4) Goosebumps
Here’s the pick everyone is going to hate on, and that’s expected. Goosebumps is goofy, family-friendly fun in the vein of Monster Squad, but for fans of the bedtime stories, not much more can be given. R.L. Stine’s creations collectively attack a small, unsuspecting town, and Black’s role as Stine proves what great characterizations the funny-man is capable of.
Every monster makes an appearance in some capacity, from background mummies to Slappy’s leading villainy, and my generation gets to see our childhood boogeymen on the big screen. Horror can be a familial affair, you know!
What’s more impressive is that minimal practical effects don’t hinder the film in any way, as most the creatures are CGI productions. Rob Letterman orchestrates the chaos while having to use lots of green screens, but the magic is never lost. This is an introduction to horror that both children and parents can enjoy, and it’s a fun one at that.
There’s nothing wrong with being a little immature sometimes, but there’s still enough smarts about this horror comedy to make for an entertaining, fulfilling adaptation.