In 2019, Guillermo del Toro and André Øvredal thrilled generations of horror fans with a big-screen version of the classic collection Scary Stories to Tell In the Dark. The film’s success proved that viewers of all ages still love the terrifying tales presented in Alvin Schwartz’s book series — no matter how often they’ve been banned. Though readers still love these books with their stunning Stephen Gammel illustrations, not everyone knows the history of the series…but a captivating documentary, simply called Scary Stories, can change that.

This film offers three histories in one: First, a survey of the books’ ever-expanding fandom featuring the stellar artistry of the most passionate admirers; second, the story of the controversy over whether the series should be allowed in school libraries; and third, the story of one man’s path to understanding his estranged father, author Alvin Schwartz. Scary Stories is a powerful and hopeful examination of one of the most embattled and beloved book series ever made, and it is streaming now on Prime…