As a ghost child stalks a schoolgirl in Dark Water, we bring you ten haunted kids.

The Others (2001)
Neurotic Nicole Kidman and her two photo-sensitive offspring hole up in an isolated, mist-covered mansion that goes bump in the night. Atmospheric, twisty cousin to The Innocents (see below), though the biggest scare is realising that ancient comedian Eric Sykes still walks among us. (Out now on DVD.)

The Innocents (1961)
Unnerving adaptation of Henry James’ Turn Of The Screw, with highly-strung governess Deborah Kerr desperately protecting her two guileless charges from the malevolent spectres stalking them. Or are they? And is she? Truly sinister, this turns the screw and then some. (Currently unavailable.)

The Shining (1980)
Kubrick and Nicholson take an axe to Stephen King’s haunted hotel saga, honing it into an epic study of evil. Hard to tell what terrifies psychic youngster Danny (Danny Lloyd) the most: the ghostly twin girls, Jack’s manic leering or the relentless pursuit by Stanley’s Steadicam. (Out now on DVD.)

Poltergeist (1982)
“They’re heeeere…” Ancient Indian spirits aren’t too thrilled to have a housing estate built on their burial ground. So they terrorise an all-American family, chiefly their little blonde moppet, through the TV. Ultimate proof that too much television is bad for kids. (Out now on Region 1 DVD.)

The Sixth Sense (1999)
Bruce Willis may turn out to be the story’s main ghost (if you haven’t seen this yet, it’s your own fault) but 10-going-on-40-year-old Haley Joel Osment’s eerie countenance is as unsettling as any of the dead people he constantly sees. (Out now on DVD.)

Lady in White (1988)
Locked in his school overnight on Halloween, Lukas Haas sees the ghost of a former pupil re-enact her murder, and finds himself as the real killer’s next target. Sweet 60s period recreation and genuine jolts make this almost-forgotten thriller worth tracking down. (Out now on Region 1 DVD.)

The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Forget the low-budget phenomenon’s three hapless twenty-something protagonists and consider the Witch’s original kiddie victims. No matter how horrible your primary school teacher was, if she made you stand in the corner she never butchered you afterwards. (Out now on DVD.)

The Haunting (1963)
No blood, no beasties, but the suggestive screen version of Shirley Jackson’s novel - the classic haunted house where young people have mysteriously died - generates so many goose pimples, you’ll practically fly south for winter. Don’t confuse with the dreadful, CGI-bloated 1999 remake. (Out now on Region 1 DVD.)

Paperhouse (1988)
A sickly child’s drawings become a fevered dream landscape that she can enter – and one where she’s not alone. The underrated Bernard Rose (Candyman, ivansxtc) broke through with this disturbing, superbly designed cogitation on the terrors of adolescence and the subconscious. (Out now on DVD.)

Ringu (1998)
Bypass the adequate Hollywood retread for Hideo Nakata’s creepier Japanese original, with vengeful phantom-child Sadako scaring folk to death seven days after watching her fateful videotape. Makes a chilling one-two combination with Dark Water. (Out now on DVD.) Leigh Singer 06 June 03