Jump Scares: Horror Nostalgia
Thinking back on childhood spooks and scares
Writing my newsletter last week made me nostalgic. While I was writing about shows from my childhood that were nightmare fuel (despite that not being their intention), I remembered the many shows I would watch that were intended to be spooky for kids.
Shows like Goosebumps, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and even Scooby Doo lent a hand in guiding me toward horror as I grew older. In the same breath, there were films like Monster House and A Nightmare Before Christmas that strengthened the curiosity.
I can remember a lot of the “spooky” media I would watch as a child. Even media that wasn’t necessarily for my age group, considering my dad would let me watch horror movies with him on summer nights while we snacked on popcorn and candy.
It makes me wonder if there was ever a specific thing that flip the switch in my brain to become a “horror fanatic” or if it was truly just an amalgamation of all things.
Was it the Corpse Bride that made me transition into The Bride of Chucky? Maybe it was the many unmaskings of Scooby Doo that made fall in love with masked slashers? Who knows, and at this point, it’s probably too hard to pinpoint.
I must admit that my soft spot for these shows and movies make me miss them dearly. Are spooky children’s shows even a thing anymore? Is there anything like Edgar & Ellen on TV still?
I know that there’s a new series on Disney+ for Goosebumps, but from what I’ve heard, it’s not really for kids. It’s more so for those who grew up with it rather than those being introduced to it.
Are there anymore Invader Zim shows? Caroline movies?
I remember how popular these were for the 2000s and 2010s, but it seems as if the newer generation of children don’t get these same experiences. Well… technically.
I suppose that their Goosebumps is Poppy Playtime. Just as I had Five Nights at Freddy’s as a kid, they—well, actually they have that too. Crazy how big that franchise has gotten actually.
So kids today get FNAF, Poppy Playtime, and… I guess Hello Neighbor? Eh, at least FNAF has some substance. Either way, if it gets them into horror, it’s fine by me, even if I don’t always get the appeal for some of them. That’s just how it goes, right?
Besides, I think it’s working. This Halloween, I had a kid dressed as Harry Warden from My Bloody Valentine.
I said, “Harry Warden? I’m surprised you even know who that is.” Cringey, I know, considering most people will say things like that to me as someone in their 20s.
The kid replied, “Yeah! Harry!”
I’m pretty sure they were excited that someone even knew who they were dressed up as. Just like when the girl dressed as Barbie lit up when I waved with a “Hi, Barbie!” Or when the girl dressed as Tape Face got excited when I recognized her costume.
What’s even more of a coincidence is that I had dressed up as Harry myself for a local haunt that I was part of.
Makes you remember that the love of horror expands across all ages. I can remember being at cons talking to people who were twice my age about the genre. People, who, in a normal circumstance, I wouldn’t have much in common with. Yet, the love of horror brought us together to have a conversation even if it was just for five minutes.
Anyway, that’s enough from me. I should probably go buy tickets for that new Thanksgiving slasher movie.
Anyone actually remember what got them into horror? Did it start when you were kid or later on?