10 Children’s Movies And Shows That Secretly Traumatized Us
Return to Oz
Kids who expected another cheerful trip down the Yellow Brick Road were in for a shock when they watched Return to Oz. The movie is far darker than The Wizard of Oz, starting with doctors trying to give Dorothy electroshock therapy. Things only get stranger when she returns to Oz, where she encounters the terrifying Wheelers and walks through a hallway full of disembodied heads.
The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant is sweet, heartfelt and responsible for one of the biggest childhood heartbreaks of all time. The movie follows a boy named Hogarth who befriends a giant robot during the Cold War, and their bond is genuinely touching. But then comes the ending, an emotional punch that left kids and adults openly sobbing. It’s one of those films that teaches big lessons about love and sacrifice but also crushes your heart in the process.
Labyrinth
Labyrinth is a cult classic full of music, magic, and plenty of nightmare fuel. David Bowie’s Goblin King may be iconic, but the story of a baby being kidnapped and a sister forced to manage a bizarre labyrinth is pretty intense for young viewers. The movie is filled with strange creatures, jumpy moments, and the unforgettable Fierys, who casually pull off their own heads and limbs like it’s no big deal. Even today, adults rewatching it feel a mix of nostalgia and “how did this not traumatize me more?”
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
This Nickelodeon classic was designed to be scary and it did not disappoint. Each episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? told a new spooky tale around a campfire, and some of those stories were genuinely nightmare-inducing. From creepy clowns to red-faced monsters to shockingly realistic practical effects, the show didn’t hold back just because it was for kids. Many episodes still feel unsettling even when rewatched as adults.
Courage the Cowardly Dog
“Courage the Cowardly Dog” may look cute at first glance, but this show absolutely terrified a generation. Courage is a nervous little dog who constantly has to save his owners from some of the weirdest, creepiest villains ever shown on Cartoon Network. From floating heads to unsettling ghostly figures, the show loved to blur the line between funny and deeply uncomfortable. The eerie music didn’t help either.
Doctor Who
Doctor Who may be a fun, family-friendly sci-fi show, but it has delivered some seriously scary moments over the years. Classic episodes brought monsters and storylines that were surprisingly intense, while the modern era introduced unforgettable nightmares like the Weeping Angels, the gas mask child, and other creatures that still give fans chills.
Eerie, Indiana
"Eerie, Indiana” looked like just another kids’ show in the ’90s, but anyone who watched it knows it felt more like a junior version of The Twilight Zone. The story follows a boy who moves to a town where every strange and spooky thing seems to happen. Even though it was aimed at tweens, it aired on Disney Channel and Fox Kids, so plenty of younger kids ended up watching—and getting thoroughly creeped out.
The Animals of Farthing Wood
On the surface, The Animals of Farthing Wood looks like a gentle nature show about animals trying to find a new home. In reality, it turned out to be one of the most shockingly brutal children’s series ever made. Characters didn’t just face danger; they died, and often in very graphic ways. Being run over, burned, drowned, or shot was all fair game. The scene involving the baby mice is especially infamous.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Disney took one of literature’s darkest stories and turned it into an animated musical. So naturally, things got emotionally heavy. With themes like obsession, power, and manipulation, The Hunchback of Notre Dame goes a lot deeper than the average kids’ movie. Frollo’s fixation on Esmeralda is especially unsettling, and his treatment of Quasimodo adds even more intensity. Visually beautiful but emotionally intense, the film surprised many families who expected a lighter experience.
The Land Before Time
The first Land Before Time movie is beloved, but wow, did it emotionally wreck kids. The story follows Littlefoot, who is separated from his family during a dinosaur attack and then watches his mother die in one of the saddest scenes in animation. Her comforting final words are enough to bring anyone to tears, even now. Littlefoot’s journey is filled with fear, grief, and loneliness, and it hits surprisingly hard for a children’s film.
