View source for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (film)


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{{Infobox film
| name           = Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
| image          = Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark film logo.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[André Øvredal]]
| screenplay     = [[The Hageman Brothers|Dan Hageman<br />Kevin Hageman]]
| story          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Guillermo del Toro]]
* [[Patrick Melton]]
* [[Marcus Dunstan]]
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark]]''|[[Alvin Schwartz (children's author)|Alvin Schwartz]]}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Guillermo del Toro
* [[Sean Daniel]]
* Jason F. Brown
* [[J. Miles Dale]]
* Elizabeth Grave
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Zoe Colletti]]
* [[Michael Garza]]
* Gabriel Rush
* [[Austin Zajur]]
* Natalie Ganzhorn
* [[Austin Abrams]]
* [[Dean Norris]]
* [[Gil Bellows]]
* [[Lorraine Toussaint]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Roman Osin]]
| editing        = Patrick Larsgaard
| music          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Marco Beltrami]]
* Anna Drubich
}}
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[CBS Films]]
* [[Entertainment One]]
* 1212 Entertainment
* Double Dare You Productions
* Sean Daniel Company
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Lionsgate Films]] (United States)
* Entertainment One (Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Benelux and Spain)<ref name=finance/>
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2019|8|9|United States}}
| runtime        = 108 minutes<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fandango.com/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-217131/movie-overview|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark|website=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807135409/https://www.fandango.com/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-217131/movie-overview|archive-date=August 7, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| country        = {{Plainlist|
* United States
* Canada
}}
| language       = English
| budget         = $25–28 million<ref name=BOM/><ref name=opening/>
| gross          = $104.5 million<ref name=BOM>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scarystoriestotellinthedark.htm|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812144121/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=scarystoriestotellinthedark.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark''''' is a 2019 [[supernatural horror film]] directed by [[André Øvredal]], based on the book series [[Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark|of the same name]] by [[Alvin Schwartz (children's author)|Alvin Schwartz]]. The screenplay was adapted by [[the Hageman Brothers]], from a screen story by [[Guillermo del Toro]] (who also produced), as well as [[Patrick Melton]] and [[Marcus Dunstan]]. The film, an international co-production of the United States and Canada, stars [[Zoe Colletti]], [[Michael Garza]], Gabriel Rush, [[Austin Zajur]], Natalie Ganzhorn, [[Austin Abrams]], [[Dean Norris]], [[Gil Bellows]], and [[Lorraine Toussaint]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) |url=https://letterboxd.com/film/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-2019/ |website=[[Letterboxd]] |access-date=8 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=MCCLUSKEY |first1=MEGAN |title=How Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Sets Up a Possible Sequel |url=https://time.com/5646688/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ending/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=8 January 2020 |language=en |date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812125640/https://time.com/5646688/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ending/ |archive-date=12 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, [[CBS Films]] acquired the rights to the book series from 1212 Entertainment,<ref name="Deadline Hollywood">{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/cbs-films-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-saw-patrick-melton-marcus-dunstan-646713/ |title=CBS Films Nabs 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Pitch from 'Saw' Scribes |date=4 December 2013 |access-date=2019-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102162124/https://deadline.com/2013/12/cbs-films-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-saw-patrick-melton-marcus-dunstan-646713/ |archive-date=2019-11-02 |url-status=live }}</ref> with the intent of producing it as a feature film. By January 2016, it was announced that del Toro would develop and potentially direct the project for CBS Films. Øvredal was later set to direct the film, with del Toro, Daniel, Brown, and Grave being among the producers. [[Principal photography]] began on August 27, 2018, and ended on November 1, 2018, in [[St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada]].

''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'' was theatrically released on August 9, 2019, in the United States by [[Lionsgate Films]]. The film was well received by critics with praise for its depictions of the horror features from its source material, and went on to gross $105 million at the box office, becoming a financial success. A sequel is in development.

==Plot==
On [[Halloween]] night in 1968, in the fictional [[Pennsylvania]] town of Mill Valley, teenagers Stella, Auggie and Chuck visit the supposedly haunted home of the Bellows family, accompanied by newcomer Ramón. Inside a secret room, they find a book of horror stories written by Sarah Bellows, the family's daughter. Ostracized for her [[albinism]] and accused of witchcraft when the town's children began to die mysteriously, she allegedly committed [[suicide]] in 1898. The local bully, Tommy, locks the group inside Sarah's room along with Ruth, Chuck's sister. After Tommy leaves, the lock is mysteriously opened, and Stella takes Sarah's storybook home.

Back home, Stella finds a new story called "Harold," written in blood, on previously blank pages. In a nearby cornfield, an inebriated Tommy is stalked by the titular Harold—his family's scarecrow. Harold stabs Tommy in the back with a pitchfork, causing him to vomit hay and undergo a violent transformation. The next day, Tommy is reported missing. Stella and Ramon find Harold dressed in Tommy's clothes.

Stella and Ramón watch in shock as a story titled "The Big Toe" writes itself in the storybook. Auggie, the protagonist of the story, unknowingly eats stew containing the big toe of a corpse. Auggie is then dragged under his bed by the corpse and disappears. Alarmed, the remaining friends try fruitlessly to destroy the book. Researching the Bellows, they learn that the live-in maid Sylvia Baptiste was fired after teaching Sarah witchcraft, and the rest of the family all disappeared after Sarah's suicide. However, all their names can be found in the stories, suggesting the book—or Sarah—killed them.

Another new story called "The Red Spot" appears with Ruth as the protagonist. Ruth is getting her makeup ready for the play, and starts poking at a swollen [[spider bite]] on her cheek. The bite explodes into hundreds of tiny spiders. Ruth is rescued but is traumatized and institutionalized.

The group's investigation takes them to the elderly Lou-Lou Baptiste, Sylvia Baptiste's daughter. They learn that Sarah did not die in the Bellows' house. Instead, she hanged herself in the hospital where her older brother, Dr. Ephraim Bellows, was her supervising doctor.

At the hospital, the group discover recordings that reveal Sarah's brother had ruthlessly performed [[electroshock therapy]] on her to get her to confess to killing the children. Their deaths were actually caused by the family's paper mill poisoning the town's water with [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], so they framed Sarah when the town got suspicious. Chuck, while trying to evade hospital security, accidentally triggers an alarm which floods the hallways in the same red light from his nightmares. In the recording, Sarah begins to narrate a new story called "The Dream", with Chuck as the main character. Chuck is then attacked and cornered by the Pale Lady, a phantom from his nightmares, who absorbs him.

Stella and Ramón are arrested for trespassing by Police Chief Turner, who reveals that Ramón is a [[Vietnam War]] [[Draft evasion|draft dodger]]. Ramón reveals his brother enlisted and his dead body was returned to them in pieces. The book starts a new story called "Me Tie Dough-ty Walker". A head falls down the chimney and more body parts follow. Ramón realizes that the next creature is called the Jangly Man, a monster that frightened him as a child. The Jangly Man kills Turner while Ramón and Stella flee to the Bellows' house for answers. Stella is taken back in time while Ramón tries to evade the Jangly Man. Living out Sarah's experience of abuse, Stella promises Sarah that she will tell the truth of her innocence if she stops harming people. Stella writes down the true story with her blood, and Sarah and all of her monsters vanish.

Stella writes the truth about Sarah's life in the papers, keeping her promise. While Stella receives acclaim for the story, not everyone believes her. Ramón accepts his enlistment and shares an emotional goodbye with Stella before he leaves for the war. With Ruth having recovered, Stella starts looking for a way to rescue Chuck and Auggie.

==Cast==
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Zoe Colletti]] as Stella Nicholls
* [[Michael Garza]] as Ramón Morales
* Gabriel Rush as August "Auggie" Hilderbrandt
* [[Austin Zajur]] as Charlie "Chuck" Steinberg
* Natalie Ganzhorn as Ruth "Ruthie" Steinberg
* [[Austin Abrams]] as Tommy Milner
* [[Dean Norris]] as Roy Nicholls
* [[Gil Bellows]] as Police Chief Turner
* [[Lorraine Toussaint]] as Louise "Lou Lou" Baptiste
** Ajanae Stephenson as Young Louise Baptiste
* Kathleen Pollard as Sarah Bellows
* Deborah Pollitt as Mrs. Steinberg
* Victoria Fodor as Mrs. Milner
* Marie Ward as Mrs. Hilderbrandt
* Mark Steger as:
** Harold the Scarecrow
** The Pale Lady
* [[Javier Botet]] as the "Big Toe" corpse
* Troy James as the Jangly Man
* [[Kyle Labine]] as Deputy Hobbs
* David Tompa as a doctor
* Karen Glave as Claire Baptiste
* Stephanie Belding as a reception nurse
* Hume Baugh as Deodat Bellows
* Jane Moffat as Delanie Bellows
* Will Carr as Ephraim Bellows
* Amanda Smith as Gertrude Bellows
* Brandon Knox as Harold Bellows
* [[Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll]] as a drive-in manager
* Anna Fraser as an actress
* Alex Spencer as an orderly
* Matt Smith as Mr. Steinberg
* Colton Gobbo and Daniel Gravelle as lettermen
{{div col end}}

==Production==
In 2013, [[CBS Films]] acquired the rights to the [[Alvin Schwartz (children's author)|Alvin Schwartz]] children's book series ''[[Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark]]'' from 1212 Entertainment,<ref name="Deadline Hollywood"/> with the intent of producing it as a potential feature film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/cbs-films-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-saw-patrick-melton-marcus-dunstan-646713/ |title=CBS Films Nabs 'Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark' Pitch From 'Saw' Scribes |date=4 December 2013 |publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=2013-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205113912/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/cbs-films-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-saw-patrick-melton-marcus-dunstan/ |archive-date=2013-12-05 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was announced in 2014 that writer [[John August]] had been set to pen a film version.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themovienetwork.com/article/scary-stories-tell-dark-will-get-rewritten-frankenweenie-writer-john-august |title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Will Get Rewritten by 'Frankenweenie' Writer John August |publisher=DTheMovieNetwork.com |access-date=2014-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129091210/http://www.themovienetwork.com/article/scary-stories-tell-dark-will-get-rewritten-frankenweenie-writer-john-august |archive-date=2014-11-29  }}</ref>

On January 14, 2016, it was announced that [[Guillermo del Toro]] would develop the film, as well as possibly direct, and that he would also produce along with [[Sean Daniel]], Jason Brown, and Elizabeth Grave, with Roberto Grande and Joshua Long executive producing.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=Guillermo Del Toro Warms To 'Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark'|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-alvin-schwartz-cbs-films-1201682700/|access-date=February 26, 2016|work=Deadline|date=January 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307222748/http://deadline.com/2016/01/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-alvin-schwartz-cbs-films-1201682700/|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2016, CBS Films hired screenwriting brothers duo [[Dan and Kevin Hageman]] to polish the draft written by August.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Guillermo del Toro's 'Scary Stories' Lands 'Lego Movie' Writers|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/scary-stories-writers-guillermo-del-toro-1201714263/|access-date=February 26, 2016|work=Variety|date=February 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226095603/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/scary-stories-writers-guillermo-del-toro-1201714263/|archive-date=February 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2017, it was reported that [[André Øvredal]] would direct the film.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title='The Autopsy Of Jane Doe' Helmer Andre Ovredal To Direct 'Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark' For CBS Films|url=https://deadline.com/2017/12/andre-ovredal-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-guillermo-del-toro-cbs-films-1202222381/|access-date=May 28, 2018|work=Deadline|date=December 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528160631/http://deadline.com/2017/12/andre-ovredal-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-guillermo-del-toro-cbs-films-1202222381/|archive-date=May 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hagemans received final screenplay credit, with del Toro, [[Patrick Melton]], and [[Marcus Dunstan]] receiving "story by" credit. CBS Films co-financed with [[Entertainment One]].<ref name=finance>{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=Guillermo del Toro's 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Movie Gets Backing|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-guillermo-del-toro-eone-1202790304/|access-date=April 27, 2018|work=Variety|date=April 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428011808/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-guillermo-del-toro-eone-1202790304/|archive-date=April 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2018, [[Zoe Colletti]], Michael Garza, [[Austin Abrams]], Gabriel Rush, Austin Zajur, and Natalie Ganzhorn joined the cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-zoe-colletti-1202450835/|title=Guillermo Del Toro's 'Scary Stories to Tell in The Dark' Casts Zoe Colletti|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=23 August 2018|publisher=Deadline|access-date=23 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428204906/https://deadline.com/2018/08/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-zoe-colletti-1202450835/|archive-date=28 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scary-stories-tell-dark-michael-garza-austin-abrams-join-guillermo-del-toro-movie-1137650|title=Michael Garza, Austin Abrams to Star in Guillermo del Toro's 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'|date=27 August 2018|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2018-08-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329222816/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scary-stories-tell-dark-michael-garza-austin-abrams-join-guillermo-del-toro-movie-1137650|archive-date=2019-03-29|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ensemble-cast-1202452682/|title=Guillermo Del Toro & André Øvredal Set Ensemble Cast For 'Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark'|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=27 August 2018|publisher=Deadline|access-date=27 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035618/https://deadline.com/2018/08/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ensemble-cast-1202452682/|archive-date=28 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2018, [[Dean Norris]], [[Gil Bellows]], [[Lorraine Toussaint]], and [[Javier Botet]] were added as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/09/dean-norris-gil-bellows-lorraine-toussaint-guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-1202463168/|title=Dean Norris, Gil Bellows, Lorraine Toussaint Join 'Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark'|first1=Amanda|last1=N'Duka|date=September 12, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331125218/https://deadline.com/2018/09/dean-norris-gil-bellows-lorraine-toussaint-guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-1202463168/|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3520769/javier-botet-mystery-role-scary-stories-tell-dark-get-ready-nightmares/|title=Javier Botet Has a Role in 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' So Get Ready for the Nightmares|first=John|last=Squires|date=September 10, 2018|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331125222/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3520769/javier-botet-mystery-role-scary-stories-tell-dark-get-ready-nightmares/|archive-date=March 31, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Principal photography commenced on August 27, 2018, and ended on November 1, 2018, in [[Hamilton, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omdc.on.ca/Assets/Film/BiWeekly+Productions+Listing/OMDC+Media+List_en.pdf|title=OMDC MEDIA LIST – June 8, 2018|publisher=Ontario Creates|access-date=June 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701112809/http://www.omdc.on.ca/Assets/Film/BiWeekly+Productions+Listing/OMDC+Media+List_en.pdf|archive-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Guillermo Del Toro & André Øvredal Set Ensemble Cast For 'Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark' |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ensemble-cast-1202452682/ |access-date=August 27, 2018 |work=Deadline |date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035618/https://deadline.com/2018/08/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-ensemble-cast-1202452682/ |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2019, at [[San Diego Comic-Con]], del Toro explained why ''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'' was not produced as an [[anthology film]]: {{Blockquote|When we started talking about this about five years ago, I had to think about it{{nbsp}}... Anthology films are always as bad as the worst story in them – they're never as good as the best story{{nbsp}}... I remembered in ''[[Pan's Labyrinth]]'', I created a book called the ''Book of Crossroads''. I thought it could be great if we had a book that reads you, and it writes what you're most afraid of. Then the theme became stories we tell each other.<ref name=anthology>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3574376/guillermo-del-toro-explains-smart-reason-scary-stories-tell-dark-isnt-anthology/|title=Guillermo del Toro Explains the Smart Reason Why 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Isn't an Anthology|last=Squires|first=John|date=July 22, 2019|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729142435/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3574376/guillermo-del-toro-explains-smart-reason-scary-stories-tell-dark-isnt-anthology/|archive-date=July 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/sdcc-2019-guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Fuels Nightmares on SDCC|last=Ayres|first=Andrea|date=July 20, 2019|website=[[Syfy]]|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808143124/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/sdcc-2019-guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

===Music===

The film features an original score by composers [[Marco Beltrami]] and Anna Drubich.<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview: SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK Composer Anna Drubich On Composing Nightmares |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/298421/interview-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-composer-anna-drubich-on-composing-nightmares/ |website=Dread Central |date=8 August 2019 |access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref> In addition to the original music, period songs from the 60s are heard in the film, such as "[[Season of the Witch (song)|Season of the Witch]]" by [[Donovan]], which plays during the film's opening.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) Soundtrack |url=https://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soundtrack/103077/Scary-Stories-to-Tell-in-the-Dark |website=WhatSong |access-date=20 January 2021}}</ref>

A cover of "Season of the Witch" by musician [[Lana Del Rey]] is heard in the closing credits to the film and was featured in a trailer for the film.  While talking about his choice to have Del Rey sing the cover for the film, del Toro stated, "I have admired Lana's music for a while now and felt in my gut that she would run with 'Season of the Witch' – that she would use her alchemy to transform it. She is a great artist and has been an amazing partner with us in this adventure. It is an honor for me to have met her."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Hear Lana Del Rey Cover Donovan's 'Season of the Witch' in 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Trailer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lana-del-rey-season-of-the-witch-scary-stories-trailer-867670/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> Del Rey's version of the song was released for digital download and streaming on August 9, the same day as the film's premiere.  Mirko Parlevliet of Vital Thrills praised the pairing of Del Rey's sound and the film's vintage aesthetic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lana Del Rey Sings Season of the Witch for Scary Stories Movie |url=https://www.vitalthrills.com/lana-del-rey-season-of-the-witch-for-scary-stories/ |website=Vital Thrills |access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> Savannah Sicurella of ''Paste'' stated, "Del Rey managed to capture the prickly, macabre feeling of the popular Alvin Schwartz stories on which the film was based."<ref>{{cite web |title=Hear Lana Del Rey Cover "Season of the Witch" in New Scary Stories Trailer |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/lana-del-rey/lana-del-rey-season-of-the-witch-cover/ |website=Paste Magazine |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=19 January 2021}}</ref>

==Marketing==
The first footage of the film premiered during [[Super Bowl LIII]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-poster/|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Poster Arrives, Trailer Drops During Super Bowl|website=MovieWeb|last=Orange|first=B. Alan|date=February 1, 2019|access-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203030514/https://movieweb.com/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-poster/|archive-date=February 3, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The first trailer was released on March 28, 2019, and the second on June 3, 2019. On August 5, 2019, a third trailer was released, featuring a cover version of the Donovan song "Season of the Witch", by Lana Del Rey, performed for the film's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lana-del-rey-season-of-the-witch-scary-stories-trailer-867670/|title=Hear Lana Del Rey Cover Donovan's 'Season of the Witch' in 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Trailer|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=August 5, 2019|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806154103/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lana-del-rey-season-of-the-witch-scary-stories-trailer-867670/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> All-in-all, the studio spent over $20 million promoting the film.<ref name=opening/>

==Release==
===Theatrical===
The film was theatrically released in the United States on August 9, 2019, by [[CBS Films]] via [[Lionsgate Films|Lionsgate]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Lionsgate Takes Over CBS Films' Distribution & Global Sales|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/cbs-films-lionsgate-distribution-sales-partnership-1201283340/|access-date=November 13, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Business Media|date=November 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116022033/http://deadline.com/2014/11/cbs-films-lionsgate-distribution-sales-partnership-1201283340/|archive-date=November 16, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-august-release-1203090212/|title=Guillermo del Toro's 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Set for August Release|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=December 14, 2018|access-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215022257/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/guillermo-del-toro-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-august-release-1203090212/|archive-date=December 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Home media===
''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'' was released in the US on [[Digital distribution|digital download]] by [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] on October 22, 2019, and also on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]], [[Blu-ray]], and [[DVD]] on November 5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/horror/2019/09/24/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-blu-ray-details-dvd-home-video-release-date/|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Blu-ray Release Details Unveiled|last=Cavanaugh|first=Patrick|website=Comicbook.com|date=September 24, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924222154/https://comicbook.com/horror/2019/09/24/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-blu-ray-details-dvd-home-video-release-date/|archive-date=September 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'' grossed $68.9 million in the United States and Canada, and $35.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $104.5 million.<ref name=BOM/>

In the United States and Canada, ''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'' was released alongside ''[[The Kitchen (2019 film)|The Kitchen]]'', ''[[Dora and the Lost City of Gold]]'', ''[[The Art of Racing in the Rain (film)|The Art of Racing in the Rain]]'', and ''[[Brian Banks (film)|Brian Banks]]'', and was projected to gross $15–17 million from 3,000 theaters in its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/will-dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-catch-the-box-office-crown-from-hobbs-and-shaw/|title=Will 'Dora and the Lost City of Gold' Catch the Box Office Crown From 'Hobbs and Shaw'?|website=[[TheWrap]]|first1=Jeremy|last1=Fuster|date=August 6, 2019|access-date=August 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107184149/https://www.thewrap.com/will-dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-catch-the-box-office-crown-from-hobbs-and-shaw/|archive-date=January 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/hobbs-shaw-dora-the-explorer-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-weekend-box-office-preview-1202663356/ |title='Hobbs & Shaw' To Swat Away Five Wide Releases Including 'Dora', 'Scary Stories' & More – Box Office Preview |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 7, 2019 |access-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210083643/https://deadline.com/2019/08/hobbs-shaw-dora-the-explorer-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-weekend-box-office-preview-1202663356/ |archive-date=December 10, 2019 }}</ref> The film made $8.8 million on its first day, including $2.33 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $20.8 million, finishing second, behind holdover ''[[Hobbs & Shaw]]''.<ref name=opening>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-hobbs-shaw-the-kitchen-box-office-weekend-1202665153/ |title='Hobbs' Hauls $25M; 'Scary Stories' Frighten 'Dora'; 'Kitchen' Sinks Melissa McCarthy & Tiffany Haddish To Career B.O. Lows – Sunday AM Update Preview |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 11, 2019 |access-date=August 11, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810145835/https://deadline.com/2019/08/dora-and-the-lost-city-of-gold-hobbs-shaw-the-kitchen-box-office-weekend-1202665153/ |archive-date=August 10, 2019 }}</ref> It dropped 52% in its second weekend to $10.1 million, finishing fifth.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/good-boys-hobbs-shaw-47-meters-down-uncaged-scary-stories-weekend-box-office-1202669605/ |title=How Universal Is Reviving The R-Rated Comedy & Making 'Good Boys' Great At The B.O. With A $21M Opening |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 18, 2019 |access-date=August 18, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816181043/https://deadline.com/2019/08/good-boys-hobbs-shaw-47-meters-down-uncaged-scary-stories-weekend-box-office-1202669605/ |archive-date=August 16, 2019 }}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 78% based on 235 reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "Like the bestselling series of books that inspired it, ''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'' opens a creepy gateway into horror for younger genre enthusiasts."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/scary_stories_to_tell_in_the_dark|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=9 August 2019 |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=June 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230082418/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/scary_stories_to_tell_in_the_dark|archive-date=December 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the film a weighted average score of 61 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable  reviews".<ref>{{cite web|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826125814/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark|archive-date=August 26, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "C" on an A+ to F scale, while those at [[PostTrak]] gave it an average 3 out of 5 stars and a 53% "definite recommend".<ref name="opening" />

[[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that "the movie faithfully re-creates the peak moments of half a dozen of Schwartz' most popular stories," but "doesn't totally embrace the [[Stephen Gammell|Gammell]] vision," referring to the infamy of the illustrations in the original book series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review-guillermo-del-toro-1203295866/|title=Film Review: 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark'|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|author-link=Owen Gleiberman|date=August 7, 2019|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808073753/https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review-guillermo-del-toro-1203295866/|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Ben Kenigsberg of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film "an agreeable bit of fan service."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/movies/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review.html|title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Review: Fear and Nostalgia|last=Kenisberg|first=Ben|date=August 8, 2019|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808111011/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/movies/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review.html|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Keith Uhlich of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' conversely termed it a "lackluster adaptation", adding that the monsters depicted in the film are "scary", though "they'd be much more so if they felt less like franchisable [[Intellectual property|IP]] and more like fervent expressions of the ills of the eras on which the film aims to comment."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/scary-stories-tell-dark-review-1229299|title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark': Film Review|last=Uhlich|first=Keith|date=August 7, 2019|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808085025/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/scary-stories-tell-dark-review-1229299|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> William Bibbiani of [[Bloody Disgusting]] wrote that the film "often works very well for several, breathless minutes at a time. But in between those excellent scares there's a lot of filler, a lot of perfunctory plotting and a lot of mediocre character development."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3577306/review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-big-scares-big-lulls/|title=MOVIES[Review] 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Has Big Scares Between Big Lulls|last=Bibbiani|first=William|date=August 8, 2019|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|access-date=August 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808141855/https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3577306/review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-big-scares-big-lulls/|archive-date=August 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Alan Jacques of ''[[Limerick Post]]'' gave the film two points out of five and stated "This movie is definitely not meant for a pre-teen audience. There are one or two genuinely creepy moments that would leave your precious nippers sleeping with the lights on until they finish college.... For a young audience coming to horror for the first time, this isn't a bad place to start, but for anyone with a real appreciation of the genre this might feel rather dull and unoriginal."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jacques |first1=Alan |title=FILM REVIEW: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark |url=https://www.limerickpost.ie/2019/08/30/film-review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/ |website=[[Limerick Post]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914080539/https://www.limerickpost.ie/2019/08/30/film-review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/ |archive-date=14 September 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In his review for ''[[The Verge]]'', Noah Berlatsky stated "...''Scary Stories'' is remarkably insightful and sober in its assessment of the way stories control people, rather than the other way around. Quentin Tarantino's ''[[Once Upon a Time in Hollywood]]'' was supposed to be the summer's virtuoso meta-fiction, but its rewritten happy ending, musing on the impotence of writing, seems a lot less bleak than ''Scary Stories''{{'}} acknowledgment that some scripts will take you far away where you'll never be seen again."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berlatsky |first1=Noah |title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is surprisingly scary and insightful |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/9/20798564/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-review-alvin-schwartz-horror-adaptation |website=[[The Verge]] |access-date=8 January 2020 |language=en |date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212105402/https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/9/20798564/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-review-alvin-schwartz-horror-adaptation |archive-date=12 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tomris Laffly of ''[[RogerEbert.com]]'' gave the film three stars out of four, stating "Still, ''Scary Stories'' is a strangely uplifting throwback to old-fashioned clans of investigative teens. While it doesn't break any new ground, there is plenty of vintage fun to be had with kids who feel their way through life's impending fears and live to tell the tale."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Laffly |first1=Tomris |title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Movie Review {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-2019 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |language=en |date=August 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205123339/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-2019 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', Simran Hans gave the film three stars out of five, noting "Producer and co-writer Guillermo del Toro brings Alvin Schwartz's much-loved children's book series to the big screen, but this uneven film can't decide who it's trying to scare."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hans |first1=Simran |title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark review – can't decide who to frighten |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/25/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review-misjudged |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |date=25 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207033541/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/25/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review-misjudged |archive-date=7 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The New Yorker]]''{{'}}s Richard Brody mentioned "There's authentic charm to the fine-grained didacticism of the plot of "Scary Stories", which embodies the very virtues that it promotes. In the process of displaying the redemptive power of factual knowledge, however, the movie flattens and tames the power of imagination."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Brody |first1=Richard |title=The Mild Horror of "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-mild-horror-of-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |language=en |date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119221744/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-mild-horror-of-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark |archive-date=19 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> David Ehrlich of [[IndieWire]] added "André Øvredal's film adaptation, as clever and well-crafted as it is, can't help but invert the formula that the source material relied upon for its success. Here is an R-rated concept that's been watered down until it passed for a PG-13 movie; it's plenty harrowing and full of gruesome effects, but it never feels dangerous."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ehrlich |first1=David |title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Review: A Clever but Confused Adaptation of the YA Horror Series |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/08/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review-1202163981/ |website=[[IndieWire]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |language=en |date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220224834/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/08/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-review-1202163981/ |archive-date=20 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Atlantic]]''{{'}}s Julie Beck noted "The best scary stories do that—they get under your skin and emerge again and again. (''The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out.'') ''Scary Stories'' the movie just bounces right off."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Beck |first1=Julie |title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Doesn't Get What Makes Stories Scary |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/08/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-review-books-horror/596602/ |website=[[The Atlantic]] |access-date=8 January 2020 |date=23 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219052425/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/08/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-review-books-horror/596602/ |archive-date=19 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

David Fear of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave the movie three stars out of five, commenting "It's all a lot of chain-rattling, black-cat-screeching fun, though not such a blast that you don't notice how generic and ramshackle the whole endeavor feels... The pity is that Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark will mostly be seen by jaded genre completists and nostalgic fortysomethings. Wrong demographic. You owe it to your kids to take them to this. It's training-wheels horror done right."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Fear |first1=David |title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Review: Macabre 101 for Kids |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-review-864683/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809145253/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-movie-review-864683/ |archive-date=9 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Aja Romano of ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' gave the film three and half points out of five and wrote "...the film leans all the way into the chance to tell a story beset with cultural anxieties of the past that strongly mirror those of the present. It's far more like a classic piece of young adult fiction than the juvenile fiction it's adapting; its focus isn't on kids, but on teens who are coming of age in a turbulent, complicated, and often maliciously unjust world. Their supernatural monsters, in contrast, are culled from juvenile fears and fantasies. The resulting folkloric aesthetic makes ''Scary Stories''{{'}} brand of fantasy all the more effective as fun visual horror. But on a thematic level, it creates a discordance with the film's more adult social horrors, and the two elements never quite unify."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Aja |title=Review: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark needs more scary stories |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/8/9/20791547/review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-vietnam |website=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |language=en |date=9 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111185502/https://www.vox.com/culture/2019/8/9/20791547/review-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-vietnam |archive-date=11 January 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> A.A. Dowd of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' gave the film B grade and wrote "Like scouts huddled around a campfire, each trying to send a bigger chill down the others' spines, ''Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark'' keeps coming up with new gruesome attractions, piling one on top of the next. Yet as gross and spooky and, yes, occasionally frightening as these terror tactics get, they never quite cross over into the deep end of truly grown-up horror."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dowd |first1=A. A. |title=Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark could scare kids as much as the books scared their parents |url=https://www.avclub.com/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-could-scare-kids-as-m-1837082374 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=6 January 2020 |language=en-us |date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228021719/https://film.avclub.com/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-could-scare-kids-as-m-1837082374 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The Times of India]]'''s Neil Soans gave the film three stars out of five, noting "The screenplay ends up as a jumble of unexplored ideas onscreen rather than a cohesive narrative. However, if you only enjoy horror films for creepy monsters, you'll manage to get a kick or two."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Soans |first1=Neil |title=Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark Movie Review {3.0/5}: Critic Review of Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark by Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/movie-reviews/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/movie-review/70557251.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=8 January 2020 |date=9 August 2019}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col"| {{Ref heading}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Saturn Awards]]
| rowspan="2"| [[46th Saturn Awards|2021]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Horror Film|Best Horror Film]]
| ''Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark''
| {{Nom}}
| rowspan="2"| <ref>{{cite web | date=March 4, 2021 | last=Hipes | first=Patrick | title=Saturn Awards Nominations: 'Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker', 'Tenet', 'Walking Dead', 'Outlander' Lead List | website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] | url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/saturn-awards-nominations-2021-nominees-list-1234706492/ | access-date=March 5, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Saturn Award for Best Make-up|Best Make-up]]
| Norman Cabrera, [[Mike Elizalde]], and Mike Hill
| {{Nom}}
|}

== Sequel ==
In April 2020, it was officially announced that a sequel to the film was in development, with Øvredal returning to direct and [[Paramount Pictures]] (which had absorbed CBS Films as part of the [[2019 merger of CBS and Viacom|reintegration of CBS and Viacom]]) distributing.<ref name="Sequel_THR">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/scary-stories-tell-dark-sequel-works-1291608|title='Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' Sequel in the Works From Paramount, eOne|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=23 April 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref><ref name="Sequel_Deadline">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-2-andre-ovredal-returns-as-director-1202915926/|title='Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark 2': André Øvredal Returning To Direct For Paramount & eOne|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2020-04-23|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref> Colletti, Garza, Ganzhorn, and Norris were set to reprise their roles, with the Hagemans returning as writers, and del Toro returning as producer.<ref name="Sequel_TW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/paramount-eone-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-2/|title=André Øvredal Returns to Direct 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' 2 for Paramount, eOne|date=2020-04-23|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>

As of August 2023, according to Øvredal, work continued on the project; the story had been completed, and the script was being revised.<ref name="Sequel_IGN">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-director-gives-update-on-sequel-its-alive|work=IGN|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Director Gives Update on Sequel: 'It's Alive'|author=Donato, Matt|date=August 3, 2023|access-date=August 5, 2023}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|scarystoriestotellinthedark.com}}
* {{IMDb title|3387520}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|id=scary_stories_to_tell_in_the_dark|title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark}}

{{André Øvredal}}
{{Guillermo del Toro}}
{{Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan}}


[[Category:2010s ghost films]]
[[Category:2010s supernatural horror films]]
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[[Category:Films based on horror novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by André Øvredal]]
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[[Category:Folk horror films]]
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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (film)|access_date=2026-03-05}}