How to Watch the Halloweentown Movies in Order

Despite the deep-seated Millennial nostalgia that runs deep in some of us, it’s not every Disney Channel Original movie that holds up. But in every way that matters, the Halloweentown trilogy does. There’s a magic in these movies that comes to life through gorgeous performances, hilarious antics, and a scenic backdrop that’s still, to this day, proof of the fact that charm comes from practical effects as opposed to excessive CGI.

In addition, while there are officially four movies in the franchise, as someone who was—and still is—super loyal to Kimberly J. Brown’s original casting, I never watched Return to Halloweentown when she was recast. As a result, I consider the movies an official trilogy that are each perfect as they are. If you’re in the mood for a rewatch, but forgot the correct order (or you’ve never seen them), here’s the best way to watch.

Halloweentown

The magic of the original Halloweentown lies entirely in the practical effects. It feels like a real place, without being a caricature of one, and that’s something that continues to stand out with every viewing. It isn’t trying to be groundbreaking or wildly bold, but rather it’s trying to be charming, and it is. Effortlessly, too. The performances are lovely, with the late and remarkable Debbie Reynolds giving us one of the most memorable grandmother characters ever, and all the kids shine with their chemistry alongside her.

There’s a reason so many of us continue to rewatch the movie every year during the -ber months, and it’s entirely because it’s the picture of cozy spooky. It’s the perfect blend of horror and wholesome family antics for those of us who can’t stomach more. It leaves a tender mark with how it emphasizes the strength in women coming together, and with every beat (including every meta moment that highlights the town), it shines as a sweet escape.

Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge

There are a few arbitrary lines from my childhood that’ve always stayed with me, even if they don’t exactly mean anything, and one of them is Marnie’s “I should’ve known when he gave me the rose” line. I can’t help it. I’ll think of it every time I see a red rose. Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge is such a remarkable sequel that it’s ultimately shocking how few movies are able to execute their follow-up as perfectly. After the events of the original movie, Gwen (Judith Hoag) is a bit more open to magic, but when new neighbors prove to be Kalabar’s son, everything unravels in a black-and-white curse that threatens the brightness of the titular town.

So much of the magic in the first movie is in large part because of the practical effects, and while we lose a smidge of that in the sequel, it’s still a whole lot of fun. It’s a tender reminder of how kaleidoscopic the world is, and more importantly, how significant the Cromwell bond is. And while, sure, we never got a redemption arc for Kal, Kimberly J. Brown and Daniel Kountz being married in real life feels cosmic. (Highly recommend Haul Out the Halloween for their quirky reunion on-screen.)

Halloweentown High

Halloweentown High doesn’t exactly feel like the kind of closing movie most trilogies deliver or deserve, but it’s still a whole lot of fun, and a mandatory must-watch at least once. It unfortunately suffers from the visuals losing a good chunk of the charm that the original two hold, but the inclusion of both worlds in one place feels like the right kind of ending. Eventually, the portals would have to open like this, so it makes complete sense that they’d take this route in the writing.