Netflix is bringing binge-watching to the movies. The streaming service announced on Tuesday that its upcoming “Fear Street” trilogy will premiere this summer over three consecutive weeks.
The first installment, “Fear Street Part 1: 1994” is coming to Netflix on July 2, with “Part 2: 1978” following on July 8 and “Part 3: 1666” landing on July 16.
Leigh Janiak directed the franchise, which has been adapted from the horror series by R. L. Stine. Like the books, the interconnected films cover three different time periods across 300 years. It takes place in the fictional town of Shadyside, Ohio, and centers on a group of teenagers who discover that the terrifying events that have haunted their town for generations may all be connected — and they may be targeted next.
“We filmed all three ‘Fear Street’ movies over one crazy, bloody summer,” Janiak said. “It’s a dream that audiences now get to experience the story in the same way — back to back to back, with only a week of waiting in between. I can’t wait to welcome everyone into the world of Fear Street in 1994, 1978 and 1666!”
The trilogy was originally set up at Fox and was slated to debut theatrically. Netflix acquired the property last year.
Stine, who later wrote the hugely popular children’s book series “Goosebumps,” teases that the upcoming movies may require more parental guidance.
“‘Fear Street’ fans are in for a treat — and some major surprises,” Stine said. “Readers know that the book series is rated PG. But the movies are rated R. That means a lot more thrills — and a lot more terror! I have seen Leigh Janiak’s epic trilogy releasing on Netflix in July and I can tell you the scares and the screams are more than I ever expected. What fun to see the horrors of Shadyside come to life!”