Halloweentown proposes that fantasy beings such as witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves, mummies, ghosts, trolls, ogres, zombies, pumpkin heads, skeletons, goblins, humanoids with varying numbers of heads, humanoids with varying numbers of limbs, and humanoids with varying numbers of sensory organs are real, but have separated themselves from Earth's history to escape humans' fear and persecution. These characters created their own community, "Halloweentown," a thousand years ago in an alternate universe. Travel between Halloweentown and the ordinary, historical world is only possible with magical aid, and only at regulated times, until the portal seals at midnight. In the second film, they permanently open the portal between the Mortal World and Halloweentown, and events of the third film breach the gap even more. It is stated that many of the traditions of Halloween in the Mortal World are parallels based on regular traditions in Halloweentown. An example of this is how mortals wear costumes that mimic the creatures of Halloweentown, and are often depicted as being more frightening than they are naturally. In Halloweentown, the residents dress up every day, and most are much friendlier than humans generally depict them. Although magic is present in many of the details of daily life of Halloweentown, it appears that only a limited number of persons actually practice or control magic. These people are mainly human, and are called witches and warlocks. These beings appear human, but possess some sort of biological extra-sensory ability that allows them to harness magic unlike their "mortal" counterparts. Magic is also hereditary in their families. The Halloweentown movies concern episodes in the lives of the Cromwell–Piper family. The family matriarch, Agatha Cromwell, has been a pillar of Halloweentown society for centuries. Her daughter, Gwen Piper, married a mortal and chose to leave Halloweentown for a life in the Mortal World. At the time of the movies, she is apparently widowed. She has decided to raise her three children apart from magic, and thus rejects contact with Halloweentown and the influence of her mother.
Films
''Halloweentown'' (1998)
In the first film, Marnie Piper, her brother Dylan, and her sister Sophie discover they come from a family of witches.
''Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge'' (2001)
Two years after the first film, an angry warlock named Kal has stolen a magic spell book and plans to turn everyone into the costume they're wearing at midnight on Halloween.
''Halloweentown High'' (2004)
Two years after the second film, Marnie Piper organizes a student exchange program between her mortal school and Halloweentown High. The first students to participate in this program are a witch named Cassie, a warlock named Ethan Dalloway, a troll named Natalie, and an ogre named Chester.
''Return to Halloweentown'' (2006)
In the fourth film, Marnie Piper arrives at the Halloweentown University, known to everyone as Witch U. The teachers have been waiting for her arrival to fulfill the prophecy.
