There's something about seeing a scary movie when you're a kid that is just not the same when you're an adult. I adore The Shining but please, someone explain to me... why did I think it was a good idea to sit through that at the age of eight or nine?
Before you say anything, it was late at night and it was on television. Just the sound of the music as the car went up the mountain sent trembles of anxiety coursing through my body.
Still one of my favorite movies to this day, by the way. But I still can't get that image of the old lady in the bath out of my mind.
People told us all about the films that scared the bejesus out of them after Redditor Tmorris22 asked the online community,
"What movie traumatized you as a kid?"
Children of the Corn (1984)
"I saw Children of the Corn as little kid. I still f**king hate cornfields. Oh a corn maze! Here, have an anxiety attack."
" Parents: Don’t subject your kids to things they will not comprehend at the age of five. Like demon children in cornfields."
fiddlenutz
This one was a bit too goofy for my taste, but there's no doubt it left an impression.
It did inspire me to read the short story, which is infinitely more creepy.
Jaws (1975)
"Jaws -- I actually saw it in the theater when it came out; I made my mom take me. I was OK until the night scene when they dived under the trashed boat... then I was not OK..."
"To this day, I will not swim in the ocean."
obik501
The film that taught an entire generation of people not to get into the water. That's really something, isn't it?
I still have fears of running into a shark to this day.
The Ring (2002)
"My mom showed me The Ring a couple of days before Hurricane Katrina, and then we were without power for two weeks. We slept with the windows open and it was scary dark and all you could hear was crickets chirping in the woods. I’ve never been so scared."
shelbikadoo
The original film is creepy too, though very different in style.
Seeing this one, I have to say that the bit near the end when Samara exits the television is still one of the most unnerving images I saw as a kid.
Guess what? The film definitely still holds up.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1989)
"Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The shoe being dipped in acid was absolutely horrifying, and I had nightmares about steamrollers for years after seeing that movie."
Lichruler
I found this film more of a fun romp more than anything else but there's no doubt that it's not a "kid's" film.
Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003)
"Jeepers Creepers 2. I was sleeping on the couch while the older kids were watching it and I woke up to the scene where the bus drives by the kid with no eyes. That was fun."
HiraethAtRockBottom
The first one works for me, though starts to lose steam once they get to the police station.
This one does a bunch of things... and I'm not sure any of them really work.
But you're right: There's something about the shot of Darry standing on the side of the road with no eyes that is unnerving.
Child's Play (1988)
"The first Chucky movie. It made me develop a terrible fear of dolls. I'm an adult and just a few days ago I had to hide a giant Santa Claus doll in other room to be able to sleep because I felt extremely tense with that thing there."
HentaiIsOctopusAbuse
The first one is the only one that takes itself seriously and that's probably why it works so well. The second film is a great black comedy, but the films really drop in quality after that.
Poltergeist (1982)
"That movie traumatized me as a child. Specifically the scene with the raw rotten meat crawling around on the counter…just made me feel sick and fear raw meat."
groovysebo
"They're heeeeere!"
A classic moment in a film that feels very much like a macabre carnival ride.
Saw (2004)
"The first Saw film. I still to this day have an irrational fear of being kidnapped in my sleep and put into a Jigsaw trap."
hermajestie
How old were you?!
The first Saw film is pretty excellent. The second is a good follow-up. After that? What in the world was the point?
Jumanji (1995)
"Jumanji. Frickin’ Jumanji. Thank goodness I was too young to recognize actors in other movies/shows, otherwise Robin Williams might’ve terrified me for life."
terrayoung
Jumanji?
Of all things? I can't see it.
It (1990)
"It. That whole move made me afraid of plumbing."
DowntownSurprise-2
Tim Curry's performance is excellent. The film (technically a miniseries, actually) surrounding him? Not so much. But he carries it all so well that it's no wonder this is such a classic.
There's no doubt that movies leave an impression.
That's what makes them so magical – and so effective.
Think a film is missing from this list? Feel free to tell us more in the comments below!
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