New Must-Watch ‘Goosebumps’ Series Pays Homage to the Original TV Show in the Best Way

I wasn’t born yet when the first Goosebumps novel written by R. L. Stine hit the shelves. And I also wasn’t around when the live-action Goosebumps television series premiered on the small screen in the early 1990s.

My older brother was a big fan of the books growing up. So naturally, I started reading them too once I stumbled upon them nestled in our apartment. Instantly, I fell in love with the books (as well as the television series) all the same. So, you can imagine my excitement when I heard that a new Goosebumps show was headed our way.

Today, the first five episodes from the new Goosebumps series have premiered on Disney+ and Hulu. And for old and new fans alike, the anticipation for the modern-day take on the classic novels has never been higher. 

Based on the beloved franchise, the new Goosebumps spinoff follows a group of five high school students embarking on a quest to investigate the mysterious death of a teenager whose ghost has come back for revenge after passing away 30 years ago.

This Goosebumps features a cast of fresh new faces, a diverse ensemble as well as Hollywood vet Justin Long. And while the Goosebumps book series has spawned several television adaptions (as well as the film series starring Jack Black), the new spinoff honors the original show in the best way possible, which is something longtime fans will undoubtedly appreciate. 

So, is the new Goosebumps spinoff worth the watch? How does this modern-day version compare to the OG television series that aired in 1995? Keep reading for an honest review.

The first episode takes viewers back to the year 1993. Not only is the episode named after one of the horror writer’s most beloved stories, but the narrative also takes place during the same period as the OG television series, which is a subtle nod that fans of the books and show will find utterly nostalgic. 

We are first introduced to a high schooler named Harold Biddle, who appears to be an outcast in his school. Upon entering the basement of his family home, he documents all the sinister relics he has stored for his “personal collection.” 

There are plenty of small Easter eggs included in the episode that are staples in R.L. Stine’s horror franchise, including a revamped version of The Haunted Mask, the deadly camera from Say Cheese and Die! and the infamous cuckoo clock featured in The Cuckoo Clock Of Doom. (And in later episodes, we see the return of Slappy from the well-known Night of the Living Dummy.)