Tubi to release live-action R.L. Stine adaptation 'The Babysitter' in 2027
Streamer Tubi announced on Sunday 11 October a live-action film of R.L. Stine's 1989 novel The Babysitter, due in 2027. It is the fourth title in Tubi's partnership with the horror author.
Updated (version 2). Rewritten with the latest reporting.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Tubi announced on Sunday 11 October 2026 that it will release a live-action feature adaptation of R.L. Stine's The Babysitter in 2027. DeadlineN “On Sunday, the streamer announced a live-action feature adaptation of Stine’s The Babysitter (1989-’95) book series” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “The streamer is set to release a live action adaptation of The Babysitter, based on the popular series of R.L. Stine novels first published in 1989, in 2027.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2Trevor Calverley is directing from a script by Jem Garrard, who wrote and directed Tubi's Pumpkinhead films; Garrard is also an executive producer. DeadlineN “helmed by Trevor Calverley from a script by Pumpkinhead writer/director Jem Garrard” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “Produced by Blue Ice, Garrard will write and executive produce the film” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 1The film is produced by Blue Ice. Executive producers are Lance Samuels, Joan Waricha, Jane Stine and Garrard, and producers are Dan Bernard, Yvonne Bernard, Tebogo Maila, Darren Cameron and Adam Friedlander. DeadlineN “executive producers are Lance Samuels, Joan Waricha, Jane Stine and Jem Garrard, with producers Dan Bernard, Yvonne Bernard, Tebogo Maila, Darren Cameron and Adam Friedlander” Read at Deadline ↗
Mixed · 2The story follows 16-year-old Jenny, who takes a babysitting job to earn money for a prestigious writing program despite a prowler terrorizing girls across town. When threatening phone calls begin and a dangerous fugitive surfaces, she grows suspicious of everyone around her. DeadlineN “16-year-old Jenny takes a babysitting job despite a prowler terrorizing girls across town” Read at Deadline ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “Jenny’s suspicion of those around her grows” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2The Hollywood Reporter says it is the fourth film in Tubi's ongoing partnership with Stine, after two Pumpkinhead films and the recently announced Afraid of Clowns, and the first not based on a short from Stine's Nightmare Hour or Haunting Hour anthologies. The Hollywood ReporterLC “also the first not based on a short from Stine’s Nightmare Hour or Haunting Hour anthologies” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ DeadlineN “With two Pumpkinhead movies under its belt, Tubi is dipping back into the R.L. Stine vault” Read at Deadline ↗ Left · 1The announcement came two days after the 9 October release of Pumpkinhead 2, and ahead of Tubi's New York Comic Con panel with Stine, Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson, Garrard and Jimbo, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which also exclusively shared a teaser. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The film’s announcement comes just two days after the Oct. 9 release of Pumpkinhead 2, and ahead of the streamer’s New York Comic Con panel” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Left · 1Lewinson said Stine's stories are "scary, fun and endlessly entertaining" and that Tubi is delivering "a fresh, fun thrill ride for longtime fans and a whole new generation." The Hollywood ReporterLC ““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.”” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Left · 1The Babysitter and its three sequels (1991, 1993 and 1995) helped define Stine as a leading horror and children's author. Afraid of Clowns, written and directed by Garrard, is also due in 2027. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The Babysitter II (1991), The Babysitter III (1993), and The Babysitter IV (1995) — were pivotal in defining Stine as a preeminent horror and children’s author”“Written and directed by Garrard, the film, also set to release in 2027” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Hollywood Reporter runs the news as an exclusive with a playful lede, placing it within Tubi's Stine partnership and the Comic Con promotion.
- Emphasis
- Book history and sequels, the Lewinson quote, the Afraid of Clowns slate, the teaser and the Comic Con panel.
- Leaves out or plays down
- None of note.
- Charged language
- “Tubi’s next Final Girl is here.”
- For example
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“Tubi’s next Final Girl is here.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Deadline gives a short, straightforward announcement report tying it to Tubi's earlier Pumpkinhead films.
- Emphasis
- Director, writer, plot and producer credits.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Leaves out the Lewinson quote, the Comic Con panel and the Afraid of Clowns and book-sequel background.
- For example
-
“Tubi is dipping back into the R.L. Stine vault with another spooky adaptation.” — Deadline
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Tubi announced on 11 October a live-action adaptation of R.L. Stine's The Babysitter for 2027.
- Trevor Calverley directs from a script by Jem Garrard.
- Blue Ice produces; Jane Stine is among the executive producers.
- Both outlets link it to Tubi's earlier Pumpkinhead films.
Tubi organisation
Tubi, through Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson, presents Stine's stories as connecting with its viewers and the film as a fresh thrill ride for fans old and new.
“that combination continues to connect with Tubi viewers” — The Hollywood Reporter
R.L. Stine person
Stine appeared at Tubi's New York Comic Con panel; the coverage quotes no statement from Stine on the film.
“where Stine appeared alongside Tubi’s Chief Content Officer Adam Lewinson” — The Hollywood Reporter
Left1 article
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R.L. Stine’s ‘The Babysitter’ Adaptation Coming to Tubi in 2027 (Exclusive)
Celebratory Enthusiastic exclusive that places the film within Tubi's Stine slate and Comic Con promotion.
Centre1 article
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R.L. Stine’s ‘The Babysitter’ Gets Tubi Adaptation Set For 2027
Neutral Brief factual announcement report focused on credits and plot.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 11 Oct 16:15 First The Hollywood ReporterLC R.L. Stine’s ‘The Babysitter’ Adaptation Coming to Tubi in 2027 (Exclusive)
- 11 Oct 18:34 +2h 20m DeadlineN R.L. Stine’s ‘The Babysitter’ Gets Tubi Adaptation Set For 2027
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.