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Season 1 – Tales From the Crypt

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Tales From the Crypt Jun 1989 Horror Fantasy Drama Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Based on the EC Comics series of the same name, this campy and stylized anthology series recounts a string of horrific yarns introduced by the show's moldering host, the Crypt Keeper. Episodes feature a number of well-known actors and actresses, including Dan Aykroyd, Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Reeve and Sam Waterston. Michael J. Fox, Tom Hanks, Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner and John Frankenheimer are among notables who directed episodes.
Tales From the Crypt — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Over-the-top gore, pitch black humor, and heavyweight talent like director Robert Zemeckis make Tales From The Crypt a perversely entertaining, oft-imitated anthology series.

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Critics Reviews

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Phil Hornshaw TheWrap 06/15/2018
It's a bit dated and a bit goofy, but Tales also still feels like a unique combination of elements. Plus, Crypt Keeper puns. Go to Full Review A.A. Dowd AV Club 06/13/2018
"And All Through The House" was specifically designed to be a benchmark for the whole series; it establishes the cruel-and-unusual moral logic of the show, while also offering a real-time, pressure-cooker scenario that's perfect for the half-hour format. Go to Full Review Amelie Gillette AV Club 06/13/2018
Overall, the episodes have retained the same black-humor bite as they did in 1989, especially Zemeckis' "And All Through The House." Go to Full Review Andrew Roberts Uproxx 06/19/2018
One of the most memorable episodes of the series, "And All Through the House," directed by Zemeckis, keeps the scares simple. Go to Full Review Jodi Smith Pajiba 06/18/2018
I can't help but wonder how many episodes of Tales from the Crypt inspired much of the entertainment that we watch today. Go to Full Review Nicole D'Andria Screen Rant 06/15/2018
So many suspenseful moments and you're not really sure how it will end. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joshua N @RT49611823 12/30/2023 Ep 2 and 3 are clear standouts so far Ranked 3 2 1 See more Birithivy Y @RT66170947 05/17/2021 Tales From The Crypt (Season 1) - 10/10. When Robert Zemeckis helped create and adapt this famous Dark Horse comic series, it helped shape tv history in terms of creating anthology series's in horror. The HBO series ran for years, but it was the early seasons that helped create some of the best and most memorable horror tv episodes. With some star studded casts and directors, the show helped shine a light towards the horror genre, shying it away from the stereotypical idea that it was a low grade genre for only unknown stars. The show also helped push the envelope in terms of what tv could be like for the horror genre, as each episode felt like a mini movie, with high quality production and high quality talent to boot. And not to mention, the Cryptkeeper became a cultural icon, what with that iconic screechy voice and laugh. Growing up watching this show and the animated counterpart, it was a fun show to see as it was always interesting and different. Hopefully, there will be a reboot, but till then, this season and the other earlier ones are always fascinating and entertaining to rewatch. See more Read all reviews
Tales From the Crypt — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Lea Thompson

Actor

William Sadler

Actor

M. Emmet Walsh

Actor

Joe Pantoliano

Actor

Mary Ellen Trainor

Actor

David Wohl

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 10, 1989 The Man Who Was Death An unemployed executioner free-lances; with Bill Sadler, David Wohl, Gerrit Graham; director Walter Hill. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 10, 1989 And All Through the House An ax-wielding Santa escapes from an asylum; with Mary Ellen Trainor, Larry Drake; director Robert Zemeckis. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 10, 1989 Dig That Cat ... He's Real Gone A bum (Joe Pantoliano), given nine lives by a mad scientist, grows fearful as he approaches his final one. Details Episode 4 Aired Jun 14, 1989 Only Sin Deep A prostitute (Lea Thompson) learns the cost of going straight. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 21, 1989 Lover Come Hack to Me A bride's family tradition cuts a honeymoon short; with Amanda Plummer, Stephen Shellen. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 28, 1989 Collection Completed A childless woman (Audra Lindley) lavishes affection on her pets. Details

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Season Info

Director
Tom Holland, Mary Lambert, Walter Hill, Howard Deutch, Robert Zemeckis, Richard Donner
Network
HBO
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Horror, Fantasy, Drama, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 10, 1989