There are countless films aimed at children which, seemingly innocent, hide a scary aura. Below, we have listed 10 movies aimed at kids or the whole family that feature dark elements and chilling moments.
movie list
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Based on the book by Roald Dahl, the feature film “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” is a children’s fantasy that contains scary elements.
In addition to the various scenes and moments that generate awe, one of the scariest aspects of the film is Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) himself. The character is eccentric, unpredictable and sometimes even a little sadistic. There are times when he seems to play with the fears and insecurities of the children who visit his factory, creating unsettling situations.
A new film version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was released in 2005, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka. And in 2023 a prequel focused on Willy Wonka, with Timothée Chalamet in the role, titled “Wonka” is released.
Witches Convention (1990)
Another film based on the work of Roald Dahl, “Witches Convention” is a children’s fantasy film that delights audiences of all ages, although it contains scary moments.
Directed by Nicolas Roeg, the story follows a boy who, while on holiday with his grandmother in a seaside hotel, discovers a secret coven of witches who plan to turn children into rats.
The most terrifying point of the film lies in the real appearance of the witches, who hide behind a human disguise and reveal a grotesque and repulsive image when they take it off.
A new film version of “Witches’ Convention” was released in 2020.
Coraline and the secret world
Directed by Henry Selick and based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, ‘Coraline’ is a highly regarded stop-motion animated film widely recognized for its disturbing elements.
In the story, the young Coraline discovers a secret passage to a parallel world, which appears to be an idealized version of her life, with more doting parents. However, the place soon reveals the evil side of her, especially with the disturbing behavior of the “other parents” and the presence of sinister creatures.
Ghosts have fun
Directed by Tim Burton, “Ghosts Have Fun” is a comedy and fantasy film aimed at the whole family. While hilarious and funny, the movie has its scary moments.
In the storyline, a recently deceased couple try to scare away a new family that has moved into their house. When the obsession fails, the ghosts turn to the insane bio-exorcist Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) for help.
The film features a series of eccentric and supernatural events, including ghostly characters and strange creatures.
Chihiro’s Journey
“Spirited Away” is an acclaimed Japanese animated film directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. While suitable for all ages, the film explores psychological and philosophical issues in depth, with a poetic aesthetic that may seem strange and dark to some children.
Chihiro is a girl trapped in a mysterious world when her parents are turned into pigs by a curse. On her journey she meets spirits, monsters and supernatural beings, experiencing enchanting moments and bizarre situations.
The strange world of Jack
Directed by Henry Selick, created and produced by Tim Burton, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a stop-motion animation with a gothic and dark aesthetic, combining elements of fantasy, comedy and horror into a unique and visually impressive story.
In the storyline, Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween, is tired of scaring humans every October 31st. When he discovers the magic of Christmas, he decides to kidnap Santa Claus and deliver grisly and spooky gifts to the children on Christmas morning.
The Enchanted Crystal
“The Enchanted Crystal” is a dark-fantasy children’s film, with a strong horror tone. The film was directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz, the creators of the Muppets.
The film features incredibly detailed puppets and impressive visual effects, but the character designs, especially the Skeksis, are quite sinister. Some scenes are full of tension and have a sinister atmosphere, which may frighten younger viewers.
The magic cauldron
The Disney animation “The Black Cauldron” ran into difficulties marketing to children due to its dark tone and ended up being a box office failure. However, over time, the film has gained a cult following.
Due to its darker content and some scary scenes, the film received a PG (Suggested Parental Guidance) rating in the United States, making it less suitable for very young or more sensitive children.
Babe – The little piggy in town
“Babe – O Porquinho Atrapalhado na Cidade” is the sequel to the successful “Babe – O Piggy Atrapalhado”, both aimed at children. However, the continuation is notable for having a much darker, sad and heartbreaking tone, which can be considered strange and frightening for more sensitive children.
Under the direction of George Miller, the film deftly balances moments of comedy, fun and adventure, with talking animals and stunning aesthetics. At the same time, it features terrifying moments, shocking scenes and an hopelessly melancholic aura.
Gremlins 1 and 2
Here it goes for two! “Gremlins” (1984) and “Gremlins 2: The New Gang” (1990), both directed by Joe Dante, are children’s films with crazy and terrifying elements.
Both features are comedy and fantasy, hilarious and entertaining; however, they are filled with scenes of terror and violence, making for scary moments. Gremlins have proven to be mischievous and chaotic creatures that can wreak havoc on society on an apocalyptic level.
Furthermore, these films feature a satirical and caustic approach towards capitalism and the entertainment industry as well as contain incredible and even subversive scenes and moments for a film produced by a major studio.
The post 10 Really Scary Kids Movies first appeared on Olhar Digital.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
