Growing up in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I can say the bar for what was deemed appropriate for kids was significantly lower. At least, that was the case in my household, as well as with many of my friends. Back then, a movie featuring a killer clown stalking children in their dreams seemed harmless enough. Now, as a parent to three kids all under 10, I can’t fathom letting them see most of the horror films I watched as a child. They would be up all night, haunted by nightmares, and we already struggle with sleep.
Here are a few examples of those frightful flicks:
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IT
While everyone is buzzing about the recent adaptation of Stephen King’s chilling tale, few mention the original Tim Curry version that aired as a made-for-TV miniseries on ABC. I was just 8 years old when I watched this three-hour saga about a malevolent clown that lured kids into the sewer. It was supposed to be family movie night because it had a clown and was on TV, so how bad could it be? Turns out, it was pretty scary. I developed a short-lived clown phobia and couldn’t even eat at McDonald’s for weeks. As a parent, I have to firmly say “nope” to murderous clowns! -
Tremors
This was the first horror movie I ever saw, and I watched it on VHS as a family, convinced it was safe due to its PG-13 rating. I was 8 at the time. The plot revolves around man-eating worms that respond to vibrations and emerge from the ground to devour you. After viewing, I spent the night curled up in bed, afraid to step on the floor, fearing those “Tremors” would hear me and attack. I ended up wetting the bed. No thanks, I don’t need more bedwetting episodes in my home! -
A Nightmare On Elm Street
This supernatural slasher film was released when I was just 2 years old, but I remember it being edited for TV, which meant it aired frequently in October. The blood and swearing were cut, but they couldn’t censor the terrifying image of a burned killer with knives tormenting teenagers in their dreams. I recall watching it while dressed in my Halloween costume, carving pumpkins with my siblings. My kids, who get nightmares from “Scooby-Doo,” are definitely not ready for this one. -
Poltergeist
Directed by Tobe Hooper, who also made The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, this 1982 horror film was originally rated R but somehow got a PG rating after a petition. The story? A young girl is sucked into hell through her bedroom closet. My kids are already scared of closet monsters; I can’t imagine adding a hellish portal to their fears! I spent a week in my parents’ bed after watching this film, so I really don’t understand what my parents were thinking. -
Friday the 13th
Almost every kid from the ’80s and ’90s has seen this iconic slasher flick about a boy who drowned at summer camp and returns for revenge. Despite being edited for TV, it still instilled a fear of camping and nighttime backyard excursions in kids everywhere. Honestly, I don’t want my children thinking a half-dead man is lurking outside with a machete.
I’m not saying you should completely avoid these movies with your children. Some of my fondest memories are from watching scary films with family and friends during Halloween. However, as parents, we value our sleep, and the last thing we want is a parade of terrified children seeking comfort in our beds.
In the end, perhaps we all turned out okay. Watching “IT” didn’t leave any lasting scars—though I’m still not a fan of clowns. Maybe my decision to keep my kids away from scary movies is why they seem more sensitive, but for now, I think it’s best to stick with light-hearted films like Hotel Transylvania and save the horror classics for a later date.
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Summary
This article reflects on the strange horror films that parents allowed their kids to watch in the ’80s and ’90s, showcasing how these movies might have been perceived differently by today’s parents. It highlights five iconic titles, sharing personal anecdotes and the impact these films had on childhood fears and experiences.