There’s something innately eerie about children in horror movies. In real life, most of us see kids as cute, innocent and full of life. However, horror filmmakers love to flip our preconceived notions about children on their heads. It’s a genius move to take something so innocent and turn it into a subject of pure horror!
While some films focus on horrifying creatures, evil beasts and chilling monsters, others put spooky kids in the limelight to deliver terror that chills you to your core! Here are ten of the creepiest kids in horror flicks that are the definition of nightmare fuel.
1. Regan McNeil – “The Exorcist” (1973)
We can’t have a post about creepy kids without mentioning Regan! “The Exorcist” is a horror classic and was the first film of the genre to earn a “Best Picture” nod at the Oscars. There are countless reasons why it’s such a beloved film, but Linda Blair’s performance as Regan is a huge standout.
The movie revolves around Regan becoming possessed by the demon Pazuzu. The possession results in many truly horrifying moments, including an infamous spider walk, jarring head-spinning, projectile vomiting and more. Regan becomes more and more terrifying. Not only do her actions chill you to the bone, but her appearance and dialogue will also leave you with plenty of nightmares!
2. Samara – “The Ring” (2002)
“The Ring” is an American remake of 1998’s Japanese “Ringu.” It started a wave of Japanese-influenced horror remakes that defined the early 2000s. The antagonist of the flick is Samara Morgan, a ghost who kills anyone who watches a cursed tape after seven days. In life, Samara lived an awful life. She had psychic abilities and was thrown into a well, where she died after seven days.
Samara’s appearance is iconic. Her wet, black, stringy hair masks her face. When she appears to claim lives, she leaves her victims disfigured and so frightened that they die of a heart attack!
3. Carol Anne – “Poltergeist” (1982)
Here’s another child who’s left an impact on horror cinema. “Poltergeist” is a seminal “haunted house” flick that instilled a fear of TV static in an entire generation. There are many creepy things in this film, and rumors of a cursed production follow the movie to this day. The most chilling part of the story is Carol Anne, the innocent-looking blonde-haired girl with a connection to the spirits that haunt her home.
The scene of Carol Anne sitting in front of the static-filled TV while saying, “They’re here,” is forever engrained in horror fans!
4. The Grady Sisters – “The Shining” (1980)
You might not recognize these two kids by name, but you’ve definitely seen images of them! These sisters appear in “The Shining,” creating one of the most recognizable scenes in the film. Their appearance is a major part of horror and pop culture, being the subject of countless parodies.
The girls are victims of The Overlook Hotel and their murderous father. As spirits, they appear to Danny Torrance several times. However, the scene that most people recognize is their sudden appearance standing in the hallway, hand in hand. There, they invite Danny to play, only to haunt him with horrendous visions of their bloody end!
5. Damien – “The Omen” (1976)
“The Exorcist” may have introduced the “creepy possessed child” trope, but “The Omen” took things even further. Damien isn’t just possessed—he’s the antichrist! He’s born evil, and his actions throughout the film are spine-tingling. The young boy is the central figure in the franchise, wreaking havoc on family and caregivers.
The little boy is evil personified, and nothing is scarier than a kid born to rain horror on the world! There are plenty of great moments throughout the movie, but the final scene with Damien looking back with a murderous smirk is one that horror buffs can’t forget.
6. Gage Creed – “Pet Semetary” (1989)
“Pet Semetary” is a movie about a family mourning the death of their youngest child, Gage. Early in the film, the boy dies in a horrifying accident, and the father brings him to a mysterious cemetery that brings the family’s dead cat back to life. The father hopes the cemetery will do the same for his deceased boy, and it does. However, he doesn’t return as the sweet boy the family once knew.
Instead, he comes back as a monster hell-bent on murder! The boy kills his mother and attempts to do the same to his father, creating a heart-wrenching decision for a man in mourning.
7. Cole Sear – “The Sixth Sense” (1999)
“The Sixth Sense” is one of M. Night Shyamalan’s most beloved films. It stars the incomparable Bruce Willis and a young Haley Joel Osment. Haley’s Cole Sear isn’t terrifying in the traditional sense. He’s not the antagonist or villain. Instead, he’s a boy gifted with the ability to see lost spirits–a gift that causes him pain and anguish.
There are many ghosts throughout the movie that boost the horror factor. However, nothing is as creepy as Cole lying in his bed with his blanket tightly pulled as he whispers, “I see dead people.” It’s a spine-tingling scene that only makes the surprise twist even better!
8. Lily – “Mama” (2013)
“Mama” is a film that people either love or hate. But no matter what you think of the plot and effects, there’s no denying that the character Lily is creepy! This movie is about a pair of sisters who disappear after the death of their parents, only to get discovered years later, living in the woods.
After their rescue, the two try to adapt to normal life. However, the film reveals that the two weren’t living alone in the woods. Instead, their caretaker was a supernatural entity called “Mama.” Because Lily was only a baby at the time of their disappearance, Mama raised her almost her entire life. Therefore, she’s feral, more resistant to her rescuers and more eager to return to Mama!
9. Issac Chroner – “Children of the Corn” (1984
The “Children of the Corn” series is full of creepy kids. Stephen King’s story revolves around a cult of children who believe that all adults must die. As a result, you go into this flick expecting scary, unhinged kids. However, leading the pack is Issac Chroner, who is a cut above the rest.
He’s a true cult leader in every sense of the world. Issac is terrifying but charismatic enough to convince his followers to commit heinous acts. He eventually gets possessed by an entity they worship, upping the creepy factor even more. The actor depicting Issac, John Franklin, puts on a performance that cemented in horror history.
10. Henry Evans – “The Good Son” (1993)
Whoever came up with the idea to cast the cute kid from “Home Alone” as a murderous psychopath deserves all horror praise! “The Good Son” stars Macaulay Culkin and Elijah Wood as cousins. After Elijah’s Mark experiences the death of his mother, he goes to stay with his uncle Wallas, aunt Susan and cousin Henry.
Macaulay Culkin portrays the deranged Henry impeccably. Audiences at the time mostly knew Culkin for his sweet and innocent roles in movies like “Home Alone” and “My Girl.” Seeing him display psychotic behavior throws you for a loop, even today! That innocent smile masks his craziness creepily well.
Which Kid Haunts Your Nightmares Most?
You’d think that horror and kids don’t mix. But after reflecting on some of the creepiest kids in horror cinema, you’ll quickly realize that combining a child’s innocence with the bleakness of the genre is a match made in heaven! Kids have a way of disarming audiences, making them a great tool for shock and terror.
