7 of the best G-rated scary movies

As someone who grew up in the era of VHS tapes and Saturday morning cartoons, I must say that these films have left quite an impression on me. While I didn’t find them scary at the time, revisiting them as an adult has certainly brought forth a different perspective.

Many well-known horror films serve as potent sources of dread, encompassing everything from gruesome and terrifying scenes to chilling tales based on real events, leaving us with an unsettling fear of venturing beyond the comfort of our dwellings.

In this collection, several movies carry either a PG-13 or an R rating. However, for our discussion today, we will focus on the surprising existence of G-rated horror flicks – yes, you heard it right!

Among the movies listed, some might not strictly fall under the horror genre yet contain spine-tingling scenes (perhaps unexpectedly so), while others are classic horror productions that continue to be effective even after many years. Can you guess which ones found their way onto our list?

Pinocchio (1940)

The story of Pinocchio serves as a warning. Similar to many other fairytales, it contains striking scenes that are both memorable and somewhat debatable.

Originally, the story was published back in 1883. Then, by 1940, a charming Disney animation came out, retelling the story about the small wooden doll yearning to become human.

Although this movie isn’t intended to be a horror film suitable for all ages (G-rated), it could easily pass as one. Besides the characteristic of Pinocchio’s nose growing whenever he lies, we encounter bizarre scenes such as Pinocchio and Geppetto being swallowed by a whale, and children transforming into donkeys due to adult behaviors like drinking and smoking.

Despite having delightful and emotionally resonant characters such as the consistently reliable and loving Jiminy Cricket and the soothing comfort of The Blue Fairy, the movie contained moments specifically designed to frighten young viewers. These instances were remarkably effective in achieving their purpose! In modern terms, this timeless film might earn a PG rating similar to the widely criticized live-action remake from 2022.

Instead of expressly stating disagreement with the disturbing sequences in Pinocchio, we acknowledge their purposeful inclusion. However, these unsettling scenes are the very reason why Pinocchio found its place on our list.

Fantasia (1940)

In that very same year, Pinocchio debuted, Walt Disney also unveiled Fantasia. This film was brimming with melodies, hues, and a boundless imagination. One instant, you’d find yourself gazing at pastel Pegasus horses soaring to the tunes of Beethoven’s “The Pastoral Symphony,” and in the next, you’d be charmed by ballerina hippos and ostriches dancing gracefully. The film also offered a glimpse of the macabre, as it showed skeletal figures rising from their graves to dance before an eerie winged creature.

Let me clarify something for you: In Fantasia, there are two significant scenes – Mickey Mouse’s “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and the intense “Night on Bald Mountain.” Growing up, I loved Fantasia, but that particular scene was a bit scary for me. Fortunately, it’s just before the final score in the movie.

Could you please lift your hand if you experienced nightmares for weeks due to this particular scene? With winged demonic women without tops, little devils, skeletons, ghouls, and much more, even flying directly at the screen, it left us all wondering why Disney would incorporate such a frightening sequence in an otherwise innocent and childlike movie.

Some of you may believe that the scene in question wasn’t as terrible as we portray it, and indeed, watching dinosaurs fight to the death and witnessing their extinction was just as heart-wrenching (and perhaps overly prolonged). However, for a family-friendly film, “Night on Bald Mountain” was an inevitable inclusion on our list.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941)

It came as quite a shock to discover that the film version of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” featuring stars like Spencer Tracy, Ingrid Bergman, and Lana Turner, was rated G. Given that the 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, known for his work on “Treasure Island,” tells a rather dark tale, one wouldn’t expect a family-friendly rating for this adaptation.

For quite some time now, the story and its characters have gone through numerous changes. In this movie, it reveals how Dr. Jekyll’s insatiable curiosity and scientific explorations start wreaking havoc on the lives of many individuals.

The film is violent, and audiences are subjected to not just bar fights but rape. Horrific in more ways than one, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a classic but remember to watch without children present.

The Haunting (1963)

Ah, yet another film that left us puzzled as to how it managed a G rating. You might be familiar with the 1999 remake of “The Haunting” featuring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor.

Compared to the recent adaptation, the 1959 book “The Haunting of Hill House” might be considered more terrifying. This is not just because it’s shot in black and white, but primarily due to the intense suspense, tension, the enigma of the supernatural, and the psychological exploration it provides. The question remains: Is the house genuinely haunted, or are these experiences merely products of their minds?

Multiple tragic demises take place within the residence, sparking supernatural occurrences. However, let me assure you that this is your gradual build-up to a chilling horror experience, making it an enjoyable watch under the cover of darkness with a pile of popcorn nearby.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Didn’t you expect that we wouldn’t overlook adding this movie to our list of frightening films, given its reputation? Yes, we understand that it’s not categorized as a horror film per se. Instead, it belongs to the group of movies that are both captivating and cautionary, emphasizing the importance of being good. The benefits of goodness aren’t limited to immediate rewards; they extend to the advantages that will be reaped in maturity as well.

Gene Wilder’s portrayal of Willy Wonka in the movie remains unforgettable due to numerous factors. The film offers a mix of enchantment, whimsy, and laughter, but occasionally veers into the realms of eerie and unusual. The manner in which the children are disciplined is quite harsh, and the fact that we don’t witness their fates by the movie’s end stirs up concern about potential dire consequences.

Honestly, it appears that the kids were likely okay and disciplined in ways intended to help them grow into better individuals. However, it’s unsettling to ponder that the visitors, all eager for a lifetime’s worth of chocolate, are essentially confined within a labyrinthine factory, unaware of what might transpire next.

The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

The animated film titled “The Brave Little Toaster” isn’t a part of the Mandela effect phenomenon. Instead, it’s a genuine production that was distributed by the Walt Disney Company back in 1987. Derived from a book published in 1980, the story revolves around everyday appliances that magically gain consciousness and embark on a quest to find their owner who has moved away for college.

In this animated tale, they venture into the real world, encountering various household appliances. Among their experiences are witnessing a blender’s violent demise, observing forgotten and discarded cars in a scrapyard, narrowly escaping Kirby’s apparent suicidal tendencies, and more. However, it’s important to note that, much like many other movies on our list, The Brave Little Toaster is not primarily designed as a horror film.

From a devoted fan’s perspective, this movie might spark a newfound admiration for everyday appliances around the house. If I were to delve into every spine-chilling moment in this film, an entire essay would be required. To put it simply, this production is more melancholic than whimsical or endearing, making it worthy of being on our list.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949)

To round things off, we’d like to give a shout-out to another Disney production – “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow“. Although it doesn’t carry an official rating, it’s particularly terrifying for a certain character – the Headless Horseman.

This animated movie features murders and the Headless Horseman – isn’t that enough to pique your interest? Drawing inspiration from the classic novel by Washington Irving, who also wrote ‘Rip Van Winkle’, it narrates the widely recognized version of the chilling and eerie Headless Horseman. He gallops on a black steed, carrying a jack-o’-lantern instead of his severed head.

He shrieks, rides with astonishing speed, and if you’re not cautious, he might target your head next. This isn’t an accurate account of a historical figure from the American Revolution, but oh boy, it sure sounds terrifying!

The Headless Horseman remains one of the absolute scariest horror icons to this very day. Truthfully, this film is almost too scary for children who no doubt have seen it and have been terrified to walk any road alone at night.

Which G-rated horror movie do you think is the scariest?

2024-09-29 19:25