7 Scariest Movies for Teenagers to Watch Without Traumatizing Them

October is upon us, which signals the time to compile a list of spine-chilling Halloween movies. Perhaps some of you have already begun your eerie month by watching horror films. Naturally, many of us are looking forward to spending this period with our families, including teenagers.

Selecting suitable horror movies isn't always straightforward when you want to watch them with kids. However, some R-rated films contain significantly less explicit content and distressing themes than PG-13 ones, with the former only getting the R rating because they're frightening. Unsure of what to watch with your kids this Spooktober? Here are the best horror movies for entertainment, chills, and thrills, but without too much gore!

7. It (2017)

The content of Stephen King's novels can occasionally be too unsettling. Film adaptations, however, are more suitable. 2017's IT focuses on teenage issues and experiences without the absurd jump scares — just ensure your youngster doesn't have a clown phobia.

6. The Ring (2002)

Unlike the Japanese original, the American adaptation is less disturbing and carries a PG-13 rating. While in the 2000s, we were genuinely petrified by mysterious phone calls and girls emerging from tube TVs, today's teens are more likely to view it as an entertaining, scary tale.

5. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Classic horror movies are also excellent to watch with teens, and Night of the Living Dead is a prime example. The 1960s special effects will lighten the mood for Gen Z-ers accustomed to modern CGI, but the movie is guaranteed to deliver more than a few scares.

4. The Thing (1982)

The same applies to John Carpenter's classic horror flick. Modern pop culture has long acclimated teens to the horror genre: from the satirical Among Us to the FNaF series, they're familiar with the concept of the horror of isolation combined with the macabre.

3. Signs (2002)

Crop circles and gray men roaming around a farm at night is a trope that teens are likely to recognize, and it's best demonstrated in Signs. It will be easy for teens to relate to the characters portrayed by a young Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, and Abigail Breslin, and the story itself offers ample suspense with minimal graphic content.

2. Phantasm (1979)

Phantasm might appear as a less obvious choice, but its unique style, teen-focused storyline, and overall 1970s ambiance are sure to captivate a teenager. The Tall Man alone is worth mentioning!

1. The Sixth Sense (1999)

This classic mystery thriller featuring Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment will keep your teen engrossed in the screen, puzzling over the movie's primary twist. And, of course, it won't leave them devoid of suspense!