35 Films That Left a Lasting Emotional Impact on Us as Children, According to Mytour Readers

While I referenced the heart-wrenching “Swamps of Sadness” scene in a recent post, this iconic ‘80s fantasy film has even more unsettling elements—like the eerie discomfort caused by statues that seem poised to roast you alive in your armor. “For me, the swamp scene was sad, but the Sphinxes’ Gate was what truly terrified me. I had nightmares about them for years.” —Inhert

“Absolutely! There’s something inexplicably frightening about them. Zzzzzap!” —Drips

“I still can’t stand this movie.” —AtomicSnowmanAnd the fears don’t stop there. Some anxieties cut even deeper...“Atrax’s death was heartbreaking, but ‘The Nothing’ introduced me to existential dread for the first time—in a children’s movie, no less.” —Pennsyltucky Dreams of America

Where to stream: Hoopla, digital rental

I anticipated the original adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory would make an appearance (it was, in fact, the very first comment). The Johnny Depp/Tim Burton version pales in comparison when it comes to delivering the kind of nightmarish imagery that the original psychedelic “children’s” film did. “The terrifying paddle boat scene in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory...” —Fritz O’ The Ham

“I avoided chewing gum for years because of Willy Wonka.” —VodkaRocks&aPieceofToast

“That’s not even the only part of the movie that scared me. Parents should be warned it’s not suitable for young children.” —Silverwing548

“To me, that movie is straight-up horror.” —phephe

Where to stream: HBO Max

I revisited this film recently to determine if it would be appropriate for my kids, recalling that I had seen it in theaters at the age of 6. However, when a baby’s nursemaid was attacked by demonic dogs, I quickly decided against it.

“Willow. I don’t even remember why it scared me.” —HighLikeAnEagle“The transformation scene from troll to dragon was utterly repulsive to me as a child. Plus, the dragon’s jowls eerily resembled my great-grandmother’s.” —AtomicSnowman

Where to stream: Disney+

I have a strong preference for Gremlins 2, either because I admire its clever meta-humor or because I’m too sensitive for the intensity of the original. (It’s no coincidence that it was one of the films that led to the creation of the PG-13 rating.) “I’m not sure if it was intended to be a horror film or a comedy, but my mom took me to see Gremlins when I was 6, and I still have lingering (perhaps irrational) fears about watching it as an adult. It’s probably not as terrifying as I recall, but that emotional scar remains.” —Xious “Gremlins absolutely traumatized me as a kid. I was around 8 or 9 when my dad took me to see it. I didn’t sleep for three days and spent nights huddled on my parents’ bedroom floor, paralyzed with fear.” —Strossus

Where to stream: HBO Max

Created by a team that included future Pixar founders, this tale of sentient appliances searching for their owner delivered existential dread to kids long before the infamous trash compactor scene in Toy Story 3. “A quick search for ‘Brave Little Toaster scary’ will reveal countless videos discussing the surprisingly dark themes in this animated film.” —Kent Allard

“The Air Conditioner in The Brave Little Toaster terrified me. I was very young and loved the movie, but that wall-mounted character gave me nightmares.” —SpudsMcKenzie

Where to stream: YouTube

Cut Dorothy some slack—it was the 1930s, and Hollywood hadn’t yet mastered the art of making children’s movies less terrifying. “The Wizard of Oz. I couldn’t sit through the entire film until high school. Between worrying about Toto’s safety and the flying monkeys, I was overwhelmed.” —frizzlieadams

“The Wicked Witch in general, and her scenes summoning the flying monkeys in particular, were too much for my young mind. The eerie atmosphere, her shrieking ‘Fly! Fly!’, the monkeys’ howls, and the jarring music left me in tears.” —Gin and Panic

Where to stream: HBO Max

This 1985 sequel to the Warner Bros. classic took the concept of terrifying children to a whole new level, essentially saying, “Watch this.” It remains one of the few children’s films to feature a scene where a child undergoes electroshock therapy, yet even that pales in comparison to the sheer creepiness of the Wheelers. “Return to Oz. So many visuals in that movie are deeply unsettling.” —Kamakazie

“It’s mostly the Wheelers, with a strong assist from Mombi. I recently realized the movie’s creepiness stems from its sound design. The audio work is what truly makes it horrifying.” —HeathMaiden

“I haven’t read the comments yet, but I’m here just to see all the Return to Oz mentions. Those Wheelers are nightmare fuel.” —Son of Spam

“The Wheelers. *shudders*” —FuzzHawke

Where to stream: Disney+

Childhood is confusing enough without cartoons adding hallucinatory sequences to the mix.

“The Heffalumps and Woozles song was pure horror.” —Jagerbomber9

“That song is absolutely the kind of thing you’d hear on repeat in the devil’s waiting room.” —Schneetown

Where to stream: Disney+

Just when you think the quirky, family-friendly road trip movie is safe, it takes a sharp turn into a live-action version of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Tim Burton has been trying to replicate this vibe ever since.

“The Large Marge scene in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure absolutely terrified me when I was 5.” —50DrunksInABar

“Large. F***ing. Marge.” —HeathMaiden

Where to stream: HBO Max

I’ve never watched this film—an adaptation of a beloved British children’s book by Ian Fleming, no less—and after seeing the infamous scene, I’m relieved I haven’t.

“The Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was absolutely horrifying for a young child. I’ve read over 100 comments here, and no one has mentioned this yet?” —6thtimearound “YES! The Child Catcher! That was way too intense. The way he peered into the basement windows while they hid... Thanks for bringing back THAT memory!” —captainhardcrabs1

Where to stream: Digital rental

Based on films like The Black Hole, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and this one, it seems Disney was grappling with some dark themes during the ‘70s and ‘80s. “My parents only allowed us to watch Disney movies as kids. This one’s about a poltergeist terrorizing a child... I’ve never been able to bring myself to rewatch it.” —FuzzHawke

“‘It’s a Disney movie, it can’t be that scary,’ said 6-year-old me.” —hredacre

Where to stream: No official release, but the full movie is available on YouTube 

Continuing the theme of terrifying Disney films, this much older—and consequently far creepier—tale about menacing gnomes remains a standout. (Most YouTube clips of this movie have titles like “Darby O’Gill and the Little People - WTF fiddle scene.”)

“Darby O’Gill and the Little People gave WeeGus countless nightmares, especially because of the Banshee. That movie is downright eerie.” —GlitsierGus

“THAT DAMN BANSHEE.” —goddessoftransitoryrisesagain

Where to stream: Disney+

Some films scare you as a child. Others make you confront your worst fear: watching your mother die at the hands of a Tyrannosaurus rex right before your eyes. “It traumatized me because it was so sad it made me cry, and in my young mind, boys weren’t supposed to cry. That’s how a lifetime of suppressed emotions and gender struggles began!” —Kate F

Where to stream: Starz, digital rental

It’s no surprise that this film left many young viewers deeply unsettled, as it takes us on a journey to animal hell—presumably where cats end up. Just glance at the thumbnail. This movie is seriously disturbing. “All Dogs Go to Heaven. That cursed pocket watch... If you’ve seen it, you know exactly what I mean. I still tear up thinking about it.” —deano44

Where to stream: HBO Max

This is one of those ‘80s cable movies that many of us thought we hallucinated until the internet confirmed its existence. “I can’t explain why this movie is so terrifying to kids. It just is.” —Nilotec

Where to stream: The Roku Channel, Tubi

What on earth, Don Bluth? This is your third appearance on this list. “The Secret of NIMH. The owl. The house sinking into the mud.” —DukeManphiso “The rats from The Secret of NIMH, and Nicodemus, absolutely freaked me out!” —Stormy Weather

Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, Pluto TV

I adore this film. I watched it in theaters when I was 7, but I still hesitate to show it to my own children. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit. This guy, and what he did to that poor shoe!” —kyoshizen “Oh no, I think I had completely blocked out the memory of the innocent shoe being dipped into the acid while begging for its life.” —Min “My friend couldn’t even stand hearing the movie mentioned as a child because Judge Doom’s reveal, with his squeaky voice and terrifying eyes, scared her to death.” —Kieroni

Where to stream: Disney+

Peter Jackson’s three-part Hobbit adaptation might test your kids’ patience, but none of its nine-hour runtime is as unsettling as any single scene from the 78-minute animated version.

“My earliest nightmare memory involves the Goblins from the Rankin/Bass Hobbit cartoon. There’s something inherently eerie about the animation style in that movie.” —watcher_b “Same movie, but it was the giant spiders that terrified me.” —Bishbah “Even the elves were scary. What a unique take on the book!” —watcher_b

Where to stream: Digital rental

Years ago, I made the questionable choice to rewatch this film while under the influence. As my memories confirm, there’s little difference between watching a movie as a child and watching one while high...apologies to my 8-year-old self.

“Following the Rankin/Bass theme, The Last Unicorn was packed with horrifying moments. The top three include the three-breasted harpy killing Mommy Fortuna, the Red Bull, and that terrifying talking skeleton with glowing red eyes. Nightmares for weeks!” —fignootin4 “I don’t think this was ever meant to be a children’s movie, but the concept of animated films not aimed at kids was still new at the time. So, it was marketed as family-friendly, despite its dark and creepy elements. The Red Bull especially scared me, but there were many unsettling aspects. I’ve rewatched it as an adult and appreciate it more now, but it still unnerves me.” —HeathMaiden

Where to stream: The Roku Channel, Tubi, IMDb TV

It’s all fun and adventure until someone’s face melts off. (Honorable mention: Large portions of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.)

“Good old Raiders of the Lost Ark is 95% Nazi-punching excitement and 5% divine wrath with melting faces.” —cgo2370 “Raiders of the Lost Ark. I was 6. Melting faces. That’s all I need to say.” —pourspelang

Where to stream: Paramount+

Apparently, no one informed screenwriter Ron Friedman that killing off most of the heroes in a kids’ cartoon is a bad idea. A generation was scarred by the losses, and G.I. Joe: The Movie was quickly re-edited to avoid a similar mistake (as if anyone cared about Duke). “Nothing compares to being 8 and watching your favorite Transformers get brutally killed off one by one in the first 20 minutes.” —X.Warlock “The death of Optimus Prime in Transformers: The Movie traumatized a generation and forced the world’s largest toy company to change its plans. Even today, mentioning that scene evokes anxiety and sadness in millions. It marked the end of true heroes and the rise of cynical anti-heroes.” —JForce “Traumatized as a kid; still bitter as an adult.” —Comboman

Where to stream: Digital rental

When Steven Spielberg released his director’s cut of E.T., he removed the guns, believing they were too frightening for children, seemingly overlooking the fact that the entire movie is packed with fear, trauma, and heartbreak. “With E.T., it was the opening scene where he’s running through the woods, screaming. For some reason, it SHATTERED MY TODDLER MIND and sent me into a full-blown panic. My parents had to skip the first 30 minutes for YEARS, or I’d refuse to stay in the room.” —Lena

“I had a nightmare about E.T. as a kid, and it haunted me for years... When Elliot finds him in the cornfield, illuminated by the flashlight, and the creature is wide-eyed and screaming? Absolutely traumatizing. My family teased me about it for years, finding new ways to mess with me. It wasn’t until I was around 30 that I could finally watch it again without nearly having a panic attack.” —Rex Sheldon

“I’m old enough to have seen it in theaters. I was so scared that I hid behind the seat in front of me for most of the movie.” —Stormy Weather

Where to stream: Peacock

Like the commenter below, I watched this film long before seeing Alien, and I found the chestburster parody scene more baffling than frightening. However, Pizza the Hut eating himself? Utterly disgusting.

“I was usually unfazed by scary moments in movies as a kid... But what finally got me was watching Spaceballs for the first time at 7. I hadn’t seen Alien yet, so I had no context... When John Hurt is in the diner and a creature bursts out of him, I didn’t care if it started singing and dancing afterward—I wasn’t sleeping that night.” —Vyers “That song still gives me chills. Combined with Pizza the Hut’s dripping face, it ruined the movie for me.” —mvt82820

Where to stream: AMC+

Some films might have chosen to avoid depicting an entire colony of rabbits being torn apart by a threshing machine. This one, however, did not hold back.

“Watership Down. My mom thought it would be adorable because, you know, bunnies. Instead, it was a blood-soaked nightmare.” —Islandkiwi “Watership Down. OMG.” —Cindy-Lou-Hooha

Where to stream: HBO Max, The Criterion Channel

There are numerous unsettling aspects of Powder. “I don’t recall much about the movie, but the scene where Powder gets struck by lightning was not ideal viewing for a young child on a plane.” —chrisconsin

Where to stream: Hoopla, digital rental

If Dumbo can make generations of children cry at the sight of a circus cage, why not a Sesame Street movie? “Follow That Bird, where Big Bird gets kidnapped, painted blue, and locked in a cage.” —Vintage Original 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop

Where to stream: HBO Max

As a child, I foolishly enjoyed the infamous flop Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, but I somehow missed Superman III. It seems that was a blessing in disguise.

“Superman 3, the final battle where the computer absorbs the less-than-attractive henchwoman, was deeply unsettling as a kid.” —Don Ricciardi

“I still feel uneasy around too many wires. That scene left a lasting impression.” —fanburner

Where to stream: HBO Max

You don’t need to be a child to be horrified by the thought of a bug crawling into your ear. “For months, I had to sleep with blankets covering my ears because I was convinced something would crawl in there.” —PrettyGirlMyers

Where to stream: Paramount+, Hulu, AMC+

The ultimate dog trauma film—without it, the website Does the Dog Die? might never have existed. “If you’re too young to have seen it, consider yourself lucky.” —KumaGC

Where to stream: Disney+

If this adaptation had included the scene above and retained the book’s original, deeply bleak ending, it would have warranted an R rating. As it is, who thought it was a good idea to let Nicholas Roeg helm a children’s movie? “Kids being horrifically turned into mice while terrifying witches looked on? How did adults think this was suitable entertainment for five-year-olds?” —jarrett989

Where to stream: HBO Max, The Roku Channel

Observant viewers will notice that Lampwick and the other boys are never shown turning back into children; it’s implied they die soon after the film ends, worked to death in the mines. “A group of misbehaving kids being permanently transformed into donkeys and forced into slave labor. (Seriously, WHAT?)” —jarrett989

Where to stream: Disney+

Initially, this film was paired with My Neighbor Totoro for its theatrical release. Quite the emotional rollercoaster.

“Teenager - diving into anime, starting with Akira, Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll, Princess Mononoke, and then...wham, Grave of the Fireflies, it completely transformed me.” —HighPIng0

Available for streaming: Digital rental

Children are thrilled when a film ignites their creativity. This movie, for instance, challenges them to envision the horror of their beloved pet cat meeting a tragic end.“THANKS A LOT, DISNEY. Sure, the cat made it, but my youthful eyes were flooded with tears by that point.” —Rainbucket

Streaming on: Disney+

Promoted as “Ghostbusters, but featuring spiders,” this film missed the mark. (It’s why I avoid slippers at all costs.)“I was too young to grasp it was a mix of comedy and horror, and it took me YEARS to feel somewhat comfortable around spiders again.” —Arr2Pew2

“Arachnophobia scarred me. I once adored spiders—collecting them in jars, reading about them, all the quirky habits of a curious 6-year-old. Then, one night, it aired on TV, and my dad thought it’d be fine. Now, their unsettling eyes and eerie features haunt me.” —S

Streaming options: Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, AMC+

While The Care Bears Movie is unsettling, its sequel, The Care Bears Movie II, takes it up a notch.

“Many have highlighted scenes that left an impression, but few mention The Care Bears Movie. The witch and her eerie book terrified me as a child.” —Ubiqui-Cat

Available on: Hoopla, Pluto TV