Best movies and series about evil children and teenagers
Table of Contents
- Content
- The Village of the Damned (1960)
- The Girl from the End of the Street (1976)
- The Prophecy (1976)
- Abigail (2024)
- Good Night, Mom (2014)
- Let Her In (2008)
- Joshua (2007)
- The Network Dilemma (2020)
- The Warning (2020)
- The Exorcist (1973)
- The Sacrifice of the Sacred Stag (2017)
- We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
- Who Can Kill a Child? (1976)
- The Bad Seed (1956)
- The Innocents (2021)
- Gratuitous Violence (1997)
- Series
- Adolescence (2025)
- Bates Motel (2013-2017)
- Cruel Summer (2021-2023)
- Under the Bridge: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk (2024)
- Defending Jacob (2020)
- Sea of Easttown (2021)
- The Act (2019)
- Sharp Objects (2018)
- The End of the F**king World (2017-2019)
- The Third Day (2020)
- Almost Perfect (2023)
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From angelic smiles that hide macabre intentions to looks that carry surprising evil, diabolical teenagers and cruel children star in stories of horror, suspense and drama in a way that makes the audience think twice before underestimating their capabilities. Check out the complete list of the best films and series about these dark little ones.
Content
The Village of the Damned (1960)
Original title: Village of the Damned
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,3 on IMDb
In the intriguing village of Midwich, a collective and unexplained sleep plunges everyone into a paralyzing mystery. Months later, twelve women simultaneously give birth to children with identical appearances and disturbing eyes. The cast includes names such as George Sanders, Martin Stephens, Barbara shelley, Michael Gwynn e Peter vaughan.
The Girl from the End of the Street (1976)
Original title: The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
Em The Girl at the End of the Street, Rynn Jacobs (Jodie Foster), is a lonely teenager who has developed a surprising independence by hiding her father's absence under lock and key. On the other hand, her neighbor senses that something is not right and decides to investigate further. As the truth threatens to come to light, Rynn is capable of extreme measures to protect the secret he keeps.
The Prophecy (1976)
Original title: The Omen
85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb
Where to see: Prime Video
The ambitious ambassador Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) and your wife Katherine (Lee Remick) long more than anything for a child. After a tragedy, a priest's suggestion leads to the adoption of the little one Damien (Harvey Stephens). But what they didn't imagine is that they would have to deal with the antichrist himself.
Abigail (2024)
83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6 on IMDb
Where to see: Prime Video e Youtube
A group of criminals led by Frank (Dan Stevens) seize Abigail (Alisha Weir), the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful figure. Keeping her in a secluded mansion, their plan begins to unravel when they discover that the young prisoner is actually a vampire. What was supposed to be a lucrative ransom turns into a desperate fight for survival against an unstoppable force.
Good Night, Mom (2014)
Popular title: Goodnight mommy
Original: I know, I know
85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb
Where to see: Youtube e Prime Video
In the Austrian feature film, directed by Veronika franz e Severin Fiala, the twin brothers Elias and Lukas (Elias Schwarz and Lukas Schwarz) move to a new house with their mother (Susanne Wuest) after she undergoes facial cosmetic surgery. But under the bandages is someone the children don't recognize.
Let Her In (2008)
Original title: Lat den rätte komma in
Popular title: Let the Right One In
88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
In the Swedish film let her inDirected by Thomas Alfredson, Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a shy 12-year-old boy, befriends Eli (Lina Leandersson), her mysterious and charming neighbor. This new relationship gives her courage, but the girl hides a very dark secret.
Joshua (2007)
Original title: Joshua
71% on Rotten Tomatoes | 5,8 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
The peaceful life of Brad (Sam Rockwell) e Abby Cairn (Vera Farmiga) undergoes a sudden change from sinister and stressful events: animal deaths, the incessant crying of his newborn daughter and the bizarre fascination of his prodigy son, Joshua (Jacob Kogan), through mummification. The couple begins to question whether these are really macabre coincidences or signs of a dark nature behind Joshua's precocious intelligence.
The Network Dilemma (2020)
Original title: The Social Dilemma
84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb
Where to see: Netflix
In this documentary, former engineers and executives from technology giants like Tristan harris, Bailey Richardson, Jaron lanier e Shoshana Zuboff expose the inner workings and alarming impacts of social media. Through revealing interviews and impactful dramatizations, The Network Dilemma exposes manipulation tactics, the effects on mental health and the risks to democracy. Despite being a documentary, it is an important production for understanding the impact of networks on the minds of children and adolescents.
The Warning (2020)
Original title: Caveat
83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,0 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
Unemployed and without prospects, Isaac (Johnny French) takes on a peculiar job: looking after the young girl Olga (Leila Sykes) on a remote island. What seemed like an easy task ends up turning into a nightmare as soon as the boy steps inside the house, where a supernatural presence along with Olga's disturbing nature confront him.
The Exorcist (1973)
Original title: The Exorcist
83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb
The actress Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) despairs at the increasingly strange behavior of his twelve-year-old daughter, Regan (Linda Blair). In trying to find answers, she seeks out the priest Karras (Jason Miller), a priest trained in psychiatry, who diagnoses a demonic possession. To save Regan, Karras asks the experienced exorcist for help. Merrin (Max von Sydow).
The Sacrifice of the Sacred Stag (2017)
Original title: The Killing of a Sacred Deer
79% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb
Where to see: Max
In the plot, the renowned surgeon Steven Murphy (Colin Farrell) leads a peaceful family life with his wife Anna (Nicole Kidman) and her two children. This stability is threatened by the arrival of Martin (Barry Keoghan), a teenager for whom Steven feels an inexplicable responsibility and decides to take in. Little by little, Martin's presence introduces chaos into Steven's life, revealing dark secrets and forcing the family to face unthinkable consequences.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Original title: We Need to Talk About Kevin
74% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb
Where to see: Prime Video
In one of the best films about diabolical teenagers, we follow Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton), a woman who always had doubts about motherhood. This resulted in a tense and complex relationship with her son Kevin (Ezra Miller). Now, Kevin is arrested after committing a shocking act of violence, and Eva She is haunted by guilt and the search for answers. Through painful memories, she tries to unravel the signs that preceded the tragedy and questions her own share of responsibility.
Who Can Kill a Child? (1976)
Original title: Who can kill a child?
Popular title: Who Can Kill a Child?
83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
On a trip, the English tourist couple Tom (Lewis Fiander) e Evelyn (Prunella Ransome) arrive on an isolated island. The atmosphere soon becomes strange when they discover that the place is inhabited only by children, all under the control of a mysterious and disturbing force. Trapped in this great nightmare, both must unravel the secret behind the evil influence before these diabolical children affect their mental health even further.
The Bad Seed (1956)
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
In one of the best films about cruel children, Rhoda Penmark (Patty McCormack) appears to be a lovely eight-year-old girl, but her sweetness hides a cruel, selfish and manipulative nature. Her mother, Christine (Nancy Kelly), is the only one to see the dark truth behind the innocent facade. Desperate about her daughter's disturbing behavior, Christine begins a thorough investigation into his family's past.
The Innocents (2021)
Original title: The innocent
98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb
Where to see: AppleTV +
In the scorching Nordic summer, a group of children's games take a sinister turn when mysterious and dark powers come to light, far from the eyes of adults. Innocence fades as dark secrets and disturbing abilities emerge among the devilish children. Ida (Rakel Lenora Flottum), Anna (Alva Brynsmo Ramstad) and his friends.
Gratuitous Violence (1997)
Original title: F
73% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb
Where to see: Prime Video e Youtube
While on vacation at his lakeside home, Anna (Susanne Lothar), your husband Georg (Ulrich Mühe) and the son receive a visit from Peter (Frank Giering) e Paul (Arno Frisch), two young people who at first seem to be very polite. Their initial kindness soon turns into a nightmare of gratuitous violence and sadistic games. Trapped in their own home, the family is subjected to intense psychological and physical terror.
Series
Adolescence (2025)
Original title: adolescence
99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb
Where to see: Netflix
In one of the best recent series about diabolical teenagers, Jamie (Owen Cooper), is a 13-year-old boy who was accused of murdering a schoolmate, leading the family, the therapist and the investigator of the case to ask themselves: what really happened.
Bates Motel (2013-2017)
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb
Where to see: balloon play
After the tragic death of her husband, Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) seeks a new beginning in a small town, buying a roadside hotel to live in with his son Norman (Freddie Highmore). The suffocating relationship between mother and son intensifies, and with that, a disturbing and insane dynamic is revealed.
Cruel Summer (2021-2023)
93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb
Where to see: Prime Video
In a small Texas town, the sudden disappearance of a popular teenager Kate Wallis (Olivia Holt) shakes the community. Attention turns to Jeanette Turner (Chiara Aurelia), accused of having crucial information about the case. The story then follows the transformation of Jeanette, who went from being an outcast young woman to the central figure in a shocking mystery.
Under the Bridge: The True Story of the Murder of Reena Virk (2024)
Original title: Under the bridge
86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb
Where to see: Disney +
Based on the author's book Rebecca Godfrey, the series tells the true story of Reena Virk (Vritika Gupta), a fourteen-year-old girl who went to meet her friends at a party and never came home. Through the eyes of Godfrey (Riley Keough) quality Cam (Lily Gladstone), a local police officer, the production shows the hidden reality of the young women accused of murder, revealing surprising truths about the unlikely killer.
Defending Jacob (2020)
Original title: Defending jacob
70% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb
Where to see: AppleTV +
In the history of In Defense of Jacob, a family suffers a major blow when their son is accused of killing a classmate. Chris Evans, Michelle dockery e Jaeden martell star in this crime thriller, based on the best-selling novel by William Landay.
Sea of Easttown (2021)
95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,4 on IMDb
Where to see: Max
In the plot of this miniseries, the detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) works to solve the brutal murder of a young woman while her own personal life struggles. Haunted by an old unsolved case and dealing with family issues, she must confront the small community's dark secrets to find the truth.
The Act (2019)
Original title: The Act
88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb
Where to watch: currently unavailable
The Act , one of the best true stories of troubled teenagers, explores the difficult lives of Gypsy Blanchard (Joey King), a young girl who lives under the psychological and physical control of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard (Patricia Arquette). Throughout the plot, Gypsy tries in various ways to escape the abusive and manipulative relationship imposed by her mother, who makes her believe that she is seriously ill, when, in fact, she has always been healthy. Such attempts culminated in a crime that became world famous.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Original title: Sharp Objects
92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,0 on IMDb
Where to see: Max
In one of the best series about devilish children, the journalist Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), scarred by childhood trauma, returns to her hometown to cover the shocking murders of two young women. Completely immersed in the investigation, Camille begins to identify with the victims, a fact that helps her confront the psychological ghosts of her own dark past and her dysfunctional relationship with her mother, Adora (Patricia Clarkson).
The End of the F**king World (2017-2019)
94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,0 on IMDb
Where to see: Netflix
Em The End of the F**king World, James (Alex Lawther), a self-proclaimed psychopath teenager, meets Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a rebellious young woman in search of more excitement in life. Together, in an attempt to be devilish teenagers, they end up embarking on an unexpected adventure on the road with a lot of chaos and danger.
The Third Day (2020)
79% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4 on IMDb
Where to see: Max
In this plot with diabolical children, a man tormented by a tragic past and a strong and pragmatic woman, embark on different journeys towards a mysterious island off the British coast. Completely isolated, they discover that the local inhabitants keep eccentric ancestral traditions and dark secrets. The cast includes names such as Jude Law, Naomie harris, Katherine waterston, Emily Watson, Paddy considine e Nico Parker.
Almost Perfect (2023)
Original title: In the heart of the family
Popular title: A Nearly Normal Family
75% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb
Where to see: Netflix
In the history of An Almost Perfect Family, the perfect family life Sandell is shaken to its core when a shocking murder reveals just how willing the bankrupt members are to protect a secret at any cost. In this, the young woman Stella Sandell (Alexandra Karlsson Tyrefors) becomes the center of a tense investigation, exposing the family's weaknesses and dark ties.
See also:
Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 22 / 04 / 2025.
Sources: Business Insider, The Wrap e MovieWeb
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