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Nostalgic Nightmare Fuel: The 7 Scariest Characters in Children’s Movies

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Written by Patti Pauley

Label me if you wish as a “nostalgic horror blogger”, but goddammit if I doesn’t make me feel good to talk about the retro life and the memorable moments from our adolescence that has shaped us into the horror fans we are today. Also, I have an inkling some of you like to stroll down memory lane as well, and of course you do! The current shit show that surrounds us in today’s society can be overwhelming, exhausting, and downright depressing when you get right down to it. So if I can offer you an escape for just five minutes and offer you some feel-good fuzzies in the place of some breaking news or what not, I’m certainly happy to oblige. And today we’re going to look back at some of the coolest, and damn it, scariest characters in children’s movies.

 

To be concise and clear, the characters I will be talking about today don’t necessarily come from a horror film per se, but left a stamp of terror within a children’s film and filled enough fuel for nightmares for days in our fragile little minds. These characters were the G rated monsters of our childhoods and paved the way for our curiosity of the horror genre in itself leading to the discovery of such iconic horror paragons as Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers. So let’s take a stand back and salute these unsung heroes that could be considered the blazerunners to the beginning of a beautiful relationship with the genre we all love and cherish with seven, of what I think, are the scariest little fuckers from kid friendly films.

 

 

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial

ET- scariest characters from children movies

Laugh if you must, but in the case you are, YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING AND HOW DID THIS NOT FREAK YOU OUT AS A KID?! Listen, I grew up on horror films. And while most just provided good ol’ entertainment for me and zero scares, hell I laughed at Freddy and Kincaid from Dream Warriors, E fuckin’ T gave me serious nightmares. And my dad, in perfect parenting win fashion knowing of my uneasiness with long-necked alien, preceded to put a poster of this little asshole right above my bed at the tender age of three. Such a dick move Dad. Tho, I’ll confess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and this is something I would 100% do to my own children.

Anyway, this piece of nightmare fuel, with his long bony fingers touching shit, elongating his neck like a little asshole, and his glowing red heart are the stuff of pure nightmares. Oh yeah, that little alien is a zombie. Lying there all white, ghostly, and ummm DEAD; and then springs to life mumbling some undead garbage about phones. GTFO.

Also, here’s ET re-cut as a horror trailer. Spot on actually. Spot on.

 

 

Large Marge- Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

scariest characters in children's movies

Yessir. It was the worst accident I’d ever seen. The mysterious trucker on the lonesome highway to The Alamo for Sir Wee of Pee had a very brief appearance in Herman’s first feature-length film, which also serves as the directorial debut for goth-fantasy master Tim Burton, left a huge impact in the cult classic. So much so, even if you haven’t seen the movie for some time, you at the very least, remember Large Marge. So that in itself, is quite impressive and shows what kind of mental effect this character had and continues to establish with every veiwing of this classic flick. The Claymation transformation displaying Marge’s true form is just as weird and terrifying as it was 30 years ago. So, if it’s been a hot minute since you dived into Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, tell ’em Large Marge sent yah and pop in that national treasure tonight!

 

 

The Grand High Witch- The Witches

scariest characters in children's movies

First off, when we first laid our eyes on Angelica Huston as the Grand High Witch, we were easily witnessing one of the most gorgeous creatures on this planet. Until she until she peeled off her face of course, then holy shit snacks..

Before she wooed the world as Morticia Addams, Huston had us second guessing that chocolate bar at the candy store as she absolutely slayed and for lack of a better term, enchanted us as the most evil women on the planet in The Witches. Clearly one of the most terrifying moments from the Roald Dahl  story on film, is the scene in the hotel conference room where all these damn women remove their wigs and gloves, giving way to wart-filled heads and hands; and of course the great reveal of the Grand High Witch, the Supreme Witch of them all. And oh man, did they give Huston the fugly treatment. She also spoke in a high-pitched yet, threatening tone that you couldn’t help but gain goosebumps from. Especially when she got SUPER PISSED at some dumb little witch who challenged her leader’s plan of action of wiping out the children of the world. And so this happened…

More nightmare fuel on the next page!

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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