So, it turns out we all need a healthy dose of fear and terror to keep ourselves alive and kicking. Who knew? In fact, according to a fascinating article by The Guardian, one of those places we can get that healthy dose is a good movie. Movies have a way of providing us with that sweet spot between terror and enjoyment, which we all need. “At that spot, a flood of fear quickly followed by relief results in the release of feelgood chemicals in the brain – endorphins and dopamine – rewarding you with a rush of euphoria”, says Professor Marc Malmdorf-Andersen, an associate professor at Denmark’s Aarhus University.
As many of us were told growing up, sharing is caring. While cruising the streets of Reddit, I came across a classic example of a parent who wants to share not only the sweet and the cuddly parts of life, but the thrilling and terrifying parts of it too. On the subreddit, r/MovieSuggestions, a user by the name of u/-lookalivesunshine came to the tribe to find out what horror films to watch with their son. This community member also mentioned their own love for gory and ‘f***ed up scary things’, so obviously that’s not what they want to expose the child to. Whatever your thoughts may be about allowing kids to watch frightening things, thankfully there are some great films that kids can watch – suitable for the whole family. So, why not give the people what they want and present our list of the 13 best horror movies you can watch with the kids. If you have some suggestions of your own that you think we’ve missed out on, let us know in the comments section at the end of the article. And by the way, I hope you like that the list is made up of 13 movies. Feeling superstitious?
13. The Monster Squad
This is a movie that deserves its place on its list, firstly because it’s just a cool, relatable movie for kids in terms of the setting. Forget dodgeball and hopscotch, because this club is all about monsters – the kind that can give you nightmares. Unfortunately, the kids in this story are in for a real scare when Dracula crashes their clubhouse meeting in the company of his friends – Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and the Gillman. These “uglies”, as they’re known, are after an amulet that’ll make them powerful. The movie pits the Monster Squad against the uglies and their plan. It’s a fun one to watch if you’re looking to see some unlikely heroes discover how great they can be.
12. Beetlejuice
We sure do love Beetlejuice, and we think it’s a great entry point for younger audiences to explore the horror genre. Like the other films on this list, it features ghosts and some ghoulish imagery on screen, but it also prioritizes slapstick humour and some pretty crazy visuals over genuine scares, so your little ones will be just fine. Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the bio-exorcist Beetlejuice is mischievous, but it’s balanced by the heartwarming story about the Maitlands (deceased) and their teenage guide Lydia. This focus on themes that kids can and should be learning about, like friendship and self-discovery, is given greater value than the film’s comedic horror elements, making it a great choice for parents to watch with their kids.
11. Tremors
The 1990 horror-comedy film Tremors blends scares with surprising humour. Set in the isolated Nevada town of Perfection, the film follows two handymen, Val McKee and Earl Bassett, yearning for a life beyond odd jobs. Their escape plans come to nothing when a series of mysterious deaths plague the town. What’s the cause? Giant, subterranean creatures who have a taste for human flesh. Aided by a seismologist studying strange tremours and a couple of resourceful survivalists, Val and Earl have to use their smarts to fight these monstrous Graboids and ensure Perfection’s survival.
10. Gremlins
Let’s continue our list with a true genre classic. Director Joe Dante hit it out of the park by releasing a family-friendly horror movie that could be watched any time of the year with Gremlins. The story of some furry critters that terrorize an entire town once fed after midnight has become a true cinema classic – one that, somehow, still hasn’t received a remake of some sort.
The Gremlins are these adorable creatures under normal circumstances, but even their more mischievous side won’t be enough to haunt most kids. Aside from a few scenes, Gremlins is a great flick to introduce the younger family members to horror films. In fact, it is one of the best kids’ horror movies ever made.
9. The Witches (1990)
Not to be confused with the recent remake, the 1990 version of The Witches might be rated PG, but the outstanding work done by Jim Henson on the prosthetics turns this film into a decent horror flick, even for adults.
The Witches follows the same story as the classic tale by Roald Dahl: a young kid on vacation meets face to face with a coven of witches plotting to turn all the children of the world into mice. At least that’s better than what happened to the kids in Dahl’s other classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
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8. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island
Scooby-Doo has always been a show about the evil deeds of landlords and real-estate scammers – but Zombie Island took the classic Scooby-Doo formula and turned it into a veritable horror flick. Animated in Japan by the same studio that produced the Men in Black animated series and Street Sharks, Zombie Island is Scooby-Doo at its finest.
Unlike most episodes in the series’ original run, Zombie Island features real monsters – something that Scooby and the gang are certainly not prepared to deal with. This animated masterpiece serves as the perfect appetizer for those looking for a blend of funny and spooky, and it’s even better for die-hard Scooby-Doo fans. It is definitely one of the best horror movies to watch with kids.
7. Monster House
It looks like claymation, it feels like it was made in stop-motion, and yet, 2006’s Monster House is a timeless CG classic that stands the test of time thanks to its fun and engaging plot and terrifying (for kids) horror sequences.
Written by Rick & Morty‘s Dan Harmon and produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, Monster House has that peculiar feel that’s so hard to capture. The autumn colour palette, the exciting haunted house mystery, and the occasional goofball humour set the mood perfectly and make this movie a must-watch for any kid who wants to dip their feet into the world of horror.
6. Frankenweenie
From the creatively twisted mind of Tim Burton comes Frankenweenie – also known as the best way to introduce your kids to classic Hollywood horror. A project that spent nearly three decades in Burton’s mind finally got a proper release in 2012, and what a movie it was.
Frankenweenie is more than just a Frankenstein spoof. The film deals with heavy themes for any kid, including the death of a beloved pet. However, in the same vein as some of Burton’s greatest classics, it manages to portray these moments of sadness with a healthy dose of dark comedy, as well as a heartwarming ending that will leave you in tears.
5. ParaNorman
When it comes to modern stop-motion animation, Laika has a monopoly on the art. In recent years, the studio released two films that I would consider modern classics (one of them we’ll look at a bit later on this list.)
It’s hard to find a movie more ‘kid-friendly horror’ than ParaNorman. This modern dark fantasy tale revolves around a kid who can see ghosts, and how his powers might be his quaint town’s only hope. It’s one of the best family-friendly horror movies around.
4. Goosebumps
Most horror fans grew up reading the iconic Goosebumps books by R. L. Stine. With a spook at the turn of every page, reading these short novels was always a tradition around October, not to mention the massively popular ’90s live-action show.
In 2015, the first Goosebumps feature film, starring Jack Black, hit cinemas. It is a love letter to everything that made the books so good. Goosebumps is a horror film for the whole family, but it is, more than anything else, a movie that brings back childhood memories for those of us who loved Stine’s horror tales as kids.
3. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
If you’re in the mood for one of the most underrated Disney classics, then you can’t miss The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. While the whole Mr. Toad part is optional, The Adventures of Ichabod remains one of the best versions of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow I’ve ever seen.
With music from the legendary Bing Crosby, watching The Adventures of Ichabod has become a tradition of mine each year. It’s rather short, but it’s a more family-friendly horror alternative than watching Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow movie.
2. Coraline
Arguably the best movie by Laika – and based on what many would consider Neil Gaiman’s masterpiece – Coraline is a legitimately scary film that will stick with you long after you’ve watched it. Not only is it an excellent adaptation of a great story, but it’s filled with visually stunning shots and genuinely creepy imagery.
If you ask me, the best horror movies you can watch with kids are those that are equally scary for kids and adults – and Coraline has more than its fair share of terrifying moments. Funnily enough, it also has an adorable visual style, which makes it a perfect pick for everyone in the family. Just don’t be surprised if the kids suddenly want to sleep with the lights on for a while.
1. Hocus Pocus
This is it. Whenever I hear the term ‘kid-friendly horror movie’, my mind immediately jumps to Hocus Pocus. This movie has everything you need for an unforgettable spooky viewing experience: witches, ghosts, ghouls, a catchy soundtrack, and even a talking cat. What more could you possibly want?
The Sanderson sisters are probably some of the most iconic characters in scary movies. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy quickly became icons, and their hilarious banter and wild antics will keep you laughing for hours.
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