22 Horror Films with Children in the Lead Role

Description: This iconic film features a young girl, Regan, who becomes possessed by a demon, leading to one of the most terrifying exorcisms in cinema history. The innocence of a child juxtaposed with demonic possession makes it a cornerstone in horror cinema.

Fact: The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning two, and it was the first horror film ever to be nominated for Best Picture.

Description: The story revolves around a child named Damien, who is the Antichrist. His eerie presence and the series of unfortunate events that follow him make this film a classic in the horror genre with children at its core.

Fact: The film's release date was changed from June 6, 1976, to June 25 due to concerns about the numerological implications of 6/6/

Description: Cole Sear, a young boy who can see and talk to dead people, navigates his terrifying gift with the help of a psychologist. The film's twist ending and the child's perspective on death make it uniquely chilling.

Fact: M. Night Shyamalan wrote the script in just five days, and the film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: Set in post-World War II, this film follows Grace Stewart and her two photosensitive children, who encounter mysterious events in their secluded home. The children's innocence and vulnerability heighten the film's eerie atmosphere.

Fact: The film was shot in Spain, but set in England, and it was nominated for several Goya Awards, Spain's equivalent to the Oscars.

Description: During a holiday, children at a family gathering start exhibiting strange and violent behavior, turning the festive occasion into a nightmare. The film uses the unsettling concept of children as threats.

Fact: The film was shot in a real house, which added to the realism and claustrophobia of the setting.

Description: An American remake of the Swedish film "Let the Right One In," this film tells the story of a bullied boy who befriends a mysterious child who turns out to be a vampire. The child's perspective adds layers of innocence and horror.

Fact: The film was praised for its faithfulness to the original, despite being set in the U.S.

Description: A single mother and her young son are haunted by a sinister presence from a children's book. The film explores themes of grief, motherhood, and the psychological horror of dealing with a troubled child.

Fact: The film was initially banned in several countries due to its intense themes and scenes involving children.

Description: Set in 1630s New England, this film follows a family whose youngest son vanishes, leading to accusations of witchcraft. The children's roles are pivotal in exploring themes of fear, faith, and the supernatural.

Fact: The film uses authentic 17th-century English dialogue, adding to its eerie authenticity.

Description: A governess, hired to care for two children, begins to suspect they are possessed by spirits. The film's slow build-up of tension and the children's ambiguous innocence make it a classic in psychological horror.

Fact: It was based on Henry James's novella "The Turn of the Screw" and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Description: Laura returns to her childhood home, now an orphanage, with her adopted son. When her son disappears, she uncovers dark secrets from the past, with children playing a central role in the haunting narrative.

Fact: The film was Spain's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards.