The majority of horror movies are intended for adults over, if we take the advice of the MPAA or BBFC, the age of 17 or 18. Frightening situations, scenes of cruelty and violence and a lot more besides occupy these films, making them too extreme for the developing minds of young adults. But the adrenaline rush that we get from being scared can be exciting for some children, plus scary films can be a good way of showing how to cope with fear.

Now, before we go further, ratings are placed on a movie for a reason and should be observed by all, as little Timmy does not need to sit through the uncut version of The Evil Dead, Demons or The Hills have Eyes. But, with careful selection, you can find some horror-lite movies that both you and your children will enjoy. They may also promote interesting conversation on many subjects such as how to separate fact from fiction.

This situation is an interesting one. If I wasn’t a film fan and only looked at the box art and rating at the rental store, I would likely come home with The Grudge, Underworld and Van Helsing. All these feature big name stars and all received a decent cinematic release, surely a seal of quality? Alas, no. I would have two poor movies that no one would enjoy and one that would likely scare the pants off any younger ones watching!

Luckily, being a film fan, I can select suitable (and decent) films without too much trouble. Exploring the older titles is a good start, as what was considered horrifying 40 years ago is less likely to be today. The grand-daddy of the horror/thriller, Alfred Hitchcock, gives a great start with The Birds. Good acting and a scary premise, without any graphic scenes, make the film a good introduction to scary movies.

From a similar time period as The Birds comes Robert Wise’s The Haunting. Instead of a natural fear, this deals with a supernatural fear. Although you never see the phantoms in question, there are a couple of scary sequences. The only trouble with these two is that they may be a little slow for some, especially The Haunting, which is very talky. So, what else is there that’s a bit more modern?

The eternal favourite would be Ivan Reitman’s Ghostbusters and to a lesser extent its sequel. Ghostbusters is funny for the younger audience as well as the adults and has some scary imagery included. Who can forget the library ghost in the films opening! Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners was edited to be more kid-friendly, but be warned it still features some sub plots that may not be suitable for children.

Another more modern movie that is right on the edge of being ‘too much’ is Tobe Hooper’s Poltergeist. It features many things that children find scary from creatures in cupboards, super-scary trees and nasty dolls. What interests me the most with this film is the transition from the unusual being fascinating before becoming a living nightmare. If your kids are mature enough, then Poltergeist can teach some valuable lessons in both real life and film history.

Other possibilities for a family scare include Tremors, A Nightmare before Christmas, Gremlins and many of the early Hammer movies featuring Dracula or Frankenstein. So, with careful selection and a sensible family atmosphere, there is no reason why you and your children can’t enjoy a little fright together.