Saturday, October 4, 2014

What Are Your Favorite Family-Friendly Horror Movies?

You know, for kids.

In the comments section of last week's Weekend Weigh-in, F-Head Adam D. solicited suggestions for family-friendly horror movies so that his son could join in on #ScaryMovieMonth. Because we love our readers and support involving as many people as possible in our favorite time of year, I thought I would bring the question to all of you, who will undoubtedly have better and more varied answers than I alone could provide.

Help a guy out! What are the horror movies you feel comfortable showing to kids? What were your gateway horror movies -- the ones that got you interested in the genre when you were young without terrifying you or showing you things you had no business seeing?

Just another reminder that I'm so CRAZY happy and proud of how well the Scary Movie Challenge is going. There will never be enough nice things to say about all of you. I love you boys and girls.

23 comments:

  1. Kids have to deal with Bambi, Ol' Yeller, The Secret of NIHM and The Lion King - that's scary enough.

    Although I did grow up with the "Creature Feature" stuff. Universal Monsters, Bert I Gordon stuff, King Kong, Them, anything by Harryhausen.... If you have a kid that will tolerate black and white, I'd say stick with that.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Its not perfect but The Lady in White 1988 is a beautifull film. If anyone says it does not work for them then im still confident they would find stuff in it to enjoy. Its a Pg13 so I am looking at older kids and this is a lovely introduction to horror. Out of the new Pg13 horror stuff I would recommend The Woman in Black

    ReplyDelete
  3. I remember seeing Gremlins, Ghostbusters, and Beetlejuice when I was a wee lad. There was enough humor and family fun to even out the parts that really scared the crap out of me at the time.
    In contrast, my dad let me watch Texas Chainsaw, ALONE, when I was far too young. I had nightmares for weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I second "Ghostbusters" and "Gremlins" are edgy-but-safe family-friendly horror provided (a) the parent is there to talk the kid through it and (b) he/she covers the kid's face during a couple of too-difficult-to-explain-to-a-youngster scenes (i.e. Dan Akroyd's blow-job, microwaved gremlin, etc.). I'd throw in "Tremors," which has wacky characters and the feel of real peril but it's so fantastical it works on its own and as a nice warm-up for "Jaws" when the kid is older and appreciates character development.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I was fortunate enough to have a mom who at a very young age would allow me to rent any horror movie I wanted. That was the only genre that she would allow rated R movies for. I think she thought it was just monsters and demons and stuff and never thought about T and A and cursing and stuff! Anyway, I'm grateful because I was able to see a lot of classics and unknown movies that I would rent on VHS from Erols video (anyone?). That being said, I'm not sure that most agree that this is the best idea for their kids, haha, so here are a few of note - "Something Wicked This Way Comes", "The Watcher in the Woods", "Arachnophobia", "Making Contact" aka "Joey"(thanks for putting me on to this manwithpetgull) and "House" (I don't know why that movie is Rated R, it's all cartoonish violence for the most part).

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know M. Night has become a joke but I would still say The Sixth Sense is still an effective and safe scary movie for the whole family to enjoy. It's got a creepy atmosphere that works and i don't think it's something that would traumatize anyone. It freaked me out when I was younger but not so much that I needed therapy afterwords like when I watched the Blair witch project for the first time.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ghostbusters and Universal monsters for sure! Also agreed with Beetlejuice. I watched that when I was around 8 or 9 and really liked it at the time. I think it is fun enough that the scary bits didn't completely freak me out. I will also give a mention to The Witches. I have a fascination/love with witches that started very young, so loved this one when I was younger. It's scary and dark but has some brilliant features like Angelica Huston's performance, Roeg's direction and Henson's puppets. Talking about it makes me want to go watch it again!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree with most of the films mentioned but one I'll add to the list is The Witches (1990.) I remember seeing that in the cinema as a 9 year old and the Grand High Witch (fully transformed) freaked me out.

    Not a horror but Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the child catcher used to terrify me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I heard an interesting theory about showing that movie to kids on the Movie Crypt podcast. I think it was Drew McWeeny talking about how his young son watched it and was terrified by it because he related to Lou Costello as another child; therefore, when Lou was afraid or in danger, the kid would get very upset. I haven't shown it to my son so I haven't tested it out. My son is too busy watching Cannibal Ferox.

      Delete
    2. I have been thinking of trying this out on my brother Freddie. He loved Laurel and Hardy's Way out West so I think he will love it. (He's 9) I'll let you know how it goes!

      Delete
  10. Something Wicked is about the best example I can think of for this. I might also suggest things like Monster Squad or any of the goofier Universal movies.

    I watched Creature from the Black Lagoon when I was about 6 for the first time because our local TV station was showing it in 3-D (with Count Scary as the host) and that started us watching a lot more stuff.

    I have a problem here, in that basically all horror movies were watched by the whole family when I was a kid. My parents made sure they were in the room, but there wasn't much off limits to us. So my idea of a Saturday afternoon was always me and my dad watching whatever movies Channel 20 put on the Thriller Double Feature. As such, watching any horror movie made before 1985 is always a trip down Nostalgia Lane for the whole family.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gotta go with Poltergeist. Remember when parents didn't smother their kids and let them watch horror movies? I was 7 or 8 when I first saw Poltergeist and yes I was scared, and probably had nightmares, but the nightmares were so worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'd second Monster Squad. Loved it as a wee lad. "Wolfman has nards!" I'm almost ready to let my son watch Big Trouble in Little China. It's PG-13 but it's goofy cartoon violence with a healthy dose of Hong Kong horror action and very funny. I think mixing comedy and horror is best to for kids. I'd also say The Frighteners. Not the best movie but pretty atmospheric and scary for kids. Although a ghostly Jake Busey will give anyone nightmares.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I like the line in Kill Bill when Urma wants to watch a movie with her young daughter.

    Can we watch Shogun Assassin?


    No, It's too long....

    ReplyDelete
  14. Third "The Monster Squad". Most Universal Monsters are great primers. Also, "House on Haunted Hill", "The Raven", and "Paranorman".

    ReplyDelete
  15. Does Monster Squad count? Give me the amulet, you bitch! There are kids in it...

    ReplyDelete
  16. No one's mentioned it yet, so I'm going to toss out "Coraline." I was a big fan of the book prior to the release of the gorgeously animated film, and I remember stepping out of the theater and telling my wife, "Neil Gaiman shouldn't have a single complaint about that adaptation." It's wonderfully creepy and lots of fun. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks all for chiming in. My list of possibilities just doubled in size. It's going to be a great October.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you found the recommendations helpful - I agree with all of the ones posted here but can't think of anything to add, other than to say that Jaws was my gateway to horror and movies in general - it's been my favourite since as early as I can remember (3 or 4). Never made me afraid of swimming either! :)

      By today's standards it does seem like it would be a little much for a young child, but screw today's standards right?

      Delete