There are some stories that have a rather interesting way of staying with us long after we’ve finished reading their final pages. Stories filled with mysterious happenings, unexpected twists and just enough suspense to make us think twice about turning off the lights before bed. And for generations of readers who grew up exploring the darker corners of children’s and young adult literature, there’s one name that has become practically synonymous with those unforgettable thrills: R.L. Stine.
From the creepy creatures and supernatural mysteries of Goosebumps to the more sinister stories of Fear Street, Stine has spent decades introducing readers to a world where ordinary situations can quickly become anything but ordinary. And while Halloween might be the perfect time to revisit some of those stories, it seems that the scares aren’t planning to end once October is over.
Because another one of Stine’s literary creations is preparing to make its way to the screen!
Following a series of collaborations with the legendary author, Tubi has officially announced a new live-action feature adaptation of The Babysitter, based on Stine’s suspenseful book series originally published between 1989 and 1995. The upcoming movie was revealed during the R.L. Stine on Tubi panel at New York Comic Con on October 11 and is currently scheduled to premiere on the free streaming platform sometime in 2027.
And considering the story’s premise, this is one babysitting assignment that might make you reconsider accepting the job.
At the center of The Babysitter is Jenny, a sixteen-year-old aspiring writer hoping to earn enough money to attend a prestigious writing program. Like many teenagers looking to save for something important, she decides to take on a babysitting job. Under ordinary circumstances, it might seem like a fairly straightforward way to earn some extra money, but Jenny’s hometown is already dealing with a rather unsettling situation involving a prowler targeting girls throughout the community.
Things only become more frightening when Jenny begins receiving threatening phone calls, and news of a dangerous fugitive in town adds another layer of uncertainty to an already troubling situation. With danger seemingly drawing closer and the people around her becoming increasingly suspicious, Jenny finds herself questioning whom she can trust. What began as an opportunity to work toward her future quickly transforms into a terrifying mystery where even the most familiar faces might not be what they seem.
It’s the kind of premise that helped establish Stine as a recognizable name in suspense fiction, particularly among younger readers discovering the excitement of a genuinely unsettling mystery. Rather than relying entirely on supernatural creatures or fantastical situations, The Babysitter takes something familiar and transforms it into a scenario filled with uncertainty and danger. After all, there’s something particularly effective about a frightening story built around an everyday experience, especially when the main character finds herself increasingly unsure of the people and circumstances surrounding her.
The upcoming adaptation will be directed by Trevor Calverley from a screenplay by Jem Garrard, who has also been involved in Tubi’s recent R.L. Stine projects. Blue Ice is producing the film, with Lance Samuels, Joan Waricha, Jane Stine and Garrard serving as executive producers. Dan Bernard, Yvonne Bernard, Tebogo Maila, Darren Cameron and Adam Friedlander are attached as producers.
The announcement also continues an expanding relationship between Tubi and Stine, with the streaming platform steadily building a collection of original horror adaptations inspired by his stories. Following Pumpkinhead and its sequel, which premiered during this year’s New York Comic Con weekend, the streamer is already preparing another adaptation for 2027 with Afraid of Clowns.
Based on a story from Stine’s 1999 collection Nightmare Hour, Afraid of Clowns follows Frankie, a young girl who begins questioning the arrival of a mysterious circus troupe led by Ringmaster Rollo. When she suspects the performers might be connected to a child’s disappearance years earlier, and that her younger brother could become their next victim, Frankie must convince her friends to help uncover the truth before the circus leaves town. The upcoming film is written and directed by Garrard and features Frankie Honey, Ava Ferrer, Azriel Dalman, Joe Moore and Jimbo.
With The Babysitter joining the lineup, Tubi is continuing to explore different corners of Stine’s extensive bibliography, bringing stories that once filled bookstore shelves and library collections to a new generation of viewers. For longtime readers, these adaptations offer an opportunity to revisit familiar titles through a different medium, while those discovering the stories for the first time can experience the mysteries without necessarily knowing what awaits the characters.
And with so many of Stine’s stories built around unexpected discoveries, questionable decisions and situations that spiral beyond anyone’s control, there’s certainly plenty of material left to explore.
The Babysitter is currently scheduled to premiere on Tubi in 2027, with additional details, including casting and an exact release date, still to be announced.
So, while we’re preparing to close out another Halloween season, it looks like fans of R.L. Stine already have something spooky to anticipate next year. And whether you remember discovering The Babysitter on a bookstore shelf years ago or are only now becoming familiar with Jenny’s unsettling story, one thing is certain.
Some babysitting jobs are simply not worth the money!
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
RSS