From 'Twitches' to 'Halloweentown': Disney Channel's Best Original Halloween Movies

Halloween is one of those fun holidays that almost anyone can enjoy. Whether it's just having fun decorating your house or putting on a costume, there's always something to do within the spirit of the season. One of the things I enjoy doing most is watching Disney Channel Original Movies, many of which are Halloween-related. Here are some of the best movies that the Disney Channel has to offer this time of year.

8. The Scream Team (2002)

• Release Date: October 11, 2002

This was a movie that I didn't get to see much of when I was younger, but had a great cast which included Eric Idle of Monty Python fame and Kathy Najimy, who starred in Hocus Pocus. These three ghosts have to defeat an evil spirit to help a man pass over to the other side after he dies. It also stars a young Kat Dennings.

7. My Babysitter's a Vampire (2010)

• Release Date: June 10, 2011

While some of the movie spoofs a bit of the Twilight craze, this movie is actually really clever and kind of spooky. A young man gets into trouble with his parents and they deem him irresponsible, so they leave his classmate in charge of his little sister. The problem is her boyfriend is a vampire and is trying to get her to change, all while trying to enact a curse on members of the town. The cast is great, with a lot of hilarious moments, and a lot of callbacks to the early days of Twilight. Many old fans of that will get a kick out of this.

6. Under Wraps (1997)

• Release Date: October 25, 1997

Disney Channel's first original Halloween movie found Harold the mummy out on an adventure with Marshall and his friends; however, he has to make it back to his coffin before midnight on Halloween or he will no longer exist. Harold was one of those monsters that seemed to be scary at first, but then you realized he was actually kind of sweet. A fun little movie, and a good start for the channel right out of the gate.

5. Twitches (2005)

• Release Date: October 14, 2005

Starring Tia and Tamera Mowry of Sister, Sister fame, this story tells a similar one to that show. Two twins separated at birth (but now reunited) are given powers and have to defeat the darkness save their home realm. This was actually a lot of fun to watch, seeing the two play off of each other while discovering their new powers. The two caretakers for the twins were especially entertaining, with a lot of cute bickering moments.

4. Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire (2000)

• Release Date: October 13, 2000

What are kids supposed to do when they are forbidden by their mom to go out? Why, set her up on a date, of course! When Adam, a fanatic about all things spooky and Halloween, wants to go to a concert, he sets his mom up on a date with Dimitri, only to realize too late that Dimitri is actually a vampire. He and his siblings, with the help of Van Helsing, need to save her before Dimitri turns her into a vampire as well. This movie is really clever and original, and Caroline Rhea is brilliant as the mom.

3. Phantom of the Megaplex (2000)

• Release Date: November 10, 2000

Similar to the story The Phantom of the Opera, someone is creating havoc at a movie theater (as opposed to an opera house) right before the premiere of a movie. While Pete is trying to keep things running smoothly, his brother and sister get busy figuring out who is causing trouble. They enlist the help of Movie Mason, played by the wonderful Mickey Rooney. Definitely a fun mystery, and really heartwarming at times.

2. Don't Look Under the Bed (1999)

Release Date: October 9, 1999

What happens to your imaginary friends if you no longer believe in them? According to Don't Look Under the Bed they turn into the Boogeyman! As a kid this movie actually scared me a lot even though I knew in the end that it would be ok. Francis has to figure out why so many weird things keep happening and why someone is trying to frame her for it. Turns out that it was all the work of the Boogeyman, who has quite the grudge for her after she stops believing. Definitely one of Disney's scarier movies, and one that gets sadly overlooked.

1. Halloweentown (1998)

• Release Date: October 17, 1998

On Marnie Cromwell's 13th Halloween she finds out from her grandmother that she actually comes from a very long line of powerful witches. She and her siblings now have to work together to fight the darkness that is trying to take over Halloweentown and make it safe for the residents again, as well as protect the mortal world. This movie is a lot of fun, and one that is a must-watch every year with its colorful costumes, practical effects, and all-around charm. Debbie Reynolds is wonderful as Grandma Aggie, and Kimberly J. Brown really shows her talent in this movie as a young Marnie. The movie is so popular that it actually had three sequels, something unheard of for a TV movie.