Scary Movies for Kids

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Looking for the best scary movies for your kids? Our favorite frightening films include some good "starter" scares for younger kids, such as the kid-friendly Monsters Inc., as well as truly chilling picks for older tweens and teens, such as the thrilling Hitchcock horror masterpiece Psycho. Some of these top-rated titles are more mature than others, so be prepared to discuss the way violence is portrayed. You're sure to find something with just the right amount of spookiness for your kids. Get ready, get set, boo!

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Monsters, Inc. Poster Image

MOVIE

Monsters, Inc.

age 5+

Cute, kid-friendly monster movie; may scare sensitive kids.

November 2, 2001 2001 G (92 minutes)

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Scared Shrekless Poster Image

MOVIE

Scared Shrekless

age 6+

Halloween "scary tale" is a real treat for families.

September 13, 2011 2011 NR (21 minutes)

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The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Poster Image

MOVIE

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

age 6+

Two classic stories told in the best Disney style.

October 5, 1949 1949 G (68 minutes)

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The Black Cauldron Poster Image

MOVIE

The Black Cauldron

age 7+

Book-based fantasy is darker than much Disney fare.

January 1, 1985 1985 PG (80 minutes)

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The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie Poster: Porky Pig and Daffy Duck stand on top of a house at night, a UFO above them

MOVIE

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

age 7+

Porky & Daffy's alien adventure mixes scares, silliness.

March 14, 2025 2025 PG (91 minutes)

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The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Poster: Jack Skellington stands atop a curly cliff in front of a full moon, with jack o' lanterns below

MOVIE

The Nightmare Before Christmas

age 7+

Tim Burton holiday magic, with a touch of scariness.

October 29, 1993 1993 PG (76 minutes)

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Labyrinth Movie Poster: David Bowie holds a glass orb

MOVIE

Labyrinth

age 8+

Surreal coming-of-age fantasy -- with Jim Henson puppets.

June 27, 1986 1986 PG (101 minutes)

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Night of the Zoopocalypse movie poster: Animals stand on a rock, with claws reaching up to grab at them

MOVIE

Night of the Zoopocalypse

age 8+

Fun "starter" horror flick has scary parts, positive themes.

March 7, 2025 2025 PG (91 minutes)

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Orion and the Dark movie poster: Animated nighttime characters.

MOVIE

Orion and the Dark

age 8+

Child faces fears in book-based fantasy; peril, scares.

February 2, 2024 2024 NR (92 minutes)

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Spookiz: The Movie poster — a vampire and a young girl with black hair

MOVIE

Spookiz: The Movie

age 8+

Monsters and humans learn about teamwork in cute animation.

July 24, 2020 2020 NR (82 minutes)

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The NeverEnding Story Poster Image

MOVIE

The NeverEnding Story

age 8+

Fantasy for book-lovers has scary images, traumatic death.

August 3, 1984 1984 PG (94 minutes)

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The Spiderwick Chronicles Poster Image

MOVIE

The Spiderwick Chronicles

age 8+

Book-based family fantasy is magical fun but also scary.

February 14, 2008 2008 PG (97 minutes)

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Coraline Poster Image

MOVIE

Coraline

age 9+

Cool but creepy animated fantasy too scary for young kids.

February 6, 2009 2009 PG (100 minutes)

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Frankenweenie Poster Image

MOVIE

Frankenweenie

age 9+

Burton's creepy young Frankenstein is perfect for tweens.

October 5, 2012 2012 PG (87 minutes)

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Spirited Away Poster Image

MOVIE

Spirited Away

age 9+

Magnificent movie with scary creatures and a strong heroine.

April 20, 2002 2002 PG (125 minutes)

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The Boxtrolls Poster Image

MOVIE

The Boxtrolls

age 9+

Imaginative adventure has lots of peril, nasty villain.

September 26, 2014 2014 PG (96 minutes)

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The Bride of Frankenstein Poster Image

MOVIE

The Bride of Frankenstein

age 9+

A riveting, funny, and suspenseful horror classic.

April 22, 1935 1935 NR (75 minutes)

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The Mummy (1932) Poster Image

MOVIE

The Mummy (1932)

age 9+

This vintage classic is more funny than scary.

December 22, 1932 1932 NR (72 minutes)

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Where the Wild Things Are Poster Image

MOVIE

Where the Wild Things Are

age 9+

Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

October 16, 2009 2009 PG (100 minutes)

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Dracula Poster Image

MOVIE

Dracula

age 10+

Classic vampire movie is more creepy than violent.

February 14, 1931 1931 NR (75 minutes)

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