Wanted: A scary movie for ages 7-12

Bust · 02-15-01, 02:10 AM

my dad's church is having a movie night for the kids ages 7-12 and they want to watch a scary movie. He asked me for reccomendations and I drew a blank. Anybody with kids this age have any good ideas?

Thanks

brianluvdvd · 02-15-01, 09:20 AM

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a pretty spooky movie especially at that age since the two kids in the feature are right around that age. No nudity, cursing, or extreme violence.

The Sixth Sense - pretty spooky but there is a little violence but no major bloodshed.

If I think of any others that might be good, I will post. I know your dilemma b/c my Dad is a pastor & we always wanted scary movies when I was growing up. Nowadays it is hard to find a decent scary movie for kids.

ckolchak · 02-15-01, 09:35 AM

poltergeist is a good, scary rollercoaster, if they havent already seen it.

boy, didn't realize how hard it is to come up w/ something besides vulgar slasher flicks
: (

nemein · 02-15-01, 10:14 AM

2nd recommendation for Somthing Wicker This Way Comes, that was the first one that came to mind. Nightmare Before Christmas would be another that might go over well, not really scary though. Another one they may enjoy, and parts may be scary for some, is The Dark Crystal.

Phil Pugliese · 02-15-01, 10:58 AM

Ghostbusters!!

bboisvert · 02-15-01, 10:58 AM

Given that this is (a) a church group and (b) has children as young as 7...

I don't think that films like POLTERGEIST (language, drug use, graphic violence) or THE SIXTH SENSE (pretty intense violence) are really appropriate. Just my opinion, though.

Something Wicked This Way Comes is an excellent choice.

Wow, this is a tough one... the only two that immediately come to mind are Gremlins and Tremors -- both have a bit of innappropriate language and some gross violence, but it's all done in a very fun, cartoonish manner. Seems like these might work.

But, when you're dealing with kids as young as 7, this can be tricky. I know some seven-year-olds who refuse to watch Disney's "Dinosaur" because the trailer scares them.

You may be better off going to the "classics":

* Universal horror films (Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein, Invisible Man, The Mummy, The Wolf Man)
* Sinbad movies (The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger)
* Other "oldies but goodies" (The Fly 1958, Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1955, The original Godzilla movies)

Seems like you're almost better off leaning towards sci-fi rather than straight horror... good luck -- and let us know what you decide!

Bust · 02-15-01, 11:28 AM

thank you all so much for your help, I'll make a little list and let you all know what we come up with.

Red Dog · 02-15-01, 12:05 PM

What is scary to a 7 year old will most likely not be scary to a 12 year old. Just my 2 cents.

Hulkabrgr · 02-15-01, 12:18 PM

Gremlins would be a good choice for children in that age group. It was one of 2 Spielberg films in 84( Temple of Doom being the other) that brough about the PG-13 rating.

GizmoDVD · 02-15-01, 08:01 PM

Yeah, I agree, Gremlins all the way

Tony Block · 02-15-01, 08:42 PM

Great scary B&W film from the 50s.

tofu · 02-15-01, 10:13 PM

How about the Dark Crystal? Although it may not be scary for the 12 year olds.

Dave7393 · 02-15-01, 10:45 PM

Something Wicked This Way Comes is a great choice. Flicks like Poltergiest are too much for little kids (remember the guy's face w/the maggots, rotting and falling off into the kitchen sink?. Man, some kids watching that movie wouldn't sleep for weeks.

What about something like "House of Wax" w/Vincent Price? (or maybe that's too "old" for little kids?)

Gremlins might be an okay choice too, but I think "Wicked" is a better movie-- definitely creepier, and without the bloodshed; the Gremlins exploding in a microwave or getting torn about in a blender (but I guess kids might go for that stuff). Plus there's a scene in Gremlins where Phoebe Cates tells of how here dad dressed up as Santa and gets stuck in the Chimney and dies. Merry Christmas.

Dave

Darren Garrison · 02-15-01, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nemein
2nd recommendation for Somthing Wicker This Way Comes

That's the one that took place in Pier 1?

nemein · 02-15-01, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darren Garrison
That's the one that took place in Pier 1?

I didn't even notice that, DOH!

Pillowhead · 02-16-01, 02:46 AM

Jaws (it's pg.)
Jaws 2 (also pg.)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory scared me though.

hueynewborn · 02-16-01, 10:51 AM

maybe "the lady in white?" that was a PG horror film that was pretty good, although again 7 is a very tricky age, i would go maybe for fantasy more "7th voyage of sinbad"...maybe "King Kong?" Of course I saw "Jaws" when six or seven and survived, so who knows!

Max · 02-16-01, 11:53 AM

Lady in White is one of my all time favorites but I wouldn't recommend it for kids as it deals with violence towards children...for the rest of you if you've never seen it check it out..very well done...almost Spielbergish...

What about Arachnophobia?

Quote:

Originally posted by hueynewborn
maybe "the lady in white?" that was a PG horror film that was pretty good, although again 7 is a very tricky age, i would go maybe for fantasy more "7th voyage of sinbad"...maybe "King Kong?" Of course I saw "Jaws" when six or seven and survived, so who knows!

brianluvdvd · 02-16-01, 12:50 PM

Thought of another one...

Flowers in the Attic is kinda spooky. No cussing or violence that I remember. The kids will definitely remember it since it deals with children being looked away by their evil grandmother.

bboisvert · 02-16-01, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brianluvdvd
Thought of another one...

Flowers in the Attic is kinda spooky. No cussing or violence that I remember. The kids will definitely remember it since it deals with children being looked away by their evil grandmother.

Isn't that the one where the kid's own mother locks them in an attic and poisons/kills them? And don't the sister and brother start an incestuous relationship? Seems a bit much for 7 year olds!

Heat · 02-16-01, 05:16 PM

If you want to not only scare them but give them nightmares, try Salo (if you can find it), or Faces of Death.

Of course, the Exorcist would work, as would Friday the 13th, Halloween, or Nightmare on Elm Street. Just be sure to explain to the kids that the stories were real and happened in a church just like the one they are in...

JonRob · 02-20-01, 04:07 PM

Fiend Without A Face!

Fantastic! As long as you don't mind killer brains being splattered over the walls with axes.

CheapBastid · 02-20-01, 04:17 PM

Beetlejuice!

The Neverending Story has some scary parts to it...

KTCinema · 02-20-01, 08:56 PM

I think "Return to Oz" is a great childrens "scary movie". Not only is it the follow up to one of the most beloved childrens films of all time, it really was an interesting and at some points very scary film. I remeber being freaked out by that movie as a kid! The woman who has all the different heads gave me nightmares! This isn't just scares, though. It has great characters (Tic Tock was my favorite), a great story, and most importantly, it's OZ!

nails13 · 02-21-01, 11:13 PM

The movie Believe came out last year. It works really well for a horror film for kids that age. It was designed as a scary film for younger children and would probably be exactly what you are looking for. Ghost story set in a haunted house, but not too scary for the kids.

02-15-01, 09:20 AM	#2
brianluvdvd DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 8,714	Something Wicked This Way Comes is a pretty spooky movie especially at that age since the two kids in the feature are right around that age. No nudity, cursing, or extreme violence. The Sixth Sense - pretty spooky but there is a little violence but no major bloodshed. If I think of any others that might be good, I will post. I know your dilemma b/c my Dad is a pastor & we always wanted scary movies when I was growing up. Nowadays it is hard to find a decent scary movie for kids. __________________ Xbox Live: FatalSpiderbite My 2012 October Horror Multi-Media List

02-15-01, 10:14 AM	#4
nemein Moderator Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: 1bit away from total disaster Posts: 33,293	2nd recommendation for Somthing Wicker This Way Comes, that was the first one that came to mind. Nightmare Before Christmas would be another that might go over well, not really scary though. Another one they may enjoy, and parts may be scary for some, is The Dark Crystal. __________________ "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened." -- Norman Thomas, Socialist Party of America God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference. My Countdown Counting down to: End of the countdown clock 2751 days 20 hours 19 minutes

02-15-01, 10:58 AM	#5
Phil Pugliese Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Newtown Square, PA, 19073 Posts: 317	Who are you gonna call? Ghostbusters!! __________________ Would I light the stove if my friend Rocky was in there? You might Rabbit, you might...

02-15-01, 12:18 PM	#9
Hulkabrgr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Robbinsville, NJ Posts: 496	Gremlins would be a good choice for children in that age group. It was one of 2 Spielberg films in 84( Temple of Doom being the other) that brough about the PG-13 rating. __________________ Incoming!!! Sgt. Hulka Gold Trader DVD Talk Old-Timer

02-15-01, 08:42 PM	#11
Tony Block DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 2,421	Night of the Hunter! Great scary B&W film from the 50s. __________________ "I like to remember things my own way...how I remember them, not necessarily the way they happened." SNAPORAZ!

02-15-01, 02:10 AM	#1
Bust Banned Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Steel City Posts: 5,347	my dad's church is having a movie night for the kids ages 7-12 and they want to watch a scary movie. He asked me for reccomendations and I drew a blank. Anybody with kids this age have any good ideas? Thanks

02-15-01, 09:35 AM	#3
ckolchak DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: chicago Posts: 2,647	poltergeist is a good, scary rollercoaster, if they havent already seen it. boy, didn't realize how hard it is to come up w/ something besides vulgar slasher flicks : (

02-15-01, 10:58 AM	#6
bboisvert DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Docking Bay 94 Posts: 14,216	Given that this is (a) a church group and (b) has children as young as 7... I don't think that films like POLTERGEIST (language, drug use, graphic violence) or THE SIXTH SENSE (pretty intense violence) are really appropriate. Just my opinion, though. Something Wicked This Way Comes is an excellent choice. Wow, this is a tough one... the only two that immediately come to mind are Gremlins and Tremors -- both have a bit of innappropriate language and some gross violence, but it's all done in a very fun, cartoonish manner. Seems like these might work. But, when you're dealing with kids as young as 7, this can be tricky. I know some seven-year-olds who refuse to watch Disney's "Dinosaur" because the trailer scares them. You may be better off going to the "classics": * Universal horror films (Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula, Frankenstein/Bride of Frankenstein, Invisible Man, The Mummy, The Wolf Man) * Sinbad movies (The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger) * Other "oldies but goodies" (The Fly 1958, Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1955, The original Godzilla movies) Seems like you're almost better off leaning towards sci-fi rather than straight horror... good luck -- and let us know what you decide!

02-15-01, 11:28 AM	#7
Bust Banned Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Steel City Posts: 5,347	thank you all so much for your help, I'll make a little list and let you all know what we come up with.

02-15-01, 12:05 PM	#8
Red Dog DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV) Posts: 104,581	What is scary to a 7 year old will most likely not be scary to a 12 year old. Just my 2 cents.

02-15-01, 08:01 PM	#10
GizmoDVD DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Southern CA Posts: 28,352	Yeah, I agree, Gremlins all the way

02-15-01, 10:13 PM	#12
tofu DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 10,045	How about the Dark Crystal? Although it may not be scary for the 12 year olds.

02-15-01, 10:45 PM	#13
Dave7393 DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: New York Posts: 2,902	Something Wicked This Way Comes is a great choice. Flicks like Poltergiest are too much for little kids (remember the guy's face w/the maggots, rotting and falling off into the kitchen sink?. Man, some kids watching that movie wouldn't sleep for weeks. What about something like "House of Wax" w/Vincent Price? (or maybe that's too "old" for little kids?) Gremlins might be an okay choice too, but I think "Wicked" is a better movie-- definitely creepier, and without the bloodshed; the Gremlins exploding in a microwave or getting torn about in a blender (but I guess kids might go for that stuff). Plus there's a scene in Gremlins where Phoebe Cates tells of how here dad dressed up as Santa and gets stuck in the Chimney and dies. Merry Christmas. Dave

02-16-01, 02:46 AM	#16
Pillowhead DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,841	Jaws (it's pg.) Jaws 2 (also pg.) Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory scared me though. __________________ "Makes much more sense, to live in the present tense" - Pearl Jam Spotify

02-16-01, 10:51 AM	#17
hueynewborn Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: ny Posts: 100	maybe "the lady in white?" that was a PG horror film that was pretty good, although again 7 is a very tricky age, i would go maybe for fantasy more "7th voyage of sinbad"...maybe "King Kong?" Of course I saw "Jaws" when six or seven and survived, so who knows!

02-16-01, 12:50 PM	#19
brianluvdvd DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 8,714	Thought of another one... Flowers in the Attic is kinda spooky. No cussing or violence that I remember. The kids will definitely remember it since it deals with children being looked away by their evil grandmother.

02-16-01, 05:16 PM	#21
Heat DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 16,443	If you want to not only scare them but give them nightmares, try Salo (if you can find it), or Faces of Death. Of course, the Exorcist would work, as would Friday the 13th, Halloween, or Nightmare on Elm Street. Just be sure to explain to the kids that the stories were real and happened in a church just like the one they are in...

02-20-01, 04:07 PM	#22
JonRob Cool New Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: London, UK Posts: 24	Fiend Without A Face! Fantastic! As long as you don't mind killer brains being splattered over the walls with axes.

02-20-01, 04:17 PM	#23
CheapBastid DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,544	Beetlejuice! The Neverending Story has some scary parts to it...

02-20-01, 08:56 PM	#24
KTCinema Cool New Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Posts: 37	I think "Return to Oz" is a great childrens "scary movie". Not only is it the follow up to one of the most beloved childrens films of all time, it really was an interesting and at some points very scary film. I remeber being freaked out by that movie as a kid! The woman who has all the different heads gave me nightmares! This isn't just scares, though. It has great characters (Tic Tock was my favorite), a great story, and most importantly, it's OZ!

02-21-01, 11:13 PM	#25
nails13 Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Granbury, TX Posts: 166	The movie Believe came out last year. It works really well for a horror film for kids that age. It was designed as a scary film for younger children and would probably be exactly what you are looking for. Ghost story set in a haunted house, but not too scary for the kids.