Halloween comes with plenty of seasonal fun- pumpkin carving, haunted hayrides, corn mazes, and endless scary movies. We’ve sifted through the classics and found our favorite Halloween movies that feature dogs for you and your furry friends.
For the Whole Family
Scooby-Doo
Scooby-Doo brings the classic cartoon to life. The title character, the long-beloved Great Dane, comes to life with Shaggy and the gang to save teens against ghosts, ghouls, and mind control! Treat the whole family to goofy, spooky fun in this 70s inspired star-studded blockbuster.
Frankenweenie
There’s no doubt about it- the title dog is the center of this movie. Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie is the story of Sparky, a boy’s beloved dog and best friend. Tragically, Sparky passes away early in the movie, but his boy Victor finds an ingenious way to bring him back. As Victor’s parents told him, “When you lose someone you love, they never really leave you” and he was sure to see to that!
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Another Halloween family classic features one of the most famous dogs of all time- Snoopy! In It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Linus believes in the Great Pumpkin, despite his friends’ skepticism. While the rest of the gang goes to a Halloween party, Linus and Sally stay in the pumpkin patch waiting for the legendary Great Pumpkin. A good portion of the movie follows furry friend Snoopy as he goes on his own adventure and ends up playing a big part of Linus’s experience waiting for the Great Pumpkin!
Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit features the dynamic duo, Wallace and his dog Gromit, as they are on the case when a were-rabbit threatens the town's beloved vegetable competition. Gromit is a major force in solving the mystery of the were-rabbit and saving the day. This claymation classic is a great Halloween pick for the whole family.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Even dog ghosts deserve a mention on this list- and Zero the ghost dog is a MUST! In The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, becomes dissatisfied with his life in Halloweentown and becomes enamored with Christmastown. His loyal dog Zero is by his side throughout his adventures and he plays a key role in Jack’s Christmas takeover.
For Teenagers
Twilight
While technically Twilight features werewolves and not dogs, we feel this is close enough to include! This movie franchise phenomenon heavily features vampires and a high school love triangle, but also largely features werewolves throughout all five films. Animosity between werewolves and vampires also comes with a fair share of dog jokes!
For Adults
The Lost Boys
While vampires are the primary focus of The Lost Boys, there are a few key dogs. One might even argue that one of the most heroic characters in the film is Nanook, the family dog who acts as a close protector for Sam against vampire attacks. This cult classic is a great Halloween pick for teens and adults.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Bram Stoker’s Dracula is a must-watch for adult vampire lovers. Dracula has lots of powers, including apparating into mist or even turning into a wolf-like dog. While a dog only plays a small role in this Halloween classic, it’s a memorable scene. A large white dog is the turning point for Mina and Dracula as they’re reunited after hundreds of years. The key in turning strangers to trusted allies? Shared love of petting a big, white, fluffy dog.
Honorable Mention
Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus may not feature dogs, but we would be remiss to list our favorite Halloween movies featuring pets without mentioning Binx the cat. Binx is a central character who helps guide Max, Dani, and Allison on their mission to do away with the Sanderson Sisters. While Binx is actually a boy turned into a cat, he still uses his feline wiles to play the hero many times throughout the movie.