If you’ve been to a school pickup lately, you’ve probably seen a kid wearing a t-shirt with a creepy purple guy or a moth-eaten animatronic bear. That’s the world of Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF), and at the center of that whirlwind is Matthew Lillard.

For those of us who grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Lillard was the king of the "lovable weirdo" archetype. He was Shaggy Rogers. He was the manic Stu Macher in the original Scream. But in 2026, he’s undergone a massive "Renaissance." He hasn’t just stayed relevant; he’s become the face of the horror genre for a generation of kids who are too young for R-rated slashers but too old for Disney Junior.

It’s hard to overstate how much the character of William Afton (played by Lillard) dominates the digital lives of middle schoolers. Even if your kid hasn't seen the Five Nights at Freddy's movie, they’ve seen the "Purple Guy" memes on YouTube, played the fan-made versions on Roblox, or listened to the viral lore deep-dives.

Lillard brings a specific kind of theatrical, creepy-but-charismatic energy to the role that kids find irresistible. It’s "safe" scary. It’s lore-heavy, which means it rewards kids for digging into the history of the characters—a digital scavenger hunt that keeps them engaged far longer than a standard 90-minute movie.

Ask our chatbot about why FNAF lore is so addictive for kids

This month’s release of Scream 7 has brought Lillard back into the "grown-up" spotlight. While the Scream franchise is definitely not for the elementary school set, the marketing is everywhere. Because Lillard is so synonymous with FNAF, younger kids are naturally curious about his "other" horror movies.

Here is the no-BS reality: Scream is a hard R. It’s meta, it’s violent, and it’s intense. If your 11-year-old is begging to see it because "the guy from FNAF is in it," you’re going to need to set some boundaries. The "Lillard Renaissance" is cool, but it’s also a direct pipeline from PG-13 jump scares to R-rated gore.

Ages 7+ This is the ultimate starting point. It’s campy, it’s funny, and Lillard’s performance is legendary. It’s a great way to introduce the actor without any of the nightmares. If they like this, you can move on to the Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (show), which is arguably the best version of the cartoon ever made.

Ages 12+ This is the "gateway horror" drug. It’s PG-13, meaning it relies more on atmosphere and jump scares than blood and guts. Lillard is underused in the first film but looms large over the entire story. It’s the primary reason your kid knows who he is.

Ages 16+ The original. If you have a teenager who is starting to get into film history or "classic" horror, this is a must-watch—but only with a high maturity level. It’s violent, the language is rough, and the themes of betrayal are heavy.

Ages 17+ The newest installment. Even with the hype, this is strictly for the older crowd. If your kids are seeing clips of Lillard’s return on TikTok, remind them that a 30-second clip is very different from a two-hour slasher film.

When kids start gravitating toward Matthew Lillard's creepier roles, it’s usually a sign they are testing their "bravery" boundaries. Here’s how to handle it:

Check out our guide on managing YouTube "Horror-Lite" content

Is Matthew Lillard's current filmography "brain rot"? Honestly, no.

Unlike the endless, mindless loops of some YouTube trends, Lillard’s work—even in the FNAF world—is about storytelling, performance, and community. The FNAF fandom is huge on theory-crafting and problem-solving. While the content is "spooky," it’s often more intellectually stimulating than the average mindless mobile game.

However, if you feel like your kid is getting a little too deep into the darkness, it’s always good to pivot back to something lighter. If they love the "mystery" aspect of Lillard's roles, try introducing them to Gravity Falls or even a non-scary mystery game like Professor Layton.

Matthew Lillard is the rare actor who has managed to capture the hearts of two generations for completely different reasons. He’s our Shaggy and their Springtrap.

As Scream 7 dominates the box office this month, use it as an opportunity to talk to your kids about the difference between "fun scary" (Scooby-Doo), "thriller scary" (FNAF), and "adult horror" (Scream). You don't have to ban the interest, but you should definitely be the one holding the flashlight as they explore the spooky basement of modern digital culture.

Next Steps:

Learn more about setting boundaries for horror media