Horror has been a popular film genre for more than a century. Works of dark fiction writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, and Mary Shelley initially influenced the film industry with their horror stories. While coming to 1800, horror flicks like The House OF The Devil featured supernatural elements. But it gradually changed with Dracula and monsters coming into the picture, for instance, in movies like Frankenstein.
Although Disney+ and horror movies don’t typically go together because these Disney movies are, after all, intended for families. But, you won’t deny some of them surely cause a mild fear. So, here’s a compilation of the top 10 best horror movies on Disney Plus.
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Fantasia
Director: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe Jr.
Writer: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer, Lee Blair
Cast: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, The Philadelphia Orchestra
IMDb Rating: 7.7
Runtime: 2hrs. 5mins
American animated musical anthology film Fantasia was released in 1940. It was first presented in 13 locations across the US between 1940 and 1941 as a theatrical roadshow. The Library of Congress chose the film to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry – as it is culturally, historically, or aesthetically important.
It is a selection of animated renderings of significant pieces of Western classical music. What initially started as a way to advance Mickey Mouse’s career grew into a full-fledged film still unmatched in animation history.
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Twitches
Director: Stuart Gillard
Writer: Melissa Gould, Dan Berendsen, H.B. Gilmour
Cast: Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Kristen Wilson
IMDb Rating: 5.7
Runtime: 1hr. 26mins
The 2005 Disney original, Twitches is modeled on the Scholastic Press book series of the same name.
Its story revolves around two teenage witches who got separated at birth and fostered by two different families. On their 21st birthday, they finally meet one another. Now they must use their magical abilities to protect the land where they were born and their biological mother still resides.
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The Scream Team
Director: Stuart Gillard
Writer: Robert Short, Dan Berendsen
Cast: Mark Rendall, Kat Dennings, Robert Bockstael
IMDb Rating: 6.3
Runtime: 1hr. 40mins
It’s a 2002 American television movie debuted on Disney on October 4, 2002, as one of the network’s original movie series.
In the small town of Steeple Falls, odd Frank Carlyle had a hardware store. He makes good money through his Halloween costumes. But when Frank’s widower son comes from Boston with his children, they sense something odd in the house.
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Mom’s Got A Date with a Vampire
Director: Steve Boyum
Writer: Lindsay Naythons, Robert Keats
Cast: Matt O’Leary, Laura Vandervoort, Myles Jeffrey
IMDb Rating: 5.8
Runtime: 1hr. 25mins
A 2000 American horror comedy, Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire, was developed specifically for television.
Its story follows two kids who set their mom on a date with a Vampire.
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The Haunted Mansion
Director: Rob Minkoff
Writer: David Berenbaum
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer Tilly
IMDb Rating: 5.1
Runtime: 1hr. 28mins
It’s a 2003 American supernatural horror comedy movie partially founded on the iconic Disney attraction with the same title. The film garnered mostly negative reviews yet earned $182.3 million globally.
A realtor and his family are invited to a mansion, where they quickly learn it’s ghostly. As they try to flee, he gets valuable insight into the family he’s ignored.
Halloweentown
Director: Duwayne Dunham
Writer: Paul Bernbaum, Jon Cooksey, Ali Marie Matheson
Cast: Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Judith Hoag
IMDb Rating: 6.6
Runtime: 1hr. 24mins
A 1998 Disney Original Movie, Halloweentown, is the first part of the Halloweentown film series.
Its story revolves around a young girl who discovers she is a witch. With the help of her grandmother, she protects Halloweentown against dark forces.
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The Nightmare Before Christmas
Director: Henry Selick
Writer: Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
IMDb Rating: 7.9
Runtime: 1hr. 16mins
It’s an American 1993 stop-motion animated musical dark fantasy movie. The movie was well-received by audiences, praising its animation, characters, songs, and score. It became the first animated picture nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
The ruler of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, finds Christmas Town but makes a mess by trying to bring the holiday season home.
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Hocus Pocus
Director: Kenny Ortega
Writer: David Kirschner, Mick Garris, Neil Cuthbert
Cast: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy
IMDb Rating: 6.9
Runtime: 1hr. 36mins
A fantasy comedy movie, Hocus Pocus, premiered in the US on July 16, 1993. The film earned mixed reviews from critics upon its release.
Upon moving to Salem, a curious young man experiences social difficulties. It was all before reawakening a trio of evil witches killed in the 17th century.
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Don’t Look Under the Bed
Director: Kenneth Johnson
Writer: Mark Edward Edens
Cast: Erin Chambers, Ty Hodges, Robin Riker
IMDb Rating: 6.7
Runtime: 1hr. 40mins
The fantasy horror movie Don’t Look Under the Bed was created for television. It was made available as a Disney Channel Original on October 9, 1999.
A teen seeks the assistance of Larry Houdini, an imaginary friend, to cope with a prankster bogeyman. But unfortunately, he is framing her for being responsible for his nefarious actions.
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Return to Oz (1985)
Director: Walter Murch
Writer: Walter Murch, Gill Dennis, L. Frank Baum
Cast: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh
IMDb Rating: 6.7
Runtime: 1hr. 53mins
Walt Disney Pictures’ dark fantasy movie, Return to Oz, debuted in theatres on June 21, 1985. Critics gave the film mixed reviews, complimenting the visuals and performances while criticizing the somber subject matter and bizarre aesthetics.
The story revolves around Dorothy, rescued from a mental experiment by a mystery girl, who is somehow summoned back to Oz.
