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7 Animated Horror Films That Would Give Kids Nightmares

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Incredibles 2 comes out in a couple weeks offering yet another family-friendly theatrical release for parents to rejoice over. But what if Hollywood animation studios gave the horror community a little love too with some creepy, stylish films?

Thankfully, there are indie filmmakers stepping outside the box to show us animation’s potential for the horror genre. Here is a devilish list of both upcoming and currently available short animated horror films that would give any kid nightmares.

La Noria (TBA 2018)

La Noria is a story about a little boy, who, after experiencing a terrible loss, comes face-to-face with some horrific, otherworldly creatures. The film’s stunningly creepy trailer will make you wish more animated studio films dared to go dark.

Carlos Baena’s passion project features jaw-dropping, atmospheric visuals and a heartfelt personal story for something truly special. Baena is leading a collaboration of international industry professionals, who have worked on films like Let the Right One In, The Orphanage, Pan’s Labyrinth, Finding Nemo, Rio, and many more. We’ll be keeping an eye out for an official release date, which is set for later this year!

Check out our previous article on La Noria for more info! Watch the teaser below, and support the project on Indiegogo:

Other Lily (2015)

Other Lily is a scary tale about a girl who suffers from sleep paralysis. Lily soon realizes the apparition that torments her at night may be more than just a figment of her imagination. The short film directed and animated by David Romero demonstrates you don’t need a big budget or crew to make one creepy animated short. The sketchy, hand-drawn animation really lends itself to the film’s charm and creep-factor.

We also covered the short film Paralys in a previous article, which showed audiences the nightmarish visions sleep paralysis sufferers may endure. Be sure to check that one out as well!

Season’s Greetings (1996)

Speaking of 2D animation, here is a throwback to the cartoons many of us grew up on as kids. Sam invaded writer/director Michael Dougherty’s mind long before his quintessential Halloween film Trick ‘r Treat. The imp made a much earlier appearance in Dougherty’s senior thesis animated film Season’s Greetings at New York University.

In the short film, Sam is out trick or treating under the guise of a normal kid in a costume, when he runs into a shadowy stranger. Hopefully Dougherty doesn’t make us wait too much longer for Trick ‘r Treat 2.

Geist (2015)

A shipwrecked sailor wakes up on the beach, and seeks shelter from the violent storm at a nearby vacant house. As the weary man takes refuge by a warm fire with the rain pouring down outside, he soon suspects he may not be alone.

I really can’t say enough about how much I absolutely love Geist by writer/directors Ben Harper, Sean Mullen, and Alex Sherwood. This poignant haunted house film is an emotional roller coaster that will give you chills in more ways than one.

Witness (2015)

A tormented man attempts to track down a mysterious killer to avenge his wife’s murder. But he’s led to a shocking discovery after closing in on his suspect.

Witness by Alexandre Berger, Christ Ibovy, and Hugo Rizzon is the type of psychological thriller you’d normally see in a live-action David Fincher film. However, the uncommon juxtaposition of animation telling a seedy revenge tale elevates the material in a more artful, dreamlike way.

Midnight Story (2016)

Riff and Alternate Studio bring us this spooky animated horror short where a young girl learns there are more frightening things than monsters in story books. Midnight Story isn’t light on subtext either, providing a deeper commentary about broken homes. The film is an intense haunted house ride that mixes impressive 2D drawings and 3D animation.

It’s definitely some of the creepier visuals you’ll find in an animated horror short. One startling moments is reminiscent of the short film Mama, which was adapted into the 2013 feature length film by IT director Andy Muschietti.

The Backwater Gospel (2011)

When the undertaker comes to town to claim a life, a belligerent holy man rallies the paranoid locals to rid themselves of a tramp. This stylish horror western directed by Bo Mathorne is brutal, bloody, and cool as all hell.

The short plays out like a Stephen King novel told in under 10 minutes. The Backwater Gospel’s graphic novel-esque visuals take the story to another level in a way live-action just can’t replicate.

Do you have any favorite horror shorts? Post them in the comments below, and tell us what you thought of these awesome films!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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