Nightbooks

Alex is a kid who devours scary stories and dreams of monsters, yet his hobby lands him in trouble. He wakes up inside a sleek, magical apartment in New York City that is controlled by a witch. The place reshapes itself around each tale he tells, turning familiar rooms into traps and turning fear into a test of nerve. A friend appears to help him navigate the rules of the place, and a wise muttering book offers clues as he clings to the idea that his own stories can keep him safe. With suspense mounting, Alex searches for a real exit while the apartment presses him to choose between imagination and survival.

Nightbooks is directed by David Yarovesky and adapts J.A White's book for a family friendly fantasy horror. The project comes from producers Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis and rolled out on Netflix in October 2021.

Box office: no theatrical release. Netflix did not disclose worldwide earnings for Nightbooks, so there is no public box office figure.

Critics noted a balance of spooky mood and warmth that suits younger audiences while letting grown ups enjoy clever storytelling. The film foregrounds friendship, bravery, and the power of imagination to reshape danger. Alex learns to test limits, listen to hints, and rely on others rather than fear alone. The cast, especially Krysten Ritter as the witch and Winslow Fegley as Alex, anchors the fantasy with grounded emotions, while the apartment's tricks keep the tension high. The movie treats fear as something to face with wit, teamwork, and a stubborn will to escape.

Though not a blockbuster, Nightbooks adds to a niche of kid friendly fantasy that values imagination over gore. It supports streaming options that encourage younger viewers to see libraries and city spaces as doors to new adventures, and it reflects a trend of safe fright for family audiences. Nightbooks invites families to see fear as a tool for creativity and cooperation.