# Suggest an entertaining horror movie that's rated PG-13 or younger **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 11, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388 "2007-10-11T22:00:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/21 "2007-10-12T03:27:12Z")
How about a few Simpsons “Treehouse of Horror” episodes? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/22 "2007-10-12T04:37:11Z")
[QUOTE=spoke-] [Fright Night](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089175/) is rated “R” but it’s kind of an iffy R. Mainly because of a sheer neglige (breasts visible) in one scene, I guess. [/QUOTE] From that time period, exposed boobs would still rate only PG. To get an R for nudity in 1985, it would have had to been full-frontal (or, as we used to say in elementary school: “You can see _everything_!”). I’m guessing it has an F-bomb, which in 1985 was still, IIRC, an automatic R. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/23 "2007-10-12T05:10:34Z")
[QUOTE=Interrobang!?] And it’s got to be PG-13 or milder. Anyone have any suggestions? [/QUOTE] That’s really too bad because it would seem that [Slither](http://imdb.com/title/tt0439815/) was tailor-made for your situation, but it is rated R for horror violence and gore. (No nudity that I recall.) And the cast is fantastic, with Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks playing the leads, plus a cameo by Jenna Fischer. imdb lets you search for PG-13 horror films, btw. Go to [this page](http://imdb.com/list), scroll down to section 2 and select “Horror” as both genres and then enter “USA:PG-13” (no quotes) as the Rating Certificate. I added in a date filter to include only movies made from 2000-2010, and ended up with a decent enough list. Here are the ones I’ve seen and can say that they held my attention to watch until the closing credits. (I watch a shitload of movies of most genres, including horror.) Cheese factor varies wildly. 1408\* Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid AVP: Alien vs Predator Boogeyman The Cave Cursed Dark Water Darkness Darkness Falls Disturbia\* **Eight Legged Freaks** The Exorcism of Emily Rose The Fog The Grudge The Grudge 2 The Mothman Prophesies The Others Pulse The Ring The Skeleton Key Stay Alive What Lies Beneath When a Stranger Calls The Wicker Man - Haven’t seen it because they are too recent to hit cable, but I want to and I think they’re out on DVD. Eight Legged Freaks is the **clear** winner. It’s funny as shit, and features Scarlett Johanssen. Greatest movie ever. If you want scary instead of schlocky, I’d go with The Ring or The Grudge. Note that some of these were released with both a PG-13 and an R-rated version. Be sure to get the PG-13 one if it matters. (If not, get Slither.) I am happy to discuss the merits of any of the above titles in a group-viewing context if you’re torn between several. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/24 "2007-10-12T05:12:20Z")
[QUOTE=Ellis Dee] That’s really too bad because it would seem that [Slither](http://imdb.com/title/tt0439815/) was tailor-made for your situation, but it is rated R for horror violence and gore. . [/QUOTE] Then how about [SSSSSSS](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070622/)? It’s hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/25 "2007-10-12T05:16:50Z")
**2005-2007 horror movies without gore:** An American Haunting Blood and Chocolate Boogeyman The Covenant Dark Water \* Dead Silence Disturbia The Exorcism of Emily Rose \* Hide and Seek The Messengers Monster House \* Premonition Pulse The Reaping Requiem The Ring Two \* The Skeleton Key Skinwalkers Thr3e When a Stranger Calls White Noise The Wicker Man **Other good horror movies without gore:** The Others (2001) \* The Other (1972) \* The Haunting (1963) \* The Innocents \* Night of the Demon \* Ringu \* The Eye \* Rosemary’s Baby \* The Night of the Hunter \* Wait Until Dark \* Poltergeist \* Gremlins \* Pulse \* Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas \* The Legend of Hell House \* - Recommended. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/26 "2007-10-12T05:20:12Z")
[QUOTE=Walloon] Thr3e [/QUOTE] That’s not the one from _Adaptation_ is it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/27 "2007-10-12T05:30:42Z")
[QUOTE=Mosier] Gremlins is my favorite cheesy mild horror movie. [/QUOTE] What do you mean by “cheesy”? ---
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/28 "2007-10-12T05:47:41Z")
Lots of great suggestions. The more serious ones would appeal to me – I love _Nosferatu_ and _The Haunting_ – but I know the crowd (who gets to vote) is going to go for goofy. Pity about _Slither_. _Eight Legged Freaks_ and _Monster Squad_ have definite possibilities. Current front runner in the office: _Killer Klowns from Outer Space_. I’ll let you know what we finally decide. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/29 "2007-10-12T06:37:00Z")
\*The Birds The Old Dark House Frankenstein \*(Whale) \*I Walked with a Zombie Leopard Man Cat People \*(Tourneur) \*Dracula \*(Browning) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/30 "2007-10-12T06:51:20Z")
House II > **[House II: The Second Story (1987) ⭐ 5.4 | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093220/)** > > 1h 28m | PG-13 The Mummy & MummyII (Brendan Frasier versions) ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/31 "2007-10-12T11:36:48Z")
Another vote for _Tremors_. Funny, and worth it just for the scene where the monster breaks into the WRONG rec room. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/32 "2007-10-12T13:35:07Z")
The Hammer version of The Phantom of the Opera (1962) was actually pretty good if I recall correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/33 "2007-10-12T13:43:05Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] House II [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093220/](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093220/) The Mummy & MummyII (Brendan Frasier versions) [/QUOTE] Damn youse, **DrDeth**! House II was going to be my recommendation. It’s excellent, and cheesy - John Ratzenberger shows up for an excellent cameo. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/34 "2007-10-12T13:44:30Z")
[They Live](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096256/) , featuring “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and the world’s most protracted fight scene. Plus it’s genuinely thought provoking (the movie, not the fight). ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/35 "2007-10-12T13:49:27Z")
How about Arachnophobia? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/36 "2007-10-12T13:54:59Z")
I’ll add another vote for Tremors. Just because they found the best lame excuse to get a woman half naked. I haven’t seen this since I was a child, because it scared the living daylights out of me, Audrey Rose. I found Killer Klowns from Outer Space to be lame. How about the original The Blob? ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/37 "2007-10-12T14:01:15Z")
My family just saw [this](http://imdb.com/title/tt0061550/) at an Attack of the B Movies event at our local cinema. While calling it a B movie is generous, the title has nothing to do with the plot and the monsters didn’t really display a full range of motion, it was great fun and perfect for watching with a group a la MST3K. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/38 "2007-10-12T14:02:50Z")
Sounds like you’re going for goofy/cheesy, but I’m going to mention _Night of the Hunter_ anyway. It’s got a kind of dreamlike creepiness, and Robert Mitchum is pretty scary. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/39 "2007-10-12T14:31:59Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] From that time period, exposed boobs would still rate only PG. To get an R for nudity in 1985, it would have had to been full-frontal (or, as we used to say in elementary school: “You can see _everything_!”). I’m guessing it has an F-bomb, which in 1985 was still, IIRC, an automatic R. [/QUOTE] I don’t remember an F-bomb. **Fright Night** actually has a sort of innocence about it. The negligee scene is the only thing I can remember that might have caused the R rating (and I re-watched it recently on cable). The funny thing is that the breasts are very obviously fake and plastic. And even at that, you only saw them vaguely, through sheer fabric. There was also a side-angle shot of male nudity, but no naughty bits visible. I think you are mistaken about the breasts thing, though. Weren’t breasts an automatic R back in the day? I can’t remember a PG movie from that era with exposed breasts. There _was_ some gore in the movie. Very minor by today’s standards, though. Maybe that pushed it over the edge. I don’t think the film would get an R if it were released today. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388/40 "2007-10-12T14:32:29Z")
I think you shouldn’t limit your choices with the arbitrary and utterly subjective and fascist MPAA rating system, even if it is an office party. [Children of the Corn](http://imdb.com/title/tt0087050/) is pretty scary and worth some jeers. [In The Mouth of Madness](http://imdb.com/title/tt0113409/) is a surreal cheesefest and will leave you all thinking wtf? Not a lot of people have seen it either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggest-an-entertaining-horror-movie-thats-rated-pg-13-or-younger/422388.md?page=3)