Horror-themed TV shows and movies that you can watch with your kids!
Every parent has their own level of what they think is appropriate for their kids to watch. My parents would not let me watch horror movies until I was 13. My best friend Andy’s parents on the other hand…when I slept over it was a full-on fright-fest. So, maybe you do not want to introduce your child/children to Uncle Jason and Aunt Samara yet, but you still want them to enjoy a little scare!
Here is a list of kid-friendly TV shows and movies that you will enjoy watching as a family. Some you may not know of, some you may have loved as a kid but did not know that they still hold up…and some are Mr. Boogedy.
(In no particular order)
Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1990-2000) (TV): Let’s take a trip back to the 90s for a moment? Parents would go out on a Saturday night, leaving us kids all alone with nothing to do. Enter SNICK (Saturday Night Nickelodeon). Suddenly, we had cartoons for slightly older kids, a teenage sitcom, and a horror-themed show of our very own. For those who remember, this show absolutely holds up. I still get the chills whenever someone says, “I’m cold.” Are you new to Are You Afraid of the Dark? It is an anthology series with a narrative for teens and tweens, called the “Midnight Society”, getting together to tell each other scary stories. It is definitely family-friendly but will have mom, dad, and the kids, jump from the couch from time to time.
Watch a trailer here.
Streaming: NickHits on Amazon, digital purchase.
Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (2019-Current)(TV): The midnight society is back! Sort of. It is a new group and a new take on the show. There have been two seasons so far, each with a different group of kids. This structure is different but still works. Instead of just telling stories, the M.S. finds themselves living inside a mysterious tale themselves. Each season has one ongoing story. It is still pretty spooky. Season 1 has a lot of fun easter eggs to enjoy! The town is called Argento (Named after Dario Argento), Oregon, and the kids are each named after famous directors of horror.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Fubo, Paramount Plus, Sling, available for rental.
Monster House (2006) (Movie): An animated film in which a group of kids is tormented by a house across the street that seems to be alive! This was a pleasant surprise to me. It always looked like a fun kids’ comedy, but it is actually pretty spooky. I felt like they did a good job of having some pretty creepy scenes but with enough air in-between to not thoroughly freak out the younger kids watching.
The voice cast includes; Steve Buscemi, Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard, and Jason Lee.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix and available for rental.
The Witches (1990) (Movie): This Roald Dahl classic absolutely holds up! Anjelica Huston is delightfully terrifying in her subtle and not-so-subtle performance as the Grand High Witch. The story is of a young boy who is on holiday with his grandmother, when he stumbles upon a gathering of witches, plotting to turn the world’s population of children into mice. Totally creepy and wonderful.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Directv and available for rental.
The Witches (2020) (Movie): Not nearly as good as the original, but if you are looking for something more contemporary, here it is. Octavia Spencer plays a witch-fearing grandmother who takes her grandson to a hotel to escape…a witch! What they find is a large meeting of witches, plotting to turn all of the children into mice. Surprise!!
This movie has some plot changes from the original that I was not as much a fan of, but hey, it was not made for my generation. Anne Hathaway plays the Grand High Witch. No offense if you are reading this, Anne, which, of course, you are, but her portrayal just did not work for me.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: HBO Max
Watcher in the Woods (1980) (Movie): This is a classic Disney horror film. That’s right, I said Disney. Back in the day, they used to make all kinds of different movies, including some really creepy and haunting stories! A family moves into an old house in the woods. Strange occult-like events begin to occur as they find out more about the history of the house. Starring the incredible Bette Davis!
Great for most ages but still pretty spooky.
Watch the trailer here.
Available on DVD
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) (Movie): Another one of Disney’s classic scary movies. Based on the book by Ray Bradbury and set in the 50s. A carnival rolls into a small town. All seems fun until two local boys uncover a plot to take over the town.
This is not your typical Disney movie. Fun for the whole family but man, Mr. Dark is creepy!
Watch the trailer here.
Available on DVD
Return to Oz (1985) (Movie): This is not your family-friendly Wizard Of Oz. Dorothy has returned to Oz to find that the King Of Oz has turned the Emerald Kingdom to stone. She must team with a new group of friends to stop the king! There’s an army of creepy-wheeled warriors and a queen that literally wants her head!
I still get the chills thinking about this one. Fairuza Bulk plays Dorothy in this version. It is definitely more of an adaptation of the book than a sequel to the 1939 film.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Disney+ and available for rental.
Mr. Boogedy (1986) (Movie): Disney made some great scary movies, then, they made Mr. Boogedy. Boogedy debuted on the Wide World of Disney but is still considered a feature at 46 min. The family of a novelty salesman moves into an old house, only to find that they are haunted by past residents, stuck there by an “annoying principle” type of ghost.
It is fun with some good spooky moments but not too scary. It is the B-movie version of a scary kids movie. Definitely good for nostalgia if you were raised in the 80s.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Disney+ and available for rental.
Creeped Out (2017-2019) (TV): Another anthology series. With a loose narrative involving “The Curious”, each episode is a new story with a set of morals. Good for most ages, I found the writing to just be ok, but the stories themselves are pretty fun. Two seasons are currently available.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Only on Netflix
Eerie India (1991 – 1992) (TV): This was one of my favorite shows as a kid. I watched it again recently and it absolutely holds up! Marshal and his best friend Simon investigate strange occurrences in their small town of Eerie, Indiana. Some of the episode plots are so original, fun, and creepy. It will make you look at your Tupperware in a whole new way. (Don’t worry about it, you’ll get it.)
Watch the intro here.
Streaming: Prime Video, Ruku, and for digital purchase.
Little Monsters (1989) (Movie): This classic stars Howie Mandel, Fred Savage, and Ben Savage. This is such a fun adventure that really gets creepy. Watch out for Boy! Brian Stevenson (Fred Savage), finds out that there really is something under his bed, a monster named Maurice (Mandel). It is all fun and games until the two must travel to the monster dimension to save Brian’s brother.
Fun Fact: I got to attend the premiere when I was 7. Howie Mandel told me all about how monsters in movies were all make-up and prosthetics. There’s nothing to be afraid of. Since then, I was always able to watch horror movies, knowing that it was an actor in make-up. Thanks, Howie!!!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix and available for rental.
Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) (Movie): My favorite of all the Ernest movies. This is definitely more of a B-kids-horror movie but man is it fun! Ernest P. Worrell is the local town junk man. When ancient trolls awaken, it is up to Ernest to save the children of a town full of non-believing adults.
Ernest, played by the brilliant character actor, Jim Varney, is hands down one of the best characters of the 90s. He started out as a commercial spokesperson in Lexington Kentucky and became a national treasure. A NATIONAL TREASURE!!!
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Hoopla and available for rental.
Goosebumps (1995 – 1998) (TV): Based on the acclaimed book series by R.L. Stine. This show definitely feels like the mid-90s. It is fun but a bit on the cheesy side. There have been multiple shows based on Stine’s books (keep reading this list for more), and I feel like they progressed in the terror department with each one! An anthology series geared toward the younger kids but still fun for adults.
Watch the trailer here.
Streaming: Netflix and available for digital purchase.
R.L. Stine’s The Nightmare Room (2001 – 2002) (TV): Next up in the R.L. Stine tv shows. This one feels a little more put together but still with a bit of camp.
The show feels like it is more for older kids but still not too spooky. It is another anthology series, with some fun guest appearances as well. Yes, that is Former WCW Champion Sting on the poster!
Watch the trailer here.
Available only on DVD
R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour (2010 – 2014) (TV): This show feels much more like a horror series but still appropriate for kids. Sticking to the anthology series style, The Haunting Hour has some fun spooky stories involving werewolves, pumpkin people, ghosts, dolls, and more!
Watch the trailer here
Streaming: Hoopla and for digital purchase.
Did we miss any of your favorites? Comment below or email us at contact@marriedtohorror.com! You can also follow our Facebook group Married to Horror and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @marriedtohorror.
Looking for more? You can find more general Married to Horror selections by checking out our recommendations and take a peek at our Master Watch List where you can find an array of horror films sorted by title, platform, rating, and more!
