Terrifying ’90s Horror Series That Ruined Your Childhood Is Now Streaming on Prime Video
If you were a kid in the ’90s, you probably remember huddling on the couch, heart racing, the television flashing blue-tinged images of an abandoned playground, a creaky attic, a larger-than-life door, and a ghostly lit match. Way before many of us saw our first horror movie, Nickelodeon gave millennial kids a series they’d feel brave to watch on their own, but still scary enough to make them reach for their teddy bears before bed. Of course, I’m talking about the children’s horror anthology series, Are You Afraid of the Dark?.
Created by D. J. MacHale and Ned Kandel, Are You Afraid of the Dark? debuted on Nickelodeon in 1992, though its pilot aired in 1991 as a Halloween special. The series followed a group of teenagers who called themselves The Midnight Society, an eclectic mix of kids from different schools and backgrounds who secretly met in the woods at midnight to tell scary stories around a campfire (fun fact: the reason why the fire was already lit at the start of the episode was because Nickelodeon didn’t want to show the audience at home how to start a fire themselves).
Each week, one member of The Midnight Society would present their tale to the group—a ghost story, an urban legend, a dark fairy tale, even some science fiction. The result was a fun, slightly campy but genuinely creepy anthology series that treated its young audience with respect, allowing children to confront their fears and anxieties in a way other television shows didn’t at the time (Goosebumps wouldn’t air until 1995; Courage the Cowardly Dog premiered in 1999). And now, the whole series is available to stream on both Prime Video and Paramount+.
Tell me the intro isn’t creepy:
While rewatching the first few episodes, I forgot just how good the practical effects, makeup, and creature designs were on the show. I’d even go so far as to argue that they’re way more effective than the special effects on a certain new HBO series based on a certain iconic Stephen King novel, but that’s an argument for another time.
What I will say for now is that what really makes Are You Afraid of the Dark? such a special series is its emphasis on community and inclusivity, and how horror can bring people together. It celebrated storytelling as a form of connection and that getting scared together can build trust and friendship. Its characters, especially the girls, were allowed to be outspoken and imaginative, and each child brought with them their own unique perspectives, interests, and storytelling styles, so each story felt fresh and unique depending on who was sharing.
If you’re a millennial who forgot about episodes like The Tale of the Frozen Ghost or The Tale of the Dead Man’s Float, I dare you to do a rewatch and tell me they’re not scary. And if you’re nostalgic for creepy 90s television or you still have nightmares about certain monsters from Are You Afraid of the Dark?, let me know: @ashjenexi on Instagram and X.
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