The Ten Best Goosebumps Episodes
We’re counting down the top ten greatest Goosebumps episodes of all time. Viewer beware you’re in for a scare!
R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books are to this day considered amongst many to be a staple in children’s horror. R.L. Stine got his start with the series with his book Welcome to Dead House and never looked back. Since 1992 the author had pumped out new books for young readers everywhere!
The books curated for children helped introduce whole generations of readers to the horror genre and ignited a love for the mysterious and spooky. We’ve celebrated and explored this franchise already here at Ghoulish. Today we’re once again revisiting the TV series that was spawned from these books, this time looking at the overall best episodes of its run! The show itself premiered just before Halloween in the mid-90s and would enrapture children everywhere.
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The Haunted Mask Part 1 and 2
We’ve already spoken of this episode of Goosebumps in our scariest article, but I couldn’t type up a “best Goosebumps episodes” list without including this one. The story of Carly Beth’s (Kathryn Long) terrifying run-in with a mask that begins to hold her hostage and completely change her personality is a classic in the line of episodes. The Haunted Mask episode is perhaps one of the most genuinely terrifying episodes to ever air. Just the thought of this mask slowly growing and augmenting your whole being is enough to give us…well you know.
Not only is this one of the best and scariest that the children’s series had to offer but The Haunted Mask along with Night of the Living Dummy has somewhat become the face of the Goosebumps franchise. Since The Haunted Mask was also the episode that launched the series it’s no wonder it’s stuck with so many spooky viewers.
Night of the Living Dummy
There’s a very obvious reason that Slappy the Dummy (Ron Stefaniuk and Cal Dodd) has become such an icon of the Goosebumps franchise, the character is an insanely fun and simultaneously terrifying character to watch. If you ask any Goosebumps fan their favorite books/episodes they’re sure to mention at least one of these. These fan-favorite episodes no doubt helped the widespread fear of dolls and dummies through younger generations of now horror movie fans. Throughout these episodes, you’ll tag along with Slappy as he terrorizes and tricks several families and victims. This doll is no stranger to mischief, which makes Night of the Living Dummy one of the best Goosebumps episodes.
His popularity of course speaks for its self, especially since Slappy was made the main antagonist in the Goosebumps live-action film starring Jack Black! The fear of dolls is ever-present throughout this episode and what takes the cake is the endless amount of silly puns.
RELATED: The Top 10 Scariest Goosebumps Episodes>>
Attack of the Jack-O-Lanterns
Attack of the Jack-O-Lanterns is one of those episodes that has it all. Kidnappings, Halloween, suspense, and oh yeah…aliens! This episode is a wacky fun ride with several twists throughout. It tells the story of Drew (Erica Luttrell), a teenage girl who is constantly picked on and scared by the neighborhood bullies Tabitha (Maria Paikin) and Lee (Gino Giacomini). When Drew’s childhood friends Shane (Philip Eddolls) and Shana (Andrea O’Roarke) pay her a visit on Halloween night, the group decides to get back at her rivals. But maybe all isn’t what it seems to be…
There are not many Goosebumps episodes that take place on Halloween, so playing with that imagery and atmosphere only adds to the campiness of it all. Also, the pumpkin creature masks are not bad considering the shoestring budget of the show.
One Day at Horrorland
Goosebump‘s One Day at Horrorland is the charming story of one family’s “typical” vacation at the Horror (Slimy troll-like creatures with horns) run theme park; Horrorland. While out on a peaceful visit to Zoo gardens, the Morris family is suddenly transported to Horrorland. Inside the park, they find themselves faced with a house of mirrors, a ride on a coffin cruise, and a….gameshow?
This was a children’s series with a small budget, despite its minor flaws, the producers took the premise and went as far as they could. It’s such a fun setting to explore and definitely one of the campiest Goosebumps episodes by far. We’d love to see a modern version of Horrorland what it would look like with a feature-length budget. Get on it Sony!
A Night in Terror Tower
As a child I’m sure everyone has experienced that fear of being alone in a new or strange place. Well, if you have, I’m sure you can imagine how Sue (Kathryn Short) and Eddie (Corey Sevier) feel when they become separated from their tour group inside Terror Tower. Although, you’ve probably never been thrown back in time and chased by a medieval executioner. This is one of the very first and only moments in the Goosebumps series time travel is ever involved which is very interesting.
This episode features a classic scary twist but also manages to stick to its source material very well. The great amount of jump scares mixed with the gothic setting makes A Night in Terror Tower one of the best Goosebumps episodes by far.
Return of the Mummy
Gabe (Daniel DeSanto) is overly excited to visit his archeologist Uncle and Cousin. Who wouldn’t be if it meant getting to explore Egypt?! Upon arriving Gabe gets the opportunity to explore and help discover the tomb of a lost prince; Khor Ru. But Gabe is in for a treat, did his newly purchased airport souvenir just bring the mummy back to life?
Say Cheese and Die
It’s probably never a good idea to break into an abandoned warehouse, and it’s definitely not a good idea to steal from one. Upon retrieving a futuristic-looking Polaroid-style instant camera, Greg (Ryan Gosling, yes that Ryan Gosling) has some fun taking pictures of his friends and family. That is until he realizes the photos the camera is printing isn’t depicting his subjects as they are in front of him, and they also aren’t showing him anything he wants to see.
This is perhaps one of the best and scariest Goosebumps episodes because you’re constantly wondering what the camera will predict next. Seeing Ryan Gosling in one of his first-ever roles too is an absolute delight.
The Headless Ghost
Duane (Kenny Vadas) and Stephanie (Andreanne Benidir) love being the pranksters they are. The mischievous duo has a tendency to hang around the town’s biggest haunted attraction known as Hill house and scare unknowing tourists throughout the tour. One night, however, the friends are lured into the house after hours and are struck by the realization that the notorious Hill House may not just be an attraction.
The House of No Return
If you’ve given our “Top Ten Scariest” a read (which you should!) then you’ll recall I’m a sucker for haunted house stories. The House of No Return is the daring tale of Danger Inc. a club created by close friends Robbie (Jeff Davis), Lori (Lauren Annis), and Nathan (Robin Weekes). When Chris (Dylan Provencher), the new kid in town; arrives they instantly want him to join but are adamant about him having to pass their initiation test first. What is this test you ask? Spending one hour in the town’s haunted house. Will Chris survive the hour? Will they?
What Do You Think Are The Best Goosebumps Episodes?
We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Goosebumps episodes! There are so many fun and campy episodes that we, unfortunately, had to leave off this list. We’d love to hear your personal favorites though over on Twitter!
