This week Disney finally launched its highly anticipated streaming service, Disney+ and while it’s really exciting to have all of this Disney content available in one location, the search functionality and categorization can be a bit frustrating. I noticed really early on that it was easy to miss out on content because it lived under one category, but not under another even if the content fit. So, as we ramp up for the first full weekend of Disney+ binging, I decided to browse the far corners of the streaming service to uncover all of the spooky and Halloween-themed content hidden within the thousands of titles housed on the platform.
Movies
Disney+ boasts over 500 movie titles on the streaming service pulling from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. When compiling this list I tried to stick with titles that were legitimately spooky, or were somehow tied to the Halloween holiday. Obviously “spooky” is subjective here since these are Disney films, but I think the collection I’ve pulled below is about as spooky as you’re going to get. There were a number of films I found on the platform that revolved around ghosts and sci-fi themes, but in most instances, I didn’t really feel these fit into a list like this. These are films like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Blackbeard’s Ghost, The Cat from Outer Space and the like.
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
This 1949 animated double feature tells the stories of “The Wind In The Willows,” and more importantly “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
The Black Cauldron
One of the darker Disney animated films, The Black Cauldron was a flop in 1985 and nearly ended Disney animation, but over the years it has garnered quite the cult following and while it may not have been developed into the grandiose animated feature it was meant to be, it can still be appreciated. This is also the last film Tim Burton worked on at Disney Animation, though his work as a concept artist was not credited.
The Black Hole
The Black Hole is a Disney sci-fi thriller from 1979 and tells of a deep-space expedition that comes across a long-lost spaceship perched at the edge of a black hole. Aboard it they find the ship’s scientist who has plans other than to be rescued.
Coco
The 2017 Disney/Pixar film that tells thes tory of an aspiring young musician and his extraordinary journey to the land of the dead is listed on Disney+, but unfortunately won’t be available on the platform until November 29, 2019 due to existing streaming agreements. But when its available you’ll definitely want to check out this heartwarming story about family, music, and the tradition of Dia de los Muertos.
Don’t Look Under the Bed
Don’t Look Under the Bed is one of the earlier Disney Channel Original Movies. Released in October of 1999, the film tells the story of 13-year-old Frances McCausland who is being blamed for the pranks being carried out by the Boogeyman. With the help of her brother’s imaginary friend Frances must defeat the Boogeyman to save face and her town.
Escape to Witch Mountain
This 1975 sci-fi fantasy adventure tells of two extraterrestrial orphans who are deemed the children of witches due to their psychic powers. As they attempt to discover the truth about their past they must escape an evil millionaire looking to exploit their powers.
Return from Witch Mountain
The 1978 follow up to Escape to Witch Mountain stars Bette Davis and Christopher Lee as evil masterminds who capture one of the extraterrestrial orphans in order to use his power to unleash a diabolical plan in Los Angeles. But the boy’s sister and a streewise band of kids joins forces in a desperate attempt to save the city from destruction.
Frankenweenie (1984)
Before it was a 2012 feature-length stop motion animated film, Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie was a short film starring Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern as the parents of a young boy who re-animates his dog following a tragic accident. The unique take on the classic tale of “Frankenstein” is a beloved classic among Burton fans and one worth checking out if you’ve never seen it.
Frankenweenie (2012)
Unfortunately, Burton’s modern take on Frankenweenie is listed in Disney+ alongside the original short, but you won’t be able to watch it on Disney+ until April 1, 2020 when the current streaming rights expire…hopefully that’s not an April Fool’s joke.
Girl vs. Monster
This 2012 Disney Channel Original Movie stars Olivia Holt as Skylar Lewis a young girl who discovers her parents are monster hunters after she accidentally releases a monster from its containment chamber. With the monster out for revenge, she and her friends must work together to capture the creature and save her parents.
The Halloweentown Franchise
Fans of the Halloweentown series will be excited to find that Disney+ is home to Halloweentown, Halloweentown II Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High, and Return to Halloweentown. For those unfamiliar, Halloweentown was the first Disney Channel Original Movie to spawn multiple sequels and tells the story of Marnie, a young girl who discovers she comes from a long line of powerful witches whose lineage is threatened by an evil force looking to take over their town of origin, Halloweentown.
The Haunted Mansion
Love it, or hate it, the 2003 film The Haunted Mansion, which was inspired by the theme park attraction of the same name is available on the streaming service. Starring Eddie Murphy, the film tells the story of a real estate agent whose family comes face-to-face with the ghosts of Gracey Manor and are trapped by the property’s age-old curse. With the help of Madame Leota the family must work together to break the mansion’s curse before it’s too late.
Hocus Pocus
If you didn’t get enough Hocus Pocus over Halloween on Freeform, you’ll be able to stream the cult Halloween favorite on-demand whenever you want with Disney+. The film tells the story of what happens when a group of kids accidentally awaken a trio of witches from a 300-year-old curse and must work together to stop them from casting their spell across the entire town.
The Invisible Sister
Part of Disney Channel’s 2015 “Monstober” lineup, The Invisible Sister is a Disney Channel Original Movie that tells the story of a young girl name Cleo who has always been overshadowed by Molly, her popular older sister. But when Cleo’s Halloween science experiment makes her sister invisible, it’s now Molly who nobody notices. The two must then work together and overcome their differences to reverse the freak accident.
Maleficent
Another title listed on the platform, but not yet available. The 2014 film Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic Disney villain will hit the platform on October 1, 2020.
Mom’s Got A Date with a Vampire
This Disney Channel Original Movie from October of 2000 stars Caroline Rhea as a mother of Chelsea and Adam Hansen, two kids who have plans, but are grounded. In an attempt at freedom, the two help set their mom up on a date, but soon realize the mysterious man may be a vampire.
Mr. Boogedy
This 1986 film was a staple in Disney Channel Halloween programming and tells the story of the Davis family, who move into their dream home despite a warning that it may be haunted. After moving in they quickly learn that the home is also a favorite haunt of a sinister, 300-year-old specter. As the ghost’s antics become more and more frightening, the Davises make a shocking discovery that forces them into a daring confrontation with the terrifying Mr. Boogedy.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack, Sally, Oogie Boogie, I don’t think this one needs an explanation, but just know its available on Disney+.
Phantom of the Megaplex
This play on “Phantom of the Opera” is a Disney Channel Original Movie from 2000 that tells the story of 17-year-old Pete Riley and the rest of the theater staff who are preparing for a star-studded movie premiere only to have a string of peculiar occurrences awaken the myth of the Phantom of the Megaplex.
Race To Witch Mountain
The 2009 take on Escape to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne Johnson is listed on the platform but is, unfortunately, another that isn’t yet available due to current streaming agreements. The film will hit the platform on July 1, 2020.
Return To Oz
This 1985 film based on L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” books tells of Dorothy’s return to Oz where she finds her old friends have been turned to stone. With the help of new friends Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Gump, Dorothy sets out against new enemies in an effort to save her friends and Emerald City.
The Scream Team
This early Disney Channel Original Movie stars a young Kat Dennings as Claire Carlyle. When she and her brother visit the town of Steeple Falls during Halloween for their grandfather’s funeral, they are startled to discover that ghosts are real and one, in particular, refuses to let their grandfather’s soul rest. The film also notably stars Eric Idle, Kathy Najimy, and Kim Coates.
Spooky Buddies
The Halloween installment of the long line of Disney’s “Buddies” is listed alongside four other “buddies” films, but you won’t be able to watch this family-friendly Halloween flick until September 1, 2021 due to current streaming agreements.
Twitches & Twitches Too
The 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie Twitches and its sequel Twitches Too starring Tia and Tamera Mowry are both available for streaming on Disney+. The Twitches films revolve around twin witches Alex and Camryn who were separated at birth only to be reunited on their 21st birthday to discover the secrets of their past and the magic within them.
Zombies
Now that the government has created a device that stops zombies from craving brains, Seabrook High—a school focused on uniformity, traditions and pep rallies—faces student integration with the Zombietown kids. As the human and zombie students struggle to coexist, a budding friendship between cheerleader Addison and zombie Zed could unite their high school and community for good.
Shorts, Series & Episodes
On Disney+ shorts are peppered in with a number of feature films and in some category features not all of them actually show up, so below is what I feel is the most complete list of spooky shorts available on the platform. This list also includes some spooky series I uncovered as well as all the Halloween episodes available from the shows on Disney+
Shorts
Babes In The Woods
This 1932 Silly Symphony Short is a play on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel with two children wandering into the forest and lured by a witch to a house of candy. But rather than eat the children, this witch is looking to transform the children into spooky creatures like a spider or a bat. The classic spooky imagery in this short is a delight,
The Old Mill
Another Silly Symphony short, “The Old Mill” shows how the creatures of the night take shelter in an old mill in the midst of an intense thunderstorm. The Oscar-winning short features bats, mice, and other great spooky imagery.
Lonesome Ghosts
This 1937 classic Mickey Mouse cartoon was the first thing I watched on Disney+ and features Mickey, Donald, and Goofy as the Ajax Ghost Exterminators. When the trio receives a call to deal with a reported haunting, they quickly discover they’re victims of a prank put on by the ghosts themselves.
Mater and the Ghostlight
This 2006 Cars Toon short stars Cars‘ Mater. In it the tow truck spends the day playing scary pranks on the fellow townsfolk of Radiator Springs. But later that evening when the Sheriff tells the legend of the Ghostlight, Mater quickly finds the joke’s on him.
Series
Evermoor
When Tara Crossley moves to the village of Evermoor with her famous novelist mother and a brand new step-family, she realizes that the English countryside is not as sleepy as it seems. For the Crossleys’ spooky new house on the moors contains a tapestry that tells the future. The tapestry is tended to by a sinister sewing circle called the Everines, who waste no time in predicting that the Crossley’s home is about to go up in flames.
Gargoyles
All three seasons of the classic Disney Afternoon series “Gargoyles” are available on Disney+ and follows a group of Scottish Gargoyles that after being transported to New York City are awakened from a 1000 year curse. Now in a new world the Gargoyles try to remain unnoticed as they battle enemies old and new.
Gravity Falls
A personal favorite, “Gravity Falls” tells the story of Dipper and Mabel Pines who go to live with their eccentric great uncle for a summer at his home, and tourist spot the Mystery Shack. Located in Gravity Falls, the kids soon learn that the Mystery Shack isn’t the only “mystery” the area holds and each episode uncovers more of the bizarre, supernatural, and weird that’s tied to the region.
So Weird
Fiona “Fi” Phillip travels the country with her rock-star mother Molly’s tour while investigating the supernatural and how it connects to the mystery of her father’s death. She posts her findings on her website, “So Weird”.
Vampirina
25 episodes of the Disney Junior series about a family of vampires that moved from Transylvania to Pennsylvania and tries to make it in the human world are available on Disney+.
Wizards of Waverly Place
Wizards of Waverly Place stars a pre-pop star Selena Gomez and revolves around the Russo family, a family that happens to be made up of wizards. While this show is mainly about a family of wizards, I opted to include it because of the number of bizarre plotlines the series featured that included everything from ghosts, to werewolves to vampires and other supernatural creatures.
Episodes
While not all of the shows listed below are spooky, each of the shows did feature at least one Halloween or spooky episode. The list below includes the season number, episode number and title of the spooky episodes of each series.
Best Friends Whenever
S1:E9 Cy and Shelby’s Haunted Escape
S2:E6 Night of the Were-Diesel
Big Hero 6 The SEries
S1:E22 Obake Yashiki
Bizaardvark
S1:E12 Halloweenvark
S2:E12 Halloweenvark: Part Boo!
S3:E7 Halloweenvark Part 3: Mali-Boo!
The Book of Pooh
S2:E10 The Book of Boo
Boy Meets World
S1:E6 Boys II Mensa
S2:E6 Who’s Afraid of Cory Wolf
S5:E5 The Witches of Pennbrook
S5:E17 And Then There Was Shawn
The Book of once Upon A Time
S2:E9 M Is For Monster
S4:E1 Vampirina: The Surprise Party
S4:E7 Toy Story: A Spooky Adventure
Elena of Avalor
S1:E9 A Day to Remember
S2:E1 The Jewel of Maru
Even Stevens
S2:E11 A Very Scary Story
Fancy Nacy
S1:E15 Nancy’s Costume Clash / Nancy’s Ghostly Halloween
Girl Meets World
S1:E11 Girl Meets World: Of Terror
S2:E18 Girl Meets World of Terror 2
S3:E15 Girl Meets World of Terror 3
Good Luck Charlie
S2:E25 Scary Had A Little Lamb
S3:E16 Le Halloween
S4:E14 Fright Knight
Goof Troop
S1:E5 Midnight Movie Madness
S1:E29 Hallow-Weenies
S1:E37 Frankengoof
Handy Manny
S1:E25 Halloween/Squeeze’s Magic Show
S3:E31 A Job From Outer Space / Sounds Like Halloween
S3:E51 Mr. Lopart’s Attic / Hoop Dream
Jake and the Never Land Pirates
S1:E22 Night of the Golden Pumpkin / Trick or Treasure!
S2:E15 Tricks, Treats, and Treasure! / Season of the Sea Witch
S3:E19 Pirate Ghost Story / Queen Izzy-bella
S3:E20 Jake the Wolf / Witch Hook
Jessie
S1:E7 Creepy Connie
S2:E1 The Whinning
S3:E1 Ghost Bummers
S3:E23 The Runaway Bride of Frankenstein
S4:E18 The Ghostess with the Mostess
K.C. Undercover
S1:E24 All Howls Eve
S2:E21 Virtual Insanity
Kickin’ It
S1:E12 Boo Gi Nights
S2:E17 Wazombie Warriors
S4:E7 Invasion of the Ghost Pirates
Kim Possible
S1:E14 October 31st
Lilo & Stitch The Series
S1:E5 Spooky
Little Einsteins
S1:E11 A Little Einsteins Halloween
Lizzie McGuire
S1:E24 Night of the Day of the Dead
Mickey Mouse (Shorts)
S1:E10 Ghoul Friend
S2:E19 Black and White
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
S1:E17 Mickey’s Treat
S5:E7 Mickey’s Monster Musical Part 1
S5:E8 Mickey’s Monster Musical Part 2
Milo Murphy’s Law
S1:E20 Milo Murphy’s Halloween Scream-A-Torium
Minnie’s Bow Toons
S3:E1 Tricky Treats
Muppet Babies
S1:E17 Happy Hallowocka! / The Teeth-Chattering Tale of the Haunted Pancakes
Muppet Moments
S1:E38 Halloween
My Friends Tigger and Pooh
S2:E25 Tigger’s Invitation Frustration / Darby’s Halloween Case
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
S1:E23 Me and My Shadow / To Catch a Hiccup
S2:E2 The Monster Frankenpooh
Out of the Box
S2:E20 Trick or Treat
Phil of the Future
S1:E15 Halloween
Phineas and Ferb
S1:E21 One Good Scare Ought To Do It!
S1:E22 The Monster of Pheneas-n-Ferbenstein / Oil on Candace
S3:E11 That’s the Spirit! / The Curse of Candace
S4:E13 Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy of Terror
S4:E15 Druselsteinoween / Face Your Fear
S4:E29 Night of the Living Pharmacists – Part 1
S4:E30 Night of the Living Pharmacists – Part 2
PJ Masks
S2:E19 Halloween Tricksters Part 1 / Halloween Tricksters Part 2
Puppy Dog Pals
S1:E17 Return to the Pumpkin Patch / Haunted Howl-oween
Quack Pack
S1:E27 The Boy Who Cried Ghost
S1:E30 None Like It Hot
Raven’s Home
S1:E11 The Baxtercism of Levi Grayson
S2:E25 Switch-Or-Treat
Recess
S3:E34 Terrifying Tales of Recess
The Replacements
S1:E8 Halloween Spirits
Shake It Up
S2:E5 Beam It Up
S3:E25 Haunt It Up
The Simpsons
Disney+ houses the first thirty seasons of The Simpsons, which means that you can stream the first “Treehouse of Horror” episode in season two all the way up to “Treehouse of Horror XXIX” in season 30.
Stuck in the Middle
S2:E18 Stuck in a Merry Scary
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody
S1:E19 Ghost of 613
S2:E26 Scary Movie
S3:E12 Arwinstein
Teacher’s Pet
S1:E6 Costume Pity Party
S2:E4 The Tale of the Telltale Taffy
Disney+ is sure to add more content in the coming month’s and years, but for now I think you have a pretty hefty binge list to work on if you wanted to check out all of this spooky and Halloween-y content.
