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Mystery thriller

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$104.5M
award nominations
2
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Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 48m (108 min)
Director
André Øvredal
Genres
Mystery , Thriller , Horror , Family
Original language
English
Budget
$25M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

· 10 more
From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

67 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$104.5M

4.2× its budget

US & Canada
$68.9M
International
$35.6M
Budget
$25M
US & Canada 66% Rest of the world 34%
Awards

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

Videos

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Jangly Man Trailer
  • Trailer Season of the Witch Trailer Featuring Lana Del Rey
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year does the story of 'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' take place?

Cars

Cars in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

58 cars on screen, including the 1963 Rambler Classic and the 1967 Ford Custom 500.

All 58 cars
  • 1963 Rambler Classic in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 1963 Rambler Classic Main role
  • 1967 Ford Custom 500 in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 1967 Ford Custom 500 Important role
  • 1960 Ford F-Series in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 1960 Ford F-Series Important role
  • 1963 Pontiac Catalina in Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark 1963 Pontiac Catalina Important role
Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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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