Growing up in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I can confidently say that the guidelines for what was appropriate for kids to watch were far more relaxed than today. At least in my household and many of my friends’ homes, it seemed perfectly acceptable to dive into movies featuring slashers terrorizing unsuspecting children—like, who thought that was a good idea? As a parent to three little ones under 10, I can’t fathom letting my kids watch the terrifying films I experienced back then. They’d be up all night, haunted by nightmares, and let’s face it, we don’t get enough sleep as it is!
Here are some prime examples of the horror flicks that slipped past parental scrutiny:
1. IT
While everyone is buzzing about the latest adaptation of Stephen King’s chilling tale, few recall the original made-for-TV miniseries starring Tim Curry that first aired on ABC. At just 8 years old, I watched this three-hour nightmare about a demonic clown luring children into the sewer. Family movie night was a thing, and with a clown in the title, it couldn’t be that scary, right? Wrong. I ended up with a clown phobia and avoided McDonald’s for weeks. As a parent, I’m firmly saying “no” to murderous clowns!
2. Tremors
This was the first horror film I ever saw, and it was on VHS, rated PG-13—so how bad could it be? I was only 8. The plot revolved around underground, man-eating worms that sensed vibrations and attacked. The night after watching it, I curled up in bed, too afraid to step on the floor for fear of being devoured. That led to a regrettable bed-wetting incident. I certainly don’t need to add that to my parenting worries, so this one gets a hard pass.
3. A Nightmare On Elm Street
Released when I was just two years old, this supernatural slasher became a Halloween staple on TV, often edited to remove the gory bits. However, they could not cut out the image of Freddy Krueger, the terrifying, burned janitor with knives who invaded teens’ dreams. I distinctly remember watching it while in my Halloween costume, and it left a lasting impression. My kids are already jumpy after watching Scooby-Doo, so I think “A Nightmare On Elm Street” can wait a few more years.
4. Poltergeist
Directed by Tobe Hooper, known for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, this 1982 film was originally rated R but somehow ended up with a PG rating after a petition. The plot centers around a young girl being sucked into a hellish realm through her bedroom closet. My kids already have fears of closet monsters, so why on earth would my parents think this film was suitable? After seeing it, I camped out in their room for a week!
5. Friday the 13th
It seems like almost every child from the ’80s and early ’90s saw this slasher classic. The story follows a boy who drowned at summer camp and then returns for revenge. Like “A Nightmare On Elm Street,” it was heavily aired each October and, despite edits, still made camping seem terrifying. I’m not a big fan of camping, and I certainly don’t want my kids thinking a zombie-like figure is lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce.
I won’t say you should never watch these films with your kids—some of my fondest memories involve family movie nights during Halloween. Still, as a parent, I cherish my sleep and would rather avoid the midnight stampede of terrified kids into my bed due to nightmares.
In the end, we all turned out relatively fine, right? I suppose watching “IT” didn’t leave any lasting scars on me, even though I’m not fond of clowns. Perhaps my decision to keep my kids from scary films is why they’re turning out a bit more sensitive. For now, I’ll stick to family-friendly fare like Hotel Transylvania and save “A Nightmare On Elm Street” for a much later date.
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In summary, the movies we watched as kids were often far scarier than we realized, and while it’s tempting to introduce our children to the classics, it’s crucial to consider their emotional readiness. Instead of diving into horror, maybe it’s better to stick with lighter options until they’re older and more equipped to handle the fright.