If you’re anything like me, you probably read all the Goosebumps and Fear Street books in elementary and middle school. Goosebumps books are a phase I think most kids go through. I completely forgot that there was a television adaptation of a bunch of the Goosebumps books until the other night when my friends and I were searching Netflix for something to binge. In my opinion, Black Mirror, The Twilight Zone, and Goosebumps are the spooky season trifecta! Here’s 5 reasons to add Goosebumps to your Halloween watchlist:
- The 90s Aesthetic
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Beginning in 1995 and running through 1998, R.L Stine’s series spanned four seasons. The show’s episodes share the titles from the books and are faithful to the source material. The lack of cell phones, excessive bike riding, running around town without checking in with their parents, and the overall freedom to explore both urban and rural settings is peak 90s. The 1990s clothing and attitudes feel quaint and familiar in a nostalgic way. Those were the days, sort of.
- Terrible Child Acting
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I don’t know about you, but I love the way that most shows with child actors feel more like watching a school play rather than a TV show. The direct looks into the camera, weirdly placed inflections, and the either over or under emphasized line reads make Goosebumps even more entertaining. My friends and I are pretty sure the show uses dialogue either directly from, or quite identical to that in the books. The acting gives the show a more camp feel that’s wildly enjoyable.
- Amazing Practical Effects/Early CGI
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The monsters and creatures in Goosebumps are so fun! Puppets, masks, makeup, and pretty early CGI, make for great entertainment. The mix of practical effects, editing, and CGI made the show terrifying when I was a kid. Watching the episodes now, I appreciate the costuming and attention to detail when it came to physical character details.
- Plot Twists
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M. Night Shyamalan has nothing on R.L Stine! The episodes of Goosebumps take you through a series of twists and turns with scares along the way! If you think you remember the plotlines from reading the books 10+ years ago, you’ll definitely be surprised by some of the plot twists. As the narrator says at the beginning of each episode, “Viewer beware, you’re in for a scare!”
- Young Stars Before They Were Famous
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Ryan Gosling stars in the Say Cheese and Die! episode as a young teen with long hair constantly falling in his face, making him look like a confused sheepdog. I love watching shows I had enjoyed as a kid, and realizing that some of the actors ended up majorly famous later on. A couple other notable names that appeared in Goosebumps episodes are Hayden Christiansen, aka Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episodes II,III,and IV, Adam West aka Batman, and Caterina Scorsone aka Dr. Amelia Shepard in Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice!
So if you’re looking for something not-so-scary this spooky season, definitely give Goosebumps a chance! It’s entertaining for all age groups and is sure to keep you on your toes! Forget about the news and the real world for a bit and step into the fantastic world and plot lines of R.L Stine. Whether you read the books or not, I can promise that you’ll have fun watching the series! Each episode stands alone so you can binge watch or choose your favorites!