TL;DR: If you’re looking for a quick way to help your kid navigate the "big feels" of anxiety and fear, here are the heavy hitters we recommend right now:
- For the big screen: Inside Out 2 (the definitive guide to puberty-onset anxiety) and Orion and the Dark (perfect for the overthinker).
- For the bookshelf: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and Scaredy Squirrel.
- For the controller: Luigi's Mansion 3 (facing fears with a vacuum and a sense of humor).
Ask our chatbot for a personalized list based on your kid's specific fears
Fear is having a bit of a "moment" in children’s media, and honestly, it’s about time. For a while, we tried to shield kids from anything remotely "spooky" or "stressful," but the current crop of creators has realized something we parents see every day: kids are already anxious.
Whether it’s the existential dread of a "cursed" Skibidi Toilet video they saw over a friend's shoulder or the very real social pressure of not being "Ohio" (weird/cringe) at school, kids are navigating a lot of internal noise.
The goal isn't to eliminate fear—that’s impossible and honestly a little dangerous. The goal is to give them the vocabulary to name it and the stories to see that bravery isn't the absence of fear; it's doing the thing while your knees are shaking.
We’re seeing a massive shift in how kids consume "scary" content. According to recent community data, about 65% of kids in grades 3-5 are regularly engaging with "mild horror" or "thriller" elements in games like Roblox (think Doors or Piggy). They are seeking out the adrenaline of being scared in a controlled environment.
When we use high-quality stories to talk about fear, we move it from a "glitch" in their system to a manageable part of their personality. Here is how to use the latest media to build that bravery.
Best for: Ages 8-14 If the first movie was about the necessity of sadness, the sequel is a deep dive into the takeover of Anxiety. It is rare for a blockbuster to nail the physiological feeling of an anxiety attack so accurately while keeping it accessible for a 10-year-old.
Why it works: It introduces "Anxiety" not as a villain, but as a character who is trying (and failing) to protect the protagonist, Riley. It helps kids understand that their brain isn't "broken" when they worry; it's just over-preparing. Pro-tip: Use this to talk about "projections." In the movie, Anxiety creates "what if" scenarios. Ask your kid: "What’s a 'what if' scenario your brain has been drawing lately?"
Best for: Ages 5-10 Written by Charlie Kaufman (yes, the Eternal Sunshine guy), this is not your typical "don't be afraid of the dark" story. Orion is a kid who is literally afraid of everything—bees, cell phone radiation, falling off a cliff, and especially the Dark.
The No-BS Take: It’s a bit meta and intellectual. If your kid just wants a simple story, they might get lost in the "story-within-a-story" structure. But for the kid who is a "logician" or an overthinker, it’s brilliant. It personifies Dark as a tired guy just doing his job, which demystifies the unknown.
Best for: Ages 7-12 Roz the robot wakes up on a remote island and has to survive. She is a programmed machine in a world of wild, fearful animals.
Why it matters: The fear here is about belonging and survival. It’s a great bridge for kids who are moving away from "monsters" and toward social fears. Roz has to learn to adapt and face the "fear of the other." The writing is sparse and beautiful, making it a perfect family read-aloud. (Note: There is also a movie version that is visually stunning but leans a bit harder into the action-scary than the book).
Best for: Ages 3-6 For the younger set, we love this one because it flips the script. Small Knight is supposed to be brave but is actually terrified of the "monsters" in the woods.
The Screenwise Review: It’s charming without being saccharine. It acknowledges that sometimes the things we are afraid of are just "shadows" of our imagination. It’s a great "intro to bravery" book for preschoolers who are starting to have bad dreams.
Best for: Ages 7+ Wait, a video game? Yes. Luigi is the patron saint of anxious kids. Unlike Mario, who jumps into danger with a "Wahoo!", Luigi is visibly shaking, teeth chattering, and literally crying out for his brother.
Why it’s a wellness tool: Playing as Luigi allows a kid to "be" the scared person who still succeeds. It’s a low-stakes way to practice persistence in the face of (cartoonish) ghosts. It’s also one of the best co-op games out there if you want to play alongside them as Gooigi.
Fear looks different at every stage. Here’s a quick breakdown of how to frame these stories:
- Preschool (3-5): Fear is physical. It’s the dark, loud noises, or costumed characters. Stick to books like Scaredy Squirrel where the fear is externalized and funny.
- Elementary (6-10): Fear becomes "What if?" This is the prime age for Orion and the Dark. They need stories where characters use logic and tools to face the unknown.
- Middle School (11-14): Fear is social. It’s about being "cringe," being left out, or failing. Inside Out 2 is the gold standard here. At this age, they might also start gravitating toward "Analog Horror" on YouTube—be sure to check in on that, as it can be much darker than it looks.
There is a trend in digital media called "Mascot Horror"—think Five Nights at Freddy's or Poppy Playtime. These take things kids should love (bears, dolls) and make them terrifying.
If your kid is obsessed with these, don't panic. For many kids, engaging with these games is a "rite of passage." It’s how they prove to their peers that they aren't "babies." However, if you notice your kid is having trouble sleeping or becoming hyper-vigilant, it’s time to pivot back to the "bravery" stories listed above. Those stories provide a resolution to fear, whereas Mascot Horror often just provides a jump-scare.
Learn more about Mascot Horror and why kids are obsessed with it
When you finish one of these movies or books, avoid the "See? There's nothing to be afraid of!" line. It’s dismissive and, frankly, untrue. The world is a bit scary.
Try these instead:
- "What was the 'Dark's' job in that story?" (Helps them see purpose in things they dislike).
- "When was a time you felt like Luigi but did the thing anyway?"
- "Which character in Riley's head is the loudest in your brain right now?"
We can't curate a world for our kids that is 100% "safe" and "happy." If we do, they'll be totally unequipped for the first time they encounter a real-world "villain" or a massive spike of anxiety.
The best thing we can do is use these stories as a "bravery simulator." Let them feel the tension of The Wild Robot or the panic of Inside Out 2 from the safety of the couch. When they eventually face their own "Dark," they’ll have a script for how to handle it.
Next Steps:
- Pick one "bravery" movie for your next family movie night.
- Check your kid's YouTube history for "Shorts" that might be leaning into the Mascot Horror genre.
- Take the Screenwise Survey to see how your family's media diet compares to your community