Dark Shadows

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Dark Shadows

PG-13

2012

1h 52m

Comedy

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

35%

Tomatometer

259 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In 18th-century Maine, Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) presides over the town of Collinsport. A rich and powerful playboy, Barnabas seals his own doom when he breaks the heart of a witch named Angelique (Eva Green). Angelique turns Barnabas into a vampire and buries him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas escapes from his tomb and finds 1972 Collinsport a very different place. His once-grand estate has fallen into ruin, and the dysfunctional remnants of his family have fared little better.

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Critics Consensus

The visuals are top notch but Tim Burton never finds a consistent rhythm, mixing campy jokes and gothic spookiness with less success than other Johnny Depp collaborations.

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J. Hoberman

ARTINFO.com

Sad to report, the [Tim] Burton opus is an unnecessarily complicated tale involving too many characters, not to mention an unresolved moral conundrum that has us happily rooting for an unapologetic mass serial killer.

Feb 25, 2019

Full Review

David Thomson

The New Republic

The only reason to see Dark Shadows is to discover how dire and pointless-how flat-out dreadful-a movie can be even when it has Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Helena Bonham Carter attached to its flimsy pretext.

Jun 17, 2013

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David Stratton

The Australian

Certainly delivers the goods on several levels without quite rising to the heights to which it aspires.

Rated: 3.5/5

May 16, 2012

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

With its overstuffed script and uncertain direction, Lay The Favourite is unlikely to change Rebecca Hall’s fortunes.

Rated: 2/5

May 3, 2024

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Ezequiel Obregón

EscribiendoCine

... A good opportunity to find a filmmaker having fun with his dark dolls, like a child in his favorite toy store. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 6/10

Jun 27, 2023

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Dark Shadows takes the easy way out by lampooning its source material, simplifying its ‘70s setting through parody, and handling most of the characters like comic relief in an overall treatment that’s beneath everyone involved.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 20, 2022

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Leaburn O

It starts well but loses its way towards the end. The film is owned by Depp’s performance, which is excellent as he steals every scene. Watched on Amazon Prime.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/13/25

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Jay B

It's quirky, dark and entertaining. The costumes, settings, and acting are top notch. I thoroughly enjoyed it for its dark dreamlike atmosphere. Tim Burton always delivers the darkness and I would recommend it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/09/25

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Zachary K

I mean what was this? What did I just watch? Just when you think the film cant get more ridiculous, they go and find a way to top it. 4/10

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/02/25

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Abby S

It's spooky month and I just watched "Dark Shadows" again. I'm not looking for cinematic brilliance. I just want some Gothic scenery and gruesome events that are bad enough to evoke horror without giving me nightmares. Come on. It's FUN! I recommend putting it into your October lineup.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/19/25

Full Review

Claudio C

Dark Shadows (2012) Family Is the Only Real Wealth (11,942 – 06 Oct 2012 / 26 Sep 2025 – by Claudio Carvalho) My vote is seven. Title (Brazil): "Sombras da Noite" ("Night Shadows") If you want to read my review, visit my blog. RT mysteriously did not publish it and I refuse to change it. I do not understand why. My Blog: https://maniacosporfilme.wordpress.com/

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

Full Review

Julian S.

Burton’s touch is all over DARK SHADOWS—sometimes brilliantly—but the weak characters and tame frights keep the family saga from ever truly coming alive.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/25

Full Review

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Tim Burton

Director

Johnny Depp

Barnabas Collins

Michelle Pfeiffer

Elizabeth Collins Stoddard

Helena Bonham Carter

Dr. Julia Hoffman

Eva Green

Angelique Bouchard

Jackie Earle Haley

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Synopsis

In 18th-century Maine, Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp) presides over the town of Collinsport. A rich and powerful playboy, Barnabas seals his own doom when he breaks the heart of a witch named Angelique (Eva Green). Angelique turns Barnabas into a vampire and buries him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas escapes from his tomb and finds 1972 Collinsport a very different place. His once-grand estate has fallen into ruin, and the dysfunctional remnants of his family have fared little better.

Director: Tim Burton
Producer: Tim Burton, Richard D. Zanuck, Graham King, Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, David Kennedy
Screenwriter: Seth Grahame-Smith
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Infinitum Nihil, Warner Bros., GK Films, Zanuck Company
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Comic Horror Violence|Sexual Content|Smoking|Some Drug Use)
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 11, 2012, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 15, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.7M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat

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