Free-ad-supported streaming television (FAST) giant Tubi has officially confirmed that a live-action feature film adaptation of R.L. Stine’s seminal 1989 young adult horror novel, The Babysitter, is currently in development and slated for release in 2027. The announcement was made during the platform’s high-profile presence at New York Comic Con, reinforcing the streamer’s aggressive expansion into nostalgia-driven, genre-specific original programming.
The upcoming project represents a significant milestone in Tubi’s ongoing collaboration with the prolific author, transitioning from short-form anthology adaptations to a full-scale feature film based on one of Stine’s most commercially successful and genre-defining book series. As streaming platforms increasingly leverage established intellectual property to capture both older demographics seeking nostalgic thrills and younger demographics discovering classic horror tropes for the first time, Tubi’s strategic acquisition of the rights to The Babysitter underscores the enduring marketability of Stine’s literary catalog.
Plot Overview and Creative Team
Set for a 2027 premiere, the live-action adaptation of The Babysitter centers on 16-year-old Jenny, a conscientious teenager determined to earn enough money to attend a prestigious and highly competitive writing program. In pursuit of her academic goals, Jenny takes on a demanding babysitting job, doing so despite mounting public panic over a dangerous prowler terrorizing teenage girls across town.
As the narrative unfolds, the tension escalates when Jenny begins receiving a series of increasingly menacing phone calls. Compounding her growing paranoia, a dangerous fugitive is reported loose in the local community. Isolated and forced to question the motives of everyone around her, Jenny soon realizes that the danger is not merely approaching from the outside—it is closing in rapidly from within her immediate environment.
The cinematic adaptation is backed by production company Blue Ice. Jem Garrard, a prominent creative force within Tubi’s expanding Stine universe, is attached to write and executive produce the film. Directing duties will be handled by Trevor Calverley. Executive producers on the project include Lance Samuels, Joan Waricha, Jane Stine, and Jem Garrard. The production team further comprises Dan Bernard, Yvonne Bernard, Tebogo Maila, Darren Cameron, and Adam Friedlander.
Chronological Evolution of The Babysitter Franchise
The literary origins of the film trace back more than three decades, cementing R.L. Stine’s legacy in children’s and young adult horror well before and alongside his monumental success with the Goosebumps series.
- 1989 (The Babysitter): The original novel is published, introducing readers to 16-year-old Jenny. The book establishes the core premise of a routine babysitting assignment devolving into a psychological nightmare as threatening calls and notes escalate, culminating in the terrifying realization that the threat originates from inside the house.
- 1991 (The Babysitter II): Stine releases the first sequel, picking up in the immediate aftermath of the traumatic events of the first book as Jenny attempts to recover physically and psychologically.
- 1993 (The Babysitter III): The third installment shifts narrative focus to a new protagonist, Debra, who experiences a parallel ordeal of being hunted and haunted, expanding the universe established in the initial novel.
- 1995 (The Babysitter IV): The fourth book catches up with Jenny years later, forcing the protagonist to confront the lingering trauma of her past when she is thrust into yet another terrifying babysitting scenario.
- October 2027 (Projected Film Release): Tubi is scheduled to release the feature-length live-action adaptation, bringing the multi-book arc back into the contemporary pop-culture zeitgeist.
Strategic Partnership and Corporate Context
The announcement of The Babysitter arrives mere days after the October 9 release of Pumpkinhead 2 on the platform. The momentum continued at New York Comic Con, where R.L. Stine appeared alongside Tubi Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson, filmmaker Jem Garrard, and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars contestant and Afraid of Clowns star Jimbo.
During the panel, leadership emphasized the unique cross-generational appeal of Stine’s work. Adam Lewinson articulated the platform’s vision regarding the enduring partnership.
"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," said Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer, Tubi. "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."
This feature film marks the fourth collaboration between Tubi and Stine. However, it distinctly breaks from previous installments—such as entries drawn from Stine’s Nightmare Hour and Haunting Hour anthologies—by adapting a standalone, multi-volume novel series rather than a short story.
In tandem with The Babysitter, Tubi also spotlighted another upcoming adaptation during its New York Comic Con presentations: Afraid of Clowns. Based on a short story from The Nightmare Hour that was previously adapted as a television episode for The Haunting Hour in 2010, the film is similarly written and directed by Jem Garrard. Set in the fictional Redhaven saga, Afraid of Clowns features a cast including Frankie Honey, Ava Ferrer, Azriel Dalman, Joe Moore, and Jimbo, following a young resident named Frankie who suspects a mysterious clown troupe led by Ringmaster Rollo is tied to a historical child disappearance.
Industry Implications and Market Analysis
The greenlighting of a major live-action adaptation of The Babysitter reflects broader shifts in the modern streaming ecosystem. As subscriber-acquisition costs rise for subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) platforms, free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) networks like Tubi are increasingly investing in recognizable intellectual property to drive engagement and viewer retention.
By targeting properties from the late 1980s and 1990s, platforms are effectively tapping into the purchasing power of Millennials who grew up reading Stine’s paperback thrillers, while simultaneously packaging the content to appeal to Gen Z horror enthusiasts who favor accessible, high-concept genre fare. Furthermore, the systematic expansion of a cohesive cinematic universe—evidenced by interconnected projects like Pumpkinhead 2, Afraid of Clowns, and now The Babysitter—indicates a strategic push to build proprietary franchises that can anchor Tubi’s original content slate for years to come.
Production on The Babysitter is expected to ramp up ahead of its planned 2027 premiere, with additional casting and production details anticipated as the project moves through its development pipeline.
