Ghosts and Ghouls

The Children's Film Foundation: Scary Stories

Cert

Age group8–12

Duration183 mins

The Children's Film Foundation: Scary Stories(1985)

Three classic ghost stories from the BFI Children's Film Foundation: The Man from Nowhere, Haunters of the Deep and Out of the Darkness.

These archive films are from the 1970s and 1980s, brought together by the BFI in their Children’s Film Foundation series of titles. Each explores ghostliness in its own way, as everyday scenarios soon take a cautionary turn via the spirits of the past.

Cert

Age group5–15

Duration85 mins

The Muppet Christmas Carol(1993)

Kermit, Gonzo and the rest of the Muppet gang appear in this fun musical take on the classic Charles Dickens story.

A different type of classic film here, as the much-loved Muppets put a musical spin on Charles Dickens’ fabled tale of greed and repentance. This is a story where spirits are a clear force for good, as the three Ghosts – of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come – show Scrooge the errors of his ways.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration103 mins

Goosebumps(2015)

Thrilling and funny adaptation of the well-known Goosebumps books that sees havoc unleashed on an unsuspecting American suburb.

From one cherished adaptation to another, with Goosebumps – originally a series of horror novellas published by R. L. Stine followed quickly by a TV show, both formed in the mid-to-late 1990s – given the big-screen treatment in 2015. Here, monsters are unleashed onto an unsuspecting town and it’s up to Zach and his friends to save the day.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration103 mins

When Marnie Was There(2014)

A shy girl sent to the country to recover from asthma discovers an abandoned mansion and begins to explore its mysteries with her new friend Marnie.

This is a lesser-known adaptation, based on Joan G Robinson’s novel of the same name, made into a film by Japanese animation pioneers Studio Ghibli. The question of a spiritual presence is subtler in this instance but – like much of Ghibli’s work – lingers firmly in the background. A beautiful, emotional journey of self-discovery and friendship.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration93 mins

ParaNorman(2012)

Animated adventure of a misfit eleven-year-old who sees and talks to ghosts.

Speaking of young protagonists who see visions, ParaNorman – from stop-motion animators LAIKA – embraces his ability to talk to the dead in this typically charming tale from the studio. As with their other films, it certainly has its scary moments, but is ultimately a progressive tale of growing up.

Cert

Age group8+

Duration74 mins

Corpse Bride(2005)

Enchanting stop motion feature from the imagination of Tim Burton, set in a 19th century European village, following the spooky adventures of Victor.

Another stop-motion presentation, this time from gothic aficionado Tim Burton. On this occasion we see things from the point of view of the ghosts, as Victor is transported to the Land of the Dead and meets his undead intended. An uncharacteristically romantic ghost story.