One of the best things about horror is that it’s all-encompassing; there’s a film for every age, topic, and phobia. Considering the world is turning to streaming now more than ever, it only seems fair to present offerings for the younger horror fans as well. After all, everyone’s entitled to one good scare.
Whether it’s to curate a viewing guide for the budding monster kid or family movie night, these great titles – both movies and TV- make for great kid-friendly horror options.
“Tales From the Cryptkeeper” – Tubi
Beloved anthology series Tales From the Crypt might be way too grown up for kids, but this animated version was tailor-made for children to fall head over heels for the Cryptkeeper. John Kassir lends his voice once again to the iconic horror host, but this cartoon also makes space for original EC Comic characters The Old Witch and The Vault Keeper to get in on the fun. All three seasons are available on Tubi, letting both the young and young-at-heart binge through monsters, mayhem, and puns.
“Toxic Crusaders” – Prime Video
It’s Troma for kids! There’s no way the Toxic Avenger film series is age-appropriate, but this animated series cleans up Toxie’s act, turning him into a model citizen and superhero of Tromaville. He teams up with fellow good guy mutants to take on environmentally destructive baddies. Think Captain Planet, but with the weird monster kid in mind. The entire 13-episode run is available on Prime Video.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island – Netflix
Any Scooby-Doo makes for perfect gateway horror, and there are at least three options on Netflix. Start with Zombie Island, a short movie with a brisk one-hour-sixteen-minute runtime. The plot sees the Mystery, Inc. gang get back together after some time apart to investigate Moonscar Island. Unlike much of this franchise, the group encounters supernatural beings, not people in costumes. It’s the perfect recipe for monster acclimation.
Monster House – Netflix
Set over Halloween, a neighborhood is terrorized by a sentient haunted house that eats people. Three pre-teen friends uncover the truth about the home and its cranky owner Mr. Nebbercracker (Steve Buscemi). It’s an Amblin feature full of spooky Halloween atmosphere. Moreover, it’s also co-written by Rob Schrab (Creepshow TV) and directed by Gil Kenan, co-writer of the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Meaning, excellent viewing both children and adults can appreciate.
Little Monsters – Netflix
For those who grew up with this kid-friendly monster movie, it was hard not to be jealous of Fred Savage’s Brian as he navigated the secret world of monsters that opened up every night under his bed. From playing pranks on the school bully with the help of his monster pal or even playing baseball, Little Monsters makes creatures of the night look like a blast. It wasn’t all fun and games, though, and the movie isn’t afraid to get scary during the climax.
Don’t Look Under The Bed – Disney+
Speaking of making pals with prank-playing boogeymen, this Disney original presents a different look at the concept. When Frances finds herself the scapegoat for a series of pranks, she winds up enlisting the help of imaginary friend Larry Houdini. Finding the culprit behind the pranks makes for some spooky stuff, but then poor Larry finds himself transforming into a boogeyman. The imagery and some supernatural moments make this one far scarier than you’d expect from Disney fare.
The Black Cauldron – Disney+
Alright, let’s dial up the terror. Sure, The Black Cauldron is a PG Disney fantasy film, but the “Cauldron Born” undead warrior army is pure nightmare fuel. So is the Horned King. Naturally, being a Disney movie, the ending is happy, and the power of friendship proves key in keeping evil at bay. In other words, this is still kid-friendly, but for the braver kid. Can Disney tackle a live-action take on the Horned King and the undead army next? Please?
Return to Oz – Disney+
Fantasy bleeds into horror far too easily, and this unofficial sequel to The Wizard of Oz proves it. Fairuza Balk stars as Dorothy Gale, who’s still obsessed over her previous trip to the magical world of Oz. So much so that her Aunt Em takes her to receive electroshock therapy. Luckily, she’s whisked back to Oz before that happens, but it’s not at all the same as she left it. She’ll have to make new friends and dodge headless Princesses, unnerving Wheelers, and a terrifying Nome King to save it. Seriously, it’s delightfully disturbing stuff.
The Monster Squad – Prime Video
A horror movie featuring a group of pre-teens taking on the classic Universal movie monsters is a must for any budding horror fan. Full of memorable quotes, the best set production, amazing make-up effects, and nods to the genre that the grown-ups will appreciate, The Monster Squad is one for the ages. Phoebe’s friendship with Frankenstein’s monster will leave both kids and adults in tears, and lines like “Wolfman’s got nards!” will forever stick in your memory. The core Universal Classic Monster movies aren’t available to stream (for free), but they’d make for kid-friendly follow-ups after watching this formative movie.
The Gate – Prime Video
What happens when kids are left at home alone for the weekend while parents travel out of town? If you’re teenager Al, you throw a party. If you’re Al’s twelve-year-old brother Glen (a young Stephen Dorff), you invite your best friend Terry over and accidentally unleash a group of pint-sized demons from a gaping hole in your backyard. Death metal and a Dark Book that demands human sacrifice unleash a whole lot of demonic trouble for Glen and Terry. Intense sequences and some light gore, including a character getting stabbed in the eye and hand, make for a worthy horror introduction. Yet Glen’s bond with his sister, Al, keeps things from getting too scary and offers a nice counterbalance to the underlying satanic themes.
