In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?
Acting
Jonathan Pryce's Mr. Dark—charming, terrifying, Oscar-snubbed.
Cinematography
Golden-hour evil; every frame drips with melancholic autumn.
Score
James Horner's first major work—haunting before he was famous.
Director
Jack Clayton
Jason Robards
Charles Halloway
Jonathan Pryce
Mr. Dark
Diane Ladd
Mrs. Nightshade
Royal Dano
Tom Fury
Vidal Peterson
Will Halloway
Shawn Carson
Jim Nightshade
Mary Grace Canfield
Miss Foley
Richard Davalos
Mr. Crosetti
Jake Dengel
Mr. Tetley
Jack Dodson
Dr. Douglas
Bruce M. Fischer
Mr. Cooger
Ellen Geer
Mrs. Halloway
Pam Grier
Dust Witch
James Stacy
Ed the Bartender
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ray Bradbury wrote the screenplay himself after decades of rejection; Disney cut 20+ minutes of darker material against his wishes.
The film flopped but became a cult Halloween staple—ironically, the very 'dark carnival' nostalgia it depicts.
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