42 Years After Its Premiere, Disney’s Underrated Dark Fantasy Movie Is Streaming for the First Time

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When Disney+ launched, it promised access to the entire library of content from Disney and its brands. It featured nostalgic favorites like Disney Channel Original Movies, classic Disney films, and all the movies from Marvel and Star Wars. However, it quickly became apparent that not *everything* was available. Some notable missing titles included the live-action *Dick Tracy*, the 1994 version of *The Jungle Book*, and the often-discussed musical *Song of the South*.

As a lifelong movie fan, I was thrilled to see Disney finally stream *Something Wicked This Way Comes*! It’s been missing for years, and it’s amazing they’ve brought it back for everyone to enjoy. This is actually the very first time the film has been available on *any* streaming service! It originally hit theaters back in 1983 as an adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s novel. While it didn’t do well at the box office – Disney had a rough time with live-action films in the ’80s – it really stuck with a lot of us kids and became one of those movies that genuinely freaked us out, in the best way!

Something Wicked This Way Comes Is a Perfect Scary Movie for Kids

The story of *Something Wicked This Way Comes* centers on two young friends, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, when a strange carnival arrives in their town. While it seems exciting at first, the carnival begins to alter the people who visit, using a kind of dark magic to give them exactly what they’ve always wanted—but with unexpected and often sad consequences. This focus on the experiences of young characters makes the film especially appealing and relatable for younger viewers, as much of the suspense comes from their perspective.

One reason *Something Wicked This Way Comes* resonates with so many people is its universal themes. While the story centers on two young boys and is geared towards that age group, the film also offers a compelling perspective through Will’s father, Charles (played by Jason Robards), allowing adults to connect with the narrative as well. This dual perspective is the film’s strength. Both the original story and the movie serve as a moment of reflection for the viewer. It prompts you to consider: do you identify with the youthful desire to explore and achieve, or with the mature longing to provide a better future for others? Regardless of your life stage, the story offers something meaningful to everyone.

What really makes *Something Wicked This Way Comes* work for audiences is that it’s genuinely scary, but knows its limits. It delivers chills – like a room full of tarantulas or a frightening scene relying on the *threat* of danger rather than gore – and these scares are largely thanks to Jonathan Pryce’s incredible performance as the villainous Mr. Dark. Pryce plays him with a sly, tempting intelligence, always seeming one step ahead, and convincingly blends menace with a captivating intrigue, making him a truly devilish opponent.

Something Wicked This Way Comes Still Holds Up in 2025

When *Something Wicked This Way Comes* was first released, reviews were generally favorable, though not universally so. Film critic Roger Ebert particularly praised it, giving it three-and-a-half stars and noting that it uniquely captured the feeling, atmosphere, and even the writing style of the original novel. He admired how the film reflected the beautiful and carefully crafted prose of Ray Bradbury, ultimately calling it a sophisticated and elegant horror movie.

People often say certain films couldn’t be made today because of controversial content, but *Something Wicked This Way Comes* would be a challenge to produce for a different reason. It’s a live-action, dark fantasy movie with a cozy autumn feel, aimed at kids – a combination you rarely see now. Beyond that, it relies heavily on practical effects and creative camera work. This makes the film even more special and unique, and that’s especially noticeable when watching it today.

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2025-10-07 22:11