Dark fairy tales are one of my favorite things. I love taking a familiar story, especially one that ends “happily ever after” and, well, making it not end that way. Some of the original fairy tales are pretty horrific on their own, actually.

Books:

House of Salt & Sorrows by Erin A. Craig is a creepy take on “The Twelve Dancing Princesses” with a little Poe thrown in.

Inland by Kat Rosenfield takes “The Little Mermaid” and makes it a whole lot less romantic.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll is a collection of short graphic stories that are quite creepy.

Movies:

Elizabeth Harvest (2018) is a modern, sci-fi take on “Bluebeard.”

Freeway (1996) stars a young Reese Witherspoon who runs away from home and starts hitchhiking, only to be picked up by a serial killer named Wolverton, in this take on “Little Red Riding Hood.”

Gretel & Hansel (2019) might be a cheat here, because it isn’t out yet. But watch this trailer! It looks so creepy!