Since we're highlighting Halloween films right now, I thought it would be a good idea to include a list of movies for kids to watch on the night of fright.

The adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

This Disney classic feature film was actually two shorter films put together. The first part was the Wind in the Willows, the adaptation of the stories by Kenneth Grahame. The second part however, was the part we are interested in, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, one of the classic Halloween cartoons of all time. The musical narration by Bing Crosby keeps it from being too serious, but the final scene with the headless horseman will still give kids a shiver.

Casper

The friendly ghost made his way from retro cartoon to the big screen in 1995, in his own movie starring Christina Ricci fresh off the Adams Family. Nothing too scary about this movie, it's more about the character story than a haunting, but it's still got the necessary elements for a good Halloween flick. The best part is that young kids can still enjoy this film.

Monster House

Monster House is a good scary movie for kids about a House that eats anything. It's surprisingly cinematic for an animated movie and it may be a little scary for the smaller kids. Definitely a good Halloween flick for kids that like a little scare.

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Speaking of Halloween classics, what Halloween would be complete without spending some time with the Peanuts gang? This movie stands up there with A Charlie Brown Christmas on the Holiday movie pinnacle. You must turn this one on Halloween night.

Nightmare before Christmas

Tim Burton's claymation feature has quickly become a modern Halloween classic. The story follows Jack Skellington of Halloween Town, in his obsession with Christmas upon discovering neighboring Christmas Town. This is a rare movie that actually fits two holidays. Burton's moody style may make this one a little intimidating for some younger kids, but there's nothing too gruesome in this, and it's all in good fun.

Corpse Bride

Another Tim Burton film, this one also might be a bit dark for some younger kids. The plot includes a complicated love triangle from beyond the grave. Like Nightmare Before Christmas, the message to kids is a good one, and it's a safe bet for a scary, but not too scary, Halloween movie.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Your kids will insist on this movie...and all its sequels. You could make a Halloween night movie marathon just from the Harry Potter series, and your kids will definitely not mind. The popular movie series adaptations of the mega-bestselling book series is great for children and adults. Like the books, the later books begin to get darker and possibly scarier for younger children, so you may just stick to the first few films.

Haunted Mansion

Hot on the heels of another themepark ride-turned film, Disney released Haunted Mansion, starring Eddie Murphy. This is another good family-friendly film, featuring a haunted house, a family secret, and a mysterious curse.

Monsters, Inc.

This modern-day Pixar classic had plenty of accolades including several Academy Awards when it was released, and any movie by Pixar you know will have a good story and will keep kids interested. The kid-friendly plot makes this a great movie for even younger children, and the story about the Monsters gathering energy from kids' screams or laughter may even help to counteract other Halloween jitters among some of the more timid youngsters.

Wallace & Grommit Curse of the Were-Rabbit

This movie also received an Academy Award for best Animated Feature, importing popular claymation characters from across the Pond, Wallace and his intelligent, but silent, dog Gromit in their first feature film. Wallace and Gromit run a vegetable protection business using Wallace's usual over-complicated inventions, and must protect the town from a mysterious 'were-rabbit'.

Scooby Doo

Here's a final, bonus listing, included just because you can't have ghosts and not include Scooby and the gang. This live action adaptation of the popular cartoons is a lot of fun for kids, although adults and die-hard Scooby-Doo fans haven't always liked it as well. This film is worth watching at least once if for nothing else but to see Matthew Lillard in his bang-on personification of Shaggy. You can add some fun by including the cartoons as well.