10 Underrated Episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark?

In October of 1990, the first episode of D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel’s children’s horror anthology series aired on Halloween. The show was so popular that it wasn’t until 1992 that Nickelodeon decided to air the series regularly. This decision led to eight years, ten seasons, and more than one hundred episodes of some of the best campfire stories ever told for children.

Many fans of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” hold their favorite episodes dear, often reminiscing about the chills they experienced during late-night viewing thanks to the Midnight Society. Yet, with numerous episodes available, some have slipped through the cracks in the 35 years since its debut. Here are a few overlooked treasures.

Season 1, Episode 5, “The Tale of the Hungry Hounds”

The Story of the Eager Dogs”

This story carries numerous hints typical in captivating ghost tales. It unfolds around cousins Pamela and Amelia, who spend an overcast summer day exploring Amy’s loft, trying to stave off monotony. Mysterious Ouija boards, the forgotten belongings of departed kin, and a spooky attic contribute to the chilling ambiance of the narrative.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
Anne Appleton	D.J. MacHale	September 12, 1992	6.5/10

Following a search among Aunt Dora’s possessions, Pam dons some of Dora’s garments, with Amy observing a striking resemblance between Pam and their late aunt. This sparks an unusual occurrence where Pam appears to be under the influence of her aunt’s spirit, leading Amy on a journey through the woods and revealing that Dora once had a pet fox. To spare the family dogs from harming the fox, Dora had previously released it from the barn before a hunt. The episode is remarkable for its delving into the rich family history, as well as the emotional connection between Pam and her aunt’s ghost and her cherished pet, which adds depth to the narrative.

Season 2, Episode 11, “The Tale of the Magician’s Assistant”

Magic is frequently portrayed as having two sides, one of wonder and the other of dread. In “The Tale of the Magician’s Assistant,” a budding magician named Todd seeks out an experienced magician called Shandu, with dreams of becoming his new assistant. Despite his initial hesitation, Shandu agrees. However, he cautions Todd to keep his hands off the wand. Naturally, Todd finds it hard to resist this temptation.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
Cassandra Schafhausen	Ron Oliver	September 11, 1993	7.4/10

In my humble opinion as a movie critic, when Todd employs the mystical wand to assist his mom with her tasks, he unwittingly triggers a sequence of events that liberates the malevolent entity Nazrak from another realm. This demon has been confined within the wand all this time, and now that he’s escaped, he menaces to enslave mankind as a whole. Unfortunately, Shandu finds himself ensnared in the wand instead of Nazrak, leaving Todd with no choice but to apply arcane rules to vanquish the demon. The movie beautifully explores the importance of family bonds, as Todd utilizes the wand to alleviate his mother’s crushing workload. The heartwarming conclusion solidifies “The Tale of the Magician’s Assistant” as a must-see film on your list.

Season 3, Episode 8, “The Tale of the Guardian’s Curse”

As a fan of the genre, I’m familiar with the concept of the mummy’s curse. One tale that leverages this trope effectively is “The Tale of the Guardian’s Curse”. This story follows me and my siblings, Josh and Cleo Dugan, as we assist our archaeologist father in the investigation of a newly unearthed sarcophagus. Remarkably, this tomb was discovered within our local museum, rumored to be the resting place of Mina, the ancient Egyptian Goddess from the Temple of Light, the Guardian.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
D.J. MacHale	D.J. MacHale	March 5, 1994	7.3/10

The inscription carved into the coffin suggests there are concealed artifacts known as the Elixir of Eternity and the Ring of Radiance. The duo is believed to bestow immortality, yet Mina, the mummy, holds a grudge and swears to place a curse on those who disturbed her in the hereafter. Dr. Capel-Smith, a friend and colleague of their father, is covertly hunting for these items, aiming to utilize them personally. This story weaves together ancient lore with a focus on the significance of heritage, offering an engaging blend for enthusiasts of history and the macabre.

Season 4, Episodes 4 and 5, “The Tale of Cutter’s Treasure”

Cutter’s Treasure: A Tale of Two Episodes”

This tale stands out because it’s the first one told by two members of the Midnight Society. Spanning across two episodes, it unfolds the story of Captain Jonas Cutter, a notorious pirate who has been guarding his treasure for over 200 years. The narrative begins with the introduction of Captain Cutter right at the start of an episode.

In present times, we meet brothers Rush and Max Keegan. Age differences have caused Rush to lose interest in playing with Max, creating a strain in their bond.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
D.J. MacHale	D.J. MacHale	October 29, 1994	7.2/10

In simple terms, Max and Rush are relatives of a pirate named Cutter, who had placed a curse on one of his shipmates (the captain). During the story, Rush goes to Sardo’s Magic Mansion to buy a magical set for his brother, hoping that it would give Max a break from him over the weekend. At the mansion, Max discovers a treasure chest, and Sardo reveals that whoever can open it will inherit its contents. When Max manages to open the chest, Cutter and the spirits of his pirate crew capture Max. This two-part tale follows Rush as he attempts to free Max from Captain Cutter’s grasp and rebuild their relationship. The episodes also feature recurring characters like Sardo and Dr. Vink, making it a captivating watch.

Season 4, Episode 7, “The Tale of the Silent Servant”

20 years prior to the main events, “The Tale of the Silent Servant” unfolds. In a rural farming community, John Earlsteand is recognized as a magician who brings inanimate objects to life for his tasks. One such object is a scarecrow he uses on his farm. He manipulates this scarecrow with a magical, bone-like artifact. On one occasion, Mr. Earlstead reprimands the scarecrow for being seen by his laborer before confining it to a storage closet.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
Wendy Brotherlin	Jean-Marie Comeau	November 12, 1994	7.5/10

In the future, relatives Jarred Conner and Anne Peterson are engaged in a game of baseball on the same farm, where they unintentionally shatter Anne’s father’s window. As retribution, they are tasked with repairing the window and constructing a barrier around the family’s garden. While rummaging through an old barn, the cousins stumble upon a mysterious artifact belonging to Mr. Earlstead, and his scarecrow is still found hidden away. Unaware of its power, the children make a wish for their chores to be finished, and the scarecrow fulfills their desire. This episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? incorporates an unusual twist that isn’t often seen in many of the other tales.

Season 5, Episode 3, “The Tale of Station 109.1”

Chris Leary is a young man who has an intense preoccupation with death. He’s often seen dressed like a caretaker and sleeping during daylight hours, much like a vampire. His brother Jamie finds this peculiar behavior strange and feels compelled to help Chris break free from his unusual fixation. Jamie moonlights as a mechanic, and among the vehicles that need servicing is a hearse. Seeing this as a golden opportunity, Jamie plans to lock Chris in the hearse for a frightening surprise. Once inside, the radio automatically tunes to 109.1, a radio station dedicated to mourning the deceased.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
D.J. MacHale	Ron Oliver	November 4, 1995	8.1/10

In this story, the radio broadcaster coaxes Chris into a structure housing spirits who are preparing to journey past the mortal realm. Throughout the program, Chris strives to persuade the host that he’s still alive while making an effort to reach his brother Jamie using the broadcasting tools. This particular episode boasts a high-caliber cast, including Gilbert Gottfried and Ryan Gosling, delivering performances superior to those usually found in similar episodes.

Season 3, Episode 7, “The Tale of the Carved Stone”

In the series “The Tale of the Carved Stone,” the antagonist Brother Septimus stands out as one of the most unsettling villains ever portrayed. This evil monk and warlock, condemned to death in the 15th century, managed to evade his doom by leveraging the power of a mystical black stone to travel through time.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
Susan Kim	Ron Oliver	February 26, 1994	7.4/10

In a new town, Alison Denny finds it tough to connect with others. One day, as a group of local teenagers pass her home, she spots they’ve left a pair of peculiar glasses behind. Broken, she decides to visit a nearby mystical store to replace them and catch the attention of this potential circle of friends. Sardo, the shopkeeper, persuades her to purchase an enigmatic black stone, claiming it to be a charm that attracts companions. However, unbeknownst to Alison, it’s actually the stone used by Brother Septimus for interdimensional travel. As Alison explores the history of her new home using the stone’s power, Septimus follows closely behind in this heartwarming tale titled “The Adventure of the Inscribed Stone,” which resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt like the new kid on the block.

Season 3, Episode 4, “The Tale of the Phone Police”

I’ve got a peculiar quirk, I often find myself making prank calls, and more times than not, my good friend Chris is roped into these shenanigans. Just recently, while engaged in one of our playful phone sprees, we were caught by Jack O’Brien’s sister. She shared a tale about a kid named Billy Baxster who was known for his joke calls and was once apprehended by the ‘phone police.’

At first, I brushed it off as an attempt to scare me, but instead of heeding her warning, I rushed to my room, grabbed the phone book, and continued with my mischievous escapades.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
David Preston	Jean-Marie Comeau	January 29, 1994	7.3/10

As a film enthusiast, nestled within my cozy den, I chanced upon Billy Baxter’s number and decided to give him a ring. To my surprise, he begged me for aid in eluding the mysterious phone police. This strange appeal left me perturbed, prompting my friend Chris and I to venture to the local phone company, seeking answers about the ownership of his enigmatic number. Our investigation led to Billy’s apprehension by the elusive phone police, resulting in a twisted transformation of his reality. Anyone who has ever spent some carefree hours dialing random numbers or playing harmless pranks on their phones during their youth will find “The Tale of the Phone Police” remarkably relatable.

Season 3, Episode 5, “The Tale of Watcher’s Woods”

In this setting, the enchanting Watcher’s Woods is shrouded in local folklore. The narrative unfolds around Sara, an experienced camper, and Kelly, a somewhat difficult and misjudged youngster, who spend several weeks at Camp Grindlestone. On their first night there, Kelly shares with Sara the chilling story of Watcher’s Woods, a legend about a demon lurking deep within the woods, preventing lost campers from finding their way out again.

Written by	Directed By	Air Date	IMDb Rating
Gregory Kennedy	David Winning	January 22, 1994	7.4/10

Sara and Kelly share the same tent and embark on their journey to earn their first badges. Kelly secretly plans to abandon Sara and return to the camp, so she feigns spotting a bird’s nest up ahead and slips away while Sara isn’t looking. As a result, the pair gets lost and finds themselves under the control of The Watcher and his followers. People who have spent time in the forest and unfortunately experienced getting lost will find “The Tale of the Watcher’s Woods” particularly unnerving.

Season 1, Episode 1, “The Tale of the Phantom Cab”

In a thrilling start, “The Tale of the Phantom Cab” marked the initial appearance of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” The narrative unfolds as brothers Denny and Buzz Crocker embark on an adventure within their neighborhood forest. After a while, they opt to return home, but their compass mysteriously malfunctions. As they ponder their next move, Buzz accidentally spills water onto their map, making it unreadable. Night is falling, and the siblings, now disoriented, acknowledge they’ve unwittingly wandered off course in the forest.

Written by	Directed by	Air Date	IMDb Rating
D.J. MacHale	Ron Oliver	August 15, 1992	7.1/10

As darkness descends, Denny and Buzz encounter an enigmatic hiker named Flynn who claims to know someone capable of guiding them towards their objective. In time, Flynn escorts them to Dr. Vink’s cabin, where the boys are tasked with solving a sequence of puzzles to persuade the doctor to assist them in their journey. From then on, Dr. Vink became a recurring character and a beloved figure among fans. Vink stands out as one of the oddest and intriguing characters within the series, and revisiting his initial appearance remains an enjoyable experience for many fans.

2025-05-30 03:12