In the 1910s through the 1950s, many classic movie monsters, including Frankenstein (1910), Nosferatu (1922), Dracula (1931), The Wolfman (1941), and The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1953), made their first appearance. in the mainstream. appearances. These monsters jumped from the literary pages of their respective novels to the big screen. Few would consider these demons appropriate for children, but the shift from print to film made them popular. The horror genre in general has always been geared towards adults. However, over time and in a society of relative safety, fear can become attractive.
With the rise of slasher films in the 1970s and 1980s, and subsequent gore-horror films, it seemed the last nail in the coffin had been driven in for classic monster horror. However, they would rise from the grave from a new angle: as good boys and friends of children. In fact, in the 1990s there was a revival of horror in a funny way with Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, Tales from the Crypt, The Addams Family movies and cartoons, and with the Goosebumps books. Horror themes that used to terrify previous generations now brought mostly nostalgia and delight. Now this generation of viewers is beginning to raise their own children. Most of these new parents are looking for children’s books, movies, and various other forms of entertainment, including the most recent form of media that is the website, that invoke a sense of haunted horror in children while avoiding the true horror aspect. .
Hotel Transylvania (2012), monsters inc. (2001), monsters vs aliens (2009), and monster high school (2010 – Present) are prime prime examples of monsters evolving from antagonists to protagonists. These franchises borrow their themes from the horror genre, but keep the tone heartfelt and comedic. These characteristics are repeated in children’s books as well. In addition to the book formats of the aforementioned movies, there are books like where the wild things Areand monster trouble, i need my monster. Some of these new takes on monsters have grown beyond their original stories to accommodate the new connected world. For example, him monster high school and teach your monster to read Websites use the World Wide Web to reach new audiences and use new tools to provide a more interactive, educational and engaging experience. With these fresh and inventive takes on werewolves, vampires, banshees, lagoon creatures, and other monsters, the new creature characters are certainly unique and something that will tickle a lot of funny bones.
Overall, it looks like the classic horror monster theme won’t completely fade away. In the worst case, it will remain undead for a few years, but given the new trend of monster-themed children’s books and media, a genre that is expanding by the day, the theme of horror may soon creep into every again in mainstream children’s media and delight. new generations. Perhaps, in time, even the popular saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ will be changed to ‘Judge a monster by its shape’. In any case, the kids horror theme is alive and well and not nearing an early grave.
