Chair de poule

Everything has to be redone, reimagined and recycled these days. Unfortunately goosebumps is not off-limits even though we just had two movies within the last 10 years as well as Fear Street spin offs on Netflix. No, but here we get a series that tries some new things, but just can't escape the absolutely unnecessary and forced tropes amongst the casting, the plotting, and the overall product. Justin Long being the bright spot, of course and some of the Visual horror aspects. Otherwise, I can already tell it might be difficult to make it through more than a few episodes. I'll stick with the classic books and the classic TV series.

I'm not sure why they decided to use the "Goosebumps" brand for this series, but I imagine they thought they'd get a lot more views playing the nostalgic reboot card. Had they just given it an original name, there wouldn't be as many reviews from viewers who are incapable of separating the style and format of the original series and accepting this new one. There would also be fewer viewers claiming this new show ruined their childhood, not because the show is bad, but because they grew up to become idiots who refers to everything that doesn't fit into their narrow-minded per views as woke. The good news is, if you're a decent, functioning member of modern society who can look past the fact that not every character is straight and white, and how those characters actually speak and act like people of their age in 2023, you might enjoy the creepiness and sometimes genuinely gross and chilling aspects of this series. More so, if you're intelligent, too, you might appreciate the smart writing and the metaphors woven into the specific storylines featured in each episode. As much as I'm enjoying it, I have some issues with it being derivative (Nightmare On Elm Street), predictable (I figured out what happened in the past in episode 2), and having a major plot hole (why doesn't one character's kid and their friend back up their story and prevent them from having to be taken away?) Aside from these small gripes, it's an enjoyable series, especially if you like the horror genre and you're looking for something new to watch around Halloween.

Something people are gonna have to realize is that there are so many books to the goosebumps series and would probably take more than several life times to make into a cartoon or live action. People love Goosebumps and want more, but the thing is not everything can be made perfect especially with time and money. I couldn't care less what anybody thinks this show was great each episode and probably my favorite adaptation of Goosebumps. If you're gonna cry about how it won't follow the story just stick to the short and more accurate 1990's TV show. The people who made this show did their best to bring as many books as they could into this show with a great plot, so stop saying it was bad.

MY REVIEW: Best adaptation so far, amazing acting, rushed endings for most of the episodes, great on transitioning to each character after each episode, foreshadowing was great, and was kinda upset how there wasn't too much bloody stuff but ehh still alright. I haven't watched a better Halloween movie or show since Hubie Halloween.

Before you read this review I'm only two episodes into this series. However, right away a decision they made has kind of ruined the entire thing for me. It is not single one off stories, they are combining a bunch of books into a continuous arc about characters spanning one season.

A season long arc doesn't really work for Goosebumps. They might want it to because it makes it easier to create sequel episodes if they can keep bringing the same characters back, but it doesn't work with this. Each book was an entirely different vibe, some had more elements of comedy, some had elements of family, all had a horror twist thrown into the mix.

Making this a season long arc doesn't seem like it will work to me. This is just a forewarning to anyone looking to check out this series. I have no idea if they're able to pull it off well, but it seems destined to be at best mediocre to me.

Disney+ and Hulu's Goosebumps takes R. L. Stine's beloved book series and gives it a modern, serialized twist. Unlike its 1990s anthology predecessor, this version weaves together multiple horror elements into a continuous story, blending teen drama, supernatural chills, and nostalgia for longtime fans.

Positives

✔ Engaging Storytelling: Unlike the original anthology format, this adaptation creates an interconnected mystery that keeps viewers invested across episodes.

✔ Creepy Yet Fun Atmosphere: The show captures the eerie yet playful tone of Goosebumps, making it perfect for both older fans and new audiences.

✔ Strong Cast: The young ensemble delivers solid performances, and the presence of Justin Long adds extra star power.

✔ Nostalgic References: Fans of the original books will appreciate the nods to classic Goosebumps stories and characters.

✔ Great Visual Effects: Compared to the original 1990s series, the production values here are much higher, with well-executed practical and CGI effects.

Negatives

• Less Anthology, More Drama: Some fans might miss the episodic, standalone nature of the original series, as this version leans more into a continuous teen drama format.

• Pacing Issues: While the long-form storytelling works well, some episodes feel stretched out, making the buildup slower than necessary.

• Not as Scary as Expected: While the show has creepy moments, it leans more toward suspense and mystery rather than full horror, which may not satisfy fans looking for true frights.

Conclusion

Goosebumps successfully modernizes R. L. Stine's spooky world while keeping it accessible for both young and older audiences. While it sacrifices some of the classic anthology style in favor of a serialized mystery, the engaging cast, fun scares, and nostalgic callbacks make it a worthy watch for fans of supernatural thrillers.