Kids might frequently star in horror movies but they are not meant to watch most of them. Staples of the genre such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, Child’s Play, and Saw are designed for at least a teenage audience, so they can’t exactly be thrown on during a family movie night.
While horror might not think too often about the children, there are exceptions to the rule. After all, plenty of kids love a good scare, permitting it is appropriate for them. So, to help bring some frights to Halloween weekend, here are a few horror movies suitable for kids.
Note: Monster Squad was not included because the dialogue is a touch too real for children. That said, the film is awesome.
10 Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island (1998)
Scooby-Doo is not traditionally regarded as a horror franchise; the shows and movies are lighthearted mysteries that might occasionally throw out a spooky creature design or a creepy location. However, Scooby-Doo On Zombie Island is different. A made-for-TV animated flick, Zombie Island plays around with the franchise’s classic “men in masks” reveals, delivering an exhilarating supernatural romp that includes its share of intense and surprising moments.
Besides thrilling children, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island’s quick pacing, classic Hanna-Barbera humor, rocking soundtrack, and intriguing mystery should also keep adults entertained.
9 Monster House (2006)
A masterfully done animated film, Monster House takes the overdone concept of a haunted building and runs wild with it. The outcome is a movie that captures the scream-tastic thrill of walking through a haunted house that seems hellbent on killing its visitors.
Monster House shouldn't be dismissed as just a frantic rollercoaster ride, as the film has well-written and emotional character arcs. There are also a few jokes for the parents.
8 Coraline (2009)
Adapted from a Neil Gaiman story, Coraline’s eponymous character moves to a new house and meets a bunch of strange neighbors. Isolated from her distant and busy parents, Coraline finds her way to an alternate reality that, at first glance, seems perfect. Naturally, it is anything but.
Boasting effective animation and a chilling main antagonist, Coraline is a mesmerizing watch. Terrifying as many of the film’s ideas are, Coraline balances out the horror with an overabundance of whimsy and creativity, creating a blend that is magical and haunting.
7 Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton's filmography comes packed with Gothic masterpieces that delight on both a visual and narrative level. Kids will probably get a kick out of Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, and Frakenweenie, although the former's themes might be slightly too heavy for very young children.
Therefore, if a parent is looking to introduce their child to the fanciful world of Tim Burton, then Beetlejuice is the best place to start. It is the director's definitive "Halloween" production, one boasting ghoulish sets, an irreverent protagonist, and infectious energy.
6 Tremors (1990)
Something big and disgusting lurks beneath Nevada’s bedrock, and it is ready to eat. Ron Underwood’s Tremors is a throwback to the creature features from the ‘50s, and it is more than worthy of standing alongside any of that decade’s greats.
An example of a B-movie done right, Tremors blends its crowd-pleasing scares with strong characters, sharp banter, and excellent special effects. Also, it stars Kevin Bacon. Is there anything else that really needs to be said?
5 Dracula (1931)
The first Universal Classic Monsters movie, Dracula set the standard for cinematic vampires, and it has seldom been surpassed. Bela Lugosi's hypnotic Count is almost certainly the most influential vampire in film history, and the actor’s magnetic performance has aged absurdly well. Dracula’s brilliance goes beyond just Lugosi, as the cinematography and sets combine to create a unique and appealing aesthetic.
Most of the Universal Classic Monsters movies are fine for children, and Dracula serves as the ideal entry point into this part of film history.
4 The Mummy (1999)
A modern take on 1932's The Mummy, 1999’s version plays out more like an Indiana Jones flick than a Universal Classic Monsters movie. A frantic adventure, The Mummy tells the timeless tale of a group of "explorers" investigating a tomb, ignoring all warnings about the dangers lurking within, drunkenly reading from The Black Book of the Dead, and waking up an angry Imhotep with the power to CG his mouth.
Unlike the action-centric sequels, 1999’s The Mummy incorporates sprinkles of horror throughout, along with a great deal of humor. This film might be a bit too intense for younger children, but older kids should love it.
3 Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Don’t be fooled by Gizmo’s irresistible adorableness, 1984’s Gremlins is one scary ride, too much so for young children. However, the sequel is another story entirely. Gremlins 2 significantly reduces its predecessor’s horror elements, opting to emphasize comedy and cartoon-style violence instead. Taking place in a New York building, Gizmo gives rise to a multitude of dangerous Gremlins, most of which come with unique personalities, unlike the first film.
Gremlins 2 is silly, over-the-top, and funny. It isn’t quite as memorable as the original Gremlins, but the sequel is a better entry point for children wanting to dip their toes into horror.
2 Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Disney went through a phase in the early '80s. Mickey suddenly got an appetite for darkness, or at least Disney's version of that. This underrated period blessed the world with Dragonslayer, Return to Oz, The Black Cauldron, and The Watcher in the Woods, all of which would not be terrible picks for Halloween.
However, Disney's crowning achievement of spookiness is undoubtedly Something Wicked This Way Comes. An eerie carnival led by the mysterious Mr. Dark rolls into town, and strangeness soon follows. Kids and adults should check this film out.
1 Ernest Scared Stupid
This Halloween movie has a lot more to offer than just a hilarious title. Nobody can accuse Ernest of not living a full life; after all, who else can claim they have met Santa Claus, gone to jail, and mistakenly awoken a Troll that had placed a curse on his family? Unsurprisingly, Ernest Scared Stupid’s humor chiefly consists of slapstick, sound effect, and Jim Varney mugging for the camera. Although not for everyone, these films have a certain charm that makes them cinematic comfort food.
Perhaps surprisingly, Ernest Scared Stupid breaks up its comedy with a handful of genuine horror scenes. They provide some child-compatible frights, which are hard to come by in the horror genre.