With a Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark feature film (co-written and produced by Guillermo del Toro) on the way, there couldn't be a better time for a deep dive into the cultural impact of Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell’s haunting children's books. Director Cody Meirick provides just that with his new documentary Scary Stories, which has been given an April 26th theatrical release date from Wild Eye Releasing, and we have a look at the trailer and key art to give you an idea of what to expect from the documentary that includes over 40 interviews (including horror legend R.L. Stine).
Following its release in select theaters, Scary Stories will be unleashed on VOD on May 7th, followed by a DVD release on July 16th. We have the full press release below for more details, and you can also read our Q&A with director Cody Meirick and Salem Horror Fest review of the documentary.
Press Release: Los Angeles, California – Scary Stories, the highly anticipated documentary about Alvin Schwartz’ iconic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark book series, will debut in select theaters beginning April 26 via Wild Eye Releasing.
Explore the history of one of the most controversial works of modern children's literature: The best selling teen classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, which scared a generation of young readers and became one of the most banned books of modern times. Scary Stories creates both the ultimate celebration and dissertation of this iconic piece of horror literature.
Following the limited theatrical release – which includes Los Angeles, New Orleans, Columbus, and Texas - Scary Stories will be available on VOD May 7 with a DVD release set for July 16.
Cody Meirick’s film features more than 40 interviews, from family members of author Alvin Schwartz, to fellow children's book horror authors like R.L Stine (Goosebumps) and Q.L. Pearce, to folklorists, artists and fans discussing the impact that the books have had on both themselves as well as the culture at large. The documentary also explores the various times in which the books were banned or targeted by parent and religious groups as ‘satanic’ or otherwise too macabre for its targeted teen scholastic audience.
Penned by Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a three-volume series consisting of short horror stories for pre-teens and children that were adapted from American folklore and urban legends. Because of some of the violent illustrations and the subject matter, parent groups, religious organizations and school boards had the books pulled from libraries and schools at various times. A feature film adaptation of the books, produced by horror icon Guillermo del Toro, is due in theaters this summer.
Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.
When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.
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