Is Gremlins Good for Kids? A Parent's Guide to This Classic Movie

So, you’re thinking about showing Gremlins to your kids, but you're unsure whether it’s a good idea? I totally get it—Gremlins is one of those movies that treads the fine line between family fun and genuine horror. Let's dive into whether this 1984 classic is actually suitable for younger audiences. Spoiler: it's complicated!

The Plot: A Family-Friendly Fantasy... Sort Of

Gremlins is set in a small town during Christmas, and it follows a young man named Billy who receives a mysterious creature called a "Mogwai" as a gift. However, when the rules for caring for the Mogwai are broken, chaos ensues as the cute creatures transform into destructive gremlins.

The Tone: Fun but Dark

Now, here's the thing: Gremlins has this playful, whimsical quality at first. The Mogwai themselves are adorable, and there’s a lot of fun, quirky charm in the beginning. But as the story progresses, the gremlins become downright terrifying, creating chaos and destruction. It shifts quickly from a light-hearted holiday flick to something much darker. I remember watching it as a kid, and while I loved the creatures, some scenes genuinely freaked me out.

If you’re considering showing it to your kids, be aware that it has a lot of intense moments that might be unsettling for younger viewers.

Is It Too Scary for Kids?

Well, this is where things get tricky. Gremlins has earned its reputation for being a "gateway horror movie" because it's not full-on horror, but it definitely has scary elements. Some parts of the film, especially the gremlins’ rampage, are genuinely intense, with scenes of violence, destruction, and even some jump scares.

Violence and Scary Scenes

There’s quite a bit of cartoonish violence, but it's still, well, violent. The gremlins cause destruction, and some of their actions involve physical harm to humans. There’s a particularly disturbing scene where one of the gremlins attacks a character with a knife. And I haven’t even gotten into the horror of the gremlins attacking people in their homes—it's all very chaotic.

One of my friends showed Gremlins to his 10-year-old, and the kid had to sleep with the lights on for a week afterward. Honestly, I can see why—some of the imagery and concepts are pretty intense.

Dark Themes

In addition to the scares, there are also some dark, mature themes. For instance, the movie includes a subplot about a tragic event in Billy’s mother’s life, and there’s a rather unsettling monologue about a parent’s death. This definitely shifts the tone and can make it feel a bit too mature for younger audiences.

Is It Too Much for Younger Kids?

If you’re wondering if Gremlins is okay for kids under 10, I’d say it’s best to skip it until they’re a bit older. Honestly, the scary moments and the sometimes dark themes could be a bit much for them.

But here’s the thing: Gremlins has been one of those films that kids love to revisit when they’re older. It’s one of those "cult classic" movies that gains popularity once you’re mature enough to handle the horror elements. But for a younger audience, I'd definitely recommend a test run before committing to a full viewing. If your kids are sensitive to intense scenes, you might want to hold off for now.

Age Appropriateness

Generally, Gremlins is considered suitable for kids 12 and up. Some might say it's fine for kids 10+, but, honestly, I think you should gauge your child’s sensitivity to horror and violence before making that decision. It’s definitely a movie you could watch with older kids and talk through the scarier parts, so it doesn’t become too overwhelming.

The Fun Factor: Is It Still Enjoyable for Kids?

Despite its scarier moments, Gremlins is still fun for kids who can handle the tone shift. The idea of cute creatures going haywire is super entertaining, and the practical effects are something to behold—those gremlins are creepy, but also pretty awesome.

A Perfect Blend of Fantasy and Horror

Gremlins is a great mix of fantasy and horror with humor sprinkled in. For those kids who love a little bit of a thrill, it offers enough excitement and adventure without fully delving into outright horror territory. Plus, the Christmas setting gives it a cozy feel, despite the chaos. It's a weird balance, but I think that’s what makes it so unique.

Should You Show Gremlins to Your Kids?

If you're asking, "Is Gremlins good for kids?" the answer really depends on the child’s age and tolerance for horror. For older kids, especially those 12 and up, it can be an exciting, fun, and slightly scary experience that can be enjoyed as a "cool" classic. But for younger kids or those sensitive to scary content, it’s probably better to wait a few years.

If you want to be sure, maybe try watching it yourself first (if you haven't already), then decide if it’s something you’d be comfortable sharing with your kids. After all, there’s no harm in waiting a little bit for them to be ready to appreciate this holiday horror-comedy gem. Just be ready to skip some scenes or talk through the scarier moments!

So, what do you think? Would you show Gremlins to your kids? Or would you rather wait until they're a little older? Let me know your thoughts!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.