What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedDon't Be Afraid of the Dark
Troy Nixey · Film · 2010
If you loved Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, start with Are You Afraid of the Dark? (D.J. MacHale, 1992) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Don't Be Afraid of the Dark across media.
You were drawn to Don't Be Afraid of the Dark by the unsettling intersection of domestic isolation and encroaching, ancient supernatural malice.
Books on the same thread
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak · Book · 2009
Explores: Imagination, Anger Management, Adventure.
Just as Don't Be Afraid of the Dark explores the childhood experience of confronting monsters, this book captures the raw, imaginative power of a child facing their fears.
The Dark Descent
David G. Hartwell · Book · 1992
Explores: Existential Dread, Loss of Innocence, Moral Ambiguity.
If the creeping dread in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark resonated with you, this collection offers a deeper, more varied exploration of dark, unsettling supernatural encounters.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
Ray Bradbury · Book · 1962
Explores: Good vs Evil, Loss of Innocence, Temptation.
Like Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, this story highlights the vulnerability of youth when faced with an inescapable, growing evil that threatens to consume their innocence.
Play Nice
Rachel Harrison · Book
Shares a thread with Don't Be Afraid of the Dark: gothic horror.
The domestic terror and family secrets featured here echo the claustrophobic tension found in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark as characters confront a malevolent hidden presence.
Series on the same thread
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
D.J. MacHale · Series · 1992
Explores: Campfire Stories, Ghost Stories, Friendship.
This anthology mirrors the campfire-tale atmosphere of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, focusing on how children navigate terrifying secrets hidden within their own familiar worlds.
FROM
John Griffin · Series · 2022
Explores: Trapped in a mysterious town, Monsters in the woods, Survival horror.
The feeling of being trapped in a hostile environment with lethal, hidden monsters will remind you of the intense survival stakes present in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.
Stranger Things
Ross Duffer · Series · 2016
Explores: Government Experiments, Telekinesis, Monsters.
This series shares the core appeal of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark by centering on a vulnerable child caught in a struggle against terrifying, otherworldly forces.
American Horror Story
Ryan Murphy · Series · 2011
Explores: Trauma, Social Commentary, Identity.
Much like the house in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, the locations in this anthology serve as focal points for deep-seated trauma and inescapable supernatural horrors.
Podcasts on the same thread
Black Praline - Assaggini di Paura
Podcast
Explores: Fear, Dark tales, Short stories.
These dark tales capture the same sense of pervasive, unsettling fear that defines Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, delivering concise narratives perfect for fans of atmospheric horror.
MALIKMATA
Podcast
Explores: Philippine Folklore, Filipino Culture, Mythical Creatures.
These stories utilize folklore to ground their scares, offering a cultural perspective on the same kind of malicious, hidden entities that haunt Don't Be Afraid of the Dark.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Don't Be Afraid of the Dark suitable for a young girl to watch?
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark features a young girl as the protagonist who is targeted by creatures in her home. The film contains themes of peril and supernatural threats directed at a child, which may be intense for younger viewers to watch.
What is the central conflict in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark?
The central conflict in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark involves a young girl who discovers malevolent creatures living in her new home. These creatures intend to claim her as one of their own, forcing her to face the danger while living with her father and his girlfriend.
Does Don't Be Afraid of the Dark focus on the relationship between the father and his new girlfriend?
While the father and his new girlfriend are present in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, the primary focus is on the young girl's discovery of the creatures. Their presence serves as the context for why the girl is living in the home where the supernatural events occur.
Are the creatures in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark living inside the house?
Yes, the creatures in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark are discovered by the young girl within her new home. The plot centers on these entities attempting to claim her as one of their own from within the residence where she is staying with her father.