If you’re a massive Goosebumps fan like I am, then October 13 can’t come soon enough. Make sure you’ve got your can of monster blood ready, and cordially invite whatever’s lurking in your basement. I’m sure the plant monster can bring the popcorn—and the slime butter.
The brand new and upcoming Disney+/Hulu Goosebumps adaptation stars Justin Long and Rachael Harris in a decidedly darker, more mature take on R.L. Stine’s traditionally middle grade brand of horror. Mr. Stine did start his career as Jovial Bob Stine, after all, and eventually brought his bag of safe scares to the pages of frightful novels for kids. Boy, did that work out!
Instead of following a group of precocious 10-year-olds like in the original books, Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller’s fresh take on the long-standing literary franchise follows five teens as they “embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle – while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past”.
The recently released trailer introduces the story of Nathan Brad, an unassuming English teacher who moves to a very Stephen King-esque, small, seaside town and, of course, buys the old local haunted house. He promptly gets possessed by Harold’s vengeful spirit, and watcher beware, we’re in for a scare, if you know what I mean.
The trailer is actually pretty good, as it sets both a foreboding, creepy vibe while still retaining some of Stine’s aforementioned trademark humor. I will say that the auto-tuned monstrosity that plays over the second half of the preview is completely atrocious, but maybe it’s what the children like? Hello, fellow kids? How do you do?
Other than that, it feels like Goosebumps, only leveled up:
The dim tone already seems moodier and totally separate from the Jack Black Goosebumps theatrical outings, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though it’s nice to see the series lean more into its spooky side. Additionally, an alleged episode list has been circulating the internet, and it includes some classic Goosebumps titles, as well as some less expected inclusions:
- Episode 1: “Say Cheese and Die!“: October 13
- Episode 2: “The Haunted Mask”: October 13
- Episode 3: “The Cuckoo Clock of Doom”: October 13
- Episode 4: “Go Eat Worms”: October 13
- Episode 5: “Reader Beware”: October 13
- Episode 6: “Night of the Living Dummy”: October 20
- Episode 7: “Give Yourself Goosebumps”: October 27
- Episode 8: “You Can’t Scare Me”: November 3
- Episode 9: “Night of the Living Dummy Part 2″: November 10
- Episode 10: “Welcome to Horrorland”: November 17
If this unconfirmed list is to be believed, then we’ve got some returning and beloved classics like The Haunted Mask and Night of the Living Dummy. But there’s also deeper cuts like Go Eat Worms! and perhaps most interestingly, an episode dedicated entirely to the Give Yourself Goosebumps book series. I loved those things!
I’m guessing these won’t be self-contained stories like the retro ‘90s show, but rather general themes that connect an overarching narrative. It was awesome seeing the haunted camera, cuckoo clock and Slappy in the trailer, but I’m honestly most excited to see what the show does with the mud monsters from You Can’t Scare Me! and the avalanche of squirmy invertebrates from Go Eat Worms! (there better be thousands, I swear).
I just hope the team can deliver a proper, modern take on what might be my favorite book series of all time. It always feels emotionally dangerous when new adaptations come out, because these properties mean so much to us. I got burned with Lisey’s Story on Apple TV+, where they butchered my favorite King book. Don’t let me down, Stine!
That said, Friday the 13th fast approaches, fellow Goosebumps maniacs. But why does it feel so slow, so torturous? That’s because Goosebumps is life. Now where did I put my Curly bookmark…
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