The Forgotten Cult Classic Disney “Sucked the Life” Out of is Finally a Streaming Hit

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Despite predictions that streaming will kill movie theaters, these platforms are also helping older films find new audiences. A recent example is Disney’s 1983 adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s work, which became available on Disney+ in October and quickly climbed into the platform’s Top 10 most popular titles.

I’m so excited to see *Something Wicked This Way Comes* finally streaming on Disney+! It’s the perfect spooky season movie, and it’s already hit the Top 10 – landing at number 10, actually! I have a feeling it’ll climb even higher as more people discover it’s available. It’s in great company, too, alongside classics like the *Haunted Mansion* films, all the *Halloweentown* favorites, and, of course, *Hocus Pocus 2*. Disney+ is really delivering the Halloween magic this year!

After being unavailable digitally for years, the movie is now streaming on Disney+. Though it’s not a typical heartwarming Disney film and received mixed reviews, it’s an important piece of Disney history. It’s now seen as part of a more experimental period for the studio, similar to other overlooked films like *The Black Cauldron*.

If you haven’t seen *Something Wicked This Way Comes*, here’s the basic story: Mr. Dark (played by Jonathan Pryce) arrives in a small town with a mysterious carnival that offers to fulfill wishes—but everything comes at a cost. Featuring a talented cast including Jason Robards, Pam Grier, Royal Dano, and Diane Ladd, and directed by Jack Clayton, the film blends the classic horror of Ray Bradbury with Disney’s style, creating a uniquely intriguing movie now available on Disney+. It’s a fascinating watch because of its conflicting elements.

‘Something Wicked This Way Comes’ Was Plagued with a Troubled Production


Disney

As a huge fan of classic cinema, I always found Disney’s choice to adapt Ray Bradbury’s *Something Wicked This Way Comes* in the early 80s a bit surprising. Back then, Disney was known for those really cheerful, family-friendly fairy tales, and this story… well, it’s a genuinely creepy and unsettling horror tale. It just didn’t seem like the kind of movie you’d expect from the studio at the time.

Production of the film was seriously delayed by a dispute between the director, Clayton, and the author, Bradbury, over changes made to the script without credit. Disney then requested extensive revisions – months of reshoots, re-editing, and a new musical score – all while keeping Clayton uninvolved, after initial test screenings received a poor reaction. This pushed the film’s budget to $20 million, making its $8.4 million box office earnings a significant failure.

While the movie wasn’t a critical or commercial success, it’s gained a following and is now often remembered fondly as a childhood horror film, especially with its nostalgic appeal. Though it has average scores on Rotten Tomatoes (61% from critics, 64% from audiences), some recent reviews praise it as a surprisingly strong dark fantasy. Critics have pointed out its somewhat outdated special effects and its milder take on horror, almost like a Disney version. However, others felt Disney sanitized the original story, turning it into a harmless coming-of-age tale. Despite its mixed reception, it seems this spooky movie will remain a seasonal favorite this October.

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2025-10-06 14:02