Ranking Halloween DCOMs To Get You in a Spooky Season Mood

In order to embrace spooky season to its fullest requires some amazing Halloween movies! We have a ranking of Disney channel original Halloween movies (DCOM’s) to add to your October watchlist!

As October approaches and the air turns crisp, it’s time to dust off your Halloween decorations, and put on your favorite Disney Channel Halloween original movies. Let’s explore a selection of Disney classics that are sure to get you in the spooky mood and remind us why these stories have become Halloween staples.

1) Halloweentown (1998)

Starting off strong with the Disney Channel original movie that never fails to keep our spooky spirits up! Halloweentown is about a teenage girl named Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) who discovers she comes from a family of witches. When she learns about Halloweentown, a magical place where supernatural beings live, she sets off with her siblings and grandmother to save it from a dark force. 

It welcomes us into the enchanting realm of Halloweentown, where ghosts, vampires, werewolves, trolls, and other spooky creatures coexist peacefully in a typical suburban setting. Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 83% from critics and 72% from audiences. The top critic commented, “What separates this original pic from the usual Halloween fare is that it captures the spirit of a holiday designed for kids. It’s sweet and fun, but too much could definitely give you a stomach ache”. On IDMB it is rated 6.6 out of 10.

2) Twitches (2005)

Twitches is like if you found out your long-lost twin sister was actually a magical witch—surprise! The plot follows Alexandra Fielding and Camryn Barnes (Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry), two college girls who discover they’re not just sisters but also powerful witches destined to save their magical realm from a dark force. As they hilariously bumble their way through witchcraft, from turning their pets into frogs to accidentally causing chaos at the school dance, they have to learn to embrace their magical side and work together before the evil sorceress takes over. It’s a wild ride filled with family bonding, girl power, and enough magical mishaps to keep you laughing. Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 60% from critics and 65% from audiences. On IDMB it has a 5.7 out of 10. 

3) Phantom Of The Megaplex (2000)

Phantom of the Megaplex is like a teen comedy where a ghost decides to be the ultimate movie critic—only instead of writing reviews, it’s haunting the popcorn machine and causing chaos at the local megaplex! The plot follows Pete (Taylor Handley), a teenage theater employee, who discovers that while he’s busy juggling candy orders and dodging overzealous moviegoers, a spectral spectrum is determined to steal the show. As spooky shenanigans unfold, Pete and his friends find themselves in a race against time to uncover the ghost’s backstory before it turns the premiere into a full-on fright fest. Think of it as “Scooby-Doo” meets “Caddyshack,” where the only thing scarier than the phantom is trying to keep your nachos from spilling during all the commotion! Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie  57% and on IDMB it has a 6.2 out of 10.

4) Girl vs. Monster (2012)

I love when the cinema showcases strong, dynamic women taking charge in thrilling, supernatural adventures. Olivia Holt absolutely killed it as the main character, Skyler in Girl vs. Monster. This movie may be the most recent of the picks, but it’s just as full of Halloween spirit as the others. The plot follows Skylar, a teenage girl who discovers that her parents have been hiding a family secret: they are monster hunters. When Skylar accidentally unleashes a monster on Halloween night, she must confront her fears and use her newfound knowledge to save her friends and family. Additionally, the original songs make the movie unique and distinct from others. They are not only catchy, but empowering. Girl vs Monster is one of Disney Channel’s Monstober classics. The story takes place on Halloween night, adding to excitement associated with the holiday. It explores the idea of facing one’s fears, a common theme during Halloween, where overcoming what scares you and the unknown is celebrated. Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 58% and on IDMB it has a 5.3 out of 10. 

5) Invisible Sister (2015)

Invisible Sister is a wild science project gone hilariously wrong! Cleo (Rowan Blanchard), a shy young science whiz in New Orleans, accidentally makes her popular older sister, Molly (Paris Berelc) invisible while working on a school project. Always overshadowed by Molly, Cleo is pushed out of her comfort zone and has to step in for her sister during a crucial lacrosse game. As the two sisters navigate this unexpected situation, they gain valuable insights about each other and themselves, leaning on one another like never before. They race against the clock to find a way to reverse Cleo’s experiment before Molly’s invisibility becomes permanent. Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 58% and on IDMB it has a 5.9 out of 10. 

6) Under Wraps (1997)

Under Wraps follows three kids who accidentally awaken a friendly mummy named Harold (Bill Fagerbakke), who just wants to reunite with his long-lost love before sunset. As they try to keep Harold’s ancient wrappings from unravelling in public while also dodging a nosy neighbor and some overly dramatic villains, it’s a hilarious mix of teenage antics and ancient Egyptian shenanigans. Think of it as a mash-up of “E.T.” and “The Mummy,” where the only thing scarier than a mummy on the loose is the thought of trying to explain to your parents why you have an undead guest crashing your sleepover! It’s a laugh-out-loud adventure that proves friendship can be timeless—literally! Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 53% and on IDMB it has a 6.5 out of 10. 

7) Tower of Terror (1997)

Tower of Terror follows a photojournalist named Buzzy Crocker (Steve Guttenberg), and a young girl named Anna Peterson (Kirsten Dunst), as they investigate the haunted Hollywood Tower Hotel, where five guests mysteriously disappeared after stepping into an elevator. Picture this: instead of just checking out the ghosts, they accidentally unleash a whirlwind of supernatural shenanigans that make their mission feel more like a haunted house attraction gone wrong! It’s a wild ride full of twists and turns, proving that sometimes the only thing scarier than ghosts is finding out that your vacation plans involve a haunted elevator! Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 53% and on IDMB it has a 6.2 out of 10. 

8) Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000)

Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire follows two teenagers, Adam and Chelsea (Matt O’Leary and Laura Vandervoort), who try to prevent their mother from going on a date with a charming man who they suspect is a vampire. As they investigate his true nature, they encounter various spooky situations, leading to a mix of humor and adventure. The film is a playful take on vampire lore, along with the suspenseful moments and comedic elements, creates a fun and festive atmosphere. It strikes a balance between spooky and lighthearted, making it suitable for viewers of all ages, perfect for family movie nights during Halloween. Audience reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rated the movie 51% and on IDMB it has a 5.3 out of 10. 

About the Author

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Ami Medina

Ami Medina is a current journalism student at Cal Poly Pomona who is working at AfterBuzz TV as an intern.