Halloween is a time that conjures up visions of ghouls, goblins and ghosts, but for many, it’s also a time to relax with a special movie marathon.

Since 1993, I’ve written my annual Halloween movie column and this year is no different.

Grab a recliner, turn out the lights, and load up these flicks in your Netflix queue for your very own movie screening festival. As a father of four, this year I'm focusing on a family friendly theme.

1. ‘Ghost Town’ (PG-13)

This quiet, subtle movie was released in 1998 and stars Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni and Ricky Gervais. It’s also directed by David Koep, who wrote 1994’s “The Paper,” starring Michael Keaton, Robert Duvall and Glenn Close. In this “I see dead people” romantic comedy, Gervais plays Dr. Pincus, a dentist who doesn’t really like to be around people. After he undergoes procedure at the local hospital, he can suddenly see those of the dearly departed. Once those who’ve shuffled off this mortal coil realize Pincus’ plight, he is bombarded by requests for help. Enter a deceased cheating husband who believes his widow should not marry the man she’s with. Played by Kinnear, he enlists the help of Gervais to woo his still-living wife, played by Leoni. This is a film my wife and I can watch together and I highly recommend it.

2. ‘Corpse Bride’ (PG)

This 2005 stop-motion animated film is brought to life by director Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Reminiscent of those old Rankin and Bass holiday films like “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” (1964), “Corpse Bride” features songs and a twisted love story of a jilted bride who dies in the middle of a forest. While practicing his proposition speech to his flesh-and-blood love, a man accidentally proposes to the corpse. Depp plays the man who suddenly finds himself engaged to a corpse bride and held in the land of the dead. Dark humor and great storyline make this a must-see. My kids love it as well.

3. 'Coraline' (PG)

This 2008 stop-motion film got a bad rap, in my opinion. Critics claimed there were no sympathetic characters for the audience to root for. Apparently, the critics are either childless or it's been a long time since they've had a young child in the household. Coraline reminded me of my oldest daughter who I sometimes refer to as Wednesday Addams (yes, like "The Addams Family"). Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is stuck in a new home with writer parents under the pressures of a deadline to publish gardening articles. As a longtime writer and reporter, I understand the pressure and what kind of toll it can take on your patience in the home. Teri Hatcher voices Coraline's mother and her "other mother," a nice near-perfect copy of her mom who resides on the other side of the wall. Overall, it's a good film and I recommend it. My kids enjoyed it as well.

4. Harry Potter films

Pick any of the Harry Potter movies for a magical movie marathon. Heck, these could even serve as a marathon all on their own. There has been so much written about this film franchise, that I'll leave it up to you to learn more.

5. Disney's 'The Haunted Mansion' (PG)

This 1993 film based on the ride at Disneyland was better than I expected it to be. Starring Eddie Murphy as real estate agent Jim Evers, this family friend ghost fest incorporates some iconic elements from the ride but does so without bashing viewers over the head. The story centers around an antebellum mansion and its ghostly residents. There is also a love story thrown in for good measure.

And there you have it. Pick two or three films, pop some popcorn and enjoy.

Don Chaddock is the managing editor of the Telegraph. He can be reached at donc@goldcountrymedia.com. Follow him at twitter.com/anewsguy or on Facebook.