October is the month of scares and pranks of all kinds. Here are four of the best horror movies to watch as a family.
Halloween is drawing closer. Time for sweets, trick or treat, carving out pumpkin heads, decorating the house… and, of course, watching scary movies that will keep you from sleeping at night.
While most adult horror films are obviously not suitable for a younger audience, that doesn’t mean that they have to miss out on the thrills, however. There are plenty of child-friendly horror-inspired flicks you can enjoy as a family. Here are our four recommendations – and yes, your kids will still sleep at night.
Frankenweenie
You can’t make a list of the best child-friendly horror movies without mentioning Tim Burton. Released in 2012, this is a hilarious take on the classical Frankenstein story. Featuring a young Victor Frankenstein, it tells the story of how his pet dog Sparky is hit by a car. Victor decides to bring him back to life in the only way he knows how – and hilarity ensues.
The Witches
Released in 1990, this charming film features Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch, who secretly poses as the head of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty. In truth, she urges other witches to dispose of all the children in the UK. When young Luke discovers their intentions, it is up to him to stop them in their tracks.
Coraline
This movie from 2009 truly deserves its fame. It tells the clever story of young Coraline who moves to an old house, where she discovers a parallel world in which everybody has buttons instead of eyes. However, her parallel-world counterparts are more caring than her real-world parents. While this entry is slightly scarier than the others on this list, it’s still perfectly suitable for children.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
One of Tim Burton’s most popular films, this 1993 hit is a masterpiece you can watch around Halloween or Christmas – or both. Featuring many beautiful musical numbers and a host of quirky characters, it will make you laugh with joy and delight as you follow the adventures of Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas town. It contains light-hearted fun coupled with subtle horror.
