The last Saturday in October is here, and so too is the last Family Fun day in our 31 Days of Halloween lineup. Since the 31st is rapidly approaching, today’s entry is dedicated to a family-friendly horror movie that goes big in terms of serious monster content. I mean BIG.
Every possible monster from R.L. Stine’s popular Goosebumps book series is unleashed on screen in this one. From pint-sized garden gnomes to a gigantic praying mantis, and everything in between, this movie offers nostalgia for older fans of the original series and a new introduction to the world of monsters for the young horror novice.
If you want to keep the Goosebumps party going, hop over to Netflix after and hit play on Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween for a seasonally appropriate double feature the whole family can enjoy.
Synopsis: After his father’s recent death, teen Zach Cooper and his mother relocate from bustling New York City to the quiet small town of Madison, Delaware. He befriends his next door neighbor Hannah, but finds her father is extremely overprotective. Moreover, her father happens to be famous author R.L. Stine. When the demons and monsters are accidentally freed from his books, the teens must team up with the author to save the town.
Key Players: Jack Black plays R.L. Stine and also voices evil ventriloquist dummy Slappy. Dylan Minnette is protagonist Zach Cooper, and Odeya Rush plays Stine’s daughter Hannah. Amy Ryan and Jillian Bell play Zach’s mother and aunt, respectively. Look for R.L. Stine himself to cameo as the high school drama teacher, Mr. Black.
Why It’s on the List: Have I mentioned endless monsters? Werewolves, evil clowns, the haunted mask, scarecrows, ghouls, and the list goes on for a long while. Fans of Stine’s original series could spend a while picking out all of the creatures and nods to the books. But none of it would really work without a story that connects with viewers, and Goosebumps offers up a sweet family tale of first love, growing up, and acceptance. The feel-good kind of story that offers up humor and heart to balance any potential scares for the young’uns.
Baby’s First Werewolf: For the young target audience this film is aimed toward, there’s a high probability that the demographic hasn’t experienced a werewolf before. Making Goosebumps “baby’s first brush with a classic horror monster.” A perfect introductory werewolf to lure a budding fan further into the genre; it’s both spooky and funny.
Where You Can Watch: Goosebumps is available to stream on demand through internet TV app Fubo TV, to rent on digital, and of course, Blu-ray.