I totally agree, most of the people I know in that age group are extremely excited for that movie - maybe it’s nostalgia for their childhood. I actually wonder if the movie isn’t targeted towards them more than it is for actual children. That said, I’ve seen endless previews and TV spots, and it doesn’t look scary at all. I think the only kids it might scare are the ones who are at an age where they’re terrified of completely random and puzzling things like people in crayon costumes or baby lambs even though they’re not scared of ‘scary’ things like spiders or the dark.
I think there has been some definite marketing to older people as well.
I had to laugh at James Gandolfini’s response to the question about if kids would be scared, “How am I supposed to know? I’m not 9 years old.”
Supposedly the climax is somewhat scary, but I don’t think it will be anything too bad. It probably isn’t appropriate for some very young kids, but I can’t imagine those around 9 or so would have problems with it.