Disney’s ‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ Is a True 1980s Dark Fantasy Cult-Classic

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I remember the 80s as such a magical time for dark fantasy! Movies like The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Time Bandits, Beetlejuice, and The Black Cauldron really captured our imaginations then, and still do today. But honestly, there’s one film from that era that I think is truly exceptional – a real masterpiece of dark fantasy – and it just didn’t get the recognition it deserved back then. It’s time more people discovered it!

The film adaptation of Something Wicked This Way Comes, directed by Jack Clayton and featuring Vidal Peterson, Shawn Carson, Jonathan Pryce, Diane Ladd, and Jason Robards, is a hidden gem for many fantasy enthusiasts. Its unique combination of realistic fantasy and gothic atmosphere makes it a popular choice for seasonal re-watches every October. For a long time, the movie was only available to rent or buy digitally, but Disney+ answered fans’ requests and added it to their streaming service in 2025.

I’m a huge fan of this movie! It all happens the night before Halloween, and it centers around two young guys, Will and Jim, who are really excited when a mysterious carnival rolls into town. But this isn’t your average carnival – it’s run by this creepy character, Mr. Dark, and he basically exploits the people who come to visit. He offers Will and Jim everything they want, but of course, there’s a seriously high price to pay.

Ray Bradbury’s Novels Have a Complicated History on the Big Screen

As a huge fan of Ray Bradbury, I was really excited for the 1983 film adaptation of Something Wicked This Way Comes, especially since it’s based on what I consider one of his very best novels. It’s a bit of a shame, though, that it didn’t really connect with audiences at the time. Looking at Rotten Tomatoes, it sits around a 63% rating, which feels a little low for Bradbury. Financially, it didn’t do well either, only making about $8.4 million in the US, and sadly, it never even made it to theaters outside of America.

As a huge movie buff, I’ve noticed a pattern with Ray Bradbury adaptations – they rarely live up to the source material. While 1969’s The Illustrated Man has become a beloved cult classic, the two attempts at Fahrenheit 451 just didn’t quite capture the magic of the book. Honestly, I think the 1993 animated version of The Halloween Tree is probably the most successful adaptation, though even dedicated Bradbury fans might not even know it exists – but you do now!

‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ Is a Dark Kids’ Movie


Disney

With Something Wicked This Way Comes now streaming on Disney+, you can revisit this surprisingly intense kids’ movie. The original book by Bradbury was already quite dark, but the Disney adaptation really emphasized the creepy, gothic atmosphere of the traveling circus and its attractions. Mr. Dark is a truly frightening villain, but the hall of mirrors is the most memorable scene – it’s essentially the 1980s version of the boat ride from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

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2026-03-23 15:34