ParaNorman
This stop-motion comedy is super cute and pretty hilarious, but younger kids will probably find it scary. I mean, it’s about a misunderstood kid who speaks to the dead. Although clever and cute, this movie is full of ghosts, corpses, zombies, and witches. It definitely gets a bit intense when Norman’s town comes under siege by zombies conjured by a witch’s curse. Definitely a movie for kids in the 10+ range.
Rated: PG
Photo: Amazon
Mad Monster Party
When Baron von Frankenstein (voiced by horror icon Boris Karloff) decides to retire from monster-making, he gives the biz to his son and throws himself a retirement party with lots of ghosts, ghouls, and monsters, some of whom plot to steal the family business. Super old-school (and, okay, a bit dated), this 1960s classic is kitschy, campy, and a fairly scare-free romp that the whole family will probably get a major kick out of.
Rated: NR
Buy DVD Now on Amazon, $6.59
Photo: Amazon
Frankenweenie
Frankenweenie is a heartwarming monster flick, but it’s got a big dose of classic Tim Burton bizarro-land factored in, too. The story follows sweet, young Victor, who is devastated after the loss of his beloved dog, Sparky (think Pet Cemetery, but for kids). The fact that he uses some spooky science and morbid imagery to bring his canine bestie back to life definitely makes this a good candidate for a slightly older crowd. My friend’s 9-year-old was just the right age for some of the more macabre scenes, but if you’re a Burton fan you’re sure to love this.
Rated: PG
Buy DVD Now on Amazon, $8.99
Photo: Amazon
Little Monsters
OMG, you guys, I used to have the biggest crush on Fred Savage! Therefore, I have a soft spot for Little Monsters, the story of a boy who confronts the boogeyman under his bed and becomes friends with him! It’s all fun and games until my childhood crush starts turning into a monster, too, and then has to save his little brother who’s been kidnapped by the netherworld monsters. There’s some mildly scary moments, mostly in the form of monsters making scary faces, but I loved this flick when I was about 9-years-old.
Rated: PG
Photo: Amazon
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