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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To let the children watch Gremlins?

43 replies

Lionking1981 · 20/12/2016 21:11

We are watching a Christmas film every day this week together. Already feel a bit done in with all the Christmas schmaltz and looking for something a bit less orthodox. Obviously will draw the line at Bad Santa but I think Gremlins would be good fun and they would love Gizmo. Or is it completely inappropriate? They are 8 and 6 and don't scare easily.

OP posts:
HardLightHologram · 20/12/2016 21:12

All of mine have seen it and love it, my youngest is 5.

I think tbh it would most likely be a 12a if released now.

Domino20 · 20/12/2016 21:13

You have just provided me with this great idea. I say do it and I'll be showing my 7 yr old tomorrow night!

Zampa · 20/12/2016 21:14

We put an 8 yr old and an 11 yr old down in front of it just weekend and they were bored! Madness!

8 yr old found The Grinch scary though!

puckingfixies · 20/12/2016 21:15

Do they believe in Santa? Gremlins blows a hole in the Santa thing.

Iknowwhatyoumeanaboutthathat · 20/12/2016 21:24

Yes we haven't let ours because of the Santa thing

Lazyafternoon · 20/12/2016 21:34

I had nightmares after watching gremlins. Don't do it!!!!
30 odd years later I still can't bring myself to watch it again.
But I also used to be terrified of Dr Who...

1happyhippie · 20/12/2016 21:37

My dd watched it with me last year aged 8. She loved it!
She has been looking to see when it's on this year. I got her a little gizmo for her stocking.

GetTheeBehindMeSanta · 20/12/2016 21:37

Gremlins is essential viewing. My kids loved it when they were about that age, and still do.

BeyondIBringYouGoodTidings · 20/12/2016 21:41

I've been wondering this myself. Might have to watch it myself first and check it is how I remember. I'm sure I was only about DSs age when I first watched it though and it only has positive memories.

ET on the other hand...

random79 · 20/12/2016 21:43

I think it's quite gruesome, so I would think it is dependent on your child.

The bbfc re-rated it as a 12A recently as somebody mentioned

www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/gremlins

SpringerS · 20/12/2016 21:44

I love Gremlins but the Phoebe Cates very disturbing story about how she found out Santa is fake means we'll be waiting until DS 100% knows the truth about Santa.

BackforGood · 20/12/2016 21:47

I haven't watched it for donkeys years, but, from memory there were some really scary parts - I wouldn't let dc so young watch it, at least certainly not without watching it again first to check and by then I wouldn't want to re-watch it with the dc.

Asoiaf · 20/12/2016 21:52

I also had nightmares after watching gremlins as a child. Maybe the kids of today are tougher? I wouldn't do it, but that's purely based on my experience. Lazyafternoon I can't bring myself to watch it either!

XiCi · 20/12/2016 21:53

I think you forget just how scary and gruesome it is in parts. 6 is way too young to watch it

IThinkIMadeYouUpInsideMyHead · 20/12/2016 21:53

Mine watched it about 2 years ago. They were 9 and 7. I recorded it and edited out bit. I'm a bit Hmm now that I edited out a sad story about Father Christmas but left in loads of violence, and clearly need to have a word with myself.

Oysterbabe · 20/12/2016 21:54

There are some disturbing parts for kids i think, like the bit when she's describing how her father was found dead in the chimney?

retainertrainer · 20/12/2016 21:56

I watched gremlins when I was about 9 and it scared the shit out of me-nightmares for weeks,I was a sensitive sausage!

ArmySal · 20/12/2016 22:02

The chimney part is bizarre Confused

My daughter thought it was crap, I was furious Xmas Smile

KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 20/12/2016 22:07

My dad put it on for DS when he was babysitting him aged 2.

DS appears unscarred by the experience.

specialsubject · 20/12/2016 22:30

Gremlins went down a storm in my first year at uni (shamelessly middle aged). Quite a few gruesome and messy bits so not for sensitive small children.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 20/12/2016 22:39

It terrified me as a kid but I think knowing how shit it looks compared to films nowadays it'll probably be ok.

Footinmouthasusual · 20/12/2016 22:43

God no it's the one film that terrified me as a teenager Grin so ours nene watched it. There are some really gruesome bits.

Ffs put on something nice. The Diehard films are Christmassy? Grin

Oysterbabe · 20/12/2016 22:45

Watch Edward Scissorhands, great Christmas film.

Deux · 20/12/2016 22:51

I started to watch it with a 13 yo and 8 yo. 13 yo fine but 8 yo started crying and squealing and asked me to turn it off after about 30 minutes. She had to sleep in my bed too.

I would not have thought she'd react like that, at all.

Santamajormummy000 · 20/12/2016 22:52

I think some of the humour is a bit crude for today's kids in their politically correct world and that's why the BBC has re-rated it.
I watched it with 9yo DD last Christmas and she was aghast at the mom killing a Gremlin in the foodmixer and the scenes where they were running riot (the one in the fishnet stockings Shock).
Personally I thought it was great but would suggest something like Muppet Christmas Carol for your age group, OP.