Halloween is one of the favorite times of the year in my house. With four kids ages 3, 7, 11, and 13, October turns into a month-long celebration of costumes, pumpkins, and family movie nights that last well past bedtime. There’s something magical about that balance between spooky and silly. For us, it’s not just about trick-or-treating; it’s about building the excitement along the way with stories, songs, and characters that make the season come alive.
Every year, my kids and I dive into a mix of Halloween-themed shows that suit every age and personality in the house. The preschooler loves friendly ghosts and dancing pumpkins; my 7-year-old gravitates toward anything colorful and musical; the 11-year-old leans into adventure; and my teen prefers a bit of mystery and humor. Dimming the lights, grabbing the blankets, and picking something new to stream together is always fun.
This year, Netflix has done a great job creating two Halloween playlists that cover just about every stage of childhood. Below you’ll find a full breakdown of both—the “Happy Halloween Playlist” for preschoolers and the “Spooky Halloween Playlist” for older kids and teens—each with a full synopsis, age rating, and insight into what kids can learn or why the shows work so well for them.
Spoiler warning: For each episode, I’ve included a “what kids learn or love” section, which contains spoilers. If you don’t want to ruin the fun, I recommend skipping over that section. With that said, I’ve applied my kids’ observations and my own findings, which some parents may appreciate knowing about ahead of time.
Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish – “Loose/Tight” (TV-Y)
Dr. Seuss’s red Fish, Blue Fish is a true Seussian world of rhythm, rhyme, and imagination bursts to life in this colorful short, where opposites collide in the most playful ways. “Loose/Tight” turns simple wordplay into an animated exploration of how different things can still belong together. With its elastic visuals, bouncy narration, and absurd little moments (like a fish getting tangled in its own bubble stream), the episode reminds kids that learning can be joyful, loud, and weird all at once.
What Kids Learn or Love: This one introduces early learners to opposites and comparisons, but in a way that feels like a joke shared between characters instead of a lesson. When a fish pulls at something “tight” and accidentally stretches it across the screen, it’s a visual metaphor for experimentation—kids learn best when they can laugh and wonder at the same time.
Gabby’s Dollhouse – “The Wizard of Meow” (TV-Y)
Gabby’s Dollhouse blends imagination with warmth in this new Halloween-themed episode from Season 12. Gabby and Pandy Paws enter a whimsical world of sparkly potions, magic wands, and friendly feline witches who need help making their spellbook sing again. It’s pure visual delight—half fairytale quest, half dress-up party—filled with tiny details that feel hand-crafted just for preschoolers. The story keeps things cheerful, showing that creativity and teamwork can make even the spookiest spaces feel safe and fun.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Gabby uses her creativity to fix a broken wand rather than panic, it reinforces problem-solving without lecturing. Kids see that imagination isn’t just play—it’s how challenges get solved. Parents will also appreciate how the show keeps its Halloween magic positive and empowering rather than scary.
Hot Wheels Let’s Race – “Scream Machines” (TV-Y)
In this engine-roaring Halloween special, the Hot Wheels racers speed through a “haunted” track that’s more thrilling than terrifying. Mechanical mayhem meets neon trickery as the drivers must overcome strange noises and glowing obstacles that pop up along the course. The tension never tips into fear—instead, it celebrates the adrenaline rush of staying focused when everything around you feels uncertain.
What Kids Learn or Love: There’s a subtle but meaningful message here about facing nerves. When one of the racers slows down and admits he’s nervous, the team’s encouragement keeps him moving. It’s a moment that models how reassurance and persistence can push through doubt—a lesson tucked neatly under the roar of engines.
Chip and Potato – “Pumpkin Picking Chip” (TV-Y)
Chip’s excitement for the perfect pumpkin spirals into small frustrations when her plans don’t go as expected. Set among hay bales, cider stands, and fields bursting with orange, the story follows Chip’s journey from wanting the biggest pumpkin to realizing the best ones are the memories made along the way. It’s autumn comfort television—full of kindness, gentle humor, and the kind of small emotional beats that feel real to young kids.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Chip accidentally trips and squashes her pumpkin, she feels embarrassed, but Potato reminds her that the day is about having fun together. It’s a sweet, simple example of emotional resilience and friendship—and the perfect conversation starter about handling disappointment gracefully.
Go! Go! Cory Carson – “Teen Monster Truck” (TV-Y)
Cory meets a teenage monster truck who seems fearless, fast, and impossibly cool. But as the night revs on, Cory learns that even the toughest cars sometimes need a friend. Through its signature blend of cozy visuals and light humor, the episode becomes less about being brave and more about understanding what real confidence looks like.
What Kids Learn or Love: The story lightly touches on admiration and identity. When Cory admits he’s scared of a shadowy figure that turns out to be the teen’s exhaust, it’s a gentle metaphor for how assumptions work. Preschoolers get a safe introduction to the idea that strength and kindness often ride together.
Creature Cases – “The Puzzle of the Poisonous Leaves / The Mystery of the Missing Hare” (TV-Y)
The clever agents of Creature Cases take on two nature-themed mysteries back-to-back. In one, they investigate a forest full of poisonous leaves that appear to move on their own; in the other, a missing hare leaves behind a trail of clues that only teamwork can solve. Each episode pairs scientific curiosity with Halloween-friendly suspense, leaning more toward logic than scares.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Sam uses a magnifying glass to realize the “poisonous” leaves are actually hiding insects, it’s a perfect example of how evidence can replace fear. The story teaches observation and patience in a way that feels like play rather than a lecture.
Hot Wheels Let’s Race – “Night Fright” (TV-Y)
The racers head out for a midnight challenge under flickering streetlights and a spooky full moon. Mysterious sounds, strange shadows, and some lighthearted pranks add tension—but it’s never too intense. The fun comes from the atmosphere: glowing wheels, fog-filled tunnels, and a sense of mischief that makes it feel like a trick-or-treat race.
What Kids Learn or Love: The moment the crew realizes the “ghost” haunting the track is just another driver’s reflective paint job reinforces a smart truth: not everything that looks scary really is. It’s a practical take on courage, grounded in humor and discovery.
Ridley Jones – “All Ismat’s Eve” (TV-Y)
Inside the museum, Ridley and her friends prepare for All Ismat’s Eve, a holiday that honors the ancient and the living together. When a mummy’s celebration goes wrong, Ridley has to bridge two worlds and fix what’s been misunderstood. History, adventure, and inclusivity blend seamlessly into a heartwarming story about connection across time and tradition.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Ridley listens instead of reacting, she uncovers the true meaning behind the mummy’s frustration. It’s a natural example of empathy in action—and a standout moment that turns what could’ve been a generic “spooky” setup into something layered and meaningful.
Mighty Monsterwheelies – “Haunted Halls” (TV-Y)
A few strange sounds echo through Monster Mechanics School, leading the Monsterwheelies on a high-octane ghost hunt. What they find instead is a lesson in curiosity and collaboration as they discover that not all strange noises signal danger. Between turbo-charged stunts and neon colors, the tone stays upbeat and playful.
What Kids Learn or Love: The “haunted” sound turns out to be a loose exhaust pipe, driving home the idea that investigating calmly can make fear disappear. It’s a story that rewards thinking before reacting—a great takeaway for preschoolers discovering big emotions.
Blippi’s Adventures – “Blippi Has a Magical Halloween” (TV-Y)
Blippi takes kids on a cheerful tour of Halloween traditions, from costumes to candy sorting to learning how pumpkins grow. Every moment is bright, musical, and hands-on, with plenty of curiosity and joy. Rather than turning Halloween into a fright fest, Blippi celebrates it as a festival of creativity and exploration.
What Kids Learn or Love: Blippi doesn’t just tell kids what to do—he does it with them. When he visits a pumpkin patch to see how seeds grow into jack-o’-lanterns, it transforms a fun day into a lesson on patience and discovery.
CoComelon Lane – “Nico’s Guess Who Party” (TV-Y)
In this Halloween-themed episode, Nico invites his friends to a costume party where guessing who’s behind the mask becomes the game of the night. Laughter, music, and friendly surprises fill the story, but beneath the fun is a quiet nod to observation and empathy.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Nico mistakenly guesses his best friend’s costume and apologizes with a song, it models how to fix misunderstandings kindly. It’s a bite-sized story about communication wrapped in a party kids will want to replay.
Spirit Rangers – “Facing Fears” (TV-Y)
When the Spirit Rangers encounter a mysterious fog that spreads across the park, they each confront something they’re afraid of. The show’s Indigenous storytelling roots make the theme of respect—both for nature and for one’s own emotions—shine through. The fog becomes less a threat and more a teacher.
What Kids Learn or Love: The moment one ranger listens to the wind and realizes the fog is part of nature’s cycle ties the message together beautifully. It’s a reminder that understanding transforms fear into wisdom.
Ada Twist, Scientist – “Ghost Busted” (TV-Y)
Ada, Iggy, and Rosie think they’ve found a ghost in their lab—until Ada grabs her notebook and starts collecting data. As they test their theories, the “haunting” becomes an experiment in sound, light, and perspective. The pacing keeps it suspenseful but never scary.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Ada discovers that the eerie noise is just a draft moving through the pipes, it’s science demystifying fear in real time. The show reinforces curiosity as the best tool for tackling the unknown—Halloween or otherwise.
That wraps up our preschool Halloween list —let’s dive into the Halloween shows Netflix offers for tweens and teens.
Sing – “Thriller” (TV-G)
The characters of Sing trade microphones for monster masks in this lively cover of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The short builds energy like a full-on concert: rehearsals, costume prep, and a final number that turns nerves into pure fun. The familiar faces—Rosita, Johnny, and Ash—show up in full Halloween flair, and the staging captures everything that makes the movie franchise click: color, rhythm, and unapologetic self-expression.
What Kids Learn or Love: The payoff moment when Rosita finally nails her choreography after a shaky rehearsal makes confidence feel earned, not instant. It’s an easy conversation starter about practice, teamwork, and performing under pressure—just without the lecture.
The Bad Guys Collection – “The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist” (TV-Y7)
In this Halloween caper, the slick animal crew breaks into a spooky old mansion rumored to be haunted—but the real mystery is who’s haunting whom. Between creaking doors and witty banter, Haunted Heist hits that perfect middle ground between clever and creepy. The tension builds like a classic cartoon chase scene: fast, funny, and full of visual surprises.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Snake admits he was scared but still helped complete the mission, it becomes a great example of bravery without bravado. The show’s charm is in how it redefines “bad guys” as flawed but redeemable friends.
The Boss Baby: Back in Business – “Halloween” (TV-Y7)
Boss Baby brings boardroom energy to trick-or-treating in this holiday-themed chaos. Determined to maximize candy efficiency, he turns the neighborhood into an operation complete with flow charts and distribution goals. Naturally, it all implodes—but in hilarious, high-speed fashion. The writing stays sharp enough for older kids but is still accessible for younger viewers who love mischief with a moral.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Boss Baby finally realizes fun can’t be optimized, it’s a sneaky life lesson for overplanners (and maybe their parents). Halloween here becomes a metaphor for letting go—a reminder that joy doesn’t need a strategy meeting.
Trolls: The Beat Goes On! – “The Poppy Horror Picture Show / Dinkles Dinkles Little Star” (TV-Y7)
Two short episodes double up on music, mischief, and glitter. In “The Poppy Horror Picture Show,” a harmless prank spirals into chaos when Poppy learns that not everyone enjoys a scare. “Dinkles Dinkles Little Star” brings a sweet follow-up as the group works together to fix their mistake and repair a friendship. It’s bright, fast, and unmistakably Trolls—vibrant visuals paired with bouncy, feel-good tunes.
What Kids Learn or Love: The moment Poppy apologizes with a new song rather than words gives a practical lesson in creative empathy. It’s about fixing feelings through action, showing kids that kindness can be loud and joyful, too.
Jurassic World: Chaos Theory – Episode 10 “Morituri Te Salutant” (TV-PG)
Set against the backdrop of a storm-lashed island, this climactic episode blends dinosaur danger with moral complexity. The young survivors face a critical decision that tests not just courage, but conscience—when survival depends on whether they protect each other or run. The pacing is cinematic, and the animation brings just enough tension to feel thrilling without stepping into nightmare territory.
What Kids Learn or Love: When one character risks everything to save a friend trapped in debris, the episode shows that real leadership means empathy under pressure. It’s a mature story told through action rather than exposition.
Wolf King – “The Wyrmwood” (TV-PG)
A dark fairytale with roots in folklore, “The Wyrmwood” follows a boy who must journey into a shadowed forest to save someone he loves. The episode balances magic and menace, with glowing runes, whispered legends, and the kind of atmosphere that feels tailor-made for older kids who crave mood over jump scares.
What Kids Learn or Love: The boy’s decision to listen to the forest spirits rather than fight them highlights courage through understanding—a sophisticated twist on bravery that respects a tween audience’s growing emotional intelligence.
Jentry Chau vs the Underworld – “A Night with the Stars” (TV-14)
In this stylish, fast-paced supernatural story, Jentry’s plan to enjoy a normal night out takes a wild detour when creatures from the Underworld show up uninvited. The episode fuses humor, action, and coming-of-age moments as Jentry juggles being a teen and a reluctant hero. The tone is irreverent but heartfelt—equal parts ghost-hunting and self-discovery.
What Kids Learn or Love: Jentry’s choice to protect her friends despite wanting to fit in delivers a solid, grounded message about identity. It’s not about fear—it’s about figuring out who you are when the world gets loud.
A Tale Dark & Grimm – “Chapter the First: Hansel and Gretel” (TV-Y7)
This animated retelling opens with clever narration that turns the well-known fairy tale into something fresh and self-aware. Hansel and Gretel step out of their storybook and into a darker, wittier world that challenges what “happily ever after” really means. The humor keeps it buoyant, and the scares stay smartly symbolic.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Gretel insists on questioning an adult’s rules instead of blindly obeying, the episode nudges viewers toward critical thinking. It’s scary storytelling with purpose—and surprisingly empowering for middle-grade audiences.
Phantom Pups – “Phantom Phright Fest” (TV-Y7)
Friendly ghost dogs and a haunted house carnival make this one a highlight for families who like their spooky with a side of heart. When a group of kids helps their ghostly pets finish unfinished business, the tone balances light mystery with emotional warmth. The animation feels cozy rather than chilling, perfect for kids easing into Halloween fun.
What Kids Learn or Love: When the main character helps a ghost pup reunite with its lost toy, it turns a classic ghost trope into an act of compassion. The show reminds kids that helping others—living or spectral—never goes out of style.
Scaredy Cats – “The Halloween Howl” (TV-Y7)
Willa and her friends find themselves at the center of a magical showdown when rival witches threaten to ruin Halloween night. Spells misfire, friendships are tested, and teamwork becomes their best defense. The show captures the playful chaos of classic Halloween adventures while keeping its characters kind and curious.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Willa admits she’s scared but casts her spell anyway to protect a friend, it’s an honest portrayal of courage—doing the right thing even when your knees shake.
Unicorn Academy – “The Hidden Temple” (TV-Y7)
Set in a shimmering world of magic and discovery, this episode follows Sophia and her unicorn as they unlock clues leading to a long-forgotten temple beneath their academy. The tone leans adventurous rather than frightening, making it an excellent bridge for younger viewers ready for more complex stories.
What Kids Learn or Love: The moment Sophia realizes she can’t solve the puzzle alone underlines the value of collaboration. It’s a story about curiosity and teamwork, dressed up in glittering fantasy.
Super PupZ – “Plan ‘Z’ the Trap” (TV-Y)
The four heroic dogs set out to save Halloween from a mischievous alien plan. Mixing slapstick humor with clever gadgetry, the episode feels like a love letter to Saturday morning cartoons. It’s pure chaos—of the best kind—with smart pacing and just enough suspense to keep kids cheering.
What Kids Learn or Love: When the pups work together to outwit the invaders using a homemade contraption, it becomes an inventive little nod to STEM thinking. Teamwork meets creativity, all wrapped in barking good fun.
The Cuphead Show – “Ghosts Ain’t Real” (TV-Y7)
Cuphead and Mugman turn skepticism into slapstick when they set out to prove ghosts aren’t real—only to have the supernatural bite back. The hand-drawn animation and 1930s aesthetic make every gag land like vintage comedy gold. It’s Halloween energy filtered through pure cartoon mischief.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Cuphead tries to prank a “fake ghost” and ends up learning humility instead, the story subtly rewards self-awareness. It’s a great reminder that laughing at yourself can be the best way to deflate fear.
Captain Underpants – “The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween” (TV-Y7)
When their town cancels Halloween, George and Harold refuse to accept defeat. With homemade props, wild ideas, and a little help from Captain Underpants, they invent their own holiday—Hack-a-ween. What follows is chaos, invention, and a lot of good-natured rebellion.
What Kids Learn or Love: When the boys realize their DIY celebration brought everyone together, it reinforces that creativity is contagious. It’s classic underdog optimism told through fast jokes and pure imagination.
Angry Birds: Summer Madness – “Hollow-Weenie” (TV-Y7)
A prank war between the birds and pigs gets out of hand in this Halloween-themed short. The humor is loud, physical, and full of candy-coated collisions. While the feathers fly, the message is grounded: even playful competition has limits.
What Kids Learn or Love: The closing gag—when Red owns up and helps fix the mess—lands the moral gently but clearly. It’s accountability through comedy, showing that “sorry” can still come with a laugh.
Hilda – “Chapter 9: The Ghost” (TV-Y7)
Hilda’s calm courage takes center stage in this quiet, emotionally rich episode, in which she meets a lonely ghost in need of help. Instead of scares, the story leans on atmosphere—fog, moonlight, and melancholy—and empathy as its guiding tone. It’s poetic rather than frightening, turning the supernatural into a lesson about understanding others.
What Kids Learn or Love: When Hilda listens to the ghost’s story instead of running, it reframes bravery as compassion. The episode lingers long after it ends, in the best way.
Bad Dinosaurs – “The Sliming / Sound Bite / Failure to Lunch” (TV-Y7)
Three mini-episodes bring prehistoric chaos to Halloween. A slimy prank goes wrong, a sound experiment spirals into mayhem, and a lunchtime mix-up teaches teamwork. Each story is fast, funny, and packed with physical comedy that never overstays its welcome.
What Kids Learn or Love: When a T. rex admits he made a mistake and asks for help cleaning up his mess, it turns slapstick into sincerity. The takeaway is simple but solid: everyone slips up—what matters is fixing it together.
Netflix’s Halloween playlists are a gift for parents like me who love finding something festive for every age under one streaming roof. The preschool picks keep things light and full of wonder, while the older-kid lineup offers just enough suspense and storytelling depth to make October movie nights feel special. Whether it’s science over superstition, friendship over fear, or courage wrapped in laughter, each of these episodes reminds us that Halloween isn’t just about candy—it’s about connection, imagination, and the fun of facing the unknown together.
As a bonus, my kids found a few shows to watch that they have never streamed before, making these Netflix Halloween lists a great way to discover what might become your child’s new favorite show.
Here are the links to the Happy Halloween Playlist (Preschool) and the Spooky Halloween Playlist (Kids And Teens).