15 Movies Boomer and Gen X Parent’s Traumatized Their Kids With

Did your parents ever allow you to watch a film that traumatized you at a young age? You’ve got company. After someone polled an entertainment community asking for said movies, here are their honest confessions.

1. The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

Image Credit: Hyperion Pictures.

The Brave Little Toaster; the whole movie was like a fever dream, but the Air Conditioner scene, that part stuck with me and might have affected who I am today,” one viewer acknowledges. As a fellow child traumatized by this movie, I will wholeheartedly agree.

2. The Ring (2002)

The Ring 2002
Image Credit: MacDonald/Parkes Productions.

“I was more terrified of The Ring just because things should not be allowed to come out of the TV,” one critic states. “That’s just a rule. You can apparate into my living room but don’t go crawling out of the TV.”

3. Poltergiest (1982)

Poltergeist 1982
Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

“My buddy and I lied to our parents and snuck into this when it was in theaters,” one fibbing former child shares. “This movie scared the ever-loving snot out of both of us. The tree, the clown doll, the mirror scene… That night we had a “sleepover” and just laid there shivering until dawn.”

4. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1982
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

“Everyone thinks I’m nuts for being creeped out by E.T., but both of these moments, where he’s all white and when he’s in the dolls, both freaked me out to no end,” another terrified film viewer exclaims. “I have only seen it once or twice, never as an adult, though.”

5. Jaws (1975)

Jaws 1975
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

I was a little late to the Jaws terrified youth group, but it’s clear that I wasn’t the only one completely fearful of the deep-sea menace. I would take a running start from the hallway and leap onto my bed because somewhere in my childish mind, the great white gobbler was under my bed. Yeah, I know!

6. Mars Attacks (1996)

Jack Nicholson
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.

“I came here to post this. And it seems finally that I’m not alone in this,” another critic confides. “The fact that the alien gun turned everyone into skeletons frightened me to death. Years later, I found out it’s a comedy.”

7. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom 1984
Image Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

I love the first Indiana Jones film despite the face-melting scene; that was terrifying but not too hard to deal with, which led me to inquire about the second installment in the series.

A fellow Indy lover declares, “A group of Nazis getting their just comeuppance is a lot less scary than an individual personal sacrifice against someone’s will, let alone the more visceral visual effects to go along with the heart.”

8. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project 1999
Image Credit: Haxan Films.

“I lived in a neighborhood where the houses were pretty spread out,” one cinephile recalls. “I watched it at a friend’s and had to run back to my parent’s house at night. That 1/2 a mile was the scariest in my life.”

9. Event Horizon (1997)

Event Horizon 1997
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Aside from seeing our beloved Dr. Alan Grant portrayed as the villain (I was a bit younger when these came out, so it was an unexpected event to see his change in roles), I had my first experience seeing a captain do the opposite of the horror film cliché, “Let’s split up!” Instead, Laurence Fishburne’s Captain Miller makes the uncommon yet most realistic decision of cutting bait and getting out of there quickly!

10. The NeverEnding Story (1984)

The NeverEnding Story 1984
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Several commenters, along with myself, all agree, “I can’t believe how far I had to scroll for this. I’m old, I guess. I swear I think about that horse like once a week. Please keep going. Please don’t give up. We can do this.” Such a sad and traumatizing scene, fortunately, I didn’t read the book, so I have no clue how truly traumatizing that scene could have been.

11. IT (1990)

IT 1990
Image Credit: Lorimar Television.

There have been times in my life when I was even full-on watching the movie but catching a glimpse of something on screen was enough to do the trick. Someone concurred, “I happened to glance at one scene of it while getting out of bed for a glass of water, had a fear of shower drains that lasted a good couple years, then a couple more of more low-key unease.”

12. The Plague Dogs (1982)

The Plague Dogs 1982
Image Credit: United Artists.

A respondent stories, “I rented this one time with my girlfriend because we both liked animals and animation. When we sat down to watch it, we were just silent for the first ten minutes, and then I reached out and grabbed her hand and said I don’t like this. We had to pause it and regather ourselves. We still finished it, but we needed a minute to talk about how messed up it was.”

13. Arachnophobia (1990)

Arachnophobia 1990
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

According to a fellow arachnophobic, “Arachnophobia really creeped me out as a kid. Unfortunately, the day following watching it, I had to mow the lawn. We had a big tree in our backyard, and when I pushed the mower under it, I look up and see what looked like an infestation of gigantic Arachnophobia-style spider egg sacs.

I freaked out, ran, and wouldn’t go back to it for hours. Turned out that they were tent caterpillar nests, but what a horrible time to see them for the first time ever. I’ve been very afraid of spiders ever since. Ironically, I don’t care about caterpillars.”

14. Return to Oz (1985)

Return to Oz 1985
Image Credit: Walt Disney Pictures.

A few forum members denote, “I saw it on TV as a child, and I had these vague recollections of these creepy people with wheels for hands and this kind of evil-looking claymation, and I never knew what it was. Until, as an adult, I saw it again on TV, and I was like I knew those memories came from somewhere!”

15. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 1968
Image Credit: Warfield Productions.

“I am now in my 50s,” an older film viewer mentions. “And every so often will still have a nightmare about the child catcher running through my neighborhood shouting ‘LOLLIPOPS!'”

12 Most Racist Movies of All Time According to IMDb

Gone with the Wind 1939
Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Both entertaining and thought-provoking, cinema frequently reflects the ideals and ideologies of its day. The representation of racism and stereotypes in some films, however, has sparked debate in the past. These movies have drawn criticism for their problematic representations and cultural sensitivity — igniting crucial conversations about racial representation.

12 Worst Movies From the 70s According To IMDb — Do You Agree?

Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Return to the revolutionary cinema of the 1970s, where risk-taking experimentation and bold concepts frequently produced unforgettable and forgettable moments. Here is a look at the not-so-great 70s films that didn’t garner high ratings on IMDb.

15 Forgotten Movies From the 90s To Tickle Your Nostalgia Bone

Only You
Image Credit: TriStar Pictures.

Are you searching for a little 90s nostalgia that is not on every list? Then, we got you covered. These are several of my favorite forgotten films from the 90s. Do you remember?

25 Memorable Movies That Are So Totally 80s, Do You Remember?

Trading Places
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

The 1980s was an iconic decade for film, delivering many unforgettable movies that have stood the test of time. The 80s film scene left an indelible mark on popular culture, from heartwarming comedies to thrilling adventures and rebellious teenage tales. Recently people shared some memorable movies that epitomize the spirit of the 80s.

Top 12 Most Racist Disney Classics That Are Better Left in the Vault

The Sound of Music Julie Andrews
Image Credit: 20th Century-Fox/Disney.

Exploring film history often exposes tales of awe, imagination, and cultural shifts. Did you know that there are racist undertones in many Disney classics? It makes sense as progress evolves throughout the decades, but it’s cringe-watching it now. Here is a look at the most racist Disney films.

Source: Reddit.