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The month of October brings with it plenty of annual viewing traditions, and chief among them for ’90s kids is the “Halloweentown” franchise. The series launched in 1998 with a Disney Channel Original Movie about a 13-year-old girl who learned that not only did she descend from a line of witches, but there’s actually an entire community called Halloweentown populated by witches, warlocks and all sorts of spooky creatures.

“Halloweentown” played on Disney Channel ad nauseum every October, and eventually spawned three additional sequels. With spooky season in full swing – and with all four movies currently streaming on Disney+ — now is as good a time as any to get straight how to watch the “Halloweentown” movies in order.

“Halloweentown” (1998) Disney

The first “Halloweentown” film sets the stage for all to come. Kimberly J. Brown plays Marnie Piper, an ambitious 13-year-old who learns that her mother Gwen (Judith Hoag) and her grandmother (Debbie Reynolds) are witches,...

Marnie's desire to explore and take risks is a crucial part of growing up, even if her mother wants to keep her safe. Dylan suggests celebrating Arbor Day instead of Halloween, highlighting the importance of other holidays and the environment. Aggie's lack of knowledge about the mortal world is comical and shows the generation gap between her and her grandchildren.

Halloweentown is a classic spooky holiday movie for kids and there are so many memorable Halloweentown quotes that still resonate with audiences. It has magic, heart, comedy, and a few lessons about growing up thrown into the mix. The Disney Channel movie from the '90s remains a classic even two decades later, and rewatching it has become an annual tradition for many fans of the franchise.

The Halloweentown cast included Kimberly J. Brown, Debbie Reynolds, Emily Roeske, Judith Hoag, and Joey Zimmerman as the Cromwell family, each character brought their own individual personality,...

It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing color, the air is getting more relaxed, and Halloween is just around the corner. For many, Halloween is a time to enjoy fright-filled movies and TV shows. But for others, it’s a time to revisit their childhood with the Halloweentown movies.

These family-friendly films follow the adventures of Marnie Piper, a young witch who discovers her heritage and learns to use her powers.

If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate Halloween this year, why not watch the Halloweentown movies in order?

Based on characters by Paul Bernbaum, The Halloweentown film series aired as works for television on The Disney Channel as Disney Channel Original Movies. To date, there are four fantasy films released in the Halloweentown franchise.

In this blog post, we’ll look at the films in order and provide some fun facts about each one.

1998’s Halloweentown is one of the most beloved Halloween and Disney Channel movies, and is a gift that keeps on giving as new generations discover the film that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Starring Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, Judith Hoag and Debbie Reynolds, the film directed by Duwayne Dunham followed Marnie, who on her 13th birthday discovers she’s a witch and is transported to Halloweentown, a magical place that is facing an evil curse. The film spawned three sequels: Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge in 2001, Halloweentown High in 2004 and Return to Halloweentown in 2006.

Halloweentown, written by Paul Bernbaum, Jon Cooksey and Ali Marie Matheson, holds a score of 83 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. You can currently watch Halloweentown on Prime Video or on Disney+. The franchise is also airing as part of Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween.”

In celebration of the film’s 25th anniversary, take a look...

Halloweentown has become a beloved annual tradition for movie fans, offering a whimsical and nostalgic Halloween experience. With its timeless appeal, Halloweentown's magical story and diverse cast of characters can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Halloweentown's cultural impact extends beyond the holiday, as it has inspired and empowered audiences to embrace their differences and find strength in themselves.

Most people spend the month of October getting ready for Halloween, trick-or-treating, and parties or ignoring the rapid approach of the end of the year altogether. But true movie fans know it's the one time a year that watching cheesy Halloween films is more than allowed — it's encouraged. One such movie, Halloweentown, is a Disney Channel Original Movie classic from 1998 that everyone should see at least once. The film has everything a person could want in a movie for the spooky season without being scary or taking things too far.

Sophie, played by Emily Roeske, doesn't appear in Return to Halloweentown due to Roeske's retirement from acting after Halloweentown High. Sophie's character was integral to the Cromwell magic and the family's efforts to save Halloweentown throughout the first three films. Although Sophie's absence is acknowledged in Return to Halloweentown, there is potential for her character to return in future franchise installments.

Despite being an integral part of the franchise, Sophie doesn't return for Halloweentown 4. Played by Emily Roeske, Sophie Piper is Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown) and Dylan's (Joey Zimmerman) younger sister. In the first Halloweentown, a young Sophie starts exhibiting signs of magical prowess: when she really wants a cookie, one floats through the air toward her. As Aggie later says in one of Halloweentown's best quotes, "Magic is really very simple: all you've got to do is want something and then let yourself have it." Unfortunately, Sophie and Marnie's mom,...

Marnie's recasting in Return to Halloweentown was a disappointing decision that detracted from the magic of the original trilogy. Kimberly J. Brown, who originally played Marnie, expressed her disappointment about being replaced by Sara Paxton. Despite the recasting, Brown has continued her acting career and remains enthusiastic about reprising her role as Marnie in a potential future installment of the franchise.

For years, fans of the Halloweentown franchise have wondered why protagonist Marnie was recast in Return to Halloweentown. A 1998 Disney Channel Original Movie, the first installment in the Halloweentown series stars frequent Dcom collaborator Kimberly J. Brown as Marnie, a preteen with a penchant for the supernatural. After learning that she comes from a family of witches, Marnie is eager to tap into her powers, so she disobeys her mother's (Judith Hoag) wishes and follows her grandma, Aggie Cromwell (Debbie Reynolds), to the titular magical realm.

Soon enough, Marnie and her siblings,...

There's nothing like a good horror movie to get the heart pumping. This could be why the genre is often sought out on date nights. Still, depending on the situation or a significant other's preferences, too much of a good scare can spoil a romantic evening.

However, the chills and thrills shouldn't be put aside altogether. There are plenty of movies out there that are perfect for the occasion. They still have some frightful elements, but not so much that a person's date is running for the door. Additionally, many of these films include a little romance of their own.

Related: 10 Most Romantic Horror Movies

Halloweentown (1998)

Halloweentown is a beloved Disney Channel movie on par with Hocus Pocus, so it has some spooky bits. However, for the most part, it's a family-friendly movie that revolves around Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown), a witch raised as an average child alongside her two siblings,...

‘Tis the season for “chills and thrills” on Freeform.

The network has finalized its milestone 25th anniversary lineup for its 31 Nights of Halloween programming block for the month of October, running from the 1st to the 31st.

Seasonal favorites return like the cult classic Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures and Tim Burton’s beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas courtesy of Touchstone Pictures. The latter title, from director Henry Selick, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

The Halloweentown franchise gets a chunk of the lineup with such features as the original 1998 TV movie, starring Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman, Emily Roeske and Judith Hoag, playing alongside Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge, Halloweentown High and Return to Halloweentown. Other major franchises on the lineup include The Twilight Saga, Monsters, Inc., The Addams Family, The Incredibles, Spider-Man, Hotel Transylvania and Twitches.

Whether you’re chilling out before a costume party or working late at the lab (Halloween is a Monday this year), October 31 practically screams, “Watch something!”

Yes, there are myriad seasonal activities to be enjoyed away from the ghastly glow of your screens: be it bobbing for apples, carving jack-o-lanterns, summoning the undead, or an overpriced rideshare. But few experiences are as instantly and totally transporting as the ones provided by our go-to movies and TV shows. That’s why so many of us insist on sneaking in annual viewings of our favorites between social events and trick-or-treaters. No matter how scary busy our schedules may get, making time for the Halloween tales we cherish feels in some small way important.

Maybe you’re putting on your makeup to the familiar beats of “Beetlejuice” or working from home with “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” to keep you company.

Halloweentown is a classic spooky holiday movie for kids. It has magic, heart, comedy, and a few lessons about growing up thrown into the mix. It's a Disney movie from the '90s that remains a classic even two decades later and rewatching it has become an annual tradition for many fans of the franchise.  Starring Kimberly J. Brown, Debbie Reynolds, Emily Roeske, Judith Hoag and Joey Zimmerman as the Cromwell family, each character brought their own individual personalities, quirks and all, to the table. From the quirky Marnie to her wet-blanket brother, there is a character that everyone can relate to.

Related: Hocus Pocus: 15 Most Badass Sanderson Sisters Quotes 

The film contained plenty of hilarious moments, but also life lessons as well, which are derived from some of the character's best quotes. These quotes have touched viewers for decades and will not easily be forgotten by those who love the series.

No! Don’t run away! Where’s your Halloween spirit? Yes, Halloweentown (1998) is a Disney Channel movie, but that in and of itself isn’t a bad thing; if you’re looking to introduce your kids to horror, it’s better to pitch them some underhands than speedy overhands. (I don’t really know baseball.) In a cynical and bitterly crumbling world, it’s nice to know that a bit of low-key innocent charm still exists.

Originally airing Saturday, October 17th, Halloweentown was a big hit for the channel, and spawned three sequels over the ensuing years. If you’re looking for some smiles, good performances and charming effects, Halloweentown is a fun place to visit.

Let’s open up our mouse eared (insert groan here) TV Guide and see what’s up:

Halloweentown (Saturday, Disney)

An adolescent girl realizes with the help of her grandmother that she’s a...

The Cromwell family is getting back together in honor of the late Debbie Reynolds.

Halloweentown star Kimberly J. Brown announced on Tuesday that she would be joined by her co-stars from the 1998 Disney Channel movie, Judith Hoag and Joey Zimmerman, at the Spirit of Halloweentown Festival in St. Helens, Oregon, on Oct. 14. Brown added that Emily Roeske, who plays Sophie in the film, is also trying to make it, schedule permitting.

More: Celebrating Debbie Reynolds: A Look Back at the Film Legend's Most Iconic Roles

"We're having a little family reunion!" Brown, 32, shared in a video message on Facebook and YouTube. "We wanted to do a special tribute to [Reynolds] and her role as Grandma Aggie."

The annual festival takes place in the town where the first Halloweentown film was shot, where they even recreate the setting of the movie in the town square. This year marks the first ceremony since Reynolds died at age 84 in...

Listen up, wizards, warlocks and witches! A bewitching announcement has just cast a spell over the masses! Kimberly J. Brown, who played Marnie in all three of the Disney Channel's Halloweentown movies, took to social media today to announce that she would once again be heading to the real-life Halloweentown, St. Helens, Oregon, for their annual Spirit of Halloweentown festivities. Additionally, the former child star revealed in a YouTube video she posted earlier today that J. Paul Zimmerman, who played Dylan, and Judith Hoag, who played their onscreen mom Gwen, would definitely be attending the Halloween haunt as well. Brown also said that her onscreen sister Emily Roeske (Sophie) is trying to...

For some of the oldsters out there they may recall the 1973 Gamble & Huff-produced R&B hit single “I’ll Always Love My Mama” by the musical group The Intruders. This musical anthem was certainly a lyrical tribute to caring mothers and how their sacrifices shaped our childhood and adulthood. This finger-snapping song definitely captured the spirit of motherly guidance.

Naturally film has had its share of depicting motherhood over the decades. In fact, mothers of all types are presented before our eyes in packages of being nurturing, notorious, nutty, naive and nonsensical. However, there is something so special about the mother-son relationship that rivals the father-daughter dynamic. We have our share of proud Mama’s boys out there roaming about in society.

In Mama’s Boy: The Top 10 Mother-Son Combos in Movies we will examine some of the big screen bonds that have been celebrated between the Mommy Dearests...

Earth 2: The Complete Series

Stars: Deborah Farentino, Joey Zimmerman, Tim Curry, Virginia Madsen, Terry O’Quinn, Joey Zimmerman, Clancy Brown, Jessica Steen, Rebecca Gayheart, Antonio Sabàto, Jr. | Created by Michael Duggan, Carol Flint, Mark Levin, Billy Ray

Debuting to huge fanfare back in 1994, Earth 2 was, at the time, event TV on both sides of the pond. Produced by Steven Spielberg under his Amblin Entertainment banner, the pilot was originally released on VHS by Universal before the series debuted later the same year on Sky TV to huge critical and fan praise. Sadly the fanfare and furore surrounding the series and it’s big name producer didn’t translate to ratings and the show was cancelled after only one season of 22 episodes. Some 18 years later the series is set to make its UK DVD debut courtesy of Mediumrare Entertainment…

The year is 2192 and Earth is blighted by extreme pollution,...

SoapNet has greenlighted a new original series to begin in June. Back-to-back half-hour episodes of Soapography, which profiles leading soap opera actors, will begin running weekends between 6-7 p.m. The Walt Disney Co.-owned channel has yet to decide how many episodes will be ordered or which production company will produce them. Susan Lucci, Deidre Hall, Rebecca Budig and Peter Bergman are among the soap stars expected to get Soapography treatment. SoapNet has launched only two original series in its four-year history: the Emmy-nominated talk show Soap Talk and Soap Center, which no longer produces new episodes. The channel, which is in 37 million homes, subsists largely on rebroadcasts of ABC daytime programming. Sister cable network Disney Channel has greenlighted a third installment to its original movie franchise Halloweentown to air in the fall. Debbie Reynolds, Kimberly J. Brown, Joey Zimmerman and Judith Hoag will return for Halloweentown 3, which goes into production next week. Writer Dan Berendsen (The Scream Team) and director Mark Dippe (Pixel Perfect) are working on Halloweentown 3. The film will be executive produced by Sheri Singer (Right on Track).