Guillermo Del Toro’s Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark Is Aging Like Wine

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The 2019 film, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, produced by Guillermo del Toro, successfully adapted a famously debated book from the last half-century. It pleased longtime fans of the original Scary Stories while also introducing a new audience to the world of horror.

Many people who grew up in the 1990s were too scared to borrow Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark from their school libraries. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the most frequently banned books of the past few decades, meaning a lot of kids weren’t even able to get their hands on it.

The movie adaptation of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark cleverly centers the book itself within the plot. It’s a loving homage to the childhood thrill of reading those spooky stories late into the night, and also acknowledges the controversy surrounding them – the fear many parents and schools had about their potentially harmful content.

The “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark” Movie Playfully Nods To Its Source Material’s Controversial Status

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark; Written By Alvin Schwartz; Art By Scott Gammell; First Published In 1981

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a book filled with short, frightening tales. The original book was the first in a series of three: More Scary Stories followed in 1984, and Scary Stories 3 was released in 1991. The American Library Association identified the first book as the most frequently removed from libraries during the 1990s – it was the number one ‘challenged’ book of that decade.

The movie Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, produced by Guillermo del Toro (who also contributed to the story), centers around a haunted spirit. This spirit brings the terrifying stories from a mysterious book to life, unleashing monsters on a group of teenagers. The film subtly acknowledges its source material – a nod to fans of the original books without being distracting.

As a big fan of the original Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, I was really pleased with this film. It’s not just an adaptation; it feels like a love letter to the book itself. The book is an anthology, and honestly, the movie could have easily followed that format too. But it smartly took a different approach, cleverly weaving all the stories together through this mysterious, dangerous book. It’s a really creative way to honor the source material.

The “Scary Stories” Book’s Art Made It Truly Terrifying; How Does The Movie Live Up To That Legacy?

Scary Stories, The Movie, Plays With The Franchise’s Iconic Imagery

The success of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark movie hinges on how well it brings the stories and illustrations from the original books to life. While the stories themselves were creepy, it was Scott Gammell’s artwork that truly made the books famous – and controversial. For many who grew up in the 1990s, the illustrations are the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Scary Stories.

I really loved how the movie Scary Stories captured the truly unsettling images from Gammell’s books – those were the best parts! Honestly, my biggest wish was that we’d seen even more of his artwork. There were moments where the pacing felt a little slow between scares. But when those scares did happen, they were fantastic, especially for those of us who grew up with the books. It’s a perfect way to introduce a new generation to the joy of being genuinely frightened!

Let’s be clear: the Scary Stories movie is a PG-13 horror film. While the original book was aimed at young adults, its collection of spooky urban legends and controversial content made it feel forbidden to many kids growing up in the ’90s and ’00s. The movie doesn’t have that same forbidden feel, but it’s a fun, lighthearted horror film that successfully captures the atmosphere of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the book that first introduced a generation to the horror genre.

We’d love to hear from you! What aspects of the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark movie did you enjoy, and what changes would have made it even better?

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2026-05-23 01:46