R.L. Stine Confirms Three New ‘Fear Street’ Movies Coming to Netflix

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As a movie critic who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, I can confidently say that the return of R.L. Stine’s terrifying tales to our screens is nothing short of a nostalgic dream come true. Having devoured countless copies of both “Goosebumps” and “Fear Street” during my youth, I find myself eagerly anticipating each new installment in these beloved franchises.

The success of the first round of Netflix’s “Fear Street” trilogy was a breath of fresh air for horror fans, proving that gore and slasher elements can still be embraced without losing the essence of Stine’s work. And with more films in development, I can hardly contain my excitement.

On the other hand, Disney+’s “Goosebumps” series has been a pleasant surprise. While I initially approached it with skepticism, given the vast differences between the original show and Stine’s books, I was pleasantly surprised by its faithfulness to the source material and the many twists that kept me guessing.

As for the upcoming “Goosebumps: The Vanishing” and “Fear Street: The Prom Queen,” I can only say that my wallet is already shaking in anticipation of the impending drainage. And as a final note, I can’t help but wonder if Stine’s next confirmation will be about a collaboration between these two universes – imagine Slappy meeting up with Richard from Shadyside High! Now that would be a nightmare I wouldn’t mind living in.

Fans of R.L. Stine have even more reasons to rejoice this year! Not only is a new “Fear Street” movie set to premiere on Netflix, but the author himself has announced that at least three more films are in the works. The series originally premiered on the streaming service in 2021 with a trilogy of movies released just weeks apart. In 2023, news broke about a fourth standalone film. Filming for “The Prom Queen” wrapped up in May 2024 and it is set to be released on Netflix later this year.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter about the upcoming second season of Disney+’s Goosebumps series, R.L. Stine disclosed that his team of writers are currently developing additional Fear Street movies for Netflix. He expressed hope that these projects will move forward, but didn’t provide specific details yet, leaving it uncertain whether they’ll form another trilogy like the first set or if they’ll be standalone films similar to The Prom Queen.

Stine’s Fear Street books have been a global sensation, selling over 80 million copies, and continue to be popular among readers, 35 years since the release of the debut novel, The New Girl. Unlike his Goosebumps series, which focus on younger characters aged 7-11, the Fear Street series centers around older teens in supernatural predicaments. Netflix’s Fear Street movies garnered much attention that summer for their faithful adaptation of Stine’s work and their unflinching portrayal of the gory and slasher elements cherished by readers.

R.L. Stine Praises ‘Goosebumps: The Vanishing’

In contrast to Fear Street and Netflix, Disney+ experienced success with Goosebumps when it premiered in 2023. Unlike the original 1995 series where each episode told a new story, creators Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller chose to develop a complete narrative from start to finish over ten episodes. Currently, this series boasts a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled about Season 2 of “Goosebumps: The Vanishing.” Unlike the continuation of previous stories, this season will offer a fresh, standalone tale with brand-new characters. It’s like experiencing an entirely new chapter in the anthology series, much akin to how “American Horror Story” works, but tailored for younger audiences. For R.L. Stine, the fun lies in the unexpected twists that maintain the essence of the original books.

One key aspect is the element of surprise – the unexpected jolts. When crafting a ‘Goosebumps’ story, the unforeseen twists and scares are crucial… They’re rarely predictable. In contrast to many children’s books and horror films that follow a linear path, you can usually foresee what’s coming. However, I always aim to include an element that flips everything on its head, something no one is anticipating.

On January 10th, the first eight episodes of the series Goosebumps: The Vanishing will be available for streaming on Disney+. Additionally, keep an eye out for the movie Fear Street: The Prom Queen which is scheduled to arrive on Netflix later this year.

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2025-01-03 23:32