Why now is the perfect time for Nickelodeon to revive Are You Afraid of the Dark?
By Mads Lennon
For many of us, Are You Afraid of the Dark? was our official introduction to horror. Now the show is returning, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
The original Are You Afraid of the Dark? was a Canadian series that eventually made a move over to Nickelodeon in America. The show is a fantasy-horror anthology geared towards young audiences.
For many genre fans, Are You Afraid of the Dark? was there first introduction to the world of the macabre. Despite being youth-oriented, the series was still incredibly scary for many.
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During its seven-season run, the series was a success with both fans and critics. Many fans still talk about the series and its nightmare-inducing stories today, so it’s not all that surprising that Nickelodeon has ordered a limited-series revival.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect, either. Horror anthologies are all the rage right now on television. You can thank Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story for that. But then there’s Hulu’s Into the Dark, AMC’s The Terror, SYFY’s Channel Zero, Netflix’s Slasher, and more.
Not only that, but there has always been a market for the horror that terrified us all as kids. Guillermo Del Toro’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark hits theaters next week. Goosebumps has already gotten two live-action film adaptations. Even Netflix has produced young adult horrors like The Order and the anthology series, Creeped Out.
Nickelodeon has already cashed in the nostalgia craze with an All That revival. They’ve also ordered a new Rocko’s Modern Life special, and there are rumors they’re considering a Hey Arnold revival. Why wouldn’t they try to relive the terrifying magic of Are You Afraid of the Dark?.
Entertainment Weekly got the exclusive first look at the series. They spoke with series writer, BenDavid Grabinski about his hopes for the series, “I hope we’re lucky enough to have our series do the same. It’s going to be a fun and scary ride, and I’m honored to introduce the Midnight Society to a whole new generation of kids.”
We’ve got the teaser trailer for the series, which will debut this October with three hourlong episodes, right here:
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Are you looking forward to the revival of Are You Afraid of the Dark? Do you think now is the perfect time to bring the series back? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? will premiere on Nickelodeon this October.