This Forgotten 90s Horror Gem is Now on Prime Video and it’s a Perfect Halloween Watch
In the world of horror, many 90s direct-to-video and lesser-known films are celebrated cult classics, but they’ve become increasingly hard to find on streaming platforms and can be even harder to own. As streaming services focus on new releases and higher-budget catalog titles, fans of 90s indie horror face limited access to these niche films. Thank God for Prime Video, but even they can’t house everything. Meanwhile, out-of-print VHS and DVD copies have skyrocketed in value among collectors, often costing hundreds of dollars. This scarcity has transformed once-overlooked gems into sought-after treasures, prized for their gritty, innovative take on horror.
Thankfully, a Halloween miracle has occurred for fans of 90s horror: Campfire Tales (1997), a cult-favorite horror anthology, is finally streaming on Prime Video. Remembered by some of us for its eerie blend of urban legends and supernatural suspense, the film weaves together four chilling tales shared by teens around a campfire. Directed by Martin Kunert and David Semel, Campfire Tales has been notoriously hard to find for years, with used physical copies costing upwards of $100 on Amazon and eBay. Now, thanks to Prime Video, a new generation can experience the haunting stories that have made it a cherished part of 90s horror nostalgia.
Prime Video resurrects a Halloweentime classic
Campfire Tales follows a group of teens stranded after a car accident who, to pass the time, share ghost stories around a campfire. Each tale unfolds as a mini-horror film, including tales of supernatural revenge, deadly hitchhikers, and eerie encounters inspired by urban legends. Featuring early performances by Amy Smart, James Mardsen, and Christine Taylor and a score by legendary composer Graeme Revell (The Crow, From Dusk Till Dawn), this streaming release provides a rare opportunity to experience the film’s unique blend of suspense and nostalgia.
While word on the street was that the horror anthology was meant to become a theatrical release, it instead found its way to home video where it was quickly forgotten by the general public. Part of why this great 90s gem never found its footing was likely because it was aggressively marketed as a post-Scream knockoff. The trailer and VHS art both proclaimed the release to be “in the tradition of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer.” The suits had no idea how to handle this great little flick, so they pushed it the only way they knew how in 1997. On the coattails of Scream.
The trailer for Campfire Tales, now streaming on Prime Video
For long-time fans, Campfire Tales has been elusive, often overshadowed by other 90s horror anthologies like Tales from the Hood. However, hopefully, its newfound arrival on Prime Video revives an interest in 90s hidden horror, especially for fans of anthologies and urban legends.
This release aligns with recent trends to revive lesser-known horror films, allowing fans to rediscover genre-defining works often forgotten in favor of bigger-budget productions.
Will you be checking out Campfire Tales on Prime Video now that it’s finally available to stream, and just in time for Halloween? I recommend this one big time for fans of lost and liminal 90s horror in the vein of Are You Afraid of the Dark? It’s a real treat for millennial horror fans. Let me know what you think on Twitter via @joshkorngut. I’m always around to chat about Campfire Tales!
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