Is it normal for a child to be obsessed with scary films and stories

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8 Comments

The child is question is nine years old. He has an older brother and sister, and several older friends. Through these relationships, he is often exposed to things that I feel may be a bit too old for him, for example, films like "Shaun of the Dead," "Zombieland," and "The Grudge".

The boy does read books and watch films, plays, television programmes, etc, that are age appropriate and not horror oriented as well. However, he is extremely keen on scary stories, ghosts, zombies, vampires, haunted houses, etc.

At night, he gets scared and doesn't want to go to bed, is afraid to go upstairs in the dark, and has nightmares. Yet the next day, he is eager to watch and read scary stuff again. Is this a normal phase of development? I know that some people are just keen on horror stories and are thrill seekers, but the fact that he gets himself so worked up makes me concerned.

I am also concerned about whether these films, stories, video games, etc, are harmful to him developmentally. He is a sensitive kid, but despite the nightmares insists he "loves" scary stories.

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71% Normal
Based on 121 votes (86 yes)
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Comments ( 8 )
  • PrincessLollipop
    12 years ago

    When I was younger, my favorite movie was Pet Cemetery.

    Every time I watched it, it would scare the living day lights out of me and I would cry. The next day, I would beg to watch it again (because my parents would hide it), LOL. My mom thought I was going to grow up to be a weirdo or something; thankfully I like to consider myself "normal".

    I think the little muffin is okay. He just likes the thrill.

    : )

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    • gryphon70
      12 years ago

      Thank you for sharing this. That sounds very much like the situation we have here! A certain copy of "The Grudge" has been hidden numerous times.

      I know I am probably considered unusually strict-- I would really prefer my son not even watch films like Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow," due to the gore factor. At the same time, I know he is getting to be bigger now, and so at friends' houses and so on, he will be exposed to some television progs and films that aren't necessarily on my "approved" list.

      My biggest concern was that he does get so very scared at bedtime. Your mentioning that you were the same way, then bounced back the next day, is reassuring. He also is very keen on roller coasters, going fast, and general rough-and-tumble action, so you may be right and he's just a thrill-seeker.

      Thank you for your thoughtful reply.

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      • Riddler
        9 years ago

        Well I was and contrary to everyone's expectations I never grew up and murdered anyone. I also use to watch horror movies all the time despite the fact I had horrible nightmares.

        However my nightmares would be there if I watched horror movies or not so I didn't see a point in stopping them. My parents actually took me to a therapist about this as a child too and they said "No its normal. Some children have a phase like this until a certain age." Which after that age my nightmares started to go away and I rarely have them anymore.

        I not sure about the actual age though it was a long time ago. Eventually they will realize that nothing in the movies is real and this stuff isn't as scary as it seems. However you can try not letting them watch them right before Bed. Maybe make them watch them in the afternoon or the day time.

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  • Momof4
    5 years ago

    I too am dealing with this. My 5 year old loves horror films such as chucky, Michael myers, freddy, jason, and penny wise..worried mom yes! His grandmother (dad's side) bought him a 3 ft chucky doll last year for Christmas too and he's got small figurines from Spencer's and such. He does pray and believe in God? Recently the teacher said he's been drawing pictures at school with penny wise. Not disturbing images, just different then the average 5 year old. Concerned mother just wanting also some feedback. I have done some research and got some pointers to keep age appropriate because children this young though may seek that thrill also guilty myself as and child and adult who loves horror movies for the thrill, that it can be bad for their mental and emotional growth?

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    • Horrormanic
      5 years ago

      Hi omg my son is the same he's just turned six hes been into these things since he was about 3, he saw his older brother watching a movie,but he has a chucky doll too he loves watching movies and even online he watches things on utube he don't get scared as much now he takes chucky to bed he loves pennywise and all that u have mentioned above he seems ok he talks about it with me at first I was worried about it as didn't think it was normal but I love horrors myself I guess it's rubbed off, and Halloween is big for us love it,personally I've sat with him saying these things ain't real that movies are made to scare adults as not much scares us lol he's 6 and now he wants to make scary movies when he's older that's what he said,he still dose normal things like dress up as superheroes and watches kids cartoons and films, He's never done anything like harm animals or his older siblings or myself he's very loving,bit now wants slappy the doll,personally I think he will out grow it but all I can do is make sure what he is watching and make sure that he understands that it's not real and that the baddies are baddies

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  • Shadow209
    12 years ago

    My mom and my sister started watching horror movies at 5 years old :)

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  • Faceless
    12 years ago

    This is normal. When I was 4 my favorite movie was Monster in the Closet. Stupidest movie ever made yet it scared the shit out of me yet again I would watch it irregardless. Stupid closets scarring my childhood forever.

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    • gryphon70
      12 years ago

      Thank you for taking the time to reply. At the moment, my son is campaigning to be allowed to watch "The Walking Dead," insisting that he will not be scared, because he doesn't even get scared by zombies, he is only scared of madmen and vampires. It is both funny and infuriating.

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