The holidays are already upon us, and you’ve made time to take the kids you nanny to the pumpkin patch, you’ve planned all the fall activities, and you’ve helped them think up some killer costume ideas. Amidst all the busyness, if you notice you and your nanny kids need some down time, here are five spooky animated movies you’ll both love winding down and cozying up to.
*As with all media you consume with the children you nanny, make sure to check in with their guardian(s) to ensure that these films are acceptable to watch*
1. KiKi’s Delivery Service
There is so much to be said about this unapologetically sweet and sincere cartoon starring a young witch on a journey to find her place in the world. It’s tender, action-packed, and it’s a studio Ghibli film, so you know the animation is a delight for the senses. For those of us not fluent in Japanese, there’s an English version readily available on Amazon Prime, or just turn on the subtitles. It’s also available to stream with an HBO Max subscription.
2. Over the Garden Wall
Okay, so it’s a TV show – not a movie, but older kids will love this beautifully animated cartoon about two brothers making their way home through an enchanted forest meeting plenty of whimsical characters along the way. Its deeper themes of love and loss will hold your attention too. Did we mention the main character is voiced by Elijah Wood? Accessible on Netflix and Hulu.
3. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
It’s no secret Wallace and Gromit is a kiddo crowd pleaser with children of all ages. It’s silly enough to keep the little ones engaged and witty enough to keep you entertained. This one is streaming on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.
4. Coraline
This movie is not for the faint of heart, so, as always, make sure to check in with your kids’ parents before and after if this is their first time watching Coraline. Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman (author of American Gods and Good Omens), this haunting yet wholesome movie received the American Film Industry award of the year. It’s fantastical and creepy enough to give anyone the spooks. Watch it on Amazon Prime.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Everyone remembers their first time watching this Tim Burton classic, and no spooky movie list is complete without it. If you’ve ever wondered whether to watch this one on Halloween or Christmas Eve, we say play it safe and watch it as soon as possible to get into the holiday spirit. Warning: your little one might love this story a little too much and may beg to dress as Jack or Sally for Halloween three years in a row, but who’s counting? *ahem* Disney+ has it available to stream, or you can purchase it on Amazon.
We would love to hear what you and your nanny kids are watching this October. Tell us in the comments!
(Pssst….for ideas and recipes for fun fall treats to enjoy during movie time, take a look at our blog: Easy Fall Recipes to Make with your Little Chef!)
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