While there are many horror movies about kids that give audiences the creeps, whether they sense a supernatural presence or they're ghosts themselves, it's hard to think of contemporary TV shows that are terrifying and also aimed at child viewers. But back in the '90s, it was a totally different story. There were countless series, whether animated or live-action, that told scary stories for kids. While these were definitely appropriate and not on the same level as horror films that adults watch, many episodes were genuinely freaky, and chances are that '90s kids remember being scared of at least one storyline.
From episodes about bullies and werewolves to plotlines featuring spirits and werewolves and urban legends, these TV shows from the 1990s tell fascinating scary tales for children.
Goosebumps (1995-1998)
With the exciting news that there will be a new Goosebumps TV show, it's fun to rewatch the '90s children's horror series based on the book series by R.L. Stine. Many horror fans grew up enjoying this show which taught them the power of telling a smart, concise, half-hour scary story.
Goosebumps focuses on a variety of horror topics, from haunted masks to zombies to freaky dolls, ghosts, werewolves, freaky worms, mummys, vampires, and a school that turns kids into clones. Fans remember the episode "Say Cheese and Die" about a kid named Greg (Ryan Gosling) who found a camera that showed bad things that would happen in each photograph.
Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (1990-2000)
There are some terrifying Are You Afraid Of The Dark? episodes and many people remember watching this show, which began airing in the early '90s. Like Goosebumps, it's a horror anthology show and in each episode, a group of kids who call themselves The Midnight Society each tell a horror story. Fans love when the kids head into the woods and make a campfire as it adds to the creepy environment. The original series ended in 1996, then the show came back for two seasons in 1999 and 2000, and there was a two-season revival series in 2019 and 2021.
The show works perfectly since kids often tell each other scary stories and get totally freaked out as they believe that there must be some truth to them. Some episodes focus on haunted houses or apartments, like the season 2 episode "The Tale of the Thirteenth Floor" when a brother and sister are scared of this floor of their building. Other episodes are about spirits, like "The Tale of the Shiny Red Bicycle."
Eerie, Indiana (1991-1992)
There are some great horror movies for children and this science-fiction/horror TV show is especially creepy. Eerie, Indiana aired for one 19-episode season and focuses on friends Simon and Marshall. After Marshall begins living in this weird tiny town, he befriends Simon and they start investigating what's going on.
Each episode focuses on a truly terrifying situation that Marshall or his classmates are dealing with. In one particularly strange episode, "Heart on a Chain," Melanie is given the heart of Devon, a kid who passes away, and then she begins acting totally different. The show was definitely ahead of its time as the episode "Reality Takes a Holiday" finds Marshall starring on Eerie, Indiana. The show appeals to kids who become interested in Marshall and Simon's friendship and who want to figure out the mysteries of this town along with them.
Freaky Stories (1997-1998)
While the '90s horror movie about urban legends takes a look at these "true" tales, the '90s horror series Freaky Stories also shares tales that have "happened to a friend." The show stands out because it's animated and it manages to be both scary and compelling, which makes it tough to stop watching.
The main characters are Maurice the Maggot and Larry de bug, and the show looks at famous urban legends like "The Babysitter," "The 13th Floor," "Fountain of Youth," and "The Killer in the Backseat." It's a brilliant idea as kids are bound to become invested in a show that tells horrifying tales with cool animation. While the show isn't talked about all that much anymore, those with the streaming service Tubi can check it out.
Tales from the Cryptkeeper (1993-1999)
Horror fans loved Tales from the Crypt, the comic book series and HBO show adaptation, and there was a version for kids, too. Also a Canadian animated horror TV series, Tales from the Cryptkeeper aired on ABC and YTV is also part of the horror anthology genre. The episodes are fascinating self-contained stories about bullies ("Hyde and Go Shriek"), a ship of spirits ("Ghost Ship"), and a fun storyline about a carnival in the episode "Uncle Harry's Horrible House of Horrors."
Like other horror TV shows aimed at children, this one was genuinely scary, and it was always fun to see which story was being told next. Like Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Tales From The Cryptkeeper focuses on subjects that affect kids, like bullying and fitting in, and that feels particularly interesting during those tough growing up years.