Fall has arrived, signaling the time for pumpkin lattes, comfy sweaters and Halloween movies. If you are looking for some wholesome and family-friendly Halloween movies, look no further. We have reviewed two heartwarming Halloween films that we hope you enjoy watching.

“Casper” follows a friendly ghost named Casper (Devon Sawa) as he haunts a manor, where he bonds with Kathleen (Christina Ricci), the girl who currently lives there. I found this to be a very mediocre movie. Some elements of the plot were not continuous and did not follow a clear path. For example, the antagonists were only present at the beginning and the very end of the film. Additionally, the depiction of the middle schoolers in the movie is very inaccurate and stereotypical. It seems as though the writers did not bother creating accurate dialogue for them. However, the movie does have some good qualities. The actress who portrays Kathleen is amazing, and I think she plays the part very well for a young actress. She plays the part of a sarcastic teenager convincingly while being able to convey sadness and longing. The film also contains an element of dark humor and adult jokes that I found enjoyable while staying family-friendly. However, some of the jokes are inappropriate and make me question Casper’s character. For example, he asks Kathleen if he can “keep her,” like she is a stray dog he found on the street. He treats Kathleen possessively at times and talks to her like she is a gift specifically made for him. It is possible the writers are trying to make Casper’s character more humorous, but to me, it raises a few red flags. The ending, however, is very well thought out and touching. If you are looking for something different and strangely heartwarming, “Casper” could be the Halloween movie for you. Ranking: 3.5/5

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” follows the King of the Pumpkin Patch, Jack Skellington, as he discovers Christmas. Jack loves Christmas so much that he tries to bring it to the Halloween themed village where he lives, but nobody understands the concept. Discouraged by this, he attempts to make Christmas something the creatures in his village can understand by making the holiday scarier. The plot of this movie is unique and the animations create an eerie effect. While I do find some of the characters, such as Jack, annoying, he goes through a character arc that is perfect for the film. Plotwise, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is incredibly inconsistent and unpredictable. Oddly enough, those plot complexities make it easier to follow the story. The movie also features a lot of singing which could be a deal-breaker if you do not like movies where characters randomly break into song. However, the singing does add to the frightening tone so if you enjoy those elements then this movie might be worth it. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is not a masterpiece, but it is a classic. I would recommend this film if you are looking for something to watch with your family or just want a lighthearted Halloween themed movie. Ranking 3.5/5

Overall, I enjoyed these two movies. They were both sweet and touching; I may have even teared up a few times while watching.  If you are looking for family-friendly Halloween themed films, grab some popcorn, a pumpkin spice latte and enjoy these options. I hope you enjoy watching them just as much as I did and let me know in the comments if you agree with my ratings.