GOOSEBUMPS (2023) Ushers in a New Gen of Horror

A supernatural force returns after 30 years, setting its sights on a group of teens who will look to the past to fight against it. Based on the beloved R. L. Stine book series, Goosebumps is a warm hug of frights that adapts the most memorable tales in a fresh way, ushering in new fans and appeasing the old ones.

Children of the 90s had their lives dominated by the horror novels. Its anthology series counterpart had an equally important role, serving as a gateway for many horror-loving adults of today.

In 2015, Rob Letterman brought the world of Stine to the big screen with an adaptation starring Jack Black. Attempting to capture a new generation, it offered kid-friendly mischief, though it didn’t necessarily offer the haunting atmosphere of the original series or books. And its subsequent, and forgettable, sequel was just as tame.

But the source material is getting a new (after)life as Letterman returns with a series for Disney+ alongside Nicholas Stoller as his writing and executive-producing partner. The first five episodes dropped on Friday the 13th, with the remainder released weekly.

Starring Justin Long with Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig, and Will Price, this new Goosebumps feels more mature and creepy than the films, offering up some decent frights for younger audiences and maintaining an alluring mystery that strings every episode together nicely.

Unlike its 90s counterpart, this series has chosen to weave the best stories into one season-long narrative. It was an excellent decision to avoid being a copy/paste anthology or going a similar route to the film version. But to its benefit, it captures that atmospheric dread that the original series had.

In its first half, the series is able to set up a lot with various backstories, often honing on one character more heavily in each episode. This is obviously a benefit of not being an episodic anthology and allows for some solid character development.

Goosebumps has so many great aspects present in its first five episodes. It feels like a worthy adaptation and perfectly weaves in Stine’s best tales. Justin Long is an absolute treat, and the talented young cast also delivers.

The world of Goosebumps was a wonderful introduction to horror growing up, and I love that a new generation now has its version. It maintains a level of Gen Z wit but doesn’t overdo it to exclude the Millennials who may be tuning in, so truly anyone can enjoy it.