Tubi Sets 2027 Release for R.L. Stine's The Babysitter

Tubi will bring R.L. Stine's young adult horror novel The Babysitter to the screen in 2027, adding a live-action adaptation to its growing collection of works by the bestselling author. The project, announced on October 11, 2026, continues the streaming platform's collaboration with Stine and reunites key creative talent associated with its Pumpkinhead films, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter and ComicBook.com.

Screenwriter and director Jem Garrard, who worked on the Pumpkinhead films, will write the screenplay, while Trevor Calverley, known for Slay and Leprechaun Returns, is also attached to the production, ComicBook.com reported. The film is scheduled to arrive in the same year as another Stine adaptation, Afraid of Clowns.

The Babysitter series comprises four novels published between 1989 and 1995. The books helped establish Stine as a prominent author of young adult horror, combining everyday situations with escalating threats and psychological tension.

The first novel follows Jenny, a 16-year-old who accepts a babysitting job in a town troubled by reports of a prowler targeting teenage girls. As threatening phone calls begin and a dangerous fugitive arrives in the area, Jenny grows increasingly suspicious of the people around her.

The adaptation marks a notable expansion of Tubi's Stine catalog beyond its existing projects. The platform has already released two Pumpkinhead films, while The Babysitter represents another step in its effort to adapt the author's horror stories for viewers.

Adam Lewinson, Tubi's chief content officer, described the author's appeal as a key reason for the collaboration. In a statement reported by ComicBook.com, he said:

"R.L. Stine has an incredible ability to tell stories that are scary, fun, and endlessly entertaining, and that combination continues to connect with Tubi viewers. With The Babysitter, one of R.L. Stine’s most iconic novels, we’re delivering a fresh, fun thrill ride for longtime fans and a whole new generation."

Another adaptation in the partnership, Afraid of Clowns, is also planned for 2027. The project draws on Stine's 1999 short story about a carnival troupe arriving in Redhaven, the town also associated with Pumpkinhead.

In Afraid of Clowns, a character named Frankie becomes suspicious of the carnival's ringmaster, Rollo, and the performers accompanying him. Their arrival appears connected to a child who disappeared years earlier, leading Frankie to fear that the troupe may target her younger brother next.

The Babysitter also represents a different direction for Stine adaptations on the platform. ComicBook.com reported that the project is the first adaptation of his work outside the Nightmare Hour or Haunting Hour anthology series.

With four novels in the original Babysitter series, the planned film provides material for potential future adaptations, although no additional installments have been confirmed. Tubi's announced 2027 slate includes both The Babysitter and Afraid of Clowns.