Grayson West
While children’s movies are designed to entertain and inspire young minds, not all of them hit the mark when it comes to being genuinely family-friendly. Some “kid-friendly” films contain dark themes, inappropriate jokes, or intense scenes that might leave parents questioning the movie’s intended audience. Here are 15 children’s movies that might make you think twice before sharing them with the little ones.
Coraline
While said to be a children’s movie, “Coraline” is as close to horror as kids’ films get. With an eerie parallel world, unsettling button-eyed parents, and creepy stop-motion animation, this movie is the stuff of nightmares. The Other Mother’s sinister intentions and the disturbing transformations she undergoes push it far beyond typical family fare.
The Dark Crystal
Jim Henson’s puppetry in “The Dark Crystal” is mesmerizing, but the film is filled with disturbing imagery and a heavy, apocalyptic narrative. The Skeksis creatures are terrifying, and the film’s overall tone is far more menacing than expected from a “children’s movie.” Its complexity and eerie atmosphere make it more of a fantasy thriller for adults.
The Witches
Adapted from Roald Dahl’s book, “The Witches” is far scarier than expected. Having witches that turn children into mice and Anjelica Huston’s terrifying Grand High Witch performance, this film is dark enough to give kids nightmares. While it has some funny and adventurous moments, the grotesque transformations and frightening witches are not for the faint-hearted.
The Adventures of Mark Twain
Stop-motion animation often feels unsettling, and “The Adventures of Mark Twain” amplifies this effect. The segment “The Mysterious Stranger” features a faceless being discussing death and destruction with eerie calm. Such a philosophical journey can make even adults uneasy, making it unsuitable for a kid’s movie night.
ParaNorman
This stop-motion film combines plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments with paranormal activity, but its ghostly themes and intense action sequences can be overwhelming for younger kids. The film deals with heavy topics like bullying, loneliness, and even the afterlife in a way that’s far from lighthearted.
The Secret of NIMH
Don Bluth’s animated tale about heroic mice is darker than it appears. The plot entails animal experimentation, death, and moral dilemmas that might go over a child’s head. Its haunting visuals and tense moments feel more like a thriller. While beautifully animated, the mature themes and somber tone make it a tough watch for younger viewers.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Though it features cartoon characters, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” mixes animation with live-action in a way that veers into adult territory. The film is full of innuendo, violence, and one of the scariest villains in children’s film history—Judge Doom. His final form is nightmare fuel for kids, with bulging eyes and a high-pitched scream.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” pushes family-friendly boundaries with darker themes like lust, sin, and persecution. Judge Frollo’s obsession with Esmeralda is particularly unsettling. While the film promotes acceptance, its intense subject matter and disturbing imagery, especially in the “Hellfire” sequence, make it too mature for younger audiences.
Return to Oz
The 1985 sequel “Return to Oz” is darker, creepier, and far more terrifying than the original classic. It replaces ruby slippers and heartwarming friendships with head-swapping witches, villainous Wheelers, and a disturbing electroshock therapy sequence. Dorothy’s second journey to Oz is filled with unsettling visuals that could haunt children and adults.
Matilda
While this movie appears to be an empowering tale of a young girl with telekinetic powers, it includes surprising dark humor and frightening moments. Miss Trunchbull, the cruel headmistress, torments children in bizarre and abusive ways. Scenes of kids being thrown, locked in cages, and threatened add an intensity that’s unexpected for a family film.
Shrek
At first glance, “Shrek” seems like a lighthearted fairy tale, but it’s packed with edgy humor and inappropriate innuendos that often fly over kids’ heads. While the jokes are aimed at adults, some themes—like the crude language and violent gags—aren’t exactly child-friendly.
Watership Down
Don’t be fooled by the cute bunnies on the cover—”Watership Down” is a war epic in rabbit form. Violence, death, and bloodshed unfold as these rabbits fight for survival in a way that feels more like Game of Thrones than Bambi. Though the animation is a classic, grim portrayal of nature’s brutality is hardly kid-friendly.
The Black Cauldron
This lesser-known Disney movie has swords, sorcery, and dark undertones. The Horned King is particularly terrifying, and the quest to stop him involves much more danger and death than usual Disney fare. With high stakes and a grim tone, it is too intense for young viewers expecting typical Disney magic.
Gremlins
What starts as a quirky Christmas movie quickly becomes a creature-filled horror flick. Adorable Gizmo may look like the perfect holiday pet, but chaos ensues when his mischievous counterparts emerge. From terrifying transformations to gruesome pranks, “Gremlins” packs more scares than most children’s films.
Monster House
“Monster House” taps into every child’s fear of haunted houses but takes it up a notch with creepy animation and genuinely frightening moments. Featuring a spooky vibe, mixed with intense scenes where the house itself becomes a monstrous entity, makes this more of a horror movie in disguise.