10 Cool Kids in Horror Films Who Defied Expectations

Horror films often feature children in two distinct roles: the creepy and malevolent, or the helpless victims who need rescue. Yet, a select group of horror films stands out by portraying kids who defy these stereotypes. These young heroes show remarkable courage, resourcefulness, and resilience, proving that they can save the day just as effectively as their adult counterparts. In this article, we’ll explore ten of these exceptional children in horror films who broke the mold.

Warning: Plot spoilers for the following films are discussed.

10. Hyun-seo in ‘The Host’ (2006)

In the 2006 South Korean creature-feature, “The Host,” a young girl named Hyun-seo (Ko A-sung) emerges as a remarkable tween with brave survivor instincts. Despite being abducted by a terrifying monster and taken to its lair beneath the river, Hyun-seo refuses to surrender. Instead, she fights back and assists in saving a fellow victim.

With limited resources at her disposal, Hyun-seo ingeniously calls her father, alerting him to her whereabouts, and even constructs a makeshift rope from old clothes. Her determination doesn’t waver, even when the creature regurgitates another victim, Se-joo. Hyun-seo aids in his resuscitation, helps him hide, and persistently seeks an escape route. Her unwavering courage and ingenuity make her tragic fate all the more heart-wrenching for viewers.

9. Mark in ‘The Good Son’ (1993)

The 1993 thriller “The Good Son” provided Macaulay Culkin with the opportunity to showcase his acting range as the evil Henry and allowed Elijah Wood to shine as the heroic Mark. Mark begins the film as an innocent child but gradually finds the courage to confront Henry’s malevolence.

When Mark’s pleas for help from Henry’s oblivious parents go unanswered, he takes matters into his own hands. Mark puts himself at risk by tackling Henry over the edge of a cliff, a decisive act that ultimately saves the life of Henry’s mother, Susan. While Susan must make a harrowing choice, it’s Mark’s intervention that enables her to make that choice in the first place.

8. Carly (and Josh) in ‘Mom and Dad’ (2017)

In the darkly comedic horror film “Mom and Dad,” a disturbing wave of filicidal rage consumes the parents of a suburban town. Carly (Anne Winters) and her brother Josh (Zackary Arthur) find themselves in a life-or-death struggle against their own parents, portrayed with manic intensity by Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair.

While Josh often assumes a more helpless role, the responsibility for survival falls squarely on Carly’s shoulders. She proves to be resourceful and unflinching, willing to go to great lengths to outsmart her parents, even setting up an ingenious trap involving a gas leak to incapacitate them. However, Carly’s humanity shines through as she keeps her parents alive, albeit tied up, for the time being.

7. Luke in ‘The Witches’ (1990)

In the classic 1990 family horror film “The Witches,” Jasen Fisher’s character, Luke, takes on a formidable coven of witches almost single-handedly. Throughout most of the film, he’s in his mouse form, adding an extra layer of challenge to his heroics.

As a human, Luke astutely spies on Anjelica Huston’s Grand High Witch, confirming her malicious intent. Even after the witch transforms him into a mouse, Luke refuses to give up his mission. He hatches a clever plan to turn the witches’ own magic against them by sneaking their potion into their food—all while being a tiny mouse!

6. Cole in ‘The Babysitter’ (2017)

Cole (Judah Lewis) starts the 2017 horror-comedy “The Babysitter” as a meek and lonely seventh-grader, forced to spend a night with his babysitter. However, by the film’s end, Cole undergoes a remarkable transformation, gaining confidence and a growing kill count.

Throughout a night of being pursued by teenage cultists, Cole displays remarkable intelligence in evading capture and eliminating his pursuers, often with a witty quip or two. Cole’s relatability and his transformation from an underdog to a hero make him a standout character in this darkly humorous film.

5. Gwen (and Finney) in ‘The Black Phone’ (2022)

“The Black Phone” introduces us to the dynamic sibling duo of Gwen and Finney, portrayed by Madeleine McGraw and Mason Thames. They find themselves pitted against The Grabber, a child murderer portrayed by Ethan Hawke. While Finney spends much of the film imprisoned in The Grabber’s basement, he eventually turns the tables with some ghostly guidance.

The true hero of the story, however, is Gwen. Possessing the supernatural power of premonition, Gwen also exhibits fierce loyalty and a deep bond with Finney. She courageously stands up for him, engaging in physical confrontations with bullies and even her own father to protect her brother. Gwen’s insights lead the police to The Grabber, proving her resourcefulness and determination.

4. Kassie in ‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

“Evil Dead Rise” brings the menacing Deadites from “The Evil Dead” franchise to terrorize the residents of a Los Angeles apartment building. In the face of impending doom, one family, including mom Ellie and her children Danny, Bridget, and Kassie, along with Aunt Beth, fights bravely for survival after discovering the Necronomicon and unleashing evil.

While the older kids and Aunt Beth take on the bulk of the fight against an infected Ellie, Kassie quietly exhibits resilience and a deep understanding of the situation. With remarkable composure, she declares that Ellie is no longer her mother and assists Aunt Beth by passing her weapons mid-battle. In a chilling moment, Kassie temporarily stops her infected sister Bridget by impaling her with a broom handle.

3. Regan in ‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

Millicent Simmonds delivers a standout performance as Regan in “A Quiet Place.” A courageous and determined tween, Regan constantly challenges her parents as she strives to contribute to the family’s survival in a world terrorized by vicious aliens. Notably, Regan is hard of hearing, adding a unique layer to her character.

Regan’s desire to prove herself to her father, fueled by guilt over her brother Beau’s death, drives her to demonstrate extraordinary fearlessness. Throughout the film, she protects her surviving brother Marcus, alerts nearby farms to impending danger, deciphers the key to disarming the aliens, and maintains a profound connection with her father.

2. Phoebe (and The Squad) in ‘The Monster Squad’ (1987)

“The Monster Squad,” a horror-comedy, features the return of iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Mummy, Wolf Man, and Gill-man. Pre-teenagers battling monsters and facing various challenges, including bullies and overbearing parents, make up The Monster Squad.

Phoebe (Ashley Bank), the sole female member of the group, plays a pivotal role. She recruits the enigmatic “scary German guy” and possesses the knowledge needed to defeat the evil forces. Without Phoebe, Dracula might have achieved victory. Her contributions to the team are indispensable, and her unwavering courage is as impressive as it is endearing.

1. Ben (and the Losers’ Club) in ‘IT: Chapter One’ (2017)

Selecting just one member of the Losers’ Club from Stephen King’s “IT: Chapter One” is a daunting task, as each teenager in the group demonstrates exceptional capabilities. However, the strength of the Losers’ Club lies in their unity and mutual support, allowing them to confront the menacing Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård).

Among the Losers, Ben (Jeremy Ray Taylor) stands out for his crucial role in uncovering the history of IT and its lair. Immersing himself in research to escape bullies, Ben learns about the malevolent entity and relays his findings to the group. He also plays a vital role in snapping Beverly out of her trance after she falls under Pennywise’s spell. Ben faces his fears head-on, whether they involve bullies, supernatural entities, or first love, demonstrating remarkable bravery and resilience.

In conclusion, these ten exceptional children in horror films defy the conventional expectations associated with their age. They demonstrate bravery, resourcefulness, and determination, often outshining their adult counterparts. These young heroes remind us that courage knows no age, and they leave a lasting impression in the world of horror cinema.