At what age can my teen watch horror movies? (2024)

FAQs

What age should I let my kid watch scary movies? ›

11-13 year olds may be better equipped to navigate the scary movie scene on some level but each child is different. If your child watches something that they say is not scary to them but then starts coming to you at night wanting to sleep closer to you or is having nightmares let their behavior speak for them.

Horror movies, when seen in theaters, usually require the viewer to be 18 years or older. However, many get around this and watch them anyway.

Firstly, you've got to consider the maturity level of your 14-year-old. Some kids can handle mature content and understand that it's fictional, but others might get nightmares or become overly anxious. You're the best judge of your child's temperament.

Developmentally, teens can handle dramatic and psychological suspense, but kids under 16 still shouldn't see slasher horrors, especially those that feature kids in dire danger or that have lots of gore.

Talk with your child

Remember that although some children may be perfectly OK with spooky content, others may not enjoy it at all. Children can feel pressured into watching a horror movie if they are with a group of friends. Discuss your family's rules with your child.

But American Horror Story is nothing like the feel-good TV musical. Parents and caregivers should be fully aware that this darkly disturbing (and long-running) series with psychosexual undertones was clearly intended for adults, and not their children.

Parents and guardians should consider their child's age and developmental level when deciding whether to allow them to watch horror movies. Age-appropriate content and themes are crucial to ensuring that teenagers are not overwhelmed or traumatized by the movies they watch.

However, this event is recommended for mature audiences only. We strongly urge parents with children under the age of 13 to reconsider visiting this event with their children. They will be exposed to extremely adult material.

“When kids are exposed to excessively scary movies, images, or even haunted houses, they tend to have some of the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Dr. Scanlon explained. The phenomenon of being scared is an experience that all humans can relate to, according to Dr. Scanlon.

The Bottom Line

Watching scary movies can help build resiliency, but not every kid will be ready for them at the same time. Consider how easily your child gets spooked—every kid is different despite their age—in order to decide what level of horror they can take (if any).

Is it normal for kids to like horror? ›

As with all things, the answer to this really depends on the kid. Children liking scary stuff is nothing new, but young kids aren't necessarily as equipped to distinguish between fantasy and reality as older ones.

R: RESTRICTED. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

But don't be lulled by the star power and satire: The violence here is brutal, intense, and gory. Though the thrilling pace, high school drama, and steady jolts will likely keep young audiences watching, this movie is best for older teens and adults.

Horror is Developmentally Appropriate for Middle Schoolers

Middle schoolers want to understand and overcome their fears. By experiencing them in a fictional setting, they can experience the emotions while still feeling safe.

Our favorite frightening films include some good "starter" scares for younger kids, such as the kid-friendly Monsters Inc., as well as truly chilling picks for older tweens and teens, such as the thrilling Hitchco*ck horror masterpiece Psycho.

While there is no absolute age at which scary movies are appropriate, Dr. Dry recommends not introducing them to very young children because of the potential to create long-term anxiety.

Dr. Scanlon elaborated, saying early exposure to graphic and gory content could be “potentially traumatic.” “When kids are exposed to excessively scary movies, images, or even haunted houses, they tend to have some of the symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” Dr. Scanlon explained.

Getting into scary stuff at a young age isn't usually cause for alarm, Scrivner said – young horror fans are braver than most children their age, to be sure, but they're really just exploring the complexities of their world, which is scary enough in real life.

Children can experience various emotional disturbances after watching horror movies, such as fear, anxiety, and fear of events that may not happen. These emotional disturbances can affect a child's mental health, and can lead to problems such as insomnia, eating disorders, or behavior problems.