The idea of watching horror movies with kids doesn’t sound so exciting. Right? There are all sorts of horror movies – some movies are gruesome and gory, while some movies will twist and bend your mind, leaving you baffled. With Halloween and the holiday season around the corner, I have compiled a list of the best scary movies to watch with kids on Netflix, Prime, and many other platforms. These movies are loved by my kids and as a family, we enjoy watching them together.
Take a trip back in time and introduce your children to the timeless 80s and 90s films that only get better with age. Alternatively, use age-appropriate content to assist younger children in facing their anxieties and venturing into the underworld while providing them with an exciting experience without the nightmares.
Here is a list of some of the best family-friendly scary movies for kids that are appropriate for families with young children. Watch out—all of you might end up having a blast!
1. Monster House
Houses can be haunted, but can genuine monsters live in them? That’s the premise of this 2006 animated film, in which a run-down house in the neighborhood is more than simply an abandoned structure; it’s an evil beast that must be defeated! Monster House may be too frightening for very young children, but older kids will enjoy the heroic teens who take on the house.
2. Goosebumps
If you have read the Goosebumps series as a kid then will relish the opportunity to introduce your children to a new generation of spooky stories. It’s a little self-referential, but in a good way; Jack Black, a key actor in children’s films, plays author R.L. Stine, who must assist his daughter and her friend in fighting all of his most hideous creations. The Goosebumps movie, like the original novels, is undoubtedly disturbing but not horrifying; youngsters who are captivated by spooky, scary stuff will be all over it and will probably ask to read the series after seeing the movie.
3. The Adams Family – Animated Movie
If your children enjoy animated movies, this 2019 movie about the enigmatic and eerie Addams Family is a great way to introduce them to the renowned Addams Family. Though the Addams family is undoubtedly scary and quirky, the movie’s heart is about embracing who you are and enjoying your uniqueness—something that all families can relate to.
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4. Corpse Bride
When Victor unintentionally marries the titular corpse bride Emily, he must assist her in seeking closure and escaping the underworld in time to marry his real love, Victoria. Another Tim Burton favorite, Corpse Bride, has a gorgeous melancholy that both kids and parents will find touching…and possibly a little upsetting.
5. Coco
Pixar’s Coco isn’t technically a Halloween film, but Miguel’s journey into the Land of the Dead, where he meets his great-great-grandfather and finds a long-buried family secret that might affect everything on the other side, is a beautiful, touching family story. (Really, you’ll need tissues.) It’s also a great way to introduce kids to Dia de los Muertos traditions, such as family ofrendas, and why remembering the people who passed away is so important.
6. The Haunted Mansion
In 2003, Disneyworld’s iconic Haunted Mansion was adapted for the big screen. Eddie Murphy plays a realtor attempting to sell a haunted mansion, but he and his family become trapped inside before he can do so. Thrills follow, and he learns a valuable family lesson. You could even do a double feature because Disney recently remade the film starring Rosario Dawson, Danny DeVito, and LaKeith Stanfield.
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7. Casper
8. Halloweentown
In the 1990s, the Disney Channel had an outstanding run of Halloween-themed movies, including the first installment of the Halloweentown series. Debbie Reynolds plays Grandma Aggie, a witch who assists her teenage granddaughter in discovering her true powers. Halloweentown contains a few thrills and chills, but younger kids will enjoy the adventure, while older children will relate to the 13-year-old Marnie.
9. The Nightmare Before Christmas
A scary movie list for kids would be incomplete without Jack Skellington! Tim Burton’s classic about the mayor of Halloweentown discovering Christmas is a must-see for many families in October—and throughout the holidays.
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10. Hotel Transylvania
What if Dracula abandoned his coffin and instead opened a posh hotel? This is the premise of this 2012 animated film, which spawned a number of sequels that are not to be missed. Dracula, played by Adam Sandler, throws a party for his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez), with plenty of mummies, monsters, and other spooky creatures, but what’s a vampire to do when Mavis falls in love with an ordinary human? Given that Adam Sandler stars in the film, you know you’re in for some laughs—parents included.
11. Scooby Doo
This 2000s remake of the legendary cartoon series has recently experienced a resurgence, and parents who grew up with it will have just as much fun. The Mystery Gang reunites to investigate a series of strange occurrences at a tropical resort. Fans of the animated series will enjoy a live-action retelling; just be ready to explain the weed jokes.
12. Monsters, Inc.
If your children are afraid of monsters in their closet, help them overcome their fears by watching Pixar’s beloved Monsters, Inc. Sully and Mike, two monsters working at a scare factory, meet a human girl on the other side of the closet door. They’re afraid of her, it turns out! Monsters, Inc., in true Pixar fashion, is jam-packed with family-friendly humor and a sweet, heartfelt message.
13. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Travel through director Tim Burton’s delightful and magical wonderland of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind magical journey. When eccentric candy man Willy Wonka offers five lucky kids a lifetime supply of sweets and a tour of his chocolate factory, penniless Charlie Bucket searches for the priceless golden ticket that will make him a winner. Charlie receives the prize of his dreams thanks to his Grandpa Joe! But Charlie is in for a far better surprise than he could have imagined. In the timeless fantasy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, it’s nonstop, mouth-watering fun in a land of chocolate waterfalls, giant lollipops, edible flowers, and, of course, Oompa Loompas. Based on Roald Dahl’s children’s classic.
14. ParaNorman
Norman is an ordinary child with an extraordinary talent: he can communicate with the dead. This comes in handy when a curse strikes Norman’s town and he must look within himself to become the hero his friends and family require. As the title suggests, Paranorman is heavy on the paranormal, including ghosts and zombies, so if your children are sensitive to those eerie creatures, you might want to skip this one. However, Paranorman can teach children (and parents!) a valuable lesson in confidence and courage.
15. We Have A Ghost
Watch this movie with your children who are addicted to their phones and soccial media: When the Presley family discovers that their home is haunted, Frank Presley, the family patriarch, attempts to use the ghosts to gain social media fame. Instead, Kevin, his son, wishes to find a way to assist the ghosts.
So, here you go! A list 15 awesome movies that your kids will love to watch with you. Sit back with a bucket of popcorn and nachos and sit tight. I am sure you are going to love watch your kids laughing, screaming, jumping and hiding into you while watching these movies. They are not really scary but they may need you hold your hand. Have fun!
Image Credits: IMDB
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