Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a 2019 mystery thriller directed by André Øvredal, starring Kathleen Pollard as Sarah Bellows, Michael Garza and Zoe Margaret Colletti. It is partly based on Scary Stories Paperback Box Set by Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes and earned $104.5 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Film Make-Up at the Saturn Awards 2021. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- André Øvredal
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Lionsgate
- Budget
- $25M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark About?
The premise of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark without spoilers, adapted from Scary Stories Paperback Box Set by Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
In 1968, a group of teenagers in Mill Valley accidentally unearth a sinister book of stories written by a young woman named Sarah Bellows. As they read the tales aloud, the terrifying events within begin to unfold around them, blurring the line between fiction and horrifying reality. The group must confront the dark history of the Bellows family and the secrets hidden within the town's crumbling mansion before they become the next chapter in Sarah’s chilling legacy.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- scarecrow
- haunted book
- haunted house
- monster
- hospital
- bully
- writer
- halloween
- teenager
- book
- haunted place
- ghost
+38 more Show fewer
- zombie
- interracial love
- racism
- spider
- albinism
- friendship
- night in jail
- halloween costume
- loss of friend
- hidden room
- small town
- albino
- writing in blood
- locked in a room
- year 1968
- based on book
- fear
- reference to richard nixon
- tv dinner
- drive in theater
- stew
- walkie talkie
- pimple
- hair in curlers
- spider costume
- witch costume
- flaming bag of poo
- pierrot costume
- baseball bat used as a weapon
- stabbed with a pitchfork
- turned into a scarecrow
- letterman jacket
- monster under the bed
- dragged under bed
- burning a book
- decapitated head
- halloween prank
- racial slur
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Cast & Characters
Kathleen Pollard leads the cast as Sarah Bellows, with Michael Garza as Ramon Morales and Zoe Margaret Colletti as Stella Nicholls. Directed by André Øvredal; 14 actors are credited in all.
-
Director André Øvredal
- Kathleen Pollard as Sarah Bellows
- Michael Garza as Ramon Morales
-
Zoe Margaret Colletti as Stella Nicholls -
Austin Zajur as Chuck Steinberg
Also Starring in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
· 10 more- Gabriel Rush Auggie Hilderbrandt
- Austin Abrams Tommy Milner
- Mark Steger Harold the Scarecrow, Pale Lady
- Natalie Ganzhorn Ruth Steinberg
- Gil Bellows Chief Turner
- Javier Botet Big Toe Corpse
- Dean Norris Roy Nicholls
- Lorraine Toussaint Lou Lou
- Stephanie Belding Reception Nurse
- Jane Moffat
More from André Øvredal
More films directed by André Øvredal, best-rated first: The Last Voyage of the Demeter, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Mortal and Passenger.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (55).
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Echo Score Breakdown
Overall, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark demonstrates strong visual craftsmanship but uneven narrative cohesion that tempers its impact. Critics and viewers alike admire the film’s imaginative creature design and effective scares, yet many point out its predictable structure and thinly developed framing story. The balance between nostalgic homage and forward-thinking horror resonates sporadically but rarely coalesces into a memorable whole. In net terms, it registers as an appealing yet forgettable genre exercise.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of Art & Craft, the film excels in visual composition and creature design, with critics highlighting its striking practical effects and dynamic camera work. Several reviews note the red-suffused hallways and inventive monster makeup as standout elements. These choices foster a cohesive aesthetic that elevates the film’s unsettling atmosphere. Overall, the craft is a clear strength.
- Character & Emotion 70
When it comes to Character & Emotion, the young cast delivers solid performances but lacks deeper emotional complexity. Viewers and critics praise Zoe Colletti’s nuanced portrayal of Stella and commend the ensemble’s chemistry. However, some note the protagonists’ archetypal gestures and limited character arcs as constraining factors. In the end, the acting is commendable yet somewhat underexplored.
- Story & Flow 55
In terms of Story & Flow, the film’s episodic structure offers intermittent engagement but struggles with coherence and originality. Critics point to its predictable framing narrative and uneven pacing, particularly noting a satisfactory midsection that gives way to a convenient, sentimental conclusion. User feedback echoes concerns about derivative elements and thin plot development. Overall, the storyline feels serviceable but lacks lasting intrigue.
- Sensory Experience 75
When considering Sensory Experience, the film delivers an effective blend of sound and visual ambiance that enhances its unsettling mood. Multiple critics commend the atmospheric soundtrack cues and the judicious use of sound design to heighten tension. The cohesive visual styling, from Steadicam sequences to color grading, reinforces the eerie tone. Overall, the sensory elements are a notable asset.
- Rewatch Factor 55
In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film’s episodic scares and nostalgic nods offer initial appeal but limited enduring interest. Reviews frequently describe it as enjoyable for a first viewing yet somewhat disposable upon reflection. While the creature designs and atmosphere may invite another watch, the thin narrative and mild intensity diminish its replay value. Ultimately, rewatch potential is modest.
-
IMDb 6.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 78% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 72%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 61 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 2.8 /5
175 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.6 /5
See on Movie Insider
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Set in 1968, the eerie ambiance of Halloween envelops the town of Mill Valley as a young man named Ramon Morales drives into town, unaware of the chilling events that will unfold. Meanwhile, horror enthusiast Stella Nicholls receives a call from her friends Chuck Steinberg and Auggie Hilderbrandt, inviting her to join in on a prank against the local bully, Tommy Milner. The jock and his friends have been throwing beer bottles at a neighborhood scarecrow named Harold, and Tommy even takes a swing at the inanimate figure.
Full summary
The whole story of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, scene by scene, with the ending explained
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Box Office & Budget
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark grossed $104.5 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, 4.2 times what it cost. $68.9 million came from the US and Canada and $35.6 million (34%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$104.5M
4.2× its budget
- US & Canada
- $68.9M
- International
- $35.6M
- Budget
- $25M
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Awards & Nominations
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark earned 2 award nominations, including Best Film Make-Up at the Saturn Awards 2021.
2 nominations1 ceremony
-
Saturn Awards 2021 2 nominations- Nominated Best Film Make-Up
- Nominated Best Horror Film Release
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 3 trailers.
- Trailer Jangly Man Trailer
- Trailer Season of the Witch Trailer Featuring Lana Del Rey
How Well Do You Know Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
In what year does the story of 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' take place?
Cars in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
58 cars on screen, including the 1963 Rambler Classic and the 1967 Ford Custom 500.
-
1963 Rambler Classic Main role -
1967 Ford Custom 500 Important role -
1960 Ford F-Series Important role -
1963 Pontiac Catalina Important role
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Also Known As
30 alternative titles, including “Histórias Assustadoras para Contar no Escuro” and “Historias de miedo para contar en la oscuridad”.
- Also known as
-
- Histórias Assustadoras para Contar no Escuro
- Historias de miedo para contar en la oscuridad
- Rrëfenjat e frikshme të errësires
- قصص مخيفة تحكى في الظلام
- Jezive priče iz mraka
- Страшни истории, разказани в мрака
- Contes de por per explicar-los a les fosques
- 在黑暗中讲述的恐怖故事
- 講鬼故
- 在黑暗中說的鬼故事
- Noční můry z temnot
- Histoires effrayantes à raconter dans le noir
+18 more Show fewer
- Τρομακτικές Ιστορίες στο Σκοτάδι
- סיפורים מפחידים שמספרים בחשיכה
- Lidérces mesék éjszakája
- スケアリーストーリーズ 怖い本
- 스케어리 스토리: 어둠의 속삭임
- Šausmu stāsti tumšām novakarēm
- Šiurpios istorijos pasakojimui tamsoje
- Upiorne opowieści po zmroku
- Povești de groază de spus pe întuneric
- Страшные истории для рассказа в темноте
- Језиве приче из мрака
- Nočné mory z temnôt
- Strašljive zgodbe
- คืนนี้มีสยอง
- Korku Hikayeleri
- Страшні історії для розповіді в темряві
- Chuyện Kinh Dị Lúc Nửa Đêm, scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark
- Histórias Assustadoras Para Contar no Escuro, საშიში ისტორიები
Seen Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
Movies Like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Darkness, Dark Harvest and Dark Night of the Scarecrow.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark FAQ: Cast & Box Office
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark released?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was released on August 9, 2019.
Who directed Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was directed by André Øvredal.
More films by André Øvredal Who is in the cast of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark stars Kathleen Pollard as Sarah Bellows, Michael Garza as Ramon Morales and Zoe Margaret Colletti as Stella Nicholls, among 14 credited actors.
How much did Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark make at the box office?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark grossed $104.5 million worldwide ($68.9 million domestic, $35.6 million international) on a budget of $25 million.
How is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark rated?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark has 6.2/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Is Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark based on a book?
Yes. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is partly adapted from Scary Stories Paperback Box Set by Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell.
Was Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark nominated for any awards?
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.
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