It all depends on how you frame this before viewing with your kids. If you watched this repeatedly as a child in the 80's (like me) this is a great nostalgia filled movie to watch with your own kids. If you did not grow up watching this, then there is no connection and you'll be more likely to think the movie is awful. I can certainly agree that the movie is not Oscar caliber but it has an appeal to kids in a certain age range (perhaps 6 to 12) that are ready to be mildly frightened, understand it's not real and are still child-like. I first watched this as an 11 year old and my sister was 6 and we did not have nightmares, but we were a bit frightened. My 8 year old son who hated watching any sort of mildly scary movie can now watch this, but a year ago, no way. You know your kid.