9 of the most disturbing horror movies with unforgettable creepy children

Children are often seen as innocent, but in horror films, they can become some of the most terrifying figures on screen. Whether they're possessed by a malevolent force, harboring a dark secret, or simply behaving in ways that defy all logic, these young characters have a unique way of heightening the fear factor in horror.

In this article, we're going to explore nine of the most disturbing horror movies where creepy children become the source of terror. These unforgettable characters prove that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters come in the smallest, most unexpected forms.

Orphan (2009)

I was really creeped out when I saw Orphan for the first time back in 2009. You have this grieving couple, Kate and John Coleman, who decide to adopt a 9-year-old Russian girl named Esther from an orphanage after the tragic loss of their daughter.

While Esther initially seems sweet and innocent at first, she begins to exhibit disturbing and dangerous behaviors as she settles into her new home. The couple eventually discover that she's harboring a dark secret, a troubled and mysterious past. After watching Orphan, you should check out its prequel Orphan: First Kill. A sequel is currently in the works.

The Omen (1976)

The Omen is a classic horror film that has went on to spawn many other movies, creating The Omen franchise. After American diplomat Robert Thorn discovers that his wife Katherine has delivered a stillborn baby, he secretly adopts a seemingly innocent young boy named Damien.

However, strange and disturbing events begin to occur around Damien leading Robert to investigate his background. What he ends up finding out is that Damien is the Antichrist, the son of Satan. The most recent movie in The Omen franchise is The First Omen, which serves as a prequel to this film.

The Exorcist (1973)

When you're talking about creepy children in horror movies, a possessed Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist must be mentioned. Like The Omen, this supernatural horror flick spawned many more films, ultimately creating The Exorcist horror franchise.

In The Exorcist, we see a once innocent 12-year-old girl, Regan MacNeil, become possessed by a malevolent demon and her desperate mother who calls on the help of two priests to perform an exorcism. A new Exorcist movie is currently in the works, with Mike Flanagan signed on to write, direct, and produce.

Us (2019)

While Jordan Peele's Us is an unsettling movie altogether, there are two creepy kids in the film who create an intense sense of unease, making them a key part of the film's eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The story follows the Wilson family who, while vacationing at a beach house, are attacked by a family of doppelgängers that look exactly like them but are malevolent versions. The Wilson family is then forced into a fight for survival.

Abigail (2024)

Imagine being trapped in a mansion with a bloodthirsty, centuries-old vampire who appears as a 12-year-old girl who enjoys ballet. That's what a team of six skilled criminals are faced with in Abigail. The criminals thought they had signed on to an easy job of kidnapping a young girl and holding her for ransom. But that girl turns out to be a vampire ballerina with dark, violent tendencies and a taste for human blood.

Here are four more disturbing horror films featuring creepy children:

• The Bad Seed (1956)
• Children of the Corn (1984)
• The Conjuring 2 (2016)
• The Innocents (2021)

What horror flicks have you watched that feature eerie young characters?