It’s a Halloween treat!
For the first time ever, Disney’s rare, out-of-print gateway horror movie Something Wicked This Way Comes finally arrives on streaming today, exclusively on Disney+.
The 1983 gateway horror movie adapts author Ray Bradbury’s 1962 novel, adapted for the screen by the author himself. It is set in late October and follows two young boys who visit a traveling carnival, led by the mysterious and ominous Mr. Dark. It unravels a phantasmagorical Halloween journey for the young protagonists when Mr. Dark offers to grant their greatest wish.
This may be a Disney production, but by Disney’s standards, it’s rather dark and creepy. For one, it’s very Faustian with its theme; this carnival will offer whatever your heart desires in exchange for your soul. A haunting carousel, a blind witch, and more, there’s enough Halloween tricks and treats here to creep out the kids, but with the requisite feel-good Disney ending that keeps this from becoming too intense.
Sir Jonathan Pryce intimidates as the Faustian Mr. Dark. Jason Robards, Diane Ladd, Vidal Peterson, and Royal Dano also star in the film, directed by The Innocents director Jack Clayton.
Despite the pedigree of talent involved and critical praise, Something Wicked This Way Comes was a notorious flop upon release, grossing $8.4 million against an estimated budget of $19 million. The gateway horror movie was also hindered by significant production woes, including expensive reshoots that sidelined Clayton and delayed release by many months. Combined with its lackluster box office returns, the Halloween feature fell into obscurity, where it developed a devout and growing cult following through limited physical media releases or cable airings.
Something Wicked This Way Comes makes for one of Disney’s darkest offerings, not only thematically but with macabre imagery. Arachnophobes beware: this movie has one of the more menacing spider attack sequences.
All of which to say that it’s no wonder Something Wicked This Way Comes has been an obscure gem over the decades since its release, and its streaming debut is significant.
Don’t miss your rare opportunity to watch this rare gateway Halloween horror movie this month.
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