Top ten best horror films for kids

As a parent, you want the best for your child—the best of everything. Here are the top ten best horror movies for children.

10. "Gremlins" (1984) RATED PG-13—Don’t get them wet, don’t expose them to bright light and don’t feed them after midnight. This 80s classic features creatures who tear a small town to shreds during Christmas eve. It’s good for kids because there’s lots of comedy and cute little Mogwais interspersed with icky little Gremlins. View the parents guide to this film here.

9. "The Witches" (1990) RATED PG—From the Ronald Dahl book, “The Witches” stars Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch who calls for all the children in England to be transformed into mice. Standing between her and her goal is a young boy turned mouse named Luke. This film is great for kids because it’s a fantasy film with classic elements like the Neverending Story or the Labyrinth. It’s a fun film that kids will want to enjoy again. It’s engaging for children and adults as well. View the parents guide to this film here.

8. "Monster House" (2006) RATED PG-ANIMATED--“Monster House” is a classic haunted house story softened down just right for the kiddies. The CGI is very pretty to watch, and with Steve Buscemi offering the voice of the old man, the film is something parents won’t mind watching either. View the parents guide to this film here.

7. "Corpse Bride" (2005) RATED PG-ANIMATED—This Tim Burton film stars the voices of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Emily Watson as the members of a love triangle that includes two living souls and one dead one. The film bucks the current CGI trend and opts for the old stop motion effects using puppets. The result is a vivid and ghoulish world of dreary England and a ghoulish and lively underworld. “Corpse Bride” is good for kids because it combines spooky imagery with an engaging tale of love and obligation. View the parents guide to this film here.

6. "Lady in White" (1988) RATED PG-13—This film is a powerful ghost story starring a young Lucas Haas who gets locked in the cloak closet after school and sees the ghost of a girl re-live her death. The subject matter of the film may not be appropriate for younger viewers as it deals with a child murder, but the film captures an innocence of time and place—a small town in the 50s—but it also reveals that this time and place was in reality no more innocent than our own. View the parents guide to this film here.

5. "Watcher in the Woods" (1980) RATED PG—With a pervasive eerie atmosphere, “Watcher in the Woods, “ a Walt Disney Video release, follows a young girl through a paranormal mystery involving a ghost she repeatedly sees in the woods around her new home in a British manor. This film also stars Betty Davis. It’s good for kids because of its engaging mystery. View the parents guide to this film here.

4. "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (1983) RATED PG—This film, based on a Ray Bradbury story, is about a sinister circus that comes to town and offers people what they most desire—for a price. It’s good for children because in addition to its intense moments of fright, it also has strong messages about doing what’s right when what’s wrong seems more rewarding. This film deals with some of the more adult themes of the seven deadly sins—recommended for children 10 and over.

3. "The Willies" (1990) RATED PG-13—“The Willies” is a collection of stories framed by a campout story telling session. The stories are b-grade, fun and memorable. It’s a great movie for kids because the stories are reminiscent of the kind of stories kids tell each other including urban legends. Recommended for children 9 and over.

2. "Hocus Pocus" (1993) RATED PG—Starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker, “Hocus Pocus” is another Walt Disney Pictures release featuring chills for young viewers. The film tells the story of three witches returning to Salem, Mass. to gather the souls of children. It’s good for children because the film displays some common sibling behaviors and features a great song and dance number. View the parents guide to this film here.

1. "Monster Squad" (1987) RATED PG-13—A group of pre-teen horror fans discover that the Universal Monsters (Dracula, Frankenstein, the Wolfman, The Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Mummy) have returned to take over the planet. It’s great for kids because it’s got action, fun and displays kids with a sense of responsibility. View the parents guide to this film here.

Getting scared is one of the more memorable, fun activities that make up childhood. Tell scary stories over a campfire and watch scary movies with your kids. Remember, you know your child best. Consider his or her age and maturity level when selecting a scary movie for dark, autumn night. Recall what comforted you as a child; offer to leave on the hall light.

Some other films for your consideration are: "The Gate," "Ghostbusters," "It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Tower of Terror."