"I Can’t Believe It’s Rated PG" – 17 Kids TV Shows And Movies People Think Are Way Too Creepy For Children

The '90s was a very particular time for children's entertainment, apparently.

Ah, kid's shows. We all have our favourite memory of curling up in front of a cartoon with some cereal on a Saturday morning – but that doesn't mean every show we watched was exactly child-friendly.

CBS

We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community to share the kids' TV shows and movies that they wished people would stop assuming are kid-friendly. Here's 17 of the best:

1. Coraline (2009)

Focus Features, Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

"Hands down Coraline. I can’t believe it’s rated PG – I remember watching this as a kid and having nightmares, and I’m sure lots of other people did too. It’s so scary, especially when the beldame turns into a spider creature. It will forever haunt any child."

—sarahkoda

"I watched Coraline when I was about 6 and I was traumatised. It's the reason I refuse to watch horror films."

—mimosa_flower_3000

2. Goosebumps (1995-1998)

YTV, Fox Kids

"I was not expecting to get jump-scared by Slappy. That f*cker is responsible for my crippling fear of ventriloquist dummies."

—wassaidinheaven

3. The Witches (1990)

Warner Bros. / Via youtu.be

"We listened to the book on a cross-country move, and it was funny, tense, and sad. Then, we watched the movie, and it's a classic '80s body horror show. I was not ready for the nightmare fuel of the kids being turned into mice."

—deadzy

"My sister LOVED this movie, and when she made me watch it with her, I hated the scene where all the mice turn into these hideous, terrifying, ugly witches. I can’t even begin to describe the fear I felt. I don’t think I even finished watching it after that scene, and I haven’t tried since. This was the original, and I will not be watching the remake either."

—notjessicasmile

Warner Bros. / Via youtu.be

4. The Demon Headmaster (1996-1998)

BBC / Via youtu.be

"He was always so scary, and was shown as after-school TV. My sister and I would hide under the covers when it came on."

—a4526cda23

5. Dr Who (1963-present)

BBC

"Some episodes of Dr Who are not kid friendly. I watched 'Blink' when I was 17 and even at that age, I was uncomfortable around statues for a while afterwards."

—bowsie22

6. Gremlins (1984) and Gremlins 2 (1990)

Warner Bros.

"'Nuff said."

—ameliachastain17

7. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

"It's not intended as a kid’s film per se, but a lot of parents still let their kids see it because of all the animation. Not a good idea. A lot of stuff definitely NOT for very young kids, especially that poor, poor foot with the shoe that gets 'the dip'. Great film, though – older kids (12 and up) will be okay with it, IMO."

—bravesgirl21

8. Watership Down (1978)

Cinema International Corporation, Nepenthe Films

"That U rating is very misleading! It's one of those rare cases where it's not parents assuming an 18+ cartoon is safe for children because it's a cartoon, but one where the rating is just *wrong*. It should be a PG at the very least, but if I recall correctly, it would need a new theatrical release to get a new certificate."

—alsosushigal007

"I watched Watership Down when I was seven, and it gave me nightmares for a week straight."

—maggerface

9. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Toho

"It’s a thoughtful film about the horrors of war and I think it should be required viewing for history classes, but damn does that film pack emotional wallops."

—allierowling

"I'd never watched anime before, and THIS was what my roommate chose to show me for my first. Absolute tears."

—notjessicasmile

10. Return to Oz (1985)

Buena Vista Distribution

"It's a Disney movie that's rated PG, but it includes Dorothy getting locked in an asylum to undergo shock therapy, before escaping when the power goes out and jumping into a river. Then, she ends up back in Oz, which is now destroyed. Also, its inhabitants have been turned to stone and the city is overrun with 'Wheelers' (scary guys with wheels for feet and hands that chase you while laughing maniacally). There’s also the headless princess, who has a room full of heads in cabinets that she can switch out whenever she wants. And don’t get me started on The Mountain King." 

—haleyholt

11. The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Disney

"An older religious man gets a huge crush and essentially performs mass genocide because he can't handle rejection. Also, there's religious persecution, whipping, hair sniffing, religious guilt, and burning an entire city to the ground – just what kids want to watch!"

—hobbitgirl96

youtube.com

12. Case Closed (1996-present)

NNS (ytv)

"I think people are slowly starting to wake up to this, but just because it’s animated doesn’t mean it’s for kids. Some of the Studio Ghibli movies are okay for kids, and some are not. Some anime is great for kids (Pokémon, Digimon), and some are not (Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family). There's even anime starring child characters that's not for kids (Case Closed). When in doubt, Google is your friend!"

—katkat007

13. Antz (1998)

DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, FilmFlex / Via youtube.com

"That movie TRAUMATISED me as a child. The war scenes when they are getting decapitated. I watched it once when I was like seven or so. Never again."

—notjessicasmile

youtube.com

14. The Last Unicorn (1982)

Jensen Farley Pictures

—debw471e425d0

"A devestating final scene? I get it. Some decidedly creepy '80s animation? Sure! But I drew the line at a glowering, red-eyed skeleton chasing a unicorn down the stairs of a terrifying castle, ta very much – and that harpy scene was really creepy, too.

–Amy Glover

15. The Animals of Farthing Wood (1993-1995)

BBC

"Say what you will about the general death scape that was Animals of Farthing Wood (the butcher bird, the roadkill, the shootings, etc.) – but what I found more scarring was believing weasels were the size of small dogs until way into my 30s! Just not acceptable, BBC."

—millylewis83

youtube.com

16. Ren And Stimpy (1991–1996)

Nickelodeon

—lilyc9

"Nog going to lie, coming from Ireland, I'd never heard of this show until I saw a commenter mention it. But having since searched it, I'm amazed Nickelodeon ever aired it for kids – WHAT!!! IS!!! THE GUM SCENE!!!! ABOUT!!!! I've got to throw up immediately." 

–Amy Glover

youtube.com

17. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Paramount Pictures

"I love the movie, but the trippy boat scene and creepy vibes from Willy Wonka and the Oompa Loompas makes me question it a little."

—jeremyo811

Did you disagree with any of the picks, or think we missed some obvious options? Let us know in the comments below!

Some responses were edited for length and/or clarity.