10 Horror Movies That Will Make You Terrified Of Children

10. The Bad Seed (1953)

Released in 1953, The Bad Seed is a little too dated to genuinely scare you away from the concept of children, hence it isn’t higher on this list. With that said, the film does manage to showcase one of the most twisted, menacing little girls in cinematic history: Rhoda Penmark, a pigtailed youth with sinister tendencies, who isn’t afraid to take what she wants.

Rhoda isn’t superhuman, and she doesn’t possessive magical abilities. In the opening of the film, she brutally murders a young boy with her tap shoes, and proceeds to slaughter half the town just to cover it up. She’s motivated, and she’s resourceful. At one point, having been found out by a local janitor, Rhoda sneaks out of the house in the middle of the night, taking extra care not to raise her mother’s suspicions, and burns him alive.

Verdict: The Bad Seed does an admirable job of depicting an innocent youth turned ruthless killer. Watching the film in 2016, it’s a little comical, but the message is clear: little girls will set you on fire if given the opportunity, so watch yourself.