Goosebumps Review: A Stale Adaptation

"Goosebumps" adaptation on Disney+ and Hulu fails to capture the essence of the beloved horror book series, becoming an embarrassing parody.

In the '90s, R.L. Stine's iconic Goosebumps series took the world by storm. These teen horror books were incredibly popular, selling millions of copies every month and earning Stine the title of the "Stephen King of children's literature." It's interesting to note that Stine's novels were not as violent or gruesome as one might expect, but rather focused on creating spooky atmospheres and incorporating campy humor, making them perfect for younger readers. This unique approach greatly influenced the genre and left a lasting impact.

Naturally, the success of the Goosebumps books led to numerous adaptations, including video games, TV series, and movies. However, the latest adaptation, created by Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller for Disney+ and Hulu, unfortunately falls short of capturing the essence of what made these stories so enjoyable in the first place. Unlike the 2015 movie or the classic TV show from the '90s, this modern retelling, which draws inspiration from multiple stories, is a disappointment that does not do justice to the franchise as a whole. In fact, it feels more like a parody in the style of Scary Movie, but without the clever jokes that make parodies entertaining. Instead, the unintentional humor and overall poor quality of the series are the only sources of laughter.

Rather than following an anthology format, this version of Goosebumps opts for a serial structure, weaving together the stories of a group of high schoolers and their parents. These characters find themselves facing various supernatural evils after attending a party in the town's haunted house. The ensemble cast consists of five archetypal teens: Isaiah, the jock; James, the gay character; Margo, the smart-mouthed individual; Isabella, the loner; and Lucas, the eccentric one. Throughout their journey, they encounter the ghost of Harold Biddle, a tragic victim of a demonic force in 1993.

It is unfortunate that this adaptation fails to capture the innocent fun and captivating essence of the original Goosebumps stories. The lack of clever humor and the overall poor execution make it a disappointment for fans of the franchise. While Goosebumps has had its fair share of successful adaptations in the past, this modern retelling falls short and fails to live up to the legacy of R.L. Stine's beloved books.