13 Family Films That Will Terrify Children

13. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Scariest Moment: Our introduction to Oogie Boogie, with a musical number where he taunts Santa and makes the rest of films' creepy characters pale in comparison.

A good jumping-off point for children not quite used to having the life frightened out of them. It's questionable whether this is more of a Christmas film than a Halloween film, but perhaps the combination will prove perfect family viewing for both of these cold, dark holidays.

But don't think you're letting everyone off easily - it is called The Nightmare Before Christmas, after all.

The opening should be enough to set the mood...

With characters like a ragdoll whose limbs always falling off, the clown with the tearaway face, and the horrific little trick-or-treating kids who work for Oogie Boogie, it's hard to find a character to root for since they're all so terrifying.

When your kids see Santa Claus and the magical Christmas Town invaded by this collection of nightmares, they'll probably be a little less excited for that one last sleep until Christmas morning.

With pedigree like Henry Selick and Tim Burton behind this stop-motion musical, get ready for an unnerving experience that is equal parts funny, charming, beautiful and disturbing. It's a great way to ease everyone into the scary films that are to come.