5.5
Where can I stream Don't Be Afraid of the Dark legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
2010·Movie
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark fingerprint
High energy, striking style, light on feelings.
Energy
Terrifying and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Scare9
- Tension8
- Adrenaline7
Heart
Emotionally reserved
- Melancholy6
- Pathos4
- Family Dynamics4
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor4
- Cringe Humor3
- Absurdist Humor2
World
Mystery, fantasy, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Novelty6
- Dialogue Centrality5
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Intrigue8
- Direction7
- Acting6
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Music Composition7
- Visual Stylization7
Energy
HighTerrifying and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is terrifying, tense, and thrilling. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Scare9Frightening moments and scares.
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
- Spectacle5Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence5Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Uncanny7Eerie, unsettling strangeness.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Grotesque6Macabre, distorted imagery.
Heart
LowEmotionally reserved
It keeps its emotions at a distance.
All heart traits
- Melancholy6Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos4Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Family Dynamics4Relationships and generational ties.
- Wonder4Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Coming of Age3Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Catharsis2Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance1Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness1Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor3Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor2Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Wit & Wordplay1Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumMystery, fantasy, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around mystery, fantasy, and the mind. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Dialogue Centrality5Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability4Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity4Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Mystery8Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Fantasy7Mythic worlds and magical systems.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
Craft
MediumSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Intrigue8Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting6Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure6Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth6Rich, complex characterization.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Dialogue Quality5Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Centrality5The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Grotesque6Macabre, distorted imagery.
- Spectacle5Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Dialogue Centrality5Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism
Skip it if
You scare easily
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Fear is never just make believe.
A young girl sent to live with her father and his new girlfriend discovers creatures in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own.
Gothic HorrorCreature FeaturePsychological ThrillerSupernatural HorrorDark FantasyHaunted HouseAtmosphericMelancholyEerie Visuals
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark worth watching?
54
MediocreGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 55/100 (IMDb 5.5, Rotten Tomatoes 61%, and Metacritic 56). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark rated?
RDisturbing imagery
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: disturbing imagery.
How long is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
1 h 39 min
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark runs 1 h 39 min.
Do critics and audiences agree on Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
Critics59
Audiences48
Not quite. Critics rate Don't Be Afraid of the Dark higher (59) than audiences (48). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was Don't Be Afraid of the Dark a box office hit?
Budget$25 million
Box office$37 million
Roughly broke even. It cost about $25 million to make and earned $37 million worldwide, 1.5 times its budget.
What language is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in Australia, Mexico, United States.
In how many countries can I watch Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
64
+50
+50GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark in 64 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Don't Be Afraid of the Dark use?
GrimmificationWhat Happened to the Mouse?Adaptation Relationship OverhaulBerserk ButtonDecomposite CharacterWeaponized CameraImprovised WeaponTrademark Favorite FoodForeshadowingCassandra TruthAdaptation ExpansionOur Fairies Are Differentand 50 more
TV Tropes lists 62 storytelling tropes for Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, including Grimmification, What Happened to the Mouse?, Adaptation Relationship Overhaul.