Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark documentary now set for theatrical release

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

A few short months after it was announced that cameras have started rolling on director André Øvredal (THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE) and producer Guillermo del Toro's (THE SHAPE OF WATER) film adaptation of author Alvin Schwartz's SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK book series, Deadline has received word that Wild Eye Releasing has acquired the worldwide rights to SCARY STORIES, a documentary about Schwartz’s beloved and feared 1980s-penned YA book series. Helmed by director Cody Meirick, the upcoming documentary is aiming for a 2019 theatrical release.

The much-anticipated project, which had been partly crowd-funded, is set to feature upward of 40 interviews ranging from members of Schwartz's own family to esteemed contributors of the YA horror community such as R.L. Stine (Goosebumps) and Q.L. Pearce (The Stargazer's Guide to the Galaxy). Also joining the afforementioned authors to celebrate Schwartz's terrifying trilogy of books will be a raft of folklorists, artists and fans.

Back in August, it was revealed that several fresh faces had been added to the cast of Øvredal's upcoming adaptation, including Michael Garza (WAYWARD PINES, TIMELESS), Austin Abrams (PAPER TOWNS, GANGSTER SQUAD), Gabriel Rush (THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, LITTLE BOXES), Austin Zajur (KIDDING, FIST FIGHT), and Natalie Ganzhorn (WET BUM, MAKE IT POP), with Zoe Colletti (ANNIE, WILDFIRE) set to star as well. With the CBS Films and eOne pic now set to be unleashed on November 7, 2019, it will be less than a year until we see one of the most iconic horror series for young readers up on the silver screen.

It sure does feel good to be a horror fan these days, eh? With plans to release both Øvredal and Meirick's films in close proximity to one another come next November, old school fans of the genre are going to be bashed upside the head with nostalgic feels and then some. My suggestion? Go ahead and dust off your original copies of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and get reading. After all, there's nothing wrong with a bedtime story centered on dead brides, hallway hauntings, Hearse songs, undead pets, spider-infested boils, and good luck charms that grant death alongside wavering wishes, right? I'm sure your kids will love it. I read them, and I turned out just fine, right? What's that? Oh, never mind my collection of little shoes. That should be none of your concern. Good day to you all. Mwuahaha!