In Search of Darkness
A Journey Into Iconic '80s Horror
2019 · 264 min · ★ 7.5 · Documentary, Horror
An exploration of '80s horror movies through the perspective of the actors, directors, producers and SFX craftspeople who made them, and their impact on contemporary cinema.
Directed by David A. Weiner · Written by David A. Weiner
Your Rating
Where to Watch
Streaming
Rent or Buy
Cast
-
Tom Atkins Self -
John Bloom Self -
Doug Bradley Self -
Lori Cardille Self -
John Carpenter Self -
Nick Castle Self -
Larry Cohen Self -
Jeffrey Combs Self -
Barbara Crampton Self -
Sean S. Cunningham Self -
Joe Dante Self -
Keith David Self
Trailers & Videos
Make it a double feature
9h 6m together
Both from David A. Weiner.
In Search of Darkness CollectionSee all →
In Search of Darkness: Part II · 2020In Search of Darkness: Part II
★ 7.72020
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The ultimate ‘80s Horror retrospective just got BIGGER. In Search of Darkness: Part II is a four-hour-plus sequel to the Rondo Hatton-nominated In Search of Darkness, adding 15 new interviewees and 40+ returning favorites for the biggest and most comprehensive ‘80s Horror documentary cast ever assembled.
In Search of Darkness: Part III · 2022In Search of Darkness: Part III
★ 7.52022
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The conclusion to the ‘In Search of Darkness’ '80s trilogy. In this epic final chapter, our focus turns to the straight-to-video horror classics that populated the bottom shelves at the video rental store. Imaginative, gory, experimental—but always entertaining—these hidden gems are ripe for rediscovery.
In Search of Darkness: 1990-1994 · 2024In Search of Darkness: 1990-1994
★ 8.02024
MovieDocumentaryHorror
Film icons and genre experts share observations, experiences, and analysis to help reframe, deconstruct, and re-contextualize the "lost" decade of horror: the '90s.
In Search of Darkness: 1995-1999 · 2025In Search of Darkness: 1995-1999
★ 7.02025
MovieDocumentaryHorror
In Search of Darkness: 1995-1999 celebrates and explores the movies that defined the era: from Scream’s genre-shattering impact to J-Horror’s global emergence, from mind-bending twists to Y2K apocalyptic dread, and from blockbuster hits to straight-to-video gems.
Jul 1, 2027
In Search of Darkness '70s · 2027In Search of Darkness '70s
2027
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The Exorcist. The Omen. Halloween. Dawn of the Dead. Jaws. Carrie. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The Amityville Horror. Phantasm. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Alien... The '70s were an absolute golden age for horror at the movies, a collective time of cinematic greatness reflected by so many iconic films defining how we look at the genre for decades to come.
More from David A. WeinerSee all →
Aliens Expanded · 2024Aliens Expanded
★ 8.92024
MovieDocumentary
Exploring James Cameron’s beloved science-fiction epic from teeth to tail, Aliens Expanded is truly the most in-depth, passionate and innovative celebration of a movie ever attempted.
The Thing Expanded · 2026The Thing Expanded
★ 8.82026
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The ultimate companion to John Carpenter’s "The Thing", digging deep into the proverbial iceberg to enhance your viewing experience with new insights, stories, and revelations.
In Search of Darkness: 1990-1994 · 2024In Search of Darkness: 1990-1994
★ 8.02024
MovieDocumentaryHorror
Film icons and genre experts share observations, experiences, and analysis to help reframe, deconstruct, and re-contextualize the "lost" decade of horror: the '90s.
In Search of Darkness: Part II · 2020In Search of Darkness: Part II
★ 7.72020
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The ultimate ‘80s Horror retrospective just got BIGGER. In Search of Darkness: Part II is a four-hour-plus sequel to the Rondo Hatton-nominated In Search of Darkness, adding 15 new interviewees and 40+ returning favorites for the biggest and most comprehensive ‘80s Horror documentary cast ever assembled.
In Search of Darkness: Part III · 2022In Search of Darkness: Part III
★ 7.52022
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The conclusion to the ‘In Search of Darkness’ '80s trilogy. In this epic final chapter, our focus turns to the straight-to-video horror classics that populated the bottom shelves at the video rental store. Imaginative, gory, experimental—but always entertaining—these hidden gems are ripe for rediscovery.
Science Fiction Revolution · 2025Science Fiction Revolution
★ 7.52025
SeriesDocumentary
A journey through the 1980s sci-fi films, exploring the impact and relevance they had and still hold today, as told by the artists that made them as well as those inspired by their works.
In Search of Darkness: 1995-1999 · 2025In Search of Darkness: 1995-1999
★ 7.02025
MovieDocumentaryHorror
In Search of Darkness: 1995-1999 celebrates and explores the movies that defined the era: from Scream’s genre-shattering impact to J-Horror’s global emergence, from mind-bending twists to Y2K apocalyptic dread, and from blockbuster hits to straight-to-video gems.
In Search of the Last Action Heroes · 2019In Search of the Last Action Heroes
★ 6.92019
MovieDocumentary
The most comprehensive retrospective of the '80s action film genre ever made.
In Search of Tomorrow · 2022In Search of Tomorrow
★ 6.82022
MovieDocumentaryScience Fiction
A nostalgic journey through ’80s Sci-Fi-films, exploring their impact and relevance today, told by the artists who made them and by those who were inspired to turn their visions into reality.
Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge · 1992Puppet Master III: Toulon's Revenge
★ 6.41992
MovieHorror
After hearing that mystical toymaker Andre Toulon has managed to create a troupe of sentient, living puppets, Nazi underling Dr. Hess sets his sights on exploiting Toulon's powers for the glory of the Reich.
Desert Winds · 1994Desert Winds
★ 5.21994
MovieDramaMystery
Jackie and Eugene are joined by a mystical wind tunnel which enables them to speak across a 500-mile desert. Believed by the Indians to be an omen of good luck, the wind inspires both characters to face their fears and follow their hearts.
Jul 1, 2027
In Search of Darkness '70s · 2027In Search of Darkness '70s
2027
MovieDocumentaryHorror
The Exorcist. The Omen. Halloween. Dawn of the Dead. Jaws. Carrie. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The Amityville Horror. Phantasm. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Alien... The '70s were an absolute golden age for horror at the movies, a collective time of cinematic greatness reflected by so many iconic films defining how we look at the genre for decades to come.
In Search of Tomorrow: Part IIIn Search of Tomorrow: Part II
MovieDocumentaryScience Fiction
The journey into ’80s Sci-Fi continues.
More Like This
Unacknowledged · 2017Unacknowledged
★ 6.32017
MovieDocumentaryMystery
Dr. Steven Greer presents brand new top-secret evidence supporting extraterrestrial contact, including witness testimony, classified documents, and UFO footage, while also exploring the consequences of ruthlessly enforcing such secrecy.
Signs · 2002Signs
★ 6.72002
MovieThrillerScience Fiction
A family living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening to come.
The Age of Disclosure · 2025The Age of Disclosure
★ 7.52025
MovieDocumentary
Director Dan Farah got 34 senior members of the U.S. Government, military, and intelligence community to come on camera. He says they reveal an 80 year cover-up of the existence of non-human intelligent life and a secret war amongst major nations to reverse engineer technology of non-human origin. The film explores the profound impact the situation has on the future of humanity, while providing a look behind-the-scenes with those at the forefront of the bi-partisan disclosure effort.
Scare Package · 2019Scare Package
★ 5.62019
MovieHorrorComedy
Chad Buckley is super crazy about horror movies, but also very lonely. He mostly spends his days in his small movie shop having wild discussions with his only returning customer, Sam.
More on Prime VideoSee all →
NEW
Masterplan · 2026Masterplan
★ 7.02026
MovieActionThriller
When a legendary thief sets his sights on the Mona Lisa, he recruits two young strangers to help him before revealing they are long-lost siblings… and oh yes, by the way, he is their father. Thrown into a chaotic reunion they never asked for, this new family must learn to work together — and try not to kill each other — if they want any chance at pulling off the heist of the century.
War of the Worlds · 2025War of the Worlds
★ 4.02025
MovieScience FictionThriller
Will Radford is a top analyst for Homeland Security who tracks potential threats through a mass surveillance program, until one day an attack by an unknown entity leads him to question whether the government is hiding something from him... and from the rest of the world.
NEW
Love of Your Life · 2026Love of Your Life
★ 6.82026
MovieRomanceDrama
After a chance encounter sparks a sweeping romance, Maya's future is suddenly upended, sending her on an unexpected journey to love and live again.
The Sheep Detectives · 2026The Sheep Detectives
★ 7.92026
MovieComedyFamily
George Hardy is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can't possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.
The Love Hypothesis · 2026The Love Hypothesis
★ 8.02026
MovieRomanceComedy
Olive Smith, a biology PhD candidate, and Dr. Adam Carlsen, a hotshot professor and well-known tyrant, enter into a fake relationship, seeing each of their carefully calculated theories on love get thrown into chaos.
The Wrecking Crew · 2026The Wrecking Crew
★ 7.12026
MovieActionComedy
Estranged half-brothers Jonny and James reunite after their father's mysterious death. As they search for the truth, buried secrets reveal a conspiracy threatening to tear their family apart.
Blade Runner · 1982Blade Runner
★ 7.91982
MovieScience FictionDrama
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.
Masters of the Universe · 2026Masters of the Universe
★ 7.12026
MovieActionFantasy
After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor. To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela and Duncan/Man-At-Arms, and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
Drawn Together · 2026Drawn Together
★ 7.02026
MovieRomanceThriller
Marfil, daughter of a powerful Spanish businessman, sees her life in New York turned upside down when she is kidnapped and released without explanation. Her father hires Sebastian Moore as bodyguard and, forced to spend every minute together, an inevitable attraction ignites in a world where nothing is as it seems.
My Fault · 2023My Fault
★ 7.72023
MovieDramaRomance
Noah must leave her city, boyfriend, and friends to move into William Leister's mansion, the flashy and wealthy husband of her mother Rafaela. As a proud and independent 17 year old, Noah resists living in a mansion surrounded by luxury. However, it is there where she meets Nick, her new stepbrother, and the clash of their strong personalities becomes evident from the very beginning.
The Last Sunrise · 2026The Last Sunrise
★ 6.92026
MovieRomanceDrama
Ry, a college student with a chronic illness, escapes to Mallorca for the summer with her mother, where she unexpectedly falls for a local and begins to embrace living in the moment. But as her condition worsens and long-hidden family secrets come to light, everything she has found before summer's end is threatened.
You+Me - Against the World · 2026You+Me - Against the World
★ 5.52026
MovieRomanceDrama
Alma Lancaster, 18, appears to lead a perfect life within a wealthy family who believes she is studying law. In secret, she pursues her true dream: filmmaking. On campus, she meets Vadim Arcadi, 20, a magnetic and solitary rebel with a troubled past. Forced to collaborate on a student film, they clash, grow closer and fall in love — despite themselves. But someone is watching them, determined to tear them apart and expose secrets that could destroy both Alma and Vadim.
Crime 101 · 2026Crime 101
★ 7.02026
MovieCrimeThriller
When an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists unfold along the iconic 101 freeway in Los Angeles eyes the score of a lifetime, with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker who is facing her own crossroads. Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher.
The Runner · 2026The Runner
★ 6.72026
MovieThrillerAction
Maia Marten, a brilliant London lawyer, has her life shattered by a single call on her morning run: her son has been taken. To get him back, she must keep running, obey every ruthless command, and trust no one-each second a test of how far a mother will go to save her child.
Red One · 2024Red One
★ 6.92024
MovieActionAdventure
After Santa Claus (codename: Red One) is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with the world's most infamous tracker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War · 2026Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War
★ 6.92026
MovieActionThriller
Jack Ryan is reluctantly pulled back into espionage when an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy. Racing against time, he joins CIA allies Mike November & James Greer and sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe to battle a rogue black-ops unit in a high-stakes, deeply personal fight.
Jurassic World · 2015Jurassic World
★ 6.72015
MovieAdventureScience Fiction
Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond.
Kung Fu Panda 3 · 2016Kung Fu Panda 3
★ 6.92016
MovieAnimationAction
While Po and his father are visiting a secret panda village, an evil spirit threatens all of China, forcing Po to form a ragtag army to fight back.
The Accountant² · 2025The Accountant²
★ 7.12025
MovieMysteryCrime
When an old acquaintance is murdered, Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax, to help. In partnership with Marybeth Medina, they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.
Red, White & Royal Blue · 2023Red, White & Royal Blue
★ 7.92023
MovieComedyRomance
After an altercation between Alex, the president's son, and Britain's Prince Henry at a royal event becomes tabloid fodder, their long-running feud now threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations. When the rivals are forced into a staged truce, their icy relationship begins to thaw and the friction between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected.
