Thread: At what age can a kid watch the orginal "Halloween"

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My fiancee' has just informed me that my future step-son told her that he wants to be Michael Myers for Halloween this year. I couldn't help but be quite proud upon hearing this news. This will be the 5th year that I buy him his costume and every year he has changed his mind on what he wants to be in the store when we're looking...... so if he actually sticks with MM I'll be very surprised. But hey, that's kids for ya so what are ya going to do.

But on the off chance that he does actually stick with his decision I was wondering what the opinions were of my fellow Halloween freaks on this board in regards to letting kids watch horrow movies. I must say that I consider the 1978 Halloween to be THE classic horror movie of all time and I think it would be cool if he could actually watch the movie that stars the character that he is dressing up as for Halloween.... I'm just wondering if he's old enough to do so. By the way he just turned 9 last July.

I remember the first time I saw the movie and how scary I thought it was..... pretty sure I slept with the lights on that night and several nights after. I believe I was about 10 years old or so. My future step-son seems pretty mature for his age so I'm thinking it might be all right if we all got together one night and experienced the horror. And I actually think it would be kinda cool to see the reactions of another person who has not seen the movie before since I've seen it about 1000 times.

And I want to make it clear that I'm talking about the ORIGINAL Halloween by John Carpenter. There is NO way I would let a 9 year old watch the remake by Rob Zombie..... which by the way I thought was fantastic but obviously WAY to bloody and gory for a kid.

Thoughts?

My hubby was Michael last year, and we had a 6 or 7 year old that knew who he was, and kept coming back asking if Michael would be his friend, could he hold the knife...

But then I've got friends that showed their toddlers horror movies and are completely unimpressed by the gore and violence in them now... but I think that's too young in my opinion.

Your stepson is 9? If he's not a timid, shy child, I'd say he's fine to see it. It really depends on the individual kid - some are too sensitive at 12, some could be ready and raring to go at 8.

My daughter is the oldest of my four and she has watched horror movies I'd almost say even in the womb :P She was never a child afraid of anything (especially movie wise). My son who is 7 now is afraid of his shadow and won't watch anything remotely scary (even Harry Potter). I feel sure in saying that if you think he's ready to watch it and he's mature enough then you're probably right noone but you guys will really know the level he's at more than anyone else. Sounds to me like he's ready though. Have fun and don't forget the popcorn.

The fact that he knows of Michael Myers and wants to be that it's almost like you mind as well let him watch it. Plus if you're watching it with him that helps. I can't remember when I first saw it and as you can tell by my user name I love the movie. My mom corrupted me at age 4 with Halloween things, just can't remember when I saw the movie, I think I was older than 9 though.

I was pretty young when I saw the original. I think I was in the 5th grade...
However, I do agree with what everyone else is saying. I think YOU need to make the decision based on his maturity level.
Good luck and I hope he enjoys it!

My daughter is 12 and she wouldn't last the first half hour...lol. She scares easily and she gets upset over things rather quickly. I remember being 8 or 9 and watching horror movies, sometimes with my mom and some times alone. It all really depends on the child. I did however get her to watch Jaws a few years ago and she loved it. The other afternoon I had firestarter on and she watched that. She didn't really like the effects and thought it was stupid. Halloween though...never in a million years...lol

I think the only reason he knows who Michael Myers is is because I have a MM mask and have made Myers a part of my yard haunt since I've been doing one. The kid has really enjoyed the big deal I make of Halloween and without trying to toot my own horn I think him wanting to be MM for Halloween has more to do with wanting to impress me than it does with the movies. I also think this might be an opportunity for he and I to get some father-son bonding time in if we watch the money together.

I watched horror movies as a very young child and continue to love them to this day.

I'd show it to him but that's just me.

My kids would not have done well with Halloween at age nine. Heck, I was 16 when it came out and I went home and slept with the lights on! I know though that kids are seeing way more now than we did back then so he may be able to handle it. Also, don't forget, there are several fairly suggestive sexual situations as well as some drug use depicted. Don't know how his mom feels about that but you may want to clear it with her first.

just do what my dad did... fast forward through all the boobs and doobs!