Spirit Halloween: The Movie is a pleasant surprise that’s fun for the whole family. It’s a fine film that’s more throwback to when we were kids than most of the grating PG-13 gateway films that have dropped over the last few years.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 27, 2022

Not only is the action tepid, it only takes up the last act of the movie. The rest of the running time is occupied by whiny dithering over juvenile social dilemmas that are hoary in the extreme.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Oct 26, 2022

If you are looking for a good slasher film, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a fun family-friendly film with a few good monsters, then try Spirit Halloween: The Movie.

| Original Score: B- | Oct 24, 2022

While I am terrified of the IP trend this may have put into motion, with stores now getting films, I couldn’t think of a better store, or a better scenario to start with.

| Oct 24, 2022

Lacking in genuine thrills, convincing performances and all around has a hokey, cheesy presentation. At least it’s got a savvy and timely release coinciding with a plethora of Spirit Halloween shops popping up just in time for Halloween.

| Original Score: 4.5/10 | Oct 23, 2022

Have you actually been to a Spirit Halloween? Most of the stuff in there is, let’s face it, mass-produced crap.

| Oct 19, 2022

The film won’t scare your socks off, but you’ll get a few tricks and treats to make it worthwhile.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Oct 13, 2022

Spirit Halloween: The Movie opens with a flashback of Lloyd being cursed to death. Every scene after that is eye-rolling, generic, and hollow.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Oct 13, 2022

... a long slog at under ninety minutes... The kids have nothing to do, the store is barely used, and the mystery is solved on a note card... not even worthy to play in the background at a costume party.

| Original Score: 0/4 | Oct 12, 2022

The film’s nostalgia and novelty factor wear off pretty early on for adults watching and it’s definitely aimed at younger, but not too young, audience. It’s an ok film, but entirely forgettable.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 11, 2022

All the family friendly Halloween attention may be on the sequel that recently premiered on Disney+, but this has the better chance of becoming an annual tradition. A straightforward Halloween adventures that younger audiences will enjoy.

| Oct 10, 2022

With a runtime shorter than a fun-size candy bar hit with 2022 shrinkflation, Spirit Halloween plays out more like a Disney after-school Halloween special than a feature film.

| Original Score: 6/10 | Oct 8, 2022

It has some very clunky writing but better than it should be, playing like an old episode of Goosebumps.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 5, 2022

When three friends decide to spend Halloween night locked inside the local Spirit Halloween, they end up getting a lot more spirit than they bargained for.

| Oct 5, 2022

Spirit Halloween: The Movie does a good job of including side stories that encompass relevant tween topics like the different rates that childhood friends grow and mature and adjusting to life in a blended family.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Oct 4, 2022

Spirit Halloween: The Movie tries to entertain with mild chills, but its underdeveloped plot and subpar CGI prevent it from truly succeeding.

| Oct 1, 2022

Spirit Halloween: The Movie has no reason to exist

| Original Score: 1/5 | Sep 30, 2022

[T]he movie is far too formulaic to succeed as either a horror story or an advertising gimmick.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Sep 30, 2022

There’s nothing wrong with the idea of setting an all-ages haunted house-style chase movie in a corny bulk retail store. The main thing holding back “Spirit Halloween: The Movie” is that its young stars never get to convincingly act their age.

| Sep 28, 2022

Bates seem to understand the creative mission, creating broad emotion and conflicts to help inspire a mildly enjoyable adventure in the “Goosebumps” tradition, keeping things relatively easygoing and mercifully short.

| Original Score: B- | Sep 28, 2022