---
title: "Dark Shadows"
year: 2012
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/dark-shadows-2012"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 62213
imdb_id: "tt1077368"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 113
community_rating: 6.1
vote_count: 7656
content_rating: "PG-13"
---

# Dark Shadows (2012) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/dark-shadows-2012

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The film "Dark Shadows" is a 2012 movie that revolves around a character from the past. A vampire is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into a changed world. He returns to his former estate, which has fallen into a state of disrepair. The estate, once grand, is now in a state of decline. The vampire's family is also experiencing difficulties, with their former status and prosperity lost. The story takes place in a time period that is significantly different from the character's past. The setting of the film is a manor that was once the character's home. The film explores the character's return to this changed environment and his attempts to adjust to the new circumstances. The movie is based on a previous work, but specific details about the source material are not provided. The film's release year is 2012.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A 1970s vampire awakens to a crumbling family estate."

### Why Watch
- Tim Burton’s distinctive visual style
- Blend of comedy and gothic fantasy
- Set in the 1972 era with a decaying manor

### Caveats & Content Note
- The plot can feel directionless for some viewers
- Tone & Suitability: The PG‑13 film mixes gothic humor with mild horror, suitable for teens and adults.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: gothic, comedy, fantasy, tim-burtonesque

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | None | None | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | HBO Max Amazon Channel, HBO Max | None | Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, CosmoGo |
| **Australia (AU)** | Amazon Prime Video, Stan, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | JustWatch TV, Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Tim Burton
- **Networks / Studios**: Village Roadshow Pictures, Infinitum Nihil, GK Films

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Johnny Depp** as *Barnabas Collins*
- **Michelle Pfeiffer** as *Elizabeth Collins Stoddard*
- **Eva Green** as *Angelique Bouchard*
- **Helena Bonham Carter** as *Dr. Julia Hoffman*
- **Chloë Grace Moretz** as *Carolyn Stoddard*
- **Bella Heathcote** as *Victoria Winters / Josette DuPres*
- **Gulliver McGrath** as *David Collins*
- **Jackie Earle Haley** as *Willie Loomis*
- **Jonny Lee Miller** as *Roger Collins*
- **Ray Shirley** as *Mrs. Johnson*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: When was Dark Shadows released?
It opened in the United States on May 11, 2012.

### Q: What genres describe the film?
It is classified as a comedy‑fantasy with gothic elements.

### Q: Who directed Dark Shadows?
Tim Burton is the director of the movie.

### Q: How long is the film?
The runtime is about 1 hour 53 minutes.

### Q: What is the basic premise of the story?
Vampire Barnabas Collins is freed from his tomb and returns to a ruined Collinwood Manor in 1972.

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*