The short answer
The 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule runs on Freeform every day from October 1 through October 31, and five nights are left as of Tuesday, October 27. Halloween night (Saturday, October 31) closes the event with Hocus Pocus at 7:20 p.m. and Hocus Pocus 2 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.
- Channel: Freeform (all times Eastern and Pacific, per Freeform).
- Tonight (Oct 27): Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters II, the two Addams Family films, then Beetlejuice at 9 p.m.
- Hocus Pocus left: Oct 28 at 8:50 p.m., plus Oct 31 at 1 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.
- Without cable: you need a live TV streaming plan that carries Freeform, such as YouTube TV.
31
Nights of programming, Oct 1–31
5
Nights left from Oct 27
3
Hocus Pocus airings left
9:30 p.m.
Hocus Pocus 2 on Halloween
In this article
If you are looking for the 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule, you are in the home stretch. Freeform, the Disney-owned cable network that used to be ABC Family, airs a Halloween movie block every day in October. This year, the lineup leans hard on Hocus Pocus, the Ghostbusters films, the Addams Family movies and a Tim Burton run. Below, you will find the remaining nights first, then the full month, then how to watch without cable.
All listings here come from Freeform’s official 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule. Times are Eastern and Pacific, so Central and Mountain viewers should check local listings. Also, Freeform notes that all programming is subject to change. For more seasonal plans, see our Halloween guide.
What Is 31 Nights of Halloween?
31 Nights of Halloween is Freeform’s annual October programming event, with spooky-but-mostly-family-friendly movies airing every day from October 1 to October 31. It works a lot like the network’s 25 Days of Christmas, only with witches, ghosts and monsters instead of snow.
In 2026, the event opened on Thursday, October 1, with the series premiere of Coven Academy, a new witch drama from creator Tim Federle. According to Freeform, the show follows three teenage witches and their warlock classmates. The first four episodes aired that night, episodes 5–7 aired October 8, and the season finale (episodes 8–10) aired October 15. Meanwhile, the full season landed on Disney+, Hulu and Freeform on Demand on October 2.
- Big premiere: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire made its Freeform premiere on October 8.
- Theme day: Friday, October 16, was a Tim Burton marathon.
- Most-aired title: Hocus Pocus appears on the schedule more than any other movie.
What’s Left on the 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 Schedule?
Five nights remain, from Tuesday, October 27, through Saturday, October 31. The week builds from Ghostbusters and Addams Family doubles to a Hocus Pocus double feature on Halloween night.
Tuesday, October 27: Ghostbusters and the Addams Family
Tonight is a classic-comedy night, so it is a good pick if you want laughs more than scares. Then Beetlejuice closes the evening.
- 12:00 p.m.: Ghostbusters (1984)
- 2:30 p.m.: Ghostbusters II
- 5:00 p.m.: The Addams Family (1991)
- 7:00 p.m.: Addams Family Values
- 9:00 p.m.: Beetlejuice
Wednesday, October 28: Scooby-Doo, Nightmare and Hocus Pocus
Wednesday is the best weeknight for families, because it moves from Scooby-Doo in the afternoon to Hocus Pocus in prime time.
- 10:30 a.m.: Ghostbusters II
- 1:00 p.m.: Scooby-Doo (2002)
- 3:00 p.m.: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
- 5:05 p.m.: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 6:45 p.m.: Beetlejuice
- 8:50 p.m.: Hocus Pocus
Thursday, October 29: Casper and Monsters
Thursday is the gentlest night of the week, so it suits younger kids. In fact, Casper airs twice.
- 11:30 a.m.: Scooby-Doo (2002)
- 1:30 p.m.: Casper (1995)
- 4:00 p.m.: Monsters, Inc.
- 6:05 p.m.: Monsters University
- 8:35 p.m.: Casper (1995)
Friday, October 30: Ghostbusters Afterlife double
Friday repeats the two newest Ghostbusters films back to back, twice. As a result, if you miss the afternoon pair, you can catch both again in the evening.
- 12:00 p.m.: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
- 2:55 p.m.: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
- 5:30 p.m.: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
- 8:25 p.m.: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Saturday, October 31: Halloween night
Halloween itself is the biggest day of the event, with Hocus Pocus twice and Hocus Pocus 2 as the prime-time closer.
- 8:30 a.m.: Casper (1995)
- 11:00 a.m.: The Haunted Mansion (2003)
- 1:00 p.m.: Hocus Pocus
- 3:10 p.m.: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
- 4:50 p.m.: Casper (1995)
- 7:20 p.m.: Hocus Pocus
- 9:30 p.m.: Hocus Pocus 2
- 12:00 a.m.: Frankenweenie (2012)
Pro tip. The 7:20 p.m. Hocus Pocus on Halloween overlaps with peak trick-or-treating. If you are handing out candy, the 1 p.m. airing or the Wednesday 8:50 p.m. slot is easier to watch. Also check our trick-or-treating times and safety tips before you plan the evening.
When Is Hocus Pocus on Freeform?
Hocus Pocus has three airings left in 2026: Wednesday, October 28, at 8:50 p.m., and Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. ET/PT. Meanwhile, Hocus Pocus 2 airs once more, at 9:30 p.m. on Halloween night.
The 1993 original, a Disney comedy about the three Sanderson sisters returning to Salem, is the backbone of the event. For example, it aired on October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 before this week. The sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, was made as a Disney+ original movie, so it airs less often on Freeform.
| Date | Hocus Pocus | Hocus Pocus 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Oct 28 | 8:50 p.m. | Not scheduled |
| Thu, Oct 29 | Not scheduled | Not scheduled |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Not scheduled | Not scheduled |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 1:00 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. |
Full Schedule: October 1–26
Here is everything that already aired, week by week, so you can see the full 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule in one place. Times are ET/PT, and late-night slots listed as 12:00 a.m. belong to the night of the date shown.
31 Nights of Halloween 2026 Schedule, Week 1: October 1–7
| Date | Lineup (ET/PT) |
|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 1 | 11:30a Edward Scissorhands; 1:55p The Addams Family (1991); 3:55p Addams Family Values; 5:55p Hocus Pocus; 8:00p Coven Academy series premiere (eps 1–4) |
| Fri, Oct 2 | 10:30a The Addams Family (1991); 12:35p Addams Family Values; 2:40p Dark Shadows (2012); 5:15p The Haunted Mansion (2003); 7:15p The Nightmare Before Christmas; 8:55p Beetlejuice |
| Sat, Oct 3 | 7:30a Beetlejuice; 9:35a Coven Academy; 12:35p Casper (1995); 3:05p Hocus Pocus; 5:15p Monsters, Inc.; 7:20p Monsters University; 9:50p The Addams Family (1991); 11:55p Addams Family Values |
| Sun, Oct 4 | 7:30a Spooky Buddies; 9:35a Casper (1995); 12:05p Edward Scissorhands; 2:35p The Addams Family (1991); 4:40p Addams Family Values; 6:45p Hocus Pocus; 8:55p Hocus Pocus 2; 11:25p Haunted Mansion (2023) |
| Mon, Oct 5 | 12:00p Spider-Man: Homecoming; 3:00p Ghostbusters (1984); 5:30p Ghostbusters II; 8:00p Ghostbusters (2016) |
| Tue, Oct 6 | 10:30a Arachnophobia; 1:00p Ghostbusters (1984); 3:25p Ghostbusters II; 5:55p Ghostbusters (2016); 8:55p Hocus Pocus |
| Wed, Oct 7 | 11:00a Spider-Man 2 (2004); 2:00p The Haunted Mansion (2003); 4:00p Casper (1995); 6:25p Monsters, Inc.; 8:30p Monsters University |
Week 2: October 8–14
| Date | Lineup (ET/PT) |
|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 8 | 11:00a Casper (1995); 1:25p Hocus Pocus; 3:30p Ghostbusters: Afterlife; 6:25p Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Freeform premiere); 9:00p Coven Academy (eps 5–7) |
| Fri, Oct 9 | 10:30a Spider-Man (2002); 1:00p Ghostbusters: Afterlife; 3:55p Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire; 6:25p Hocus Pocus; 8:35p Hocus Pocus 2; 12:00a Coven Academy |
| Sat, Oct 10 | 7:00a Frankenweenie (2012); 9:00a Toy Story of TERROR!; 9:30a Spooky Buddies; 11:35a Scooby-Doo (2002); 1:35p Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed; 3:40p Maleficent; 5:45p The Nightmare Before Christmas; 7:25p Casper (1995); 9:55p Beetlejuice; 12:00a Little Shop of Horrors (1986) |
| Sun, Oct 11 | 8:00a Toy Story of TERROR!; 8:30a Scooby-Doo (2002); 10:30a Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed; 12:35p Little Shop of Horrors (1986); 2:40p Beetlejuice; 4:45p Casper (1995); 7:15p The Haunted Mansion (2003); 9:15p Hocus Pocus; 11:25p Dark Shadows (2012) |
| Mon, Oct 12 | 10:30a Disturbia; 12:55p Maleficent: Mistress of Evil; 3:30p Edward Scissorhands; 5:55p Haunted Mansion (2023); 8:30p Dark Shadows (2012) |
| Tue, Oct 13 | 10:30a Sleepy Hollow (1999); 1:00p Little Shop of Horrors (1986); 3:05p Cruella; 6:20p Hocus Pocus; 8:30p Hocus Pocus 2 |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 11:00a Spider-Man 3 (2007); 2:10p Hocus Pocus; 4:20p Ghostbusters (1984); 6:50p The Addams Family (1991); 8:55p Addams Family Values |
Week 3: October 15–21
| Date | Lineup (ET/PT) |
|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 15 | 10:30a Ghostbusters (1984); 12:55p Hocus Pocus; 3:00p The Haunted Mansion (2003); 5:00p The Addams Family (1991); 7:00p Addams Family Values; 9:00p Coven Academy season finale (eps 8–10) |
| Fri, Oct 16 (Tim Burton day) | 11:00a Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street; 1:40p Edward Scissorhands; 4:10p Dark Shadows (2012); 6:50p The Nightmare Before Christmas; 8:30p Sleepy Hollow (1999); 12:00a Coven Academy |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 7:00a Something Wicked This Way Comes; 9:10a Dark Shadows (2012); 11:50a Sleepy Hollow (1999); 2:20p Haunted Mansion (2023); 5:00p Hocus Pocus; 7:10p The Addams Family (1991); 9:15p Addams Family Values; 11:20p Maleficent: Mistress of Evil |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 8:00a Frankenweenie (2012); 10:00a Edward Scissorhands; 12:30p Maleficent; 2:35p The Addams Family (1991); 4:40p Addams Family Values; 6:45p Casper (1995); 9:15p The Nightmare Before Christmas; 10:55p Ghostbusters (2016) |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 11:00a Ghostbusters (2016); 2:00p Toy Story of TERROR!; 2:30p Scooby-Doo (2002); 4:30p Casper (1995); 6:50p Beetlejuice; 8:55p Hocus Pocus |
| Tue, Oct 20 | 11:00a Toy Story of TERROR!; 11:30a Scooby-Doo (2002); 1:30p Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed; 3:30p Beetlejuice; 5:30p Ghostbusters: Afterlife; 8:25p Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire |
| Wed, Oct 21 | 10:30a Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed; 12:30p Edward Scissorhands; 2:55p Ghostbusters: Afterlife; 5:45p Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire; 8:20p Haunted Mansion (2023) |
Week 4: October 22–26
| Date | Lineup (ET/PT) |
|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 22 | 10:30a Something Wicked This Way Comes; 12:35p Little Shop of Horrors (1986); 2:35p The Nightmare Before Christmas; 4:10p Casper (1995); 6:30p Hocus Pocus; 8:35p Hocus Pocus 2 |
| Fri, Oct 23 | 10:30a Hocus Pocus; 12:35p Casper (1995); 2:55p Maleficent; 5:00p Cruella; 8:00p Ghostbusters (2016) |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 7:00a The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad; 8:35a Edward Scissorhands; 11:05a Ghostbusters II; 1:40p The Haunted Mansion (2003); 3:45p Ghostbusters (2016); 6:55p Hocus Pocus; 9:05p Hocus Pocus 2; 11:35p Casper (1995) |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 7:00a Spooky Buddies; 9:00a Ghostbusters II; 11:30a Hocus Pocus; 1:40p Haunted Mansion (2023); 4:20p Casper (1995); 6:50p Monsters, Inc.; 8:55p Monsters University; 11:25p Maleficent: Mistress of Evil |
| Mon, Oct 26 | 11:30a Haunted Mansion (2023); 2:10p Hocus Pocus; 4:20p Ghostbusters (1984); 6:50p The Addams Family (1991); 8:55p Addams Family Values |
Which Movies Are in the 2026 Lineup?
The 2026 lineup is built mostly from Disney, Pixar, Tim Burton and Sony Ghostbusters films. Here is the movie list grouped by vibe, so you can pick a night that fits your household.
| Vibe | Titles on the schedule | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Witches | Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2, Coven Academy (series) | Families, teens |
| Ghosts and haunted houses | Casper (1995), The Haunted Mansion (2003), Haunted Mansion (2023), Beetlejuice, Spooky Buddies | Kids and families |
| Ghostbusters | Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II, Ghostbusters (2016), Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire | Tweens and up |
| Tim Burton | Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow (1999), Sweeney Todd, Dark Shadows (2012), The Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie (2012) | Teens and adults (Sweeney Todd and Sleepy Hollow are R-rated) |
| Monsters | Monsters, Inc., Monsters University, Scooby-Doo (2002), Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, Toy Story of TERROR! | Young kids |
| Creepy family comedy | The Addams Family (1991), Addams Family Values | Families with older kids |
| Villains and thrills | Maleficent, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Cruella, Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Something Wicked This Way Comes, Arachnophobia, Disturbia, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad | Mixed ages |
| Spider-Man | Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, Spider-Man: Homecoming | Superhero fans |
Notably, the Halloweentown movies do not appear anywhere on Freeform’s 2026 schedule, so do not wait for them on cable this year. If you want darker, true horror instead, our horror movie list for Halloween picks up where this family-leaning lineup stops.
Where Can You Watch 31 Nights of Halloween?
You watch 31 Nights of Halloween live on the Freeform channel, either through a cable or satellite package or through a live TV streaming service that carries Freeform. So, if you have cut the cord, you need a plan that includes Freeform.
What channel is 31 Nights of Halloween on?
It airs on Freeform only. Channel numbers vary by provider and region, so search “Freeform” in your provider’s guide instead of relying on a number.
How to watch Freeform without cable
Live TV streaming services are the easiest way to watch Freeform without cable. For example, YouTube TV lists Freeform in its base plan, which it prices at $82.99 a month (with a lower promotional rate for new members’ first two months, as of October 27, 2026). Hulu + Live TV, Disney’s own live TV plan, is another common option. In addition, Sling TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream are often listed as carrying Freeform, but channel lineups change, so confirm on each service’s channel page before you subscribe.
| Option | Watch live? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Cable or satellite | Yes | Freeform is in your package |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Freeform listed in base plan; $82.99/month list price |
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | Current price and trial terms on Disney’s site |
| Sling, Fubo, DirecTV Stream | Usually | Confirm Freeform in your chosen tier and ZIP code |
| Freeform on Demand | No (on demand) | Typically needs a TV provider sign-in |
Watch out. Freeform’s times are listed for Eastern and Pacific. If you live in the Central or Mountain time zone, your local start time may differ, so check your guide on the day.
Can You Stream These Movies on Disney+ or Hulu?
Some of them, yes, but the 31 Nights of Halloween block itself is a live TV event, not a streaming collection. In other words, you can stream individual titles where they are licensed, but you cannot stream “the Freeform channel” on Disney+ without a live TV plan.
- Coven Academy: According to Freeform, the full season has streamed on Disney+, Hulu and Freeform on Demand since October 2.
- Hocus Pocus 2: It premiered as a Disney+ original movie, so Disney+ is its streaming home.
- Disney and Pixar titles: Movies such as Hocus Pocus, Monsters, Inc. and The Nightmare Before Christmas are Disney films, so check Disney+ search first.
- Ghostbusters and Spider-Man: These are Sony films, so their streaming home can differ from Disney+. Look them up on a title-by-title basis.
Streaming rights shift from month to month, so we have not listed a service for every film. Instead, search the title in the Disney+ app, then in your other services, before movie night.
How to Plan Your Halloween Week Around the Schedule
The simplest plan is to pick one “anchor” movie per night and build dinner, crafts or candy prep around it. Here is a quick-pick plan for the final stretch of the 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule.
| Night | Anchor movie (ET/PT) | Pair it with |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 27 | Addams Family Values, 7:00 p.m. | Finalize costumes |
| Wed, Oct 28 | Hocus Pocus, 8:50 p.m. | Pumpkin carving night |
| Thu, Oct 29 | Monsters University, 6:05 p.m. | Early bedtime for little kids |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, 8:25 p.m. | Party prep or a costume party |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Hocus Pocus 2, 9:30 p.m. | Post-trick-or-treat candy sort |
For Wednesday’s carving session, our pumpkin carving ideas give you designs that fit a two-hour movie. Also, remember that Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, right after Halloween, so the late Frankenweenie slot is a good excuse to stay up. Our Daylight Saving Time guide covers the clock change.
Our verdict
The 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule saves its best for last. Wednesday’s 8:50 p.m. Hocus Pocus is the most convenient airing for families, while Saturday’s 7:20 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. double feature is the event’s real finale. If you do not have cable, a live TV plan that includes Freeform, such as YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV, is the only way to watch the block live. Otherwise, stream the individual titles on Disney+ where available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is 31 Nights of Halloween on?
31 Nights of Halloween airs on Freeform, the Disney-owned cable network. Channel numbers differ by provider and area, so search for Freeform in your TV guide. If you stream live TV, services such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV carry Freeform, and the times Freeform publishes are Eastern and Pacific.
Is Hocus Pocus on TV tonight?
It depends on the night. In the final week of 2026, Freeform airs Hocus Pocus on Wednesday, October 28, at 8:50 p.m., and twice on Saturday, October 31, at 1 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. ET/PT. It is not on the Freeform schedule for October 27, 29 or 30, although programming can change.
When is Hocus Pocus 2 on Freeform?
Hocus Pocus 2 has one airing left in 2026, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31. It follows the 7:20 p.m. airing of the original Hocus Pocus, so you can watch both back to back. The sequel is a Disney+ original, so Disney+ is also its streaming home.
Can you stream 31 Nights of Halloween?
Yes, but only as a live channel. To watch the block as it airs, you need a live TV streaming plan that includes Freeform, such as YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV. Disney+ does not stream the live Freeform feed, but it does offer many individual titles, including Hocus Pocus 2 and the Coven Academy series.
Are the Halloweentown movies on Freeform in 2026?
No. The Halloweentown films do not appear on Freeform’s published 31 Nights of Halloween 2026 schedule. Instead, the lineup focuses on Hocus Pocus, the Ghostbusters films, the Addams Family movies, Casper, Monsters, Inc. and a Tim Burton marathon.
What is on 31 Nights of Halloween on Halloween night?
Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, is the biggest day of the event. Freeform airs Casper, The Haunted Mansion (2003), Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Casper again during the day. Then Hocus Pocus airs at 7:20 p.m., Hocus Pocus 2 at 9:30 p.m. and Frankenweenie at midnight, all ET/PT.
