Strange Fun
So Halloween is just around the corner, but that doesn't mean it has to be all spooks and screams.
Having a family with a wide range of ages makes it a bit tricky. My oldest is 13 but his siblings are 8,5, and 3, which adds a challenge on family movie night. My husband and I are not into bloody slasher movies to begin with, so that makes movie selection a little easier. This year I have decided to stretch my brain and think of some movies that are more strange than scary, but will be entertaining for all.
My Family-Friendly Criteria
Now keep in mind, I have picked these because they are strange. So they may have some scare factor for younger children, but will be strange enough for older kids, so it does not feel so kid like. That being said . . .
-No bad words (if there are any minor words they are indicated)
-No blood beyond a bloody lip or scratch
-Generally, there are not things jumping out to scare you
-The movie has good-overcomes-evil themes
-If I think there is still anything one should be warned about, I will note it after the movie title
My husband said that my selections dated me, BUT I figured that some people may
not know about these movies just the same.
Here Are My Top 10 Strange Movies
(Affil-links for the movies on amazon are included)
-Labyrinth (has the word D*#N in it 4 times)
This is a great puppet production that was put together by Jim Henson. Add in a little David Bowie and you have a cult classic. This is a trip for the mind and the strange creatures you meet are memorable.
-The Dark Crystal If you are a fantasy lover you probably know this movie. If not you don't want to miss it. Another masterpiece of puppetry and full of creatures you have never seen any place else. (There is a part where they collect the "essence of people," and can be quite creepy)
My children all love the Gene Wilder version of this movie but others also love the Johnny Depp version. I love the music in the first one and in my opinion has a little more creep factor too it, but not in a over the top scary way. Where the Johnny Depp one is more trippy and has its own kind of strange twist.
This is an old disney movie about two children that look like ordinary children but they know that htere is something different about them. They feel as if they are supposed to go to a mountin and have a great adventure making it to their destination.
-The Never Ending Story Here is a great fantasy movie about a boy with a big imagination. He is on a quest to save the world, or is he? (There is a part, when at the oracles, where there are bear chested statues and a skull that is in a suite of armor. A character that dies. Even though it is not graphic it can be quite emotional)
Set in medieval limes this barely watched Disney movie follows the adventure of a boy, pig and girl as they battle evil.
This film is a childhood favorite of mine. Set in a time when magic and unicorns existed something has happened to make the unicorns disappear.
Based on the popular book series, this movie gives you a small taste of all the mayhem that happens inside the books.
-The Nightmare Before Christmas (The creatures can be scary for smaller children)
I would think about everyone knows about this Tim. burton film, but just incase you live under a rock, this movie is a Halloween favorite to many and the same people probably use it as a Christmas movie as well.
-Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp (The Queen of Hearts can be a bit intense)
If you think the book and Disney cartoon are great then you need to give this Tim Burton film a try. Great design, beautiful look and a cast that does a bang up job.
What is your favorite family friendly halloween movie?