Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
A stand-alone sequel to the 2015 Goosebumps film.
In 2018, *Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween* hit theaters as a comedy horror flick directed by Ari Sandel, with a script by Rob Lieber based on a story he co-wrote with Darren Lemke. It’s a standalone follow-up to the 2015 *Goosebumps* movie, drawing from R. L. Stine’s popular children’s horror book series. The cast features Wendi McLendon-Covey, Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris, Chris Parnell, and Ken Jeong.
The story centers on two boys who stumble upon an unpublished *Goosebumps* manuscript and accidentally set loose a bunch of monsters from the franchise on their town, turning Halloween night into a chaotic mess.
The movie started development in September 2015. Rob Letterman was originally set to direct again but had to bow out due to his work on *Detective Pikachu*, so Ari Sandel stepped in. Jack Black and Odeya Rush were initially slated to reprise their roles as R. L. Stine and Hannah Fairchild, respectively—Black ended up with an uncredited cameo, while Rush’s part was cut from the final script.
Released on October 12, 2018, by Sony Pictures under its Columbia Pictures label, the film got mixed reviews from critics and pulled in $93 million worldwide.
**Plot**
Teenager Sarah Quinn lives in Wardenclyffe, New York, with her mom Kathy and younger brother Sonny, busy writing a college application essay as Halloween approaches. Sonny’s friend Sam Carter comes to stay while his parents are away for three days. After school, the boys scavenge an abandoned house once owned by R. L. Stine and find an unpublished *Goosebumps* manuscript. Unlocking it, they discover Slappy the Dummy, currently lifeless. They accidentally read the incantation that brings him to life, then leave. Bully Tommy Madigan steals the manuscript and chases them home, but Slappy secretly stops him.
Back at the Quinns’, Slappy reveals he’s alive and asks the boys to keep him hidden. The next day, he tries to join the family—first by roughing up Sarah’s cheating boyfriend Tyler, then by wrecking Sonny’s school science project (a working model of Nikola Tesla’s Wardenclyffe Tower) and damaging a classroom. Realizing Slappy’s true nature, the boys and Sarah try to get rid of him, but he escapes.
On Halloween night, the trio finds an online article about events in Madison, Delaware. They learn the unpublished manuscript is needed to stop Slappy and try to contact R. L.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Ari Sandel
- Producer
- Deborah Forte / Neal H. Moritz
- Screenplay
- Rob Lieber
- Story
- Rob Lieber · Darren Lemke
- Based On
- Goosebumps · R. L. Stine
- Starring
- Wendi McLendon-Covey / Madison Iseman / Jeremy Ray Taylor / Caleel Harris / Chris Parnell / Ken Jeong
- Music
- Dominic Lewis
- Cinematography
- Barry Peterson
- Editing
- David Rennie · Keith Brachmann
- Production Companies
- Columbia Pictures / Sony Pictures Animation / Original Film / Scholastic Entertainment / Silvertongue Films
- Distributor
- Sony Pictures Releasing
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of the film began in September 2015. Rob Letterman initially intended to return as director but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Detective Pikachu, leading to Ari Sandel replacing him. Jack Black and Odeya Rush were set to reprise their roles as R. L. Stine and Hannah Fairchild, respectively; Black's role was uncredited and Rush's role was ultimately not included in the final script. The film underwent several title changes, including Goosebumps: HorrorLand and Goosebumps: Slappy's Revenge, before settling on Haunted Halloween.
Reader's Guide
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $93 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 48% approval rating based on 93 reviews, with the critical consensus stating it offers 'a handful of treats for very young viewers' but is inferior to the original. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a 'B' grade, down from the 'A' earned by the first film. The film was released on Digital on December 25, 2018, and on DVD and Blu-ray on January 15, 2019. Its legacy is as a modestly performing sequel that failed to match the critical or commercial success of its predecessor.
Did You Know?
- Jack Black returned for an uncredited role as R. L. Stine, but Odeya Rush's role as Hannah Fairchild was cut from the final script.
- The film was originally titled Goosebumps: HorrorLand and later Goosebumps: Slappy's Revenge before becoming Haunted Halloween.
- A scene features action figures of Ryu and Ken Masters from Capcom's Street Fighter series, which emit pre-existing voice clips when brought to life by Slappy.
- Mick Wingert voiced Slappy, though Sony initially stated that puppeteer Avery Lee Jones would provide the voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween?
It is a 2018 comedy-horror film that functions as a standalone sequel to the 2015 Goosebumps movie, pulling its monsters and tone from R. L. Stine's beloved children's horror book series. The film opened in U.S. theaters on October 12, 2018.
Who directed and wrote Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween?
Ari Sandel helmed the project, and Rob Lieber wrote the screenplay based on a story he co-developed with Darren Lemke.
What is the plot of Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween?
Two boys come across an unpublished Goosebumps manuscript and accidentally release a host of franchise monsters into their small town. The group then scrambles to corral the creatures before Halloween night turns the chaos into something far worse.
How did Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween perform at the box office?
Made on a roughly $35 million budget, the film collected about $93.3 million in worldwide revenue, comfortably clearing its production costs.
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