A SUMMER ruled by Disney’s Lion King winds to an early close with a trio of mature offerings, skewed toward washout days and increasingly nocturnal evenings. Indeed, first up, André Øvredal’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark relies on the fact.

Based on the anthology book of the same name by Alvin Schwartz, Scary Stories serves as a gateway to horror for those under 18. Originally published in 1981, Schwartz’s book - the first of three - offered 29 deliciously dark tales for younger readers and has been rewarded with longevity and international success. Wrapping the collection into a single narrative strand, Øvredal’s adaptation has been met with reasonable critical warmth and financial success. What seems clear is that the studio seeks the start of a franchise here.

Though, allegedly, aimed at older teens, there’s strong horror pedigree behind the scenes of Scary Stories. Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro produces, alongside his Shape of Water collaborator J. Miles Dale, with the story conceived by Saw series regulars Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan. A green gilled cast finds leads, meanwhile, in Zoe Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush and Austin Zajur.

When a quartet of teens decide to explore their local haunted house, on Halloween night in 1968, they discover a book that will read them and tell their fiercest nightmares. It’s great fun.

Also out this week, Pain & Glory should absolutely not be confused for 2013’s turgid Michael Bay flop Pain & Gain. It is a superior film on all accounts. Directed by Spain’s Pedro Almodóvar, this is a dramatisation of creative crises and decline, bolstered by a terrific central turn by Antonio Banderas.

Drawn from the director’s own life and experiences, the film - locally known as Dolor y gloria - explores the memory driven narrative of Salvador Mallo (Banderas). It is a tale of encounters, of love and loss, of cinema and humanity.

Finally, Crawl has been a surprise hit across the Atlantic. From director Alexandre Aja, and the pens of Michael and Shawn Rasmussen, this a disaster horror built for a world in the early throws of climate change. Kaya Scodelario and Barry Pepper star as daughter and father Haley and Dave Keller, who, along with their dog, are hunted by alligators after becoming trapped in their home during a Category 5 hurricane.