"Are You Afraid of the Dark?®" is an iconic work of '90s art and a cultural touchstone for millions of people around the world. The pilot had its American debut on October 25, 1991, just in time for Halloween, and the regular series premiered the following summer. Learn more about the history of this legendary show in honor of its 30th anniversary below. 

A Brief History of the Show

The show centered on a group of kids, ranging from 10 to 16 years old, who called themselves "The Midnight Society." Each week, they would meet at a secret location in the woods, gather around a campfire, and share all types of spooky stories.

Though the show drew inspiration from "The Twilight Zone®" and other similar anthology series that had come before, it was marketed to kids. The stories were creepy without being horrifying and often contained an important — but not heavy-handed — message.

The show ran for five seasons, from 1992 to 1996. In 1999, it was revived for two additional seasons. In 2019, a reboot ran in the form of a two-season miniseries with a heavily reimagined premise. Throughout its run, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" acquired a devoted fanbase that recognized its fun and ingenuity, and the show has enjoyed a permanent place in the history of '90s art and culture.

Why People Love It 

During the original run, The Midnight Society was headed by Gary. The other members were Betty Ann, Frank, Kiki, Eric, Kristen, and David. Eric left after the first season. Kristen and David left after the second season and were replaced by Tucker and Sam. Frank was replaced in the fifth season by a new character named Stig, which is short for Stigma.

Quinn, Megan, Vange, Tucker, and Andy were The Midnight Society members during the two-season run of the show from 1999 to 2000. Gary returned for a few episodes of the revival.

Each character had a distinct personality and unique storytelling habits. Fans still remember them fondly, and the combination of the lovable characters and the interesting plot made "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" an enduring classic, not just of '90s art but all children's television programming.

Fans of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" should celebrate its 30th anniversary with posters and stickers from Brett Wilson Art. Based in Tampa, FL, Brett provides a wide range of work for '90s art lovers. He also designs cartoon art and offers his expertise on a variety of podcasts about '90s television. Call (860) 930-7150 for more information on his offerings, or visit his website to place an order.