Nostalgic millennials and horror heads gather! Streaming giant Netflix is launching a trilogy of feature films this summer based on RL Stine’s acclaimed youth book series Fear Street.
Just thinking about Fear Street, I long for the simpler days of rushing to a school book fair and willing to spend what little money my parents thought was appropriate for the event.
What is the new Netflix trilogy Fear Street about? Who is involved When and where can you see it?
Whether you’re a hardcore fan or you’re brand new to RL Stine’s twisted horror world, read on to find out everything we know about Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy.
What is Fear Street all about?
Netflix hasn’t released much information about Fear Street yet. The films are set in the well-known, fictional town of Shadyside from the novels and tell stories across generations.
A short line of log from the streamer suggests that as the action begins in the first film in 1994, a group of teenagers discovered that the frightening events that have haunted their city throughout history may be related.
The trailer adds a supernatural element to the mix, with mention of witches who started a cycle of gruesome events 300 years ago.
The three films work their way back in time as their titles make clear – Fear Street Part 1: 1994, Fear Street Part 2: 1978, and Fear Street Part 3: 1666.
Scared Street: Will You Take 2?
Fans may remember the first attempt at a Fear Street adaptation. In 1998, a pilot for Ghosts of Fear Street aired on ABC. Written by Eerie, Indiana co-creator Karl Schreader, the pilot was bombed. ABC didn’t make it a show, and that was the end of every Fear Street title on screen – until now.
(Ghosts of Fear Street remains something of a pop culture black hole, almost forgotten and completely unavailable except as a low-fi bootleg on YouTube.)
Also read: The best horror movies to stream on Amazon Prime
RL Stine fans have had much better luck with adaptations of the author’s other successful book franchise: Goosebumps. The massive horror series for younger readers was first adapted as an anthology TV series in the 90s, and a new, upcoming goosebumps series was announced only last year.
Two Goosebumps films have also been produced since the original series: 2015 Goosebumps and its sequel Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween, both starring the funny man Jack Black.
Where and when can I see Fear Street?
While Netflix produced all three Fear Street films at the same time, their releases are staggered. The three films will be broadcast once a week in July 2021.
Part 1: 1994 falls on July 2nd. Part 2: 1978 is next, July 9th. And last is part 3: 1666 July 16th.
The Fear Street trilogy will be available exclusively on Netflix worldwide from this date. No theatrical releases are planned so far.
“We shot all three Fear Street films in one crazy, bloody summer. It’s a dream that the audience can now experience the story the same way – back to back, with just a week of waiting in between. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to the world of Fear Street in 1994, 1978 and 1666! ”Said director Leigh Janiak when the first trailer was released.
Who is involved
The three episodes of Fear Street are shared by several actors. It’s not yet clear whether these films will work as an anthology series, like FX’s American Horror Story, in which actors play different roles, or whether characters will return across generations for supernatural reasons.
There are some big names among the cast. Most notably, Fear Street plays Maya Hawke, best known for Netflix’s Stranger Things (and also known as Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke’s daughter) and Gillian Jacobs, of community fame.
Check out the full cast list by film below.
Fear Street Part 1: 1994
- Kiana Madeira
- Olivia Scott Welch
- Benjamin Flores Jr.
- Julia Rehwald
- Fred Hechinger
- Ashley Zukerman
- Maya Hawke
- Darrell Britt-Gibson
- Jordana Spiro
- Jordyn DiNatale
- Jeremy Ford
Fear Street Part 2: 1978
- Sadie sink
- Emily Rudd
- Ryan Simpkins
- McCabe Slye
- Ted Sutherland
- Jordana Spiro
- Gillian Jacobs
- Kiana Madeira
- Benjamin Flores Jr.
- Ashley Zukerman
- Olivia Scott Welch
- Chiara Aurelia
- Jordyn DiNatale
Fear Street Part 3: 1666
- Kiana Madeira
- Ashley Zukerman
- Gillian Jacobs
- Olivia Scott Welch
- Benjamin Flores Jr.
- Darrell Britt-Gibson
- Sadie sink
- Emily Rudd
- McCabe Slye
- Julia Rehwald
- Fred Hechinger
- Jordana Spiro
- Jordyn DiNatale
Behind the camera, Leigh Janiak directs and co-wrote all three scripts. Her co-authors are Phil Graziadei (Part 1: 1994), Zak Olkewicz (Part 2: 1978) and Phil Graziadei and Kate Trefry (Part 3: 1666).
Wait, is this for kids?
The Netflix movies are a departure from the early to middle age bracket of Fear Street books and are 100 percent adult-food. They are all rated R. They also look like well-known slashers and other horror classics if the trailer suggests so. You can discover allusions to Friday the 13th, Scream, Sleepaway Camp, It, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Wicker Man, and more.
“Fear Street fans can look forward to a treat – and some big surprises. Readers know that the book series is rated PG. But the films are rated R. That means a lot more thrill – and a lot more terror! ”Said Fear Street writer RL Stine himself.
Although this may seem a little counterintuitive, the book series started in 1989 and was at the height of its popularity in the 1990s. It will likely appeal to old-school fans in the first place. And, not to be too specific, some of those fans likely have kids old enough to read Fear Street right now. You are well over 17 and are therefore allowed to stay up late to watch horror films.
Also read: The best Netflix horror series for scary binge-watching
So if Fear Street was your first introduction to the horror genre, then Netflix is likely playing a smart game. With hordes of Millennials growing up and still up the ante with creepier films, the new Fear Street trilogy may scratch a very special generation itch. And last but not least, it also looks like a fun stand-alone series.
Whether you’re a fan or newbie to Fear Street, Netflix is likely to have a hit. With many people still a little nervous about going to the movies or living in cities where movie theaters are still closed, Fear Street looks like it’s an event to enjoy at home.
Are you going to tune into Fear Street on Netflix in July?