Dark Shadows (film)

Dark Shadows
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTim Burton
Screenplay bySeth Grahame-Smith
Story by
Based onDark Shadows
by Dan Curtis
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyBruno Delbonnel
Edited byChris Lebenzon
Music byDanny Elfman
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • May 7, 2012 (2012-05-07) (Los Angeles premiere)
  • May 10, 2012 (2012-05-10) (Australia)
  • May 11, 2012 (2012-05-11) (United States)
Running time
114 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Australia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$150 million
Box office$245.5 million

Dark Shadows is a 2012 Gothic dark fantasy film based on the Gothic television soap opera of the same name. Directed by Tim Burton, the film stars Johnny Depp alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Eva Green, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Chloë Grace Moretz, Helena Bonham Carter, and Bella Heathcote in a dual role. Christopher Lee has a small role in the film, marking his 200th film appearance and his fifth and final collaboration with Burton. Jonathan Frid, star of the original Dark Shadows series, makes a cameo appearance. He died shortly before the film was released. One of the film's producers, Richard D. Zanuck, died two months after its release.

The film had a limited release on May 10, 2012, and was officially released the following day in North America. It performed poorly at the United States box office, but did well in foreign markets. Reviews for the film were mixed; critics praised its visual style and consistent humor, but felt it lacked a focused or substantial plot and developed characters.