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Original poster

To let 10 YO DS watch a horror film?

311 replies

ProfessorMoody · 07/10/2018 00:36

DS10 has decided he doesn't want to trick or treat this year and wants to stay in and watch a "horror film".

He's seen most of the children's ones like Miss Peregrine, Hotel Transylvanias, The Witches etc.

He'd like to watch something a little more "grown up" but I can't seem to think of any that are suitable, or a 12A.

DH thinks Woman in Black is a good place to start but I was horrified that it's a 12 as I found it really scary and definitely unsuitable for a 10 year old!

What's your favourite mild horror?

OP posts:
Seaweed42 · 09/10/2018 10:18

Stranger Things is pretty scary in places. All fine with family and popcorn but not so nice when you are alone in bed and think you hear a funny noise. If you don't mind being woken up 3 nights in a row with a kid having a nightmare then think carefully.
He's only 10. He wants to think he's a cool, grown up kid who 'likes horror' but he doesn't really - not at aged 10.
Do yourself a favour and err on the side of caution with this one.

HairsprayBabe · 09/10/2018 10:38

Vanhelsing
Darren Shan
Coraline
Practical Magic
Hocus Pocus
Corpse Bride
Poltergiest
Dracula Untold
The Others
The Skeleton Key

angieloumc · 09/10/2018 10:44

Poltergeist and The Others for a ten year old! Seriously these suggestions are getting out of hand.

HairsprayBabe · 09/10/2018 11:03

poltergeist is a PG so fine for 10...

Duskqueen · 09/10/2018 11:06

Even I think poltergeist is a bit Hmm for a 10 year old.
I know I have mentioned it before but the Goosebumps film is good and it is a PG.
Hocus Pocus is also a good one as it is set on Halloween. There is also Frankeweenie, that is very good.

Hushnownobodycares · 09/10/2018 11:09

How about Reign Of Fire?

The dragons are pretty good.

Miladymilord · 09/10/2018 11:10

Poltergeist is a 15.

Miladymilord · 09/10/2018 11:12

Honestly this thread is making me doubt everything on mumsnet. I can't believe people are this idiotic.

Ginger Snaps. Ffs. It's highly violent and gory.

I don't believe anyone who has suggested films like this even has kids.

HairsprayBabe · 09/10/2018 11:12

The original 1982 version is a PG in US and Canada, didn't realise about the uk rating

Miladymilord · 09/10/2018 11:14

The 1982 version is a 15 in the UK. As is the remake.

user187656748 · 09/10/2018 11:20

Stranger things is a 15

HairsprayBabe · 09/10/2018 11:23

So it is clearly subjective then?

If one country says it is PG and another 15 then what is the issue with deciding for yourself if your own child can handle it?

Miladymilord · 09/10/2018 11:36

Nothing at all. I tend to go by the certification of the country I live in.

Original poster
ProfessorMoody · 09/10/2018 11:38

We've decided on Edward Scissorhands.

I know DS would be fine with Stranger Things but after rewatching the first few last night, he wouldn't be interested. They're quite boring for a 10 year old.

I saw Poltergeist when I was about 8, it wasn't particularly scary then, but I won't be showing it to him just yet - I'll also be rewatching that first. I tend to watch everything 12A before I show him (which is why there's no way he's watching Woman in Black!)

Some of the suggestions here are definitely way off for us - I wouldn't watch a lot of them myself! He's seen most of the children's films suggested, but Edward Scissorhands we've somehow missed and also Coraline, both of which I know he'll love.

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 09/10/2018 11:57

Good choices. I love Coraline and find it incredibly creepy.

missperegrinespeculiar · 09/10/2018 12:17

well, yes, but the key word is "some" children, there is research that shows negative effects of horror, scary and violent movies on children, even long term negative effects, and it seems that being exposed at a younger age is a risk factor, so yes, "some" children will be fine and some will not, why take a risk?

you can't be sure which child will be harmed by what, sometimes we can't even judge that about ourselves! how often people say they thought they would be ok but were instead upset by a movie? there is just no need, there are plenty of appropriate movies!

I mean, the Shining FFS, it's a father going made and trying to kill his children with an axe, and so brilliantly acted to be terrifying, but so many of the ones mentioned are just so inappropriate. In The Others, as well, the mother has killed the children, hasn't she? I mean, why?

Greatorb · 09/10/2018 12:20

An oldie but a good one (from what I remember) is bbc's Ghostwatch.

Miladymilord · 09/10/2018 12:24

I had to carry my then 9 year old out of coraline Grin

But my youngest dd watched it at 9 and loved it.

Edward scissorhands is lovely

Duskqueen · 09/10/2018 12:24

Pretty sure he tries to kill his wife, the child tries to warn her, the creepiest but of the film is when he writes REDRUM on the mirror with his mum lipstick and keeps saying Redrum in the really creepy voice.
Edward Scissor hands and Coraline are a good choice.

Miladymilord · 09/10/2018 12:25

He goes after Danny too. Its just all kinds of unsuitable (brilliant film though)

missperegrinespeculiar · 09/10/2018 12:32

Pretty sure he tries to kill his wife, the child tries to warn her,

yes, except for the final scene when the little boy is running in the maze and hiding while his father pursues him with an axe... just what I want my 10 year old to watch, why not!

and anyway, any less terrifying for a child if the crazed dad is "only" attempting to kill his wife?

I can't believe I am even discussing why the Shining in not appropriate for children to watch to be honest...

missperegrinespeculiar · 09/10/2018 12:33

and I love scary movies, clue is in the username, too!

Duskqueen · 09/10/2018 12:47

I never said it was appropriate. Where in my post did I say it was appropriate? I was just questioning him trying to kill his son, it is a long time since I watched it and totally forgot about that scene.

lovetherisingsun · 09/10/2018 12:48

Watership Down. Frightened the bejesus out of me for years.

Original poster
ProfessorMoody · 09/10/2018 13:01

Ah now see, Watership Down would upset him!

OP posts: