8 Surprisingly Scary Animated Films That Scarred The Kids

8. Monster House

An incredibly good film - seriously, if you haven't yet seen it, finish reading this article and immediately go and find it - and one that combines the best haunted house on the street story elements with a silly but enjoyable monster movie pay-off that changes the tone of the film but not its success. Monster House is a joy for adults, but its particular brand of chills, and the way it explores that child-like fear of the unknown and the unfamiliar makes it one of the first horror films aimed squarely at a younger audience.

While more adult audiences can marvel at the horror references, the excellent character designs and development, the reason the film succeeds most is its uncanny ability to channel the nostalgic fear of youth - of strange neighbours, meddlesome baby-sitters and the pronounced fear of approaching spooky houses on Halloween. And that's also precisely why the film packs a horror punch for the youngsters.

And like the best ghost stories, Monster House has a tragic backstory that further confirms that it's not quite for kids.