Love Buddy? 5 Horror Movies That Weaponise Nostalgia To Watch Next

Directed by Danishka Esterhazy, The Banana Splits Movie reunited audiences with the characters from the popular ‘70s kids programme. For most, the TV series is best known for its theme song by The Dickies, but those who remember it clearer know it was a variety show produced by Hanna-Barbera that chronicled fictional band the Banana Splits. The band consisted of vocalist and guitarist Fleegle, drummer Bingo, bass player Drooper, and keyboard player Snorky. Each member of the quartet was a different animal, with beagles, lions, elephants and orangutans all represented. 

Although the show faded into the background, Esterhazy’s film brought them back to the forefront. The story sees the animatronic stars of the show start killing their live studio audience after word reaches them of their impending cancellation. A film that will speak to fans of Five Nights at Freddy’s and Willy’s Wonderland, The Banana Splits Movie ensures you’ll never look at the fictional band in the same way again.

As the Toy Story films progress, Woody, Buzz, and company have to navigate Andy growing up and forgetting about them. It’s a sad scenario, but luckily the gang are handed over to Bonnie who continues to love them. But what would happen if Andy had left them abandoned and unloved? Well, maybe they would have taken a leaf out of the book of Benny from Benny Loves You. 

In Benny Loves You, after both of his parents die, thirty-something toy designer Jack decides it's time he finally grew up and he throws out all of his childhood friends, including his beloved teddy, Benny. Benny does not take the rejection well and returns to torment Jack, leaving a body count as he goes. Benny Loves You became a surprise cult hit, thanks in part to how adorable Benny looks. The teddy looks like Elmo with ears, but his behaviour is more akin to Child’s Play character Chucky, with poor Jack finding himself trapped in a toxic relationship with his former furry friend.

Thanks to the writing of A. A. Milne and Disney, the animals of 100 Acre Woods have been a permanent fixture in the upbringing of children for generations. Whether it be Piglet, Tigger, or Winnie himself, everyone has a favourite character and their adventures have historically been sweet and full of friendship and heart. Then, in 2023, after the copyright had been lifted from Milne’s original story, director Rhys Frake-Waterfield saw an opportunity to traumatise everyone and created Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. 

The film snatches characters from Milne’s book and chucks them into a slasher movie. Pooh and Piglet are homicidal maniacs, driven to kill by Christopher Robin’s abandonment. Unaware, a group of female friends book into a cabin in 100 Acre Woods for some girl time, but soon find themselves hunted by the horrific beasts. Made in just over a week on a shoestring budget, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey is very messy, but it does a great job at weaponising nostalgia. It went on to spawn the entire Poohniverse, which also includes warpings of the likes of Pinocchio, Peter Pan, and Bambi. 

Although Skinamarink doesn’t set out to distort a single identifiable component of childhood, once you’ve seen it, you’ll be side-eyeing every kid's old school toy phone you see. Taking place over one night, Skinamarink finds two young children awakened in the middle of the night alone in the house. 

A film that should only be viewed with the warning that this is an experimental film for whom a plot is of no concern, Skinamarink is the epitome of love it or hate it. A sequence of seemingly dull imagery, Skinamarink will either crawl under your skin or leave you cold. Director Kyle Edward Ball taps into the eerie feeling that being awake in the middle of the night conjures up. It takes this feeling and runs with it, infusing a sense of dread into the most mundane of images. Ball insists that he didn’t intentionally put in any scares, and yet some viewers report seeing strange things in the shadows that lurk around the children. 

Pooka! is a feature-length episode of the anthology series Into the Dark. The story follows a struggling actor who gets a seasonal job advertising the new must-have toy, Pooka. His new job comes with more side-effects than just dehydration and overheating as he slowly starts to lose time and begins acting differently. With the toy he’s promoting having both a good and bad setting, it soon becomes clear that the same might be happening to him within the suit. 

A quick look back through the photo albums and it won’t take long to find a snap of yourself standing beside some mascot or another. Parents happily send their kids over to these people to get a picture, with no idea who is inside the suit. Pooka demonstrates exactly who could be lurking inside these costumes and offers some food for thought. A resounding success upon airing, Pooka got a sequel story, Pooka Lives.