Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the vampires, witches, ghosts, and other supernatural characters on Dark Shadows probably aren't as scary as they remember from watching reruns of the 1960s soap opera on television. Also, it's much more serious than the silliness of the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp theatrical version. That said, there are shocks and possibly nightmare-inducing scenes, particularly when vampire Barnabas Collins is either stalking some young lovely or exacting revenge on his enemies. There is no gore or major violence onscreen, but the spooky goings on and strange music may still freak younger kids out, and characters do die. Romance and infidelity are central themes, though kissing is as much as we see. Some era-accurate smoking is visible onscreen as well. Tweens and teenagers will probably be more interested in the kitschy aspects of Dark Shadows. Fans of vampire fiction such as Twilight and The Vampire Diaries may also enjoy seeing the vintage vampire action that scared their young parents.

Sexual Content

There are wall-to-wall romances, though rather chaste ones, confined to kisses, longing looks, and offscreen action that's referred to later in innuendo. Infidelity from main character Barnabas Collins sets one of the show's overarching plotlines into motion, and he pays heavily for his indiscretion.

Violence

The show centers on supernatural happenings and often features deaths, though many of the dead characters return as ghosts or vampires later.There is no gore or blood; the show's vampire never even actually bites his victims, just leers at them with fangs before a cutaway.

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

As on most soaps, the characters are duplicitous and faithless, as well as often being violent and dangerous (though explicit violence occurs offscreen). Family ties and loyalty to one's family is a frequent theme, however.

Consumerism

After watching Dark Shadows, viewers may be interested in the 2012 Tim Burton feature film of the same name.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Some characters smoke cigarettes onscreen.