Dark Shadows (2012)
A centuries-old vampire awakens to 1970s whimsy, bringing darkly comic chaos to his eccentric descendants.
Vampire Barnabas Collins is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate and family have fallen into ruin.
How intense is Dark Shadows?
Dark Shadows is mildly scary, with light gore and some violence. Emotionally it carries some weight. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch and a late-night trip. The humor runs dark and absurdist. Rated PG-13.
What Dark Shadows feels like
- Tone
- campydarkly comicwhimsical
- Pace
- Measured
- Humor
- dark and satirical, absurdist
- Best for
- Full attentionLate night
Where to stream Dark Shadows
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Dark Shadows for you?
Is Dark Shadows scary?
Only a little. Dark Shadows has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Dark Shadows gory or violent?
Light gore (1 of 3) and some violence (1 of 3).
Is Dark Shadows sad or heavy?
A little. There is some emotional weight (1 of 3), but it is not a heavy watch.
Is Dark Shadows OK for kids?
It is rated PG-13. Intensity: scare 1, gore 1, violence 1, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.
How long is Dark Shadows?
Dark Shadows runs 1h 53m.
Where can I stream Dark Shadows?
Dark Shadows is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does Dark Shadows have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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