5 Family-Friendly Movies Starring Kids in Foster Care to Watch This Friday the 13th

5 Family-Friendly Movies Starring Kids in Foster Care to Watch This Friday the 13th

Celebrate Friday the 13th in a kid-friendly and parent-approved way with spooky films starring a character in foster care! Settle in for a night of dark and creepy adventures the whole family can enjoy.

Note: Some films may be scarier for smaller children, depending on the rating! Be sure to check out the MPAA’s film rating system to make sure the movie you pick is appropriate for your kiddo’s age! 

1. Earth to Echo (Rated PG–Ages 8 & up)

This is a fictional found-footage, sci-fi thriller starring best friend trio Tuck, Alex, and Munch, who start receiving mysterious messages on their phones after a highway construction project begins in their town. Following the messages, they find a robotic alien who needs their help getting home. 

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu

 

2. A Series of Unfortunate Events (Rated PG–Ages 7 & up)

Based on Lemony Snicket’s book series, the Baudelaire orphans, Sunny, Klaus, and Violet, rely on their courage and wits to avoid their evil cousin, Count Olaf, who is determined to steal their inheritance. The siblings are taken from home to home to new guardians as they try to find safety and family, all while discovering dark family secrets and danger at every turn. 

There are two ways to watch: a 2004 film and a 2017 tv series adaptation (Rated PG 13 – Ages 12 & up)

Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime (movie), Netflix (series)

 

3. Spooky House (Rated PG–Ages 7 & up)

Before being sent to an orphanage after Halloween, Max befriends a mysterious magician, The Great Zamboni, and his pet jaguar. Together, they take on a gang of bullies trained in thievery by the villainous Madame Boss.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube

 

4. The House With a Clock in Its Walls (Rated PG–Ages 8 & up)

10 year old Lewis moves in with his eccentric warlock uncle in his magical house occupied by a clock that has the power to reverse time and bring about the end of the world. 

Where to watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu

 

5. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Rated PG-13–Ages 13 & up)

Jacob follows clues left by his late grandfather and uncovers a hidden orphanage where children with special abilities live in a permanent time loop, protected from evil beings who want to steal their powers.

Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Vudu

 

Honorable Mentions:

Goosebumps (2015) (Rated PG–Ages 8 & up)

Inspired by 90s children’s book series, features R.L. Stine’s adoptive daughter who helps capture all of the Goosebumps characters after they’re unleashed from a book.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Fandango at Home

Coraline (Rated PG–Ages 8 & up)

Coraline discovers a door to another dimension where a darker version of her mom (Her “Other Mother”) tempts her to live in a fantasy world that’s far more sinister than it first appears, far away from her boring and dissatisfying life.
Where to watch: Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon, Redbox, Fandango at Home

The Willoughbys (Rated PG–Ages 7 & up)

Four neglected siblings plan to send their unfit parents on a permanent vacation, creating their own family bond in the process. The dark art style and humor is what makes this film so on-brand for Friday the 13th!
Where to watch: Netflix

Want more help planning family movie night? Check out:

Top 10 Movies About Kids in Foster Care