Entry-entry-entry-level spooky movies
October 7, 2019 7:45 AM Subscribe
What would you recommend for kids requesting spooky movies/shows that are fundamentally not scary, because the kids are very sensitive to conflict and violence?
My kids are early elementary age and have watched relatively few movies and TV shows, in part because they are empathetic, sensitive, and quite easily scared. Shows that work well for them are usually written for younger kids, like Daniel Tiger, Dinosaur Train, and Dinosaur Dan/Trek/Dana.
Currently our go-to spooky show is the Dinobusters episode of Dinosaur Dan, if that gives you an idea.
I read the recent ask on non-violent entertainment for kids, and some of the suggestions there I know are too much for my kids. We watched the Curious George movie recommended in that thread, and my kids were upset by the scene were George is on the boat being sent back to Africa. They told me that movie was too sad for them. We tried watching Shaggy and Scooby Do Get a Clue on this common sense media recommendation that it was good for ages 5+, and they found the villains far too scary.
Is there a way to satisfy the spooky request with something very, very mild?
My kids are early elementary age and have watched relatively few movies and TV shows, in part because they are empathetic, sensitive, and quite easily scared. Shows that work well for them are usually written for younger kids, like Daniel Tiger, Dinosaur Train, and Dinosaur Dan/Trek/Dana.
Currently our go-to spooky show is the Dinobusters episode of Dinosaur Dan, if that gives you an idea.
I read the recent ask on non-violent entertainment for kids, and some of the suggestions there I know are too much for my kids. We watched the Curious George movie recommended in that thread, and my kids were upset by the scene were George is on the boat being sent back to Africa. They told me that movie was too sad for them. We tried watching Shaggy and Scooby Do Get a Clue on this common sense media recommendation that it was good for ages 5+, and they found the villains far too scary.
Is there a way to satisfy the spooky request with something very, very mild?
My daughter loves Super Monsters--it's a gentle preschool show on problem solving/social issues where the characters are werewolves and witches and stuff.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2019 [5 favorites]
There's the Boo! and Halloween Parade episode of Dora the Explorer? My Little Pony also has a DVD of Halloween-themed episodes and that mom talks about the reactions of her young kids.
posted by DarlingBri at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by DarlingBri at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2019
Also the Lego Scooby Doo movies are generally less scary than other Scooby Doo media.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2019
Doc McStuffins had a Halloween episode about a ghost who learns not to be afraid. The creator of Doc McStuffins went on to make a show called Vampirina, about a very friendy family of monsters.
Both shows are very gentle and sweet and reassuring. At that age, my kids were easily scared and they never had a problem with Doc McStuffins. (Vamperina came along a bit too late for them.) Of course, your mileage may vary!
I also see there is a Peppa Pig Halloween episode. I haven't seen that particular episode, but Peppa Pig tends to be very gentle and low-stakes.
posted by yankeefog at 8:03 AM on October 7, 2019
Both shows are very gentle and sweet and reassuring. At that age, my kids were easily scared and they never had a problem with Doc McStuffins. (Vamperina came along a bit too late for them.) Of course, your mileage may vary!
I also see there is a Peppa Pig Halloween episode. I haven't seen that particular episode, but Peppa Pig tends to be very gentle and low-stakes.
posted by yankeefog at 8:03 AM on October 7, 2019
The Peppa Pig Halloween episode is great!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:04 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:04 AM on October 7, 2019
They might like some of the Halloween-themed Cbeebies shows if you can access them. Hey Duggee is especially fun. There's also the cbbc version for older kids (a lot of these are on youtube etc if you can't access the bbc).
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 8:16 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by low_horrible_immoral at 8:16 AM on October 7, 2019
Seconding It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and adding the anecdote that I basically was your child when I was younger (at the age of seven I found just the opening credits of Tom-Baker-era Doctor Who to be terrifying), and I had no problem with Great Pumpkin whatsoever.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:19 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
My fourth grader and kindergartner, who both still tend towards the young cartoon shows, last year discovered Just Add Magic. They are currently rewatching it together from the beginning.
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:20 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by dpx.mfx at 8:20 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
If you have Netflix, there’s a Halloween episode of True and the Rainbow Kingdom that’s pretty great. And episode 3 of the Dragons: Rescue Riders show that just dropped is spooky fall festival themed and also pretty perfect for what you’re asking about. Also: Scooby-Doo?
posted by norm at 8:23 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by norm at 8:23 AM on October 7, 2019
Is Hocus Pocus too scary?
What about stuff like Hotel Transylvania? It isn't specifically Hallowe'en but it is spooky due to the characters. Ditto to the Adam's Family movies. Or the Munsters.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 8:50 AM on October 7, 2019
What about stuff like Hotel Transylvania? It isn't specifically Hallowe'en but it is spooky due to the characters. Ditto to the Adam's Family movies. Or the Munsters.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 8:50 AM on October 7, 2019
Hocus Pocus is definitely too scary. I’m a total weeny and couldn’t watch that alone into high school.
posted by Grandysaur at 9:30 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Grandysaur at 9:30 AM on October 7, 2019 [2 favorites]
A lot of Backyardigans would meet your criteria, I think. We loved the hell out of this show. It's gentle and goofy, even when they’re playacting perilous / spooky situations, and I think the frame around each episode helps—each one starts and ends with the kids playing in the backyard, making it clear that the whole adventure is Pretend. Scary stories get translated into silly ones in clever ways. (Medusa, for instance, instead of turning you into stone will make you play a game of freeze tag.)
Lots of episodes would fit the bill but here are some that play overtly with scary stories:
“Who Goes There?” (Night watchman in museum where art comes to life; Season 3, Episode 1)
“Whodunit” (English manor mystery; S2E4)
“Escape from Fairytale Village” (Misunderstanding the overtures of a giant, a wolf, and a witch; S3E17)
“Pirate Camp” (A tickling pirate ghost; S3E18)
“The Funnyman Boogeyman” (Ghost of a vaudeville comedian haunts a theater; S4E7)
“Scared of You” (Classic movie monsters + mad scientist; S2E3)
“It’s Great to Be a Ghost!” (Haunted house; S1E6)
posted by miles per flower at 9:44 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Lots of episodes would fit the bill but here are some that play overtly with scary stories:
“Who Goes There?” (Night watchman in museum where art comes to life; Season 3, Episode 1)
“Whodunit” (English manor mystery; S2E4)
“Escape from Fairytale Village” (Misunderstanding the overtures of a giant, a wolf, and a witch; S3E17)
“Pirate Camp” (A tickling pirate ghost; S3E18)
“The Funnyman Boogeyman” (Ghost of a vaudeville comedian haunts a theater; S4E7)
“Scared of You” (Classic movie monsters + mad scientist; S2E3)
“It’s Great to Be a Ghost!” (Haunted house; S1E6)
posted by miles per flower at 9:44 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween was a go-to for my very sensitive child up until about 3rd grade. It is very halloweeny (costumes, fall) but also not scary. (Scary for the characters, but you as the viewer know why the "spooky" stuff is happening.)
Toy Story of Terror?
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
posted by anastasiav at 9:46 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Toy Story of Terror?
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
posted by anastasiav at 9:46 AM on October 7, 2019 [1 favorite]
Based on the "fundamentally not scary" criteria I think it might help to rephrase the question to not spooky movies, but movies with Halloween trappings. There are a ton of Halloween TV Specials you can choose from.
posted by ToddBurson at 9:58 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by ToddBurson at 9:58 AM on October 7, 2019
Air Buddies has a Halloween movie that's on Netflix and very explicitly not scary/sad. I do not envy you watching it with them, but it should be what you're looking for.
The Curious George Halloween special might work--there's nothing with any real concerns or consequences.
posted by gideonfrog at 10:04 AM on October 7, 2019
The Curious George Halloween special might work--there's nothing with any real concerns or consequences.
posted by gideonfrog at 10:04 AM on October 7, 2019
Kipper the Dog has a friendly, non-scary ghost in The Little Ghost.
posted by belladonna at 10:15 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by belladonna at 10:15 AM on October 7, 2019
Ruby Gloom is an animated show with spooky characters like a skeleton and a black cat and a girl named Misery who is gloomy like Eeyore, but pretty clean and pure storylines, no violence or real suspense, etc.
posted by fancyoats at 10:24 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by fancyoats at 10:24 AM on October 7, 2019
There is a Hanna Barbara cartoon from the early 90's that was the Addams Family (yes, that Addams Family) that was a cute benign Saturday morning type cartoon that just had some spooky themes because of the characters, but not inherently scary at all. There are tons of full 22-minute episodes available on DailyMotion.
posted by juniperesque at 10:40 AM on October 7, 2019
posted by juniperesque at 10:40 AM on October 7, 2019
My kids loved The Nightmare Before Christmas at that age. The story is actually very sweet, though some of the images are a bit scary.
posted by she's not there at 6:41 PM on October 7, 2019
posted by she's not there at 6:41 PM on October 7, 2019
What about the Charlie Brown Halloween episode?
posted by stormyteal at 3:46 PM on October 8, 2019
posted by stormyteal at 3:46 PM on October 8, 2019
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It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
posted by ananci at 7:51 AM on October 7, 2019 [3 favorites]