User reviews

I am 38 years old, the original Goosebumps books and TV show were in my prime. I enjoyed them and Fear Street as I got older. I didn't mind the movies that came out a few years ago but nothing has been "Goosebumps" to me. This attempt is the same. Is it a halfway decent show that I can watch with my son to pass some time over the weekend. They definitely called it "Goosebumps" to get more viewers but it is not really Goosebumps. They took some inspiration from some of the books and wrapped it into 1 series. I do have to say that as a gay man, I am finding the "check boxes" to get a little old. It is nice to see characters who resemble everyone, the gay kid with a straight best friend combo was cool BUT the stereotypes are getting a bit old. Not every gay kid is androgenous or flamboyant. It would be nice to see these characters but with a little less of the stereotypes. Aside from that, I've definitely seen worse things on TV.

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.

Fans of the original book series should know this show is nothing like that- it's darker and the protagonists are teenagers instead of younger kids. Zero nostalgia factor, so if that's what you were hoping for, look elsewhere.

That said, the episodes in the middle of the first season were fairly okay and overall the series had potential.

The writing is why this isn't getting a higher rating from me. The motivations behind the characters' actions- particularly those of the villains- are nonsensical to the point of frustration. The last two episodes of the first season were disappointing and fell flat in their attempt to create lore and explain the origin of the evil that had been haunting the characters.

I don't have an issue with the showmakers changing the tone of the OG series to appeal to an older, Gen Z audience but there are too many plotholes- too much about the choices characters make and about the world that just doesn't make sense within the context of the series, and that's never really explained to the point of satisfaction.

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.

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.

Well, I just finished Vanishing and rather disappointed with the waste of talent and resources invested in these series. These could have accomplished so much more, because in general the atmosphere worked, cast chemistry worked and there were some good ideas. But everything was ruined by the script. Was it AI written? Yes, sci-fi genre is usually quite forgiving in terms of plot holes. But this piece is either treating viewers as idiots or disrespects sci-fi in general: starting with billions dollar facilities manned by five people and finishing with high achievers AI wooden cutouts and "sexuality is a spectrum" stereotypes written in...

So, Obviously I am not done watching this yet and there are two episodes of season one still yet to be released. The first episode sucked, but I am very glad I gave episode 2 a chance, because the story line gets much better. There are definitely some cheesy parts but overall, I actually enjoy this modern remake. I am a millennial so maybe I am not 100% up to date on how gen z acts now, But I can appreciate the way they made the story line catchy. I think viewers need to remember that it isn't always easy to re create cult classic that has been appreciated for years. I think they did a great job, overall.

As someone who grew up reading the books and giving every atrocious cinematic attempt the benefit of the doubt, I am pretty pleased with this one.

I winced when I hit play, and settled back, prepared to be disappointed.

I finished every episode in two days, and am excited for the next.

It is very much a show aimed at teenagers, so it has the high school shenanigans and drama. The acting skill varies, as does the script writing. Justin Long is Justin Long (which I love. YMMV).

Every attempt at trying to exactly duplicate the stories and spirit of the books has failed miserably, so this show went in a different direction. They used a Goosebumps villain and created a framework from it, then wove different Goosebumps stories into an episodic/serialized show.

If you're looking for Masterpiece Theater, this ain't it. If you're looking for something fun inspired by delightful Goosebumps books, enjoy!

It's a bit darker than the original version but it's really good. It's a lot funnier than the original also the only few flaws are that they didn't use the same music as the original and every scene that isn't outside is very dark hard to see what's going on. But since I like it, it will be cancelled soon but really hope it isn't. If you don't know or like the original episodes then u probably won't like this show some people probably wanted the same original show with new actors but it's a new way of doing an old show. I really hope more people rate this and rate it high so that it sticks around.

...but I stuck with it and I'm so glad I did. The first two episodes are not the best I didn't really know why. The acting is overdone sometimes and the jokes don't land but somewhere in the 3rd or 4th episode this switches. The humor is actually landing and we get modern humor with some pop culture references but also some throwbacks to the x-files and of course MANY of the old goosebumps episodes/books.

Each episode has it's own "monster" but they are all connected through the friendgroup. At first I thought I would prefer stand alone episodes and different actors but I actually prefer it this way.

The CGI looks great even though the scenes sometimes give CW energy. Overall the Storytelling overways everything and it feels so good to be back in the goosebumps world.

The soundtrack is AMAZING too, straight up bangers in every outro.

If you are a Boomer at heart even though you grew up with goosebumps: you probably already wrote a review about how much this is a woke cashgrab that's unoriginal, but somehow your comment is. This is not for you.

This is for the people that learned the core values of shows like goosebumps and can still have fun and actually like diversity and that everyone gets a seat at the table. Don't take this show too serious because it really doesn't take itself that serious either and then you will have a great time!

Update after completing the show: No spoilers; It's still good, I still miss the old intro, it diverts expectation which I like but the PACING.. the show really needs to work on that. Some episode are just filler (episode 5? And 9).. absolutely boring. 90% talking 10% plot. We need a better balance between slow moody teen drama and action fantasy novel. Because right now the balance is off. Otherwise pretty good like I said. I'm going to lower my score from an 8 to a 7. It didn't wow me in the end but it was nice. Soundtrack is also really good.

This is an everyday story of teenagers in their mid to late twenties who talk and behave in a way no teenager would. It's filled with every trope of the current year which aren't in any way real. So, nonsense aside, it it any good? Not really and not even close but it isn't as bad as it could be which makes it a little bit better than the crap that gets made today. In short, it's not remotely good but it exists in an amateurish world where a lot of what gets made is worse. It's difficult to imagine where they get people to write and produce this kind of stuff but until talented people turn up it provides moving images on screen which make the passage of time less boring than a sensory deprivation tank.

After wrapping up season two The Vanishing today I think I can safely say I don't ever need to watch a third season. It is not a bad show by all means. The first season did a good enough job with establishing a coherent story while weaving in the elements from the more known Goosebumps books in the series but season two, while doing the same mostly, begins to lose it's luster in that regard, having used and blown it's full wad on the more memorable books in season one with only really one that I can remember in season two that becomes a steady theme in the Vanishing season. The beginning of the season had more promise, feeling like it was a mix of Little Shop of Horrors with a hint of Swamp Thing and ended up being more Invasion of the Body Snatchers in the end. The acting from David Schwimmer this season was fun to watch in his quirky manner but the rest of the cast felt like they were all green around the ears and so young it showed. Plus there was too many romantical sub plots for me to care to keep up with and the way it ended was way too cliched and forcing a cliffhanger if you can call it that to hope to milk a season three out of Disney, which I don't think it should get in my honest opinion. Ask me in a week what I remember from this one and I'd best tell you my entire dinner menu from the past month with pinpoint accuracy over what happened in this season. Overall, while it has some good ideas, it's writing and execution felt lackluster at best and as a reader of most of the Goosebumps hits from the 90s as a kid I can say you'd probably be better off picking those old Scholastic books back up and dusting them off to have a better time than watching this show.

Season One:

As someone who watched at least some of the original Goosebumps series in my youth, though have admittedly forgotten most of the storylines, I was surprisingly hooked from the first episode's cold open. Where the season progresses thereafter manages to deliver genuinely intriguing reveals, one after another. This is most of all thanks to the great source material, R. L. Stine's various cursed objects setting the stage for a lot of scary fun. Unfortunately, without going into too deep of detail, the writers simply did not know how or where to end the season. The eighth episode serves as a natural send-off to these characters, albeit feeling rushed, but the season persists with an additional two episodes that are quite forced and just wholly unnecessary.

That said, the characters here, particularly our central cast of teens, are fairly well-written and so likable enough, even if their personal drama is not all that interesting. I would be remiss, however, not to highlight Justin Long's pure excellence in his role as Mr. Bratt, as well as Chris Greere's eerie voice performance of Slappy (who yes, of course, is in this series).

On that note, I appreciated Slappy's perfectly evil look and the excellent puppeteering behind him, matching his devilish personality. While the visual effects are not quite as flawless, I found them more than up to par for what this series is going for.

Despite its faults, I would recommend this season. Goosebumps fans in particular should enjoy what it offers.

Season Two:

While I definitely have issue with certain elements of this second chapter of Goosebumps anthology, I do enjoy a great deal of what the season offers. Undeniably nailing the scary fun that Goosebumps is and should be, the overall storyline here delivers a lot of thrilling moments and reveals, particularly in its finale that fortunately sticks the landing. On that note, I do narrowly prefer this season, even though the first season's story was a fair amount more impactful, at least until its lackluster ending. Anyways, adding to the excitement of this season are similarly freaky visuals, monsters and body horror alike.

Despite a fairly well-written overarching plot, the characters here in of themselves are quite lackluster, and so where this version of Goosebumps goes wrong. The central cast, mostly comprised of teenagers, are simply written without real care, failing to provide an interesting or emotionally-inclined vehicle to journey through the scares with. From their unconvincing relationships to their sometimes unlikable personalities, it's difficult to invest in the fate of any of these characters. That is, at least, beyond David Schwimmer's role, which admittedly does a lot of the leg work to maintain the story's intriguing elements, including the still largely overlooked emotional aspect to the plot.

Most attempts at humor are also ineffective, and combined with a soundtrack consisting of very current, very out-of-place hits, there's certainly an ill-advised focus on capturing the zeitgeist.

Still, thanks to a very intriguing story that largely encapsulates the Goosebumps spirit, I would recommend this season to fans of the franchise.

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.

I really like this series. YES, it's targeted at a slightly younger demo. Yes, it has teen drama. YES, it isn't the original series. I'm cool with that. I grew up watching and reading goosebumps. I loved it. I've re-read the books a thousand times, and watched the original series over and again. I'm glad they took a new direction with this. I'm glad it's for a younger audience. That to me is what goosebumps has always been about. Youth. If they had made a shot for shot remake, or done it in the 90's, I don't think it would be genuine to the original idea. Lots of old heads bashing on this for it being different. Chill. You can still watch the original. No one took it away, they just passed the torch. I always wished goosebumps followed a core group through an intertwined story. This delivers!

A little darker, edgier, and more graphic version than the Goosebumps we grew up with. I was skeptical at first but after a couple episodes it grew on me. I'm sure a lot of reviewers watched one episode and decided to hate it too quickly. The acting is good, the special effects are fine, and the stories have a charm to them. It's in no way perfect, and I wouldn't let kids under 12 watch it, but it's still innocent enough with some adult themes going on. I was surprised to see an amazing adult cast and take it pretty seriously. One thing I miss is having any real score as they just seem to use songs from the 90s to convey any feeling.

I just want to start this of by saying the show is good. I don't get why people are mad that it isn't like the 90s show. It isn't trying to be like the 90s show and it doesn't want to be. Let the show be its own thing rather than comparing it to the show from your childhood which you see through rose tinted glasses. The same people complaining that it isn't like the show from the 90s are saying that the actings bad. Like hello did you see the acting in the 90s show. That being said the first episode of this show is probably the worst one. But after episode 2 the show really picks and and I'm really enjoying it. I could tell what had happened in the past after episode 2 but it still has a really good plot. At the time of writing only 5 episodes have come out but I'm confident the second half of the show will be just as good as the first half. It just sucks that people who are still living in the past are review bombing this show.

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.

Wow. This whole thing was a contrived, cringe-inducing crapfest. Big studios need to just accept that they will never be in touch with the youngest generation and stop trying because I'm beyond tired of wasting my time on this endless fountain of multimillion dollar sewage.

The characters are shallow and stereotypical, the script is lame, the story is boring and predictable, and there is absolutely zero homage to the original series to make it even worthy of sharing the namesake.

My all means Disney & Co., continue to make this kind of excrement but stop clickbaiting us into watching it by slapping familiar names onto it. If it's not worth an original title then maybe it's not worth making.

I would've rated it a 7 but the last 30 seconds of the season finale were just so dumb.

I'm pretty conflicted about the show, because on the one hand the editing is amazing, the music is awesome. Costume design is great, special effects super solid... on the technical side alone the show is actually pretty awesome.

But the writing absolutely sucks. There are payoff moments that were never set up, plot points that happen on just because they need to keep the story going somehow, and generally predictable outcomes for every beat the story moves into. I appreciate how hard some of the actors work to perform- specifically Justin Long who put up an absolutely solid performance (despite the crap he was given)- but man it really made the show take a hard hit for me. I only stayed because of the generally satisfying creation of everything, because the plot and writing did not have me satisfied.

Its clear that at times it was so bad that if those in the editing room didn't do some heavy lifting, whole scenes would've been garbage.

Over all, everyone working on this season put in some great work to make something solid, and got shafted by the much too frequent sloppy writing.

I'll be upfront and say I know very little about Goosebumps and I didn't watch the TV show from the 90's. It wasn't something I grew up with. So I also low expectations for the show, but I saw Justin Long was in the show and I'm up for anything he's in. Also also, the trailer caught my attention.

I have to say I've been pleasantly surprised by the show. The first episode was a little uneven, but it's developed in a really engaging show. The story and the mystery is good. The cast is good. The special effects are very well done in places. There's some good tension. Yes, there's somewhat of a CW vibe to the show as others have mentioned. However, overall, it's a very good show and well worth your time.