I’m just going to own it: I am a jumper. Any loud noise or sudden movement in a film and I leap out of my seat. I watch scary movies with my hands covering up most of my face, my eyes squinting through the tiny cracks. It works for me. I (sometimes) think it is fun and exciting to be scared during a film. When I was a kid I eagerly saw many, many scary films, but often from the safety of a blanket fort or clutching the hand of a friend.
Experiencing a scary film is more than just the viewing - it becomes visceral. It can also be a workout - I know I get very muscle-sore from all my flinching, dodging, and cringing.
Horror films and thrillers can make for fantastic family movie nights. You can jump right in, or you can talk to your kids about the history of fright movies. Learning some of the terminology is fun. Yes, there is a science to the “jump-scare”!
Before the arrival of the PG-13 rating to act as a cautionary yield sign for parents, I know I saw plenty of super scary films, including those listed below. This time of year is perfect for revisiting some of the movies from your youth that thrilled you. Even better - your older kids may just be ready to watch with you.
Sometimes it’s a good idea to re-screen a “classic” thriller before showing it to your tween or teen. Here's why, plus a few extra tips.
1. You know the plot and you know your kid. Perhaps you’ve forgotten some questionable scenes that may be too much for your particular child. This gives you a heads up.
2. You can also decide how much to reveal in advance. Sometimes spoiling a part of the movie, “Don’t worry - the bad guy totally gets it!” is helpful.
3. Special effects from our youth are pretty tame compared to what our kids are familiar with now. There is a good chance the sharp edge of horror could be dulled.
4. Speaking of special effects - if necessary you can always point out how much work went into makeup and costumes. (SyFy’s Face Off is an excellent show to demonstrate the effort involved)
5. Since these films are available via streaming you can pause or fast forward. You can even watch them with the lights turned on.
So where should you begin? You can go with a retro film like The Blob, or start with the films that came out when you were a kid and work your way forward. Here is a brief (seriously, there are so many!) look at the original trailers for 12 great horror films. What scary retro movies would you choose for a family movie night?
MOVIES FROM THE '70s
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers - PG
MOVIES FROM THE '80s
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Honorable mention 1990 film:
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Dresden Shumaker is a writer, advocate, and appreciator of (butterless) movie popcorn. She chronicles her adventures in single parenting on CreatingMotherhood.
