Where to start withDark Shadows
2 versions · originally a series, 1966
Themes: Vampires, Supernatural, Family Secrets, Cursed Family, Forbidden Love.
Start with Dark Shadows (Dan Curtis, 1966) — the series. Dark Shadows exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a series in 1966; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The saga of Barnabas Collins weaves gothic melodrama, supernatural mystery, and family tragedy across decades of haunting, cursed history.
✦ Most fans start here
Dark Shadows (1966)
The original tv
✦ Start hereDark Shadows
Dan Curtis · Series · 1966
The 1966 Dark Shadows television series serves as the definitive gothic soap opera, offering a slow-burn, immersive experience for viewers who appreciate vintage atmosphere and long-form narrative development.
2012 film
Dark Shadows
Tim Burton · Film · 2012
The 2012 Dark Shadows movie presents a stylized, cinematic reimagining of the vampire’s fish-out-of-water transition into the 1970s, ideal for audiences seeking Tim Burton’s signature visual flair and dark humor.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Dark Shadows movie a remake of the 1966 television series?
Yes, the 2012 Dark Shadows movie is an adaptation based on the original 1966 television series of the same name. Both projects share the title, though the movie serves as a modern cinematic reimagining of the source material originally established by the 1966 television production.
Should I watch the 1966 television series before seeing the 2012 Dark Shadows movie?
You do not need to watch the 1966 television series to understand the plot of the 2012 Dark Shadows movie. While the film is derived from the television show, it functions as a standalone adaptation, allowing viewers to enjoy the story without prior knowledge of the original broadcast.
Are the 1966 television series and the 2012 movie titled Dark Shadows related?
The 2012 Dark Shadows movie is directly related to the 1966 television series as it is an adaptation of the same source material. Both titles center on the same core concept, with the film adapting the narrative established during the original run of the 1966 television show.
How do the Dark Shadows 1966 television series and 2012 movie compare?
The 1966 television series and the 2012 Dark Shadows movie represent two different formats of the same property. The 1966 series established the franchise, while the 2012 movie serves as a feature-length adaptation that translates the themes and title of the original television program for a film audience.