Jack Black’s Forgotten Horror Comedy Movie Just Arrived on Netflix

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Jack Black is known for starring in many popular films like School of Rock, High Fidelity, Kung Fu Panda, and Tropic Thunder over his 40+ year career. However, he also has some lesser-known movies, and one of his underrated horror comedies recently became available to stream on Netflix, almost ten years after it first came out.

In 2018, Jack Black collaborated with horror director Eli Roth on a family-friendly horror film called The House with a Clock in Its Walls. Recently available for streaming on Netflix since March 3rd, the movie lets viewers revisit the story. Based on John Bellairs’s 1973 novel, it stars Black alongside Cate Blanchett as a young orphan named Lewis who goes to live with his uncle. When Lewis discovers his uncle is a warlock and unintentionally revives a dangerous sorcerer, they—along with a neighbor—must find a powerful clock hidden inside the house to stop a catastrophic event.

Jack Black’s The House With a Clock in Its Walls Is Quintessential Gateway Horror

Creating genuinely scary movies for kids is tough, but The House With a Clock in Its Walls gets it right. Director Eli Roth, known for horror films, aimed for thrills rather than true terror, and the movie delivers. It builds a spooky, gothic atmosphere with a creepy old mansion full of magical details – think glowing jack-o’-lanterns and furniture that moves! There are plenty of PG-rated jump scares, like haunted dolls and hedges shaped like scary griffins. The movie is definitely spooky and exciting, but it never feels too intense, making it a great, thrilling experience for younger audiences.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls successfully blends spooky moments with lighthearted fun and heartwarming themes. The story explores feelings of loss and loneliness, but ultimately focuses on the importance of finding family, whether by blood or choice. It’s packed with adventure, playful scenes, and funny dialogue, and the chemistry between the actors Jack Black and Cate Blanchett is especially delightful. With a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is a good way to introduce kids to the horror genre and provides an entertaining experience for the whole family.

What’s New on Netflix?

Netflix is adding a lot of great content in March! Families can enjoy spooky and fun movies like Goosebumps, along with classics such as The Lego Movie, Matilda, and Trolls. For older audiences, new additions include action and adventure titles like Deepwater Horizon, Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and Zombieland. And there’s even more coming to Netflix throughout the month!

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2026-03-03 19:41