7 Creepy Movies About Killer Kids That You Must Watch

      Casey Chong presents a collection of must-see killer kid movies that might have flown under your radar...

      While children are often seen as innocent, they can also be terrifying. This is notably depicted in various films where kids serve as horror villains, like The Bad Seed, The Omen, and the Children of the Corn series. However, our curated list highlights seven underrated and lesser-known killer kid movies that deserve your attention...

      Who Can Kill a Child? (1976)

      When you first view Who Can Kill a Child?, you may feel like you're watching the wrong film, especially during the lengthy opening sequence, which features a documentary-style montage showcasing the psychological trauma children endure due to war. But fear not, as the narrative shifts to focus on Tom (Lewis Fiander) and Evelyn (Prunella Ransome), an English couple vacationing in Spain who opt to explore a secluded island away from typical tourist spots.

      Director Narciso Ibáñez Serrador takes a deliberate approach, allowing for in-depth exploration of the couple's interactions. The plot unfolds slowly, prioritizing building tension through their leisurely moments together until they arrive on an island strangely populated only by children. The story gradually escalates as they observe the children engaged in violent acts.

      Serrador effectively maintains an air of uncertainty around the children's violent behaviors towards adults, amplifying their menace. The motivations remain ambiguous, with no flashbacks or overt explanations offered—just a brutal survival story of Tom and Evelyn, who must escape the island at all costs. The film does not shy away from graphic violence, particularly in the increasingly tense final act leading to a bleak conclusion.

      Bloody Birthday (1981)

      In this film, penned by Ed Hunt, who also directed, and Barry Pearson, children born during a solar eclipse develop murderous instincts. While this premise seems absurd, Hunt fully embraces the humorous concept, turning three such children—Debbie (Elizabeth Hoy), Curtis (Billy Jayne), and Steven (Andy Freeman)—into killers who embark on their spree on their 10th birthdays.

      Despite their innocent appearances, the trio shows no guilt while committing their crimes, even in a cold-blooded fashion. The child actors deliver strong performances as the antagonists, and Hunt deserves recognition for incorporating enough violence to engage horror enthusiasts. While Bloody Birthday received mixed reviews upon its release, it has since garnered a cult following.

      The Good Son (1993)

      It's surprising to see Macaulay Culkin, known for his role as the mischievous Kevin McCallister in the first two Home Alone films, take on a darker character in The Good Son. Here, Culkin portrays the manipulative Henry, whose psychopathic traits terrify his cousin, Mark (Elijah Wood). Henry shows no hesitation in harming animals and even causes a fatal accident by dropping a human-sized dummy from a bridge. This represents a significant shift in Culkin's career, proving he was ready for a challenging role after his earlier successes.

      Director Joseph Ruben, experienced in the thriller genre with films like The Stepfather and Sleeping with the Enemy, skillfully draws out strong performances from his young cast while maintaining a tense and suspenseful atmosphere. The Good Son was a moderate success worldwide, grossing over $60 million, and even earned Culkin a Best Villain nomination at the MTV Movie Awards.

      There’s Something Wrong With the Children (2023)

      This horror film, released straight to streaming, takes time to build its story, focusing on two couples—Margaret (Alisha Wainwright) and Ben (Zach Gilford), along with Ellie (Amanda Crew) and Thomas (Carlos Santos)—during a weekend camping trip. The latter couple brings their young children, Lucy (Breilla Guiza) and Spencer (David Mattle). Director Roxanne Benjamin, known for her work on the first two V/H/S films, adopts a slow, deliberate pace.

      While this might deter some viewers, Benjamin effectively navigates the screenplay by T.J. Cimfel and David White. The film's turning point occurs when the children exhibit bizarre behavior after one of the couples observes them entering a mysterious cave, only for them to return unscathed. The children's eerie actions and unexplainable behavior create an intriguing psychological tension, and Benjamin successfully maintains an unsettling atmosphere until the unsettling conclusion.

      Mikey (1992)

      Mikey, portrayed chillingly by Brian Bonsall, is not someone you want to cross. He exhibits violent tendencies and doesn't hesitate to kill his family, showcased in the film's unsettling opening scene. The narrative then follows Mikey as he enters foster care with a new family, and while his adoptive parents, Neil (John Diehl) and Rachel (Mimi Craven), are unaware of his past, his teacher, Gilder (Ashley Laurence), starts to suspect something is off with him.

      Director Dennis Dimster approaches Mikey as a child-centric version of The Stepfather, capturing Bonsall's standout performance