Finding age-appropriate movies for kids can be difficult for many parents. This is especially true if they're in that in-between stage of being a child and being a teenager. They want to grow up way faster than necessary, but the parents wish they could stay their little darlings forever.
Classified by the Child Mind Institute as being between ages eight to 12, tweens face a lot of conflicting ideas when it comes to what they should be watching. This is especially true for the horror genre. So, to help those parents with tweens who love the spookier side of things, we've compiled a detailed list of the best horror movies minors in this age range will enjoy. From animated classics to inspired indies, these 20 horror movies are perfect for tweens of all ages.
Updated September 28, 2024: Just in time for the Halloween season, this collection of tween-friendly horror movies has been updated with additional information, including where to stream each movie featured.
20 Coraline (2009)
Based on the novella of the same name by Neil Gaiman, Coraline is a stop-motion animated film about the titular teenage girl who discovers a mysterious world behind a secret door in her new house. This new world is similar to her own, albeit in an idealistic form that seems too good to be true. If she's not careful, she may even discover dark secrets lurking beneath its warm smiles. The film utilizes the voices of Teri Hatcher, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, John Hodgman, Robert Bailey Jr., and Ian McShane.
Coraline Is Surprisingly Intense
Being Laika Studio's first-ever feature-length film, Coraline manages to feature some of their most creative visuals and inspired moments. Henry Selick directed this impressive animated film, and you can find his touch in every intimately-animated scene. In fact, some of the scarier scenes in the film are rather intense, making it a great addition to this list for both tweens and adults alike. John Linnell of They Might Be Giants even lends his singing voice to a brief scene, with the band originally being contracted to produce the film's entire soundtrack. Buy or Rent Coraline on Apple TV.
19 The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)
The legendary Jack Black, portraying the warlock Jonathan Barnavelt, brings both comedy and spin-chilling drama to life in The House with a Clock in Its Walls. The film tells the story of Lewis Barnavelt (Owen Vaccaro), Jonathan's 10-year-old orphaned nephew, who stumbles upon a mystery within Jonathan's ancient home. Working alongside his uncle and their neighbor, a witch named Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett), Lewis discovers that magic is real, along with the incredible danger that it presents.
Eli Roth's Family Friendly Flick
Directed by Eli Roth and based on John Bellairs' 1973 novel of the same name, Rotten Tomatoes gave this film the following consensus:
"An entertaining PG detour for gore maestro Eli Roth. . . a family-friendly blend of humor and horror with an infectious sense of fun."
Suffice to say, they're right. Though the director of Hostel and The Green Inferno primarily resides within the horror genre, he brings some small frights to a package that's appropriate for all audiences. Jack Black is as charismatic as ever, and the script by Eric Kripke (Supernatural, The Boys) carries the action along at a smooth and enjoyable pace. Buy or Rent The House With a Clock in Its Walls on Prime Video.
18 Monster House (2006)
The computer animated horror film, Monster House, was directed by Gil Kenan and co-written by Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, and Pamela Pettler. When a haunted house begins tormenting a neighborhood during Halloween, D. J. Walters (Mitchel Musso) and his friends, along with some of the townspeople, must find a way to fight back. However, as they investigate the house, the truth behind its mysterious powers may be too much to bear. Sam Lerner, Spencer Locke, and Steve Buscemi co-star.
Gil Kenan's Directorial Debut
Taking on the classic trope of the house on the street that holds frightening secrets, Monster House brought many people's childhood imaginations to life. The unconventional animation gave the film an even greater unnatural edge, making its eventual scares and intense climax all the more perturbing. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and it served as director Gil Kenan's feature-length debut. He would later go on to revive the Ghostbusters franchise with his work Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire in 2021 and 2024, respectively. Stream Monster House on Netflix.
17 ParaNorman (2012)
Another Laika Studio film that needs more love, ParaNorman tells the story of Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee), an 11-year-old boy in a small town who can communicate with the dead. Norman faces speculation when no one believes in his abilities, allowing for the film to confront the common struggles children face about fitting in. In this case, Norman will have to save the town of Blithe Hollow from the wrath of a centuries-old witch who's longing for revenge.
ParaNorman Is Peak Halloween Cinema
Written by Chris Butler and directed by Butler and Sam Fell, the film shows that sometimes we all need to be a bit weird to learn how to survive in life. Taking on a curse, battling ghosts and skeptics, making friends, and much more, Norman becomes the hero of his hometown and changes the course of many lives in the process. From a visual standpoint, ParaNorman also looks incredible to this day, melding incredibly fluid stop-motion animation with some fantastic practical effects. ParaNorman is a horror film kids in the tween age group will gravitate towards, making it perfect for this list. Stream ParaNorman on The Roku Channel.
16 The Witches (1990)
Based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl, The Witches combines dark fantasy, horror, and comedy for a unique story unlike any other. The Witches tells the story of a group of witches who pose as normal humans in order to hunt children. A young boy named Luke (Jasen Fisher) must thwart their plans. With help from his grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling), Luke goes on a magical journey to stop the nefarious plans of the Grand High Witch, Eva (Anjelica Huston), not only to save his own life, but the lives of other children.
A Roald Dahl Cult Classic
Directed by Nicolas Roeg and produced by the legendary Jim Henson, The Witches is a great choice for tweens wanting a spooky story. Its practical makeup effects were impressive for the time, and while it wasn't an incredible box office hit, it's built up a significant cult following in the years since its debut. For those looking for more The Witches content, another adaptation of the book was released in 2020 as Roald Dahl's The Witches. Buy or Rent The Witches on Prime Video.
15 The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
The Spiderwick Chronicles is based on the book series of the same name by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. This mysterious fantasy film is about three kids — twins, Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore), and their sister Mallory (played by Sarah Bolger) — who discover a guide book about fairies. After examining the book's contents, they embark on a journey to discover the secrets it holds. However, a shifty ogre named Mulgarath (Nick Nolte) wants to use the book for evil.
PG-13 Dark Fantasy
The Spiderwick Chronicles dives headfirst into dark fantasy, making it perfect for the tweens in your life. Its creature designs are far from cutesy, its stakes are as real as can be, and its worldbuilding is surprisingly effective for a film aimed towards younger audiences. It's also worth noting that Mark Waters famously directed this film, having previously directed Mean Girls and Freaky Friday in 2004 and 2003, respectively. His directorial style can be felt in spades. Stream The Spiderwick Chronicles on Prime Video
14 Goosebumps (2015)
Another epic tween comedy horror movie starring Jack Black is Goosebumps. Directed by Rob Letterman and written by Darren Lemke, and based on the talented R.L. Stine's Goosebumps book series, Goosebumps tells the story of a fictional version of Stine (Jack Black). When the numerous monsters from Stine's prolific bibliography emerge in the real world, Stine will have to team up with his daughter, Hannah (Odeya Rush) and his new neighbor, Zach (Dylan Minnette) in order to save the town.
A Nostalgic Treat
A staple book series for many tweens, Goosebumps is the ultimate nostalgia trip for kids and adults alike. Iconic characters from Goosebumps all make some form of an appearance here, with the fan-favorite Slappy the Dummy (also voiced by Jack Black) from the Night of the Living Dummy books serving as the main villain and antagonist. Though the film went through a prolonged production period, the final result is something that's as fun as it is spooky. The real-life R. L. Stine even makes a brief cameo as the in-universe version of Jack Black, in a fun nod to each other's performances. Buy or Rent Goosebumps on Apple TV.
13 Gremlins (1984)
One of the greatest comedy horror films to ever be produced is Gremlins. It depicts the story of what happens when a young boy named Billy (Zach Galligan) is gifted a "mogwai" as a pet by his oblivious father. This odd pet is named Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel), and while he may be cute and cuddly at first, he has a horrible surprise in store if he's fed after midnight. Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton, and Polly Holliday co-star.
One of the First PG-13 Films
Directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus, Gremlins is a hilarious yet scary time for all, but may contain more frightening scenes not suitable for younger children. Its horror-laden content was originally the catalyst for the theatrical PG-13 rating alongside Indiana Jones and theTemple of Doom. Though it contains a much greater amount of graphic violence than you'd typically find in a tween-appropriate horror movie, it's mostly in the service of slapstick comedy instead of outright terror. Buy or Rent Gremlins on Prime Video.
12 The Haunted Mansion (2003)
The Haunted Mansion was directed by Rob Minkoff and written by David Barrenbaum. It is heavily based on the Walt Disney theme park ride and attraction of the same name. The film, however, tells the story of a realtor named Jim Evers (Eddie Murphy) and his family — wife Sara (Marsha Thomason), and children Michael and Megan (Marc John Jefferies and Aree Davis) — who become trapped in a — you guessed it — haunted mansion, while on vacation. A series of ghosts and other spooky creatures, meanwhile, attempt to overcome the curse that traps them within the mansion's grounds.
Eddie Murphy, Haunted Houses, and More
While not necessarily the most terrifying film on this list, its reliance on horror elements makes it more than appropriate for the tween age group. Eddie Murphy always delights whenever he's in the lead role, director Rob Minkoff gave it his all after co-directing The Lion King years prior, and the surrounding film just about doubled its budget at the global box office. Fans of the original ride can also try to spot the five hidden Mickeys throughout its brief runtime. Stream The Haunted Mansion on Disney+.
11 The Monster Squad (1987)
Upon its release in the late 1980s, The Monster Squad was one of those movies people either loved or hated. Written by Fred Dekker and Shane Black, and directed by Dekker, the film features the classic Universal Studios monsters attempting to take over the world. Led by the legendary Count Dracula (Duncan Regehr), the monsters stage a coup, but are stopped by the "Monster Squad," a group of preteens who idolized the monsters from classic horror films.
Now a Beloved Cult Classic
Don't get your hopes up for a sequel, though. The movie was actually unsuccessful both financially and critically, and was actually pulled from theaters, only making $696 per screen after its opening weekend (per Box Office Mojo). Monster Squad did not gain popularity until years later, when it began receiving what amounts to cult status from audiences who appreciated its unique take on the monsters we all know and love. Director Fred Dekker previously dazzled horror fans with his contributions to House, a 1985 Steve Miner horror comedy, and Night of the Creeps, which melded B-movie tropes with an honest attempt at melding the slasher genre with an alien invasion premise. Buy or Rent The Monster Squad on Apple TV.
10 The Addams Family (1991)
One of the original staples of horror comedy is The Addams Family, a strange and sometimes macabre family who hold the belief that being dark, spooky, and weird is a good thing. Based on the characters originally developed by Charles Addams, the film heavily borrows from the established television series of the same name. In this film, the many macabre members of the family attempt to reconnect with their estranged Uncle Fester. However, suspicions arise when their supposed uncle can't seem to remember his own life story.
A Classic Horror Family
While not for everyone, The Addams Family definitely deserves a place on this list for tweens who love the horror genre. Mother Morticia Addams (Anjelica Huston, who received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance), father Gomez Addams (Raúl Juliá), Uncle Fester Addams (Christopher Lloyd), Grandmama Addams (Judith Malina), children Wednesday and Pugsley Addams (Christina Ricci and Jimmy Workman), and their butler/driver Lurch (Carel Struycken), make up this odd group. They're as iconic as they are silly, making them a timeless classic for horror fans of all ages. Stream The Addams Family on Pareamount+.
9 The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
If you're in the mood for creepy, eerie storytelling, look no further than the iconic Tim Burton. Known for his work on films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, an animated stop-motion dark fantasy, Burton has a way of just getting the horror movie feeling onscreen.
This movie in particular is one of his best works and tells the story of Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon and Danny Elfman), the King of Halloween Town, who is bored in the Halloween-themed city and wants something more in life. When Jack stumbles upon Christmas Town, he hatches a plot to kidnap Santa Claus (Ed Ivory), while also having to deal with his arch-nemesis, Oogie Boogie (Ken Page). Alongside Sally (Catherine O'Hara), the Mayor (Glenn Shadix), and his faithful dog Zero, Jack learns what it means to have family and the true meaning of Christmas.
Perfect for Halloween (Or Christmas)
While not overtly terrifying, some scenes are a bit more spooky than other films on this list, so viewers should be aware of its more perturbing moments. That said, this incredible stop-motion classic is a holiday staple. An incredible score by Danny Elfman, fantastic voice performances, beautiful animation directed by Henry Selick, and more amount to one of the most visually stunning films ever made. It would even secure an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects, the first time an animated film was ever nominated for the category. Stream The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+.
8 Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Based on the children's book series of the same name by Alvin Schwartz, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, shows what happened on a fateful evening in Pennsylvania in 1986 when three teens — Stella (Zoe Colletti), Auggie (Gabriel Rush), and Chuck (Austin Zajur) — prank their school bully, Tommy. The problem: Tommy tries to get revenge by locking them in a supposedly haunted house. There, the teens find a book that tells scary stories. But the stories actually end up having some truth to them, leading to a mystery and an investigation like no other.
Just As Scary As the Books
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is one of the more sinister films on this list and would probably be best for the older tweens within that age range to avoid scaring the younger ones. The original books were already infamous for their incredibly haunting illustrations, and seeing some of them come to life on the big screen only adds to their unsettling appearance. Seeing as how the film was directed by André Øvredal, who previously drew acclaim for Trollhunter and The Autopsy of Jane Doe, you may want to keep a pillow close during the film's more intense sequences. Stream Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark on Netflix.
7 Corpse Bride (2005)
Another stop-motion offering from the epic Tim Burton, Corpse Bride tells the story of a young man named Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) and a young woman named Victoria (voiced by Emily Watson) who are about to be married in an arranged marriage. While the two do fall in love, the issue is that Victor gets nervous before he runs away into the forest. There, he practices his vows, placing the wedding band he should have given Victoria on what he thinks is a tree branch. But it turns out to be the finger of a corpse, named Emily (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), who he has just married, leading to a slew of spooky shenanigans.
Colorful Terror
While not terrifying, the film definitely fits into the horror genre and does a great job of being both fun and creepy at the same time. An impressive voice cast led by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter is accompanied by direction from Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, ultimately earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature in the process. A returning Danny Elfman also provides the score. Buy or Rent Corpse Bride on Prime Video.
6 Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Hotel Transylvania has to be one of the tamest "horror movies" on this list, taking a more comedic approach to Dracula's classic story. Count Dracula (Adam Sandler) owns the titular Hotel Transylvania, a monster destination retreat for all the classic monsters to relax and take a break. On his daughter Mavis' (Selena Gomez) 118th birthday, a human named Johnny (Andy Samberg) accidentally stumbles upon the hotel. With help from Frankenstein (Kevin James), Wayne the Werewolf (Steve Buscemi), Murray the Mummy (CeeLo Green), and Griffin the Invisible Man (David Spade), Dracula must hide the fact that a human is in the monsters' midst, leading to a hilarious film perfect for the younger tweens and kids alike.
A Fantastically Frightening Family Film
This prominent animated franchise has certainly captured the hearts of adults and tweens, blending the comedic talents of Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg with incredible direction from Genndy Tartakovsky, whose prior credits include Samurai Jack and Batman: The Animated Series. It's a fantastic film for horror fans and families alike, showing a genuine appreciation for classic monsters while introducing plenty of hilarious comedy to an engaging story. It would more than quadruple its budget at the global box office while earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Animated Feature Film. Stream Hotel Transylvania on Peacock.
5 The Boxtrolls (2014)
Very loosely based on the novel Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow, The Boxtrolls tells the story of a human boy named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) who has an unconventional childhood. He's raised by a group of trash trolls that are being hunted by an exterminator named Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley). Eggs must make an attempt to save his surrogate family when Snatcher attacks, leading him on a quest to discover what he is willing to do to protect those he cares about. Three of the Boxtrolls — Fish, Wheels, and Bucket — are all voiced by the legendary Dee Bradley Baker, known for his work in Legends of the Hidden Temple, Avatar: The Last Airbender, several animated Star Wars shows, and more.
Equally Cute and Creepy
Directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, The Boxtrolls is a cute addition to the horror fantasy comedy genre. While not overtly scary, it does have enough intense action to entertain the younger tweens looking for a monster movie. Its intricate and elaborate stop-motion animation would even earn it more than half a dozen Annie Award nominations, as well as a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Stream The Boxtrolls on The Roku Channel.
4 The BFG (2016)
Directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg and written by the late Melissa Mathison, The BFG is based on Roald Dahl's book of the same name. The story is about Sophie (Ruby Barnhill), a 10-year-old orphan, who finds herself in the middle of a terrifying situation. She is kidnapped by a Giant called "Runt" (Mark Rylance) who takes her to his home in the Giant Country and won't allow her to return to the human world. He notes that, if she tries to leave, other Giants will eat her. Sophie eventually embarks on a grand journey where she learns all about what it means to be human.
Underperformed, But Not Forgotten
Sadly, The BFG is one of Spielberg's worst films revenue-wise in the USA, making only around $55 million domestically (per The Hollywood Reporter). While veering more into dark fantasy instead of outright horror, this film does have some scarier bits and deals with death, making it a great film for tweens who want to tackle some more mature themes. It's certainly one of the most underappreciated Roald Dahl adaptations, and the film itself is the first one Spielberg ever directed for Walt Disney Pictures. It's also the last screenplay credit for Melissa Mathison prior to her death in 2015, having previously penned the screenplays for Kundun, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and the English translation for Studio Ghibli's Ponyo. Stream The BFG on Disney+.
A classic creature feature also by Steven Spielberg, is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, most often shortened to just E.T. It's a film all tweens need to see at least once in their lifetimes. This classic movie tells the tale of Elliot (Henry Thomas), a boy who makes friends with an alien he names E.T. (Pat Welsh, Kayden Green, and Spielberg himself). Eventually, after hiding E.T.'s existence, Elliot must find a way to help his new friend get back to his extraterrestrial home. Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore.
Viewers of this movie can learn about what it means to have a true home and family, since the story showcased the power of friendship and love. And while E.T. is not strictly horror, for a younger tween, the minor jump scares and comedy moments will be just enough to keep them entertained throughout the story. It's no surprise that it's a little scary for some younger audiences — even outside E.T.'s garish appearance, the surrounding film started out as an extraterrestrial horror tale. It would go on to win Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards. Buy or Rent E.T. The Extra Terrestrial on Prime Video.
2 Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018)
The Goosebumps sequel,Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, is another one of those films that has horror-like elements, but isn't so scary that it will terrify your tweens. Picking up a few years after the previous film, Sarah (Madison Iseman) and her younger brother Sonny (Jeremy Ray Taylor), along with his friend Sam (Caleel Harris) stumble upon a locked book in an abandoned house in their hometown. Opening the book causes Slappy the Dummy (Mick Wingert), the nemesis from the first Goosebumps film, to come to life again and terrorize the town, using his magic to bring even more Halloween horrors to life. When the book is stolen by a bully named Tommy (Peyton Wich), the kids must fight to get it back and recapture Slappy before he destroys everything they know and love.
A Double Dose of Goosebumps
With a brief appearance by Jack Black as a fictionalized version of R.L. Stine again, this film takes a slightly different direction and is worth a watch for fans of the original film. Ari Sandel directed this feature in the absence of Rob Letterman, having previously directed the Netflix rom-com When We First Met only a few months prior to its release. It thoroughly recreates what made the original film so engaging while also throwing in some brand-new twists. Buy or Rent Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween on Apple TV.
1 Ghostbusters (1984)
Though it may be a little too raunchy for some, this iconic horror comedy classic is one for the history books. The original ghost story, Ghostbusters is about a team of parapsychologists — Peter, Ray, and Egon (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis, respectively) — who form a ghost capturing business in New York City, ultimately putting them face-to-face with a threat that can end life as we know it. Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis, Annie Pots, and William Atherton make up the rest of the impressive cast in this iconic horror comedy.
Who You Gonna Call?
Written by Aykroyd and Ramis, and directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, Ghostbusters is an iconic introduction into the world of the supernatural. Since its release, Ghostbusters has become an entire franchise, including beloved shows The Real Ghostbusters and Extreme Ghostbusters, numerous theatrical sequels, video games, board games, comic books, clothes, music, and even attractions based off the film. It's one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s, making it a pop culture staple that's still appreciated to this day. Buy or Rent Ghostbusters on Prime Video.
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