I'm the father of a seven year old little boy with an ever-growing interest in the macabre, horror flicks in particular. His favorite movie right now is "Army of Darkness". I'm trying to figure out some movies that he and I can watch together on Halloween. He's only seven years old, and has the attention span of a hyperactive rabbit, so the more suspensful, heady stuff is a little bit boring to him. Can anyone recommend anything that would be suitable for a 7 year old, and yet still entertaining and scary enough for me to enjoy? I'd appreciate any help on the matter. Thanks.
How about something from the infamous CHILD'S PLAY collection?
I enjoyed the original Willard & Ben when they came out, and I was about your son's age then. They were a bit scary, but it was nice to have my dad around.
Not a bad idea. Thanks.
Also not a bad idea, but I don't think any of the local video stores have them in stock. I'll check, though. Thanks for your help.
Maybe Poltergeist, The Birds, Close Encounters (not horror, but good film)
We actually watched Poltergeist last weekend. He seemed pretty bored with it until that guy tore his own face off in the bathroom.
The Thing from Outer Space or John Carpenters remake, and speaking of Carpenter how about The Fog. Forbidden Planet scared me when I was young and it's still one of my favorites, and another great one would be Phantasm!
Do they have a PG Puppet Master film? I know how about Leprucaun.
Movies with authority as the adversary. How about:
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the original)
Invaders from Mars (either is clean, but the original is better)
Enemy from Space (aka Quatermass 2)
Strange Invaders (I think this might be ok - cannot remember if there are any parts you might want to watch out for)
Also:
House
The Car
Day of the Animals
Two Thousand Maniacs (again, I think this one is just a red HGL blood flick)
Mutant (with the toxic vampires - funny now, but I found this movie terrifying as a child)
The Blob
The Green Slime
The Boogens (nothing too extreme, just killer turtles, if I remember correctly)
"The Wrong Trousers" - yes, the claymation Wallace and Grommit short. Kids of 8/9 in my wifes class at school, who were familiar and blase about stuff like Terminator, Total Recall and Robocop, were *terrified* of the pin-eyed penguin. "Don't look at it's eyes! Don't look at it's eyes!" they said. One hard guy was so terrified he needed to stand outside in the corridor.
how about gremlins or critters flicks?
How about Return of the Living Dead II? I like all three movies, but the first and third ones have a few scenes of nudity. I don't recall any in the second one.
If you want something a little more serious, try Night Life, the dead come back to life at a funeral home.
What about some more Sam Raimi? Has the boy seen the first 2 "Evil Dead"? They are lots of fun, specially #2. I'd also add "Darkman", which is one of the more fast paced, action-packed superhero movies I've ever seen. It has some brief extreme violence, but since someone has suggested "Totall Recall" and "Robocop" I guess it's alright.
Why not The Gate?
The kid is only 7....things like the original Evil Dead would have scared the absolute hell out of me at that age. Stick to something a little easier.
Hmm, at age 8, I think I was permanently emotionally scarred by Steven King's It. It is like a children's movie (Stand By Me) with a damn scary clown. Plus, movies with kids always scared me. Cujo is good too, but I wouldnt want the book which he will hopefully read later on in life to be spoiled by the movie.
Also, how about that scene with all the demons in Disney's Fantasia, to the music of Night On Bald mountain. That is very well done, and honestly, I always loved Disney's Hocus Pocus and the cartoon Sleepy Hollow, both are fast paced, and at least Sleepy Hollow has parts for adults.
i would also reccomend the Alien saga when it hits theatres, it is not too complicated and has a lack of nudity for sure.