R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead: Your Guide to Tubi's New Horror

Get ready for some classic Stine-style scares with Tubi's latest original movie, R.l. Stine's Pumpkinhead, which is now streaming for free, perfect for your next Halloween watch party!

TL;DR: Quick Takes on R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead

Tubi's R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead, directed by Jem Garrard, is a fresh adaptation of Stine's spooky short story.
It follows teen Sam as he uncovers a sinister harvest curse in Red Haven to save his missing brother, Finn.
Catch it free on Tubi for a dose of '90s-style Goosebumps nostalgia mixed with new scares, ideal for younger horror fans and adults alike.

When it comes to kid-friendly horror, one name stands above the rest: R.L. Stine. From the chills of Goosebumps to the darker tales of Fear Street, Stine has been terrifying — and delighting — generations of readers. Now, his vast imagination is back on screen with Tubi's original film, R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead. And no, we're not talking about the classic '80s Lance Henriksen monster movie; this is a brand-new take based on one of Stine's own twisted short stories.

This film is a perfect blend of nostalgia and new frights, aiming to bring in a fresh wave of horror fans while giving old-school Stine devotees that cozy, creepy feeling they remember. It's streaming exclusively and for free on Tubi, making it an easy pick for your next movie night, especially if you're gearing up for Halloween!

Welcome to Red Haven: A Town Where Things Are Clearly Off

Our story kicks off with a family hitting the road in their classic '80s woody station wagon, moving to the quaint-sounding town of Red Haven. The sign boasts, "Where the harvest never ends," which honestly, sounds a little too cheerful for an R.L. Stine story, right? We meet the single mother, Cassie (Kendra Anderson), and her two sons: Finn (Seth Isaac Johnson), who's almost 18 and surprisingly upbeat, and 13-year-old Sam (Bean Reid), who's grappling with grief after his dad's passing and isn't too keen on this whole "fresh start" thing.

The family has moved to Red Haven hoping for a new beginning after a recent tragedy, but Sam is feeling pretty excluded and sullen. He's not buying into the town's overly cheerful vibe or its benevolent benefactor, Farmer Palmer (Kevin McNulty), who grows a seriously prized pumpkin each year. This pumpkin is part of a local tradition, one the townspeople claim saved their crops and the town itself "at the turn of the century" — by which they mean 2003, which is a funny little detail that dates the film's modern setting while still playing on nostalgia.

Right away, Sam finds himself creeped out by the town's atmosphere. He soon meets Becka (Adeline Lo), the daughter of Sheriff Buckley (Bob Frazer), who quickly becomes his confidant and the brains of their operation. Things take a dark turn when Sam, in a moment of rebellion, messes with Farmer Palmer's special pumpkin. His older brother Finn, ever the good son, tries to fix Sam's prank by returning the pumpkin at night. That's when the real horror begins: Finn vanishes, pulled into the pumpkin itself! What's worse, the entire town, including their own mother, somehow forgets Finn ever existed. Talk about a nightmare! It's up to Sam and Becka, with a little help from a quirky local, to unravel Red Haven's mystery and save Finn before it’s too late.

Unraveling the Mystery and Facing the Sinister Scarecrow

With Finn gone and everyone else clueless, Sam and Becka become the reluctant heroes. They're forced to step up and figure out what’s really going on in Red Haven. Their journey leads them to Rusty (Matty Finochio), the town recluse who lives in an RV in the woods. Rusty fills in the blanks on the town’s dark history, though his delivery can be a bit... much. He's definitely the film’s main source of comedy, even delivering meta-commentary about "world-building" that might make you chuckle or roll your eyes, depending on your taste.

The main antagonist of the film is a truly creepy Scarecrow (played by Troy James), which guards Farmer Palmer’s property. While its basic burlap design might seem simple, the way this Scarecrow moves is what makes it genuinely unsettling. Actor Troy James brings an acrobatic, contortionist style to the creature, loping, back-bending, and racing on all fours. It’s a great physical performance that really sells the monster's unnaturalness. Plus, its mouth opens unnaturally wide to emit black smoke tendrils that can suck the life out of its victims. This creature, combined with a key text holding the power to unravel the whole scheme, sets the stage for a classic Stine-esque adventure.

Bringing R.L. Stine's Twisted Vision to Life with a Capable Cast

The talent behind and in front of the camera plays a huge role in bringing this Stine story to life. Director Jem Garrard, known for her previous Tubi originals like Slay, shows her versatility here. While Slay was a campy horror-comedy pitting drag queens against vampires, Pumpkinhead is designed for a younger audience, offering gateway horror that’s scary but still accessible.

The young leads, Bean Reid as Sam and Adeline Lo as Becka, do a fantastic job. Reid handles Sam’s transformation from a sullen kid to a brave hero with ease, while Lo is a standout as Becka, delivering exposition, strategizing, and even proving to be a crack shot with a slingshot! Matty Finochio’s Rusty is a big, showy performance, and while some adult viewers might find it a bit over-the-top, it’s likely to be a fan favorite for the target younger audience. The film also features Kendra Anderson as Cassie, Seth Isaac Johnson as Finn, Kevin McNulty as Farmer Palmer, and Bob Frazer as Sheriff Buckley.

R.L. Stine himself weighed in on the adaptation, sharing his thoughts at New York Comic Con:

“I always think that the movies should be scarier than the books. I hold back for kids. But in a movie like this, you want it to be scarier. And that’s what they did. They took the basic premise of the story, and then they added a lot of scares.”

— R.L. Stine, TV Insider

Stine also revealed the surprising inspiration for the story, which stemmed from a single, eerie image: "a pumpkin, but it had a kid’s face inside." This visual spark led to the entire terrifying tale of kids trapped inside pumpkins.

A '90s Vibe for a New Generation of Horror Enthusiasts

One of the standout qualities of R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead is how perfectly it captures the '90s aura of peak R.L. Stine. Even though it's technically set in modern times (with a hilarious nod to "the turn of the century" being 2003), you won't find many modern distractions here. The family drives an old woody station wagon, Sam plays video games on a tube TV, and characters even use flip phones. It’s a deliberate choice that transports you back to a simpler time, creating a "cozy blanket" feel despite the horror elements. This focus on practical effects for the Scarecrow, rather than relying heavily on CGI, further enhances that nostalgic, tangible scare that was a hallmark of '90s horror.

Tubi’s chief content officer, Adam Lewinson, perfectly describes the film's appeal: "R.L. Stine’s Pumpkinhead is a playful blend of good fun, big scares with an element of adventure that taps into everything audiences love about Halloween and young-adult horror." It truly embodies the spirit of middle-grade fiction, exploring themes of untrustworthy adults and kids having to fend for themselves, wrapped up in Stine’s signature creepy monsters and violent threats.

While the film has its minor flaws, like a second act that some might find drags a bit or characters that are a tad thin, it’s important to remember its target audience. This is gateway horror, designed to be scary and exciting for pre-teens. A daytime chase by a Scarecrow through an empty field is exactly the kind of thrilling moment that resonates with younger viewers. And for adults who grew up on Goosebumps and The Haunting Hour, it's a delightful trip down memory lane.

Is R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead the Perfect Halloween Watch?

Overall, R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead delivers a solid, fun, and appropriately creepy experience for the Halloween season. It might not have the same campy execution or social commentary as director Jem Garrard’s film Slay, but it knows exactly who it’s for. The truly horrifying titular character looks amazing, and the film includes two delightful animated sequences that add to its charm. The finale is a tense race against time, featuring a spell, a ticking clock, and a surprisingly dark coda that feels very R.L. Stine.

The film isn't afraid to go for a shocking ending where not everything is tied up neatly, and the final seconds are noted as particularly disturbing – a bold move for family-friendly horror. So, if you're a fan of R.L. Stine's work, especially classics like The Haunted Hour and Goosebumps, this Tubi Original is an absolute must-watch. It’s free, it’s spooky, and it’s streaming now, ready to transport you to the mysterious town of Red Haven for some Halloween fun.

Frequently Asked Questions About R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead

R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead: Tubi's New Spooky Seasonal Treat! image 3

Where can I watch R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead?
R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead is streaming exclusively and for free on Tubi.
Is R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead scary?
It's considered "gateway horror" and aims to be scarier than Stine's books, with creepy monsters and unsettling moments suitable for pre-teen and young-adult audiences, but also enjoyable for nostalgic adults.
What is the movie R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead based on?
The film is based on R.L. Stine's short story "Pumpkinhead," which was originally published in his 1999 collection, Nightmare Hour. It was also previously adapted as an episode of R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The Series in 2011.
Who directed R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead?
The film was written and directed by Jem Garrard, who has also helmed other Tubi originals like Slay, Takeout, and the Invasive films.