Fear Street (film series)

Fear Street is a series of American horror films based on R. L. Stine's book series of the same name. Involving slasher and supernatural elements, the films' overall story revolves around teenagers who work to break the curse that has been over their town for hundreds of years. The first three installments were directed by Leigh Janiak from scripts and stories she co-wrote with other contributors, while the upcoming fourth film will be directed by Matt Palmer from a script he co-wrote with Donald McLeary. Produced and developed by 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment, the film's distribution rights were eventually acquired by Netflix following The Walt Disney Company's purchase of 21st Century Fox.

The first three films were shot back-to-back, and were released on a weekly basis as Netflix Original Films in July 2021 to positive reviews. The series will continue with an upcoming fourth film in development.

Development
In October 1997, Hollywood Pictures struck a deal to acquire the Fear Street series of books, which were set to be developed with Parachute Entertainment as a Scream-like feature franchise. Developments never materialized.

In October 2015, a film based on Stine's Fear Street series was being developed by 20th Century Fox and Chernin Entertainment. On February 13, 2017, The Tracking Board reported that Kyle Killen would write the script for the film. In July, the adaptation was announced as a trilogy, with Leigh Janiak directing, and rewriting the script with her partner Phil Graziadei. Zak Olkewicz was also drafting a script. The films were to be shot back to back, with the intention of releasing them to theaters one month apart. Janiak describes the format as a "hybrid of traditional television content and movies," with each installment intended to both have a satisfying ending and connecting to the larger story.

The series was reported to be centered around a young lesbian couple, navigating their rocky relationship when they are targeted by horrors in their small town. In March 2019, filming began in Atlanta and East Point, Georgia, with some parts filmed at Hard Labor Creek State Park in Rutledge in August 2019. The shoot lasted for 106 days, wrapping in September 2019.

In April 2020, Chernin Entertainment ended their distribution deal with 20th Century Studios and made a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix, resulting in the latter distributing the trilogy.

Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021)
After a series of brutal slayings, a group of teenagers take on an evil force that has plagued their notorious town for centuries.

The film was released on July 2, 2021. Janiak describes it as influenced by 1990s slasher films, especially Scream.

Fear Street Part Two: 1978 (2021)
In the cursed town of Shadyside, a killer's murder spree terrorizes Camp Nightwing and turns a summer of fun into a gruesome fight for survival.

The film was released on July 9, 2021. Janiak states that she was influenced by Friday the 13th.

Fear Street Part Three: 1666 (2021)
Thrust back to 1666, Deena learns the truth about Sarah Fier. Back in 1994, the friends fight for their lives — and Shadyside’s future.

The film was released on July 16, 2021. Janiak compares it to The New World.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (TBA)
In July 2021, director Leigh Janiak expressed interest in expanding the film series beyond the trilogy of movies. She had stated to be interested in adapting a slasher film that takes place during the 1950s and centers on Harry Rooker / The Milkman. Cast members similarly expressed interest in returning.

In July 2022, Stine stated that there are discussions ongoing for additional films being developed in the series. Later that month, Bloody Disgusting confirmed this statement with Netflix, stating that official plans would be announced in the future. By December, it was announced that Chloe Okuno will serve as director on the next Fear Street installment, and that Chernin Entertainment would return as one of the production studios. By October 2023, Stine stated that the film series will continue with additional Fear Street installments in development. In November of the same year, Scott Stuber, Head of Film at Netflix, confirmed a fourth Fear Street film that stands alone from the initial trilogy was being written. In January 2024, Stine announced that the next movie would be an adaptation of his novel The Prom Queen from the original Fear Street book series. In March 2024, the project was officially announced with the title of Fear Street: Prom Queen. Matt Palmer will direct the film, from a script he co-wrote with Donald McLeary. The plot will take place during 1988; during prom season the girls of Shadyside High compete for dance royalty, though everything changes when an outsider joins the competition one by one people begin disappearing. The cast was announced to star India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Lili Taylor and Katherine Waterston.

Release
The first film was scheduled to be released theatrically in June 2020, but was pulled from the schedule because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, Chernin Entertainment ended their distribution deal with 20th Century Studios and made a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix. By August 2020, Netflix had acquired the distribution rights to the Fear Street trilogy. The films were released exclusively as Netflix Original Films.

In May 2021, the official trailer released by Netflix announced the respective films' credits, release dates, and official titles, as: Fear Street: Part One – 1994, Fear Street: Part Two – 1978, and Fear Street: Part Three – 1666. The trilogy of films is R-rated, with original novel series writer R.L. Stine praising the direction and adaptations of his books.

The films were released over a three-week span: July 2, July 9, and July 16.