Top 20 Kid Friendly Horror Movies

We never thought we'd say this but these horror flicks are great for kids! For this list, we’ll be ranking the horror flicks that either serve as great entry points for parents seeking to expose their kids to the genre, or approachable horror fare for older, pre-teen kids to enjoy. Our countdown includes “Return to Oz”, “The Witches”, "Halloweentown”, “Beetlejuice”, and more! Know of any we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Watch more great horror videos here:

Have Your Idea Become A Video!

Subscribe for more great content!

Visit WatchMojo Club for Great Deals!

Your trusted authority for Top 10 lists, reviews, tips and tricks, biographies, origins, and entertainment news on Film, TV, Video Games, Comics, Celeb, Music and Superheroes.

#Film
#Horror
#Kids

[WatchMojo]

Know of any we missed? Let us know in the comments!

[Leonmarink]

I watched Casper after my brother died and it really cheered me up and helped me cope with losing him

[abdullahwasim]

Coraline was actully even creepier for adults

[mr.decencykeepinitreal]

‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ is still one of the best animated movies ever made.

[tracygalley]

Monster house definitely should have been on this list

[trinaq]

"Coraline" and "Paranorman" are my favourite stop motion movies, and have enough chills to keep both kids and adults entertained!

[justapeacefulmanwhosbornin]

‘Corpse Bride’ was pretty good and it also made me cry during the ending scene.

[justapeacefulmanwhosbornin]

‘Gremlins’, one of the best PG-rated films ever made.

[trinaq]

Funnily enough, "Beetlejuice" actually creeped me out a little as a kid, especially when he turned into the snake! 😂🐍I'm delighted that the stage show is coming back with a bang next year!

[Strongbad]

#20: Return to Oz (1985)
#19: Casper (1995)
#18: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
#17: The Gate (1987)
#16: The Witches (1990)
#15: Tremors (1990)
#14: ParaNorman (2012)
#13: Frankenweenie (2012)
#12: The Frighteners (1996)
#11: Goosebumps (2015)
#10: Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
#9: The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
#8: Beetlejuice (1988)
#7: Corpse Bride (2005)
#6: Halloweeentown (1998)
#5: Arachnophobia (1990)
#4: Coraline (2009)
#3: The Monster Squad (1987)
#2: Poltergeist (1982)
#1: Gremlins (1984)

Honorable Mentions:
- The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)
- Teen Witch (1989)
- Hocus Pocus (1993)

[PoohbearPlus]

5 entries I can think of plus honorable mentions -
5 - Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein
4 - Young Frankenstein
3 - Ghostbusters
2 - Monster House
1 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow/ The Adventures of icabod and Mr. Toad (Disney's version)
H.M. - Burnt Offerings, It's Alive (1973), Jaws, Trilogy of Terror.
And if I might add... The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Yes it IS "R" rated and adult, I know. But I have been to screenings where I have seen pre-teens and teens attend with their parents. It has become a right of passage.

[Shimmerwine]

Totally forgot "Little Monsters" with Howie Mandell and Fred Savage, it was always a favorite. A lot of these were my favorites that weren't r rated as a smol tater.

[TeamRemForever]

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of my all time favorite movies! It's a classic!

[mr.decencykeepinitreal]

‘Beetlejuice’, one of my most favorite movies.

[mlggamer]

Coraline is one of the most impactful for me. Because when I saw her not liking her parents or life so when she went to the other dimension where the other mother is to get pretty much all that she wanted it did come at a cost. Careful what you wish for kids

[lau_sol]

The Nightmare Before Christmas should've had a higher ranking, is a movie that you can watch both on Halloween and Christmas, it is a really great movie!

[mr.decencykeepinitreal]

I watched ‘Casper’ movie once and it was pretty good back in 1999.

[deantho]

Great list! Brought back some classics we will look up this weekend. Surprised you gave "Hocus Pocus" an honorable mention and did not include "Little Monsters, Monster House or Disney's Sleepy Hallow but otherwise great job!

[ingridfong-daley]

Kudos for remembering "Monster Squad."

Still one of the best punchlines I've ever heard in a kids' movie too: "Well... Steve, but he doesn't count!" :)

[dreamguardian]

When my family and I saw the poster for Tremors years ago, we all thought we may not like it. But after seeing the funny scenes, cool action, and hearing the good country music, boy, did we have a change of heart.