Best Classic B-Movies for Small Kids

[AndyC]

"The Blob" (the original) terrified me as a child.  I would have night terrors about it, running through the house and screaming.  Those episodes are one possible reason my mother went gray early.

"The Giant Claw" is an awesome b-movie; my kids liked it quite a bit.  They also enjoyed "The Deadly Mantis," and some of the other giant bug movies like "Beginning of the End."  "Them" was a bit too intense for the youngest.  Ditto with "The Horror of Party Beach" - the fake blood and the amazingly bad suspense actually had the kids scared.  Go figure.

As a kid I loved the Harryhausen Sinbad movies. 

Good suggestions. She has noticed the picture of The Giant Claw that's usually at the bottom of the page in this forum. Might give that one a try.

The giant bug movies are exactly the sort of thing I want. I'd been unsure about them because I remember Them and Tarantula being perhaps a bit too intense in spots. But The Deadly Mantis and Beginning of the End might be just right.

[Pacman000]

I probably saw The Blob when I was in 5th grade.  I don't know your kids; you'll have to consider the appropriateness of these suggestions for yourself.

Other suggestions:
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Disney)- Generally family friendly.  I've heard that the Squid can be scary; you might want to watch out for that.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (Irwen Allen)- Similar to above, but in a modern setting.  Again watch out for the squid.
Journey to the Center of The Earth (1959)- Good visuals; nothing more scary than the above two suggestions.  Watch out for the lizard-monsters.
The Lost World (1960)- Fox tried to repeat Journey's success.  It's not as good as the Journey, but isn't a bad film.  More lizard-monsters, watch out for those.
The Mysterious Island (Harryhausen)  There's a giant crab, watch out for that.

I might also suggest Irwin Allen's TV shows. I remember liking Lost in Space a lot.

[JaseSF]

Mysterious Island is a really good suggestion although the giant bees and giant crab might be a tad bit scary.

[AlienatorDonut]

Casper (1995) is a classic! The Nostalgia Critic even reviewed it! I don't have kids myself, because I'm only 16, but I loved Casper as a kid!

[ChaosTheory]

If she doesn't mind lizards, THE GIANT GILA MONSTER is pretty fun.

[tracy]

If she doesn't mind lizards, THE GIANT GILA MONSTER is pretty fun.

Oh,absolutely! That's a fun film indeed.

[Derf]

The Sinbad movies might work well, I agree. I would also suggest The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao as an intro to Harryhausen-type effects. Also, Don Knotts movies like The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and The Incredible Mr. Limpet are great for presenting horror and war elements in a fun, non-scary way.

[AndyC]

Thought about The Ghost and Mr. Chicken as a possible Halloween movie to share. Ro is pretty familiar with Don Knotts from watching the New Scooby Doo Movies, and we've already watched The Reluctant Astronaut together.

We watched The Iron Giant a couple of nights ago. It was a big hit, and a very good introduction to 50s b-movie themes. Have to admit there are very few heartwarming family films in which a lovable character goes on a rampage against tanks and warships, then collides with a nuclear SLBM to save everyone.

Actually, as 7-year-old girls go, Ro is more familiar with the Cold War and nuclear arms than most. Not that I make a point of discussing these things, but it's kind of an essential part of understanding everything from Godzilla to the Space Race.

[FatFreddysCat]

"The Blob" (the original) terrified me as a child.  I would have night terrors about it, running through the house and screaming. 

The first time I tried to watch "The Blob" as a kid (I was probably 7 or 8 at the time), I bailed out as soon as the Blob attached itself to the old guy's arm, I was too freaked out. It was years before I felt brave enough to try watching it again. 

[AndyC]

"The Blob" (the original) terrified me as a child.  I would have night terrors about it, running through the house and screaming. 

The first time I tried to watch "The Blob" as a kid (I was probably 7 or 8 at the time), I bailed out as soon as the Blob attached itself to the old guy's arm, I was too freaked out. It was years before I felt brave enough to try watching it again. 

The old man is really the one part of that movie I have doubts about. He seems to be genuinely suffering with it on his hand, and he takes much longer to eat. I think my daughter might empathize too much with him. I'm sure she could handle the rest of the movie, but that might upset her.

[Pacman000]

If The Ghost and Mr.Chicken is okay, try Blackbeard's Ghost.

[tracy]

Here's one of my favs for Halloween....Hocus Pocus.

[JaseSF]

Maybe really early Harryhausen - The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms? The inspiration for Godzilla.

Some other possibilities (I'd recommend though watching them to make sure nothing's too scary):

It Came From Outer Space (1953)
Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)
The Invisible Boy
Teenage Caveman
Superman and the Mole Men
Gorgo

[Andrew]

I remembered one I would suggest.  "Tobor the Great" (1954).

[Pilgermann]

I too was kind of freaked out by The Blob as a kid.  I liked watching the movie, and while I didn't have nightmares it kind of scared me, and I'd lie awake at night and imagine the Blob oozing up the stairwell and into my room.

The Cat from Outer Space could be a good choice.  I'd also suggest The Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monsters.  It's perfectly good for kids but it's strange enough to be entertaining for adults (I generally like Ray Dennis Steckler stuff).