Genre: Comic Book

Age: 8+

Plot

Casper the Friendly Ghost has delighted comic book lovers for years. His stories aren’t strictly Halloween-based, but his ghostly group of friends make for year-round reading.

Why Kirsten loves it

Casper is a great entry point into the world of comic books for kids, especially reluctant readers. This comic strip made an excellent Halloween movie that I adored as a child.

Find this book in: Halloween Chapter Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books

Room on the Broom

Author: Julia Donaldson

Illustrator: Axel Scheffler

Year: 2003

Genre: Picture Book

Age: 2 – 8

Plot

A friendly witch takes to the night on her broomstick, but as the wind blows away her hat, her bow, and her wand, she finds some cute friends to join her on her ride. Will her friends be able to save her from a hungry dragon? This classic Halloween book for kids is now a cartoon movie!

Why Kirsten loves it

This is a year-round book in my house. The sweet tale by Donaldson and the fun illustrations by Scheffler will have this on your favorites list long after Halloween is over!

Why Jackie loves it

The wonderful rhymes in this book tell the story of friendship and inclusivity. This is one of my favorite books to promote reading readiness.

Find this book in: Witch Books for Kids / Halloween Picture Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books / Rhyming Books / Dragon Books for Kids

The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh

Author: A. A. Milne

Illustrator: Ernest H. Shepard

Year: 1926

Genre: Classic Kid’s Book

Age: 0 – 6

More info:

Plot

Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and Christopher Robin have lived in the hearts of children for generations. This edition features the complete works of A. A. Milne’s stories and is essential for any home library.

Why Jackie loves it

This is such a heartwarming classic book for kids. We dare you to read it without crying.

Find this book in: Rabbit Books / Best Audiobooks for Kids / Best Animal Books for Kids / Family Halloween Movies Based on Books /Audiobooks for Kids

It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Author: Charles Schultz

Illustrator: Charles Schultz

Year: 2015

Genre: Picture Book

Age: 2 – 5

Plot

It’s Halloween time and the Peanuts gang is ready to celebrate! Costumes, trick-or-treating, Snoopy’s latest shenanigans, and the wait for the Great Pumpkin are all part of this enchanting storybook that is also an animated Halloween movie.

Why Jackie loves it

I’ve been a Peanuts fan since I was a little girl, but this is my favorite story of all! Charlie Brown and the gang make Halloween fun and not at all scary in this charming book.

Find this book in: Halloween Movies Based on Books / Halloween Books for Kids

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Author: Tim Burton

Illustrator: Tim Burton

Year: 2013

Genre: Picture Book

Age: 3 – 10

Plot

The Nightmare Before Christmas comes to life in this picture book by Tim Burton. Jack Skellington and his crew are sick of Halloweentown so they decide to capture Santa and fill his shoes.

Why Kirsten loves it

There is some debate about if this is a Halloween book OR a Christmas book. I say keep it out for both holidays! Furthermore, I think it is a Halloween and Christmas movie.

Find this book in: Family Halloween Movies Based on Books / Christmas Books for Kids

Escape to Witch Mountain

Author: Alexander Key

Year: 1968

Genre: Classic Children’s Fantasy

Age: 8 – 12

Plot

Paranormal orphans Tony and Tia have to run away from evil forces trying to come after them. As they begin to understand their past, they start to understand the root of their powers. Will they be able to make sense of it all before they are captured?

Why Jackie loves it

This is one of the most classic family Halloween movies based on books on this list. I enjoyed the book, but I love the movie even more.

Find similar books in: Witch Books for Kids

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Year: 2011

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

More info: Miss Peregruine’s Peculiar Children book 1 of 6

Age Range: 9+

Plot

When Jacob experiences a family tragedy, he finds himself on a remote island off the coast of Whales. He Discovers a crumbling ruin that was once Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.

As Jacob explores the ruins, he finds clues that lead him to believe these children might be alive even though it seems impossible.

Why Jackie loves it

This series is full of magic and mystery. The amazing combination of fiction with antique photographs leads to a truly unique story that brings the characters to life.

Find this book in: Middle Grade Fantasy / Halloween Chapter Books / Time Loop Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books / Magic School Books / Best Books for 11-year-olds / Time Travel Books

The Worst Witch

Author: Jill Murphy

Year: 2014

Genre: Early Reader Chapter Book

Age: 5-10

More info: Worst Witch #1

Plot

Mildred Hubble begins her magical adventures at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches in the first book of the series. She is quite a mess as she mixes up spells, crashes her broomstick, and generally causes havoc around the school.

Why Kirsten loves it

Kids will love this series if they are fans of Harry Potter but are on the younger side. When you are done reading this one, try watching the Netflix adaptation. It’s a big hit in my house!

Find this book in: Halloween Movies Based on Books / Halloween Chapter Books / Witch Books for Kids

The School for Good and Evil

Author: Soman Chainani

Illustrator: Iacopo Bruno

Year: 2013

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 9 – 13

More info: School for Good and Evil #1

Plot

Sophie thinks her history makes her a good fit for the School of Good like Cinderella and Snow White before her. Agatha thinks the School of Evil is a better fit for her. But when the opposite schools are assigned to each girl, they need to figure out who they are and where they belong.

Why Jackie loves it

Utterly addicting, this series has 6 stories and was recently made into a movie starring Kerry Washington.

Find this book in: Books Similar to Percy Jackson / Netflix Adaptations / Middle Grade Fantasy / Kids Audiobooks / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Best Books for a 9-year-old / Books like KOTLC / Family Halloween Movies Based on Books / Magic School Books

Vampirina Ballerina

Author: Anne Marie Pace

Illustrator: Leuyen Pham

Year: 2012

Genre: Picture Book

Age: 2 -7

More info: Vampirina #1

Plot

Vampirina wants to be a ballerina, but learning to do ballet is hard for every little girl. It’s even harder for a little vampire girl trying to learn with humans! Will Vampirina be able to make her dream come true?

Why Jackie loves it

My daughter loves Vampirina in the same way I love Angelina Ballerina. I guess ballerinas never go out of style!

Find this book in: Halloween Books for Kids / Halloween Movies Based on Books

House with A Clock in Walls

Author: John Bellairs

Illustrator:  Edward Gorey

Year: 2004

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 8-12

More info: Lewis Barnavelt #1

Plot

The first in a series of books about orphan Lewis Barnavelt who comes to live with his magician uncle. As Lewis begins learning magic, he accidentally discovers a hidden clock in the wall.

Turns out, the clock was made to destroy every human! Will Lewis be able to stop it?

Why Jackie loves it

This is a good book to start tweens on scary stories. I loved it as a kid! The recent Halloween movie adaptation stars Jack Black.

Find this book in: Halloween Chapter Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Author: J. K Rowling

Year: 1998

Genre: Middle-Grade fantasy

More info: Harry Potter #1 of 7

Age Range: 8+ (note that some of the later books in the series may not be appropriate until a bit older)

Plot

I was in university when this book was published and the first four were sitting on my younger brother’s bookshelf before I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I read all four books in as many days and was married with a child before the final book was published. 

This story introduces us to Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger; our fearless trio.  We also meet the other favorite beloved and detested characters that make the Harry Potter book series so special. After all, what would Hogwarts be without Hagrid, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy?

Trigger Warnings

Parental death

Why Jackie loves it

I firmly believe that JK Rowling changed children’s literature more profoundly than any other author. I realize that this is a very strong statement. But, until her, there have never been books that have had such an impact on the world of reading. The books are so brilliantly laid out with easter eggs in book one that are essential for the entire plot. I believe this is one of the best fantasy series ever written.

Why Kirsten loves it

In my opinion, this is the best children’s fantasy series ever written. It features strong lessons on morality, inventive plotlines, and hidden threads woven throughout the entire series. Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of this book is award-winning. He voices over 200 characters, each with distinct accents and my kids have listened to the entire series multiple times.

Find this book in: Halloween Chapter Books / Audiobooks for Kids / Harry Potter Books in Order / Books like Percy Jackson / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Magic School Books / Jackie’s Favorite Books / Kirsten’s Favorite Books / Books to Read Aloud

Goosebumps

Author: R. L. Stine

Year: 2008

Genre: Children’s Horror

Age: 7 – 10

More info: Goosebumps #1

Plot

Is there a child from the 80s and 90s who didn’t read Goosebumps stories? The whole series has different scary stories that are sure to keep your kids up at night.

Why Jackie loves it

Beware! Read these stories at your own risk! I had nightmares after reading them as a child.

Find similar books in: Classic Kids Books

Coraline

Author: Neil Gaiman

Illustrator: Dave McKean

Year: 2012

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy

Age: 9+

More info: New York Times Bestseller

Plot

In this book, Coraline steps through a door and finds a house just like hers, maybe even better! She meets another set of parents who want her to be their little girl. Can Coraline escape these parents and get back to her ordinary life?

Why Jackie loves it

Neil Gaiman’s imagination never ceases to amaze me. The movie adaptation and graphic novel remake are both fantastic as well.

Find this book in: Graphic Novels / Halloween Movies Based on Books / Halloween Chapter Books / Books for a 10-year-old

Practical Magic

Author: Alice Hoffman

Year: 1995

Genre: Fantasy/ Magical realism

More info: Practical Magic Series

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:15+

Plot

For years, the Owens women have known that their bad luck is because of a curse. This book is the first book written in the Practical Magic series. I adore this tale of magic, family, and sisterhood. At this point, this is one of the best magical realism books and it is truly iconic.

Gillian and Sally are sisters who have been raised by their two aunts after their parents die. They both want to leave their small Massachusetts town. But, when Gillian gets into trouble, she runs to Sally for help.

The trouble comes back to haunt them and when a police chief comes to town looking for answers, the sisters try hard to cover up their family secrets. The powerful bond between the Owens sisters brings this story to life and is a constant throughout all the books in the series. This is the first published book in the Practical Magic series and the one I recommend you read first.

Why Jackie loves it

This is truly an iconic witch book and is one of the cases where the movie has become iconic as well. I love the story but also the unbreakable bond between Sally and Gilly. This story is about truly finding yourself

Why Kirsten loves it

I love Practical Magic as part of a series and as a stand-alone novel. The bonds of sisterhood are so strong that the magic and the story leave me with that feeling you get after an amazing book. This is also my go-to Halloween movie along with Hocus Pocus.

Find this book in: Practical Magic Books in Order / Alice Hoffman Books / Books About Sisters / Witch Books / Books By Jewish Authors / Best Adult Fantasy