Summary
Parents might be looking for some milder movies and TV shows to introduce their kids to horror.Horror is an amazing genre with boundless potential for profound commentarywhile providing thrills few other types of entertainment can achieve. Thebest horror movies of all timerewrote major storytelling conventions, with their influence leaking into other genres. However, a full-blown slasher or claustrophobic demonic monster scenario can still be a lot for kids.
Horror movies and TV shows for kids probably feature creepy aesthetics that are still oddly pleasant,and toned-down versions of tropes like jump scares and hidden monsters. On the other hand, people who go in only expecting a kids' movie may be shocked by the horror elements.Kids' TV shows that are genuinely frighteningor thebest animated horror moviesmight seem like perfect transitional works on paper. Every parent will have their own opinion, while individual children will react differently to certain properties.
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15The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack & Sally’s Halloween Aesthetic Is Spooky But Whimsical
The Nightmare Before Christmasboasts some pretty scary moments,like Jack’s absolute certainty about claiming Christmas spelling certain doom or Oogie Boogie threatening to kill Santa Claus. However, the character designs aren’t too disturbing, and the story is mostly fun and leads to a happy ending. The Disney-esque elements of catchy songs and nothing being too dangerous blend with spooky aesthetics. However, certain scenes and musical numbers stand on the precipice of being completely terrifying — “Kidnap the Sandy Claws” is a good example of this — introducing young viewers to the feeling of dread that permeates horror.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Henry Selick directs The Nightmare Before Christmas, a stop-motion fairytale from the mind of Tim Burton. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloween and one of Halloweentown’s most beloved citizens, but he longs for something more. When he stumbles across a magical door that leads him to discover Christmas, he makes it his mission to replace Santa Claus and bring festive cheer to his perpetually spooky hamlet.
14The Addams Family (Live Action & Animated)
The Original Kooky & Spooky Family Franchise
The fact that The Addams Family is about a family with kids is the mode of delivery that makes it work for children.
The extendedAddams Familyfranchise includes everything from the original show to the recent animated movies to Jenna Ortega’sWednesday. All function on"kooky and spooky"elements that are a bit too exaggerated to be taken completely seriously. Additionally, the fact thatThe Addams Familyis about a family with kids is the mode of delivery that makes it work for children. Kids come to appreciate the morbid humor and intentionally dark and dreary design through the eyes of kids who like these things. They can spend some time with Wednesday and Pugsley before getting into adult horror movies.
The Addams Family
The Addams Family is a 1964 television series based on Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoons. The show stars John Astin and Carolyn Jones as Gomez and Morticia Addams, the heads of a macabre yet endearing family. Set in their gothic mansion, the series humorously contrasts the Addams' unconventional lifestyle with the outside world, highlighting their eccentric but affectionate family dynamics. The show gained popularity for its unique characters and darkly comedic tone.
13Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory (1971)
Willy Wonka Is A Terrifying Figure In The Psychedelic World Of His Chocolate Factory
Charlie and the Chocolate Factoryis its own kind of horror, and the argument thatWilly Wonka is the villainhas a lot of merit.There are story elements that kids recognize from fairy tales that makeWilly Wonka and the Chocolate Factorymore palatable,as well as the sensory delight of the impossible candies. Namely, it is set in a Disney-like universe that bends itself to reward the kind-hearted Charlie and punish the selfish children. However, the more psychedelic moments and the other children being physically punished in various ways are still aspects of horror.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 film featuring Gene Wilder as the reclusive candy maker Willy Wonka. The plot follows young Charlie Bucket’s quest for a golden ticket, granting him a tour of Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory with a lifetime supply of sweets as the ultimate prize.
12Over The Garden Wall (2014)
Cartoon Network’s Animated Miniseries For Halloween
Over the Garden Wall’smuted palette might trick viewers into thinking they are in for a more pleasant story. Throughout the season, it gradually segues into darker plot points, revealing that the miniseries is about much more than two brothers on a fun adventure in an otherworld.Over the Garden Wallserves as an introduction to some other horror tropes as well as the genre’s proclivity for deep symbolism,while only being mildly scary. Again, it is softened with a happy ending where the main character realizes what he needs to do to be more content with his life.
Over the Garden Wall
Over the Garden Wall is a miniseries that follows brothers Wirt and Greg as they navigate the mysterious Unknown, a timeless and enigmatic forest. Accompanied by a wise Woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice, they embark on a journey filled with unexpected challenges to find their way home.
11Frankenweenie (2012)
One Of Tim Burton’s Oldest Horror Ideas Come To Life
There is truth to the urban legend thatTim Burton was fired by Disney forFrankenweenie, originally a short film. This was the point where Disney executives found themselves unable to reconcile with Burton’s vision and politely dismissed him. Decades later, Burton directed a black-and-white animated movie based on the same premise of a boy resurrecting his beloved dog.Frankenweenieis plenty creepy but also mostly upbeat,featuring allusions to lots of classic monster stories. It can give young viewers some appreciation for the genre’s history through the lens of ingenious kids having their own adventures.
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie is a 2012 stop-motion animated remake of Tim Burton’s eponymous 1984 short film. It tells the story of young scientist Victor Frankenstein, who brings his dog Sparky back to life and tries to stop his experiment from wreaking havoc across his town.
10Hocus Pocus (1993)
Hocus Pocus Mixes Classic Halloween Elements With So Many Laughs
Hocus Pocusis too funny to be that scary, making it the perfect family movie for Halloween. However, it utilizes some horror tropes that are good transitional material for a first encounter with the genre.The Sanderson sisters are like any horror movie monster,relentlessly pursuing the young protagonists who have found themselves without the help of their parents. There are real threats and some disturbing moments inHocus Pocus, but it is mostly shameless holiday fun brought to life by a strong cast. FromHocus Pocus, kids might implicitly absorb the structure of horror movies.
Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus tells the story of the Sanderson Sisters, a trio of witches who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy on Halloween. When the witches threaten to take over the town of Salem, Massachusetts, it’s up to Max, sister Dani, and friend Alison to stop them with the help of Thackery Binx, one of the Sandersons' victims trapped in the immortal body of black cat.
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9The Owl House (2020-2023)
The Residents Of The Owl House Are Welcoming & Love Scary Things
The Owl Househas the feel and style of a Disney movie, with some completely terrifying moments throughout. Through these examples, young viewers might learn to appreciate the morbid jokes that horror depends on. However, it also helps that most ofthe main cast ofThe Owl Househas a pretty dark sense of humor.Luz, Eda, and King are completely wholesome, kind characters, but they enjoy a good jump scare, monster fight, or playing at world domination as much as anyone. They are a good segue into and distinction from horror characters whose actions are more horrific.
The Owl House
The Owl House is an animated fantasy series that follows Luz Noceda, a teenage human girl who stumbles upon a portal to a magical realm. There, she befriends a rebellious witch named Eda and a tiny warrior named King. Determined to become a witch herself, Luz embarks on various adventures while learning about magic, friendship, and self-discovery. Created by Dana Terrace, the series debuted in 2020 on Disney Channel.
8The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
The Classic Musical Adventure Is Full Of Wicked Witches & Scary Monkeys
The Wizard of Ozis a bit detached from what passes as horror today due to the more melodramatic performances typical of the time. The musical numbers, friendly characters, and overall bright and whimsical settings in Oz, where the movie spends most of its time, make it family-friendly. However,the Wicked Witch of the West lives up to her name and threatens to kill a child,something anyone would find at least slightly scary. There are some other moments of monsters and terror, mainly concerning the flying monkeys and the Wizard’s facade of being the"great and powerful Oz."
The Wizard of Oz
Based on Frank L. Baum’s book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she’s swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
7A Series of Unfortunate Events (Movie & TV Show)
A Series Of Unfortunate Events Is A Classic & Creepy Kids' Series
In the same vein asHarry Potter,A Series of Unfortunate Eventsis pitched as a series of children’s novels but gets shockingly darkas the child protagonists go down a spiral of more dangerous adventures. The two adaptations feature two talented actors known for exaggerated personalities playing Count Olaf, arguably the face of the series, accompanied by three children standing in the background. Jim Carrey led theSeries of Unfortunate Eventsmovie while Neil Patrick Harris starred in the TV show. Both adaptations go to some scary places, but it is balanced out with a ludicrous tone.
6ParaNorman (2012)
ParaNorman Is A Wacky Take On The Zombie Apocalypse
InParaNorman, an outcast boy who can see ghosts becomes the key to saving his town when a dead witch whom he relates to causes the dead to rise and attack the living. Although in the style of stop-motion animation,ParaNormanis somewhat grungier thanCoralineand more modern thanCorpse Bridein a way that makes it stand out from all the movies that feel like they were made by Burton.ParaNormanfollows a rag-tag band navigating a zombie apocalypse which isn’t too scary and has lots of lowbrow humor, making for a fun pre-horror romp.
ParaNorman
ParaNorman is a stop-motion animated movie about a young boy who uses his ability to see and communicate with the dead to save his town from an ancient witch’s curse. The voice cast includes Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Leslie Mann, Jodelle Ferland, Bernard Hill, Tucker Albrizzi, and John Goodman.
