A complete guide to reading the Goosebump books in order
Featured In
- Understanding the impact R.L. Stine brought to childrens literature
- What is Goosebumps?
- The Goosebumps tv show
- Goosebumps books by series
- The original series (1992–1997)
- Tales to give you Goosebumps (1994–1997)
- Give yourself Goosebumps (1995–2000)
- Goosebumps presents (1996–1998)
- Goosebumps triple header (1997–1998)
- Goosebumps series 2000 (1998–2000)
- Goosebumps graphix (2006–2015)
- Goosebumps horrorland (2008–2012)
- Goosebumps most wanted (2012–2016)
- Movie tie-ins (2015–2018)
- Goosebumps slappyworld (2017–present)
- An analysis of the Goosebumps book series
- The unparalleled legacy of the Goosebumps books
- Get your fill of horror audiobooks with Speechify
- FAQ
With hundreds of titles, it seemed almost impossible to keep up with Goosebumps books in order. Not anymore. Check out this ultimate guide to the Goosebumps books.
With over 400 million books sold worldwide, Goosebumps is one of the best-selling book series of all time, second only to Harry Potter books. This beloved children’s horror series was created in 1992 by R.L. Stine, and reading it became an essential part of childhood.
Since this smash hit series contains hundreds of titles and several subseries, readers sometimes struggle to keep up with the correct order of books. So, we’ve listed all the Goosebumps books in order to help you go on a trip down memory lane or give your children a little fright.
Understanding the impact R.L. Stine brought to childrens literature
It's hard to overstate the impact that R.L. Stine has had on the world of children's literature. R.L. Stine was born on October 8th, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio. He began writing at a young age and went on to study English at Ohio State University. Stine's first job out of college was as an editor for a children's humor magazine called Bananas. It wasn't until the late 1980s that Stine started writing the books that would make him a household name.
His books have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into dozens of languages. In addition to his Goosebumps series, Stine has written many other books, including the Fear Street series, which is aimed at slightly older readers. Despite his success, Stine remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He has said that he enjoys writing books that make kids laugh and jump in their seats.
But it's not just the commercial success that makes Stine such an important figure. He's also inspired countless young readers to fall in love with reading and to explore the world of horror and suspense.
Stine's ability to create relatable characters and suspenseful plots has made his books a staple in many classrooms and libraries. His Goosebumps series, in particular, has become a cultural phenomenon, with its own TV show, movies, and merchandise. But Stine's impact goes beyond just entertainment. His books have been praised for their ability to help children confront their fears and anxieties in a safe and controlled way.
Despite his success, Stine remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to write and publish new books, and has even started a new series aimed at a younger audience. His legacy as a master of children's horror and a champion of literacy is sure to endure for generations to come.
What is Goosebumps?
R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series has been a mainstay of childhood reading lists for decades. The first of these books was published in 1992, and since then, the series has spawned over 60 titles. Each book in the series is designed to be a standalone story, but many of them feature recurring characters and settings.
The books are aimed at young readers, typically in the 7-12 age range. They blend horror and humor in a way that has become synonymous with the Goosebumps brand. The books are deliberately designed to be scary but not too scary, making them the perfect introduction to horror for young readers.
One of the most iconic aspects of the Goosebumps series is the cover art. Each book features a unique and eye-catching cover, often featuring a creepy or unsettling image. The cover art has become so iconic that it has been parodied and referenced in popular culture, cementing its place in the collective memory of many readers.
The Goosebumps tv show
In addition to the books, there was also a popular Goosebumps TV series that aired in the 1990s. The show ran for four seasons and adapted many of the stories from the books. The TV show was a huge hit, and it helped to solidify the Goosebumps brand as a cultural phenomenon.
The Goosebumps TV series was produced by Scholastic Entertainment and broadcasted on Fox Kids Network. The show was hosted by R.L. Stine himself, who introduced each episode and provided some background information on the story. The series featured a talented cast of young actors who brought the characters to life, and the special effects and makeup were impressive for a TV show of its time.
One of the most memorable aspects of the Goosebumps TV series was its iconic theme song, which was composed by Jack Lenz. The catchy tune, with its haunting melody and spooky lyrics, perfectly captured the eerie atmosphere of the show. The theme song became so popular that it was even released as a single and reached the top 40 on the Canadian charts.
Goosebumps books by series
The Goosebumps books often feature children in terrifying situations where they have to fight a scary monster. The original Goosebumps series had 62 books. Since the original series, R.L. Stine has written multiple spin-off series that encompass dozens of new hair-raising stories.
Without further ado, let’s list all the Goosebumps books by series.
The original series (1992–1997)
From 1992 to 1997, R.L. Stine published 62 books under the Goosebumps umbrella title. The books are as follows:
- Welcome to Dead House (1992)
- Stay Out of the Basement (1992)
- Monster Blood (1992)
- Say Cheese and Die! (1992)
- The Curse of the Mummy’s Tomb (1993)
- Let’s Get Invisible! (1993)
- Night of the Living Dummy (1993)
- The Girl Who Cried Monster (1993)
- Welcome to Camp Nightmare (1993)
- The Ghost Next Door (1993)
- The Haunted Mask (1993)
- Be Careful What You Wish For… (1993)
- Piano Lessons Can Be Murder (1993)
- The Werewolf of Fever Swamp (1993)
- You Can’t Scare Me! (1993)
- One Day at HorrorLand (1994)
- Why I’m Afraid of Bees (1994)
- Monster Blood II (1994)
- Deep Trouble (1994)
- The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight (1994)
- Go Eat Worms! (1994)
- Ghost Beach (1994)
- Return of the Mummy (1994)
- Phantom of the Auditorium (1994)
- Attack of the Mutant (1994)
- My Hairiest Adventure (1994)
- A Night in Terror Tower (1995)
- The Cuckoo Clock of Doom (1995)
- Monster Blood III (1995)
- It Came from Beneath the Sink! (1995)
- Night of the Living Dummy II (1995)
- The Barking Ghost (1995)
- The Horror at Camp Jellyjam (1995)
- Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes (1995)
- A Shocker on Shock Street (1995)
- The Haunted Mask II (1995)
- The Headless Ghost (1995)
- The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena (1995)
- How I Got My Shrunken Head (1996)
- Night of the Living Dummy III (1996)
- Bad Hare Day (1996)
- Egg Monsters from Mars (1996)
- The Beast from the East (1996)
- Say Cheese and Die—Again! (1996)
- Ghost Camp (1996)
- How to Kill a Monster (1996)
- Legend of the Lost Legend (1996)
- Attack of the Jack-O’-Lanterns (1996)
- Vampire Breath (1996)
- Calling All Creeps! (1996)
- Beware, the Snowman (1997)
- How I Learned to Fly (1997)
- Chicken, Chicken (1997)
- Don’t Go To Sleep! (1997)
- The Blob That Ate Everyone (1997)
- The Curse of Camp Cold Lake (1997)
- My Best Friend is Invisible (1997)
- Deep Trouble II (1997)
- The Haunted School (1997)
- Werewolf Skin (1997)
- I Live in Your Basement! (1997)
- Monster Blood IV (1997)
Tales to give you Goosebumps (1994–1997)
R.L. Stine’s Tales to Give You Goosebumps is a series of six books containing 10 short stories each:
- Tales to Give You Goosebumps (1994)
- More Tales to Give You Goosebumps (1995)
- Even More Tales to Give You Goosebumps (1996)
- Still More Tales to Give You Goosebumps (1997)
- More & More Tales to Give You Goosebumps (1997)
- More & More & More Tales to Give You Goosebumps (1997)
Give yourself Goosebumps (1995–2000)
Give Yourself Goosebumps is a children’s horror fiction gamebook series created by R.L. Stine as a spin-off to the classic Goosebumps series. The series contains the following titles:
- Escape from the Carnival of Horrors (1995)
- Tick Tock, You’re Dead! (1995)
- Trapped in Bat Wing Hall (1995)
- The Deadly Experiments of Dr. Eeek (1996)
- Night in Werewolf Woods (1996)
- Beware of the Purple Peanut Butter (1996)
- Under the Magician’s Spell (1996)
- The Curse of the Creeping Coffin (1996)
- The Knight in Screaming Armor (1996)
- Diary of a Mad Mummy (1996)
- Deep in the Jungle of Doom (1996)
- Welcome to the Wicked Wax Museum (1996)
- Scream of the Evil Genie (1997)
- The Creepy Creations of Professor Shock (1997)
- Please Don’t Feed the Vampire! (1997)
- Secret Agent Grandma (1997)
- Little Comic Shop of Horrors (1997)
- Attack of the Beastly Baby-Sitter (1997)
- Escape from Camp Run-For-Your-Life (1997)
- Toy Terror: Batteries Included (1997)
- The Twisted Tale of Tiki Island (1997)
- Return to the Carnival of Horrors (1997)
- Zapped in Space (1997)
- Lost in Stinkeye Swamp (1997)
- Shop Till You Drop … Dead! (1998)
- Alone in Snakebite Canyon (1998)
- Checkout Time at the Dead-End Hotel (1998)
- Night of a Thousand Claws (1998)
- Invaders from the Big Screen (1998)
- You’re Plant Food! (1998)
- The Werewolf of Twisted Tree Lodge (1998)
- It’s Only a Nightmare (1998)
- It Came from the Internet! (1999)
- Elevator to Nowhere (1999)
- Hocus-Pocus Horror (1999)
- Ship of Ghouls (1999)
- Escape from Horror House (1999)
- Into the Twister of Terror (1999)
- Scary Birthday to You! (1999)
- Zombie School (1999)
- Danger Time (2000)
- All-Day Nightmare (2000)
Give Yourself Goosebumps special edition books include the following eight titles:
- Into the Jaws of Doom (1998)
- Return to Terror Tower (1998)
- Trapped in the Circus of Fear (1998)
- One Night in Payne House (1998)
- The Curse of the Cave Creatures (1999)
- Revenge of the Body Squeezers (1999)
- Trick Or…Trapped! (1999)
- Weekend at Poison Lake (1999)
It’s important to note that the majority of the Give Yourself Goosebumps special edition books are now out of print and unavailable.
Goosebumps presents (1996–1998)
The Goosebumps Presents series contains re-releases of books from the original series that were adapted for television. Unlike the original series, these books contain photos from the corresponding TV series episode.
The Goosebumps Presents series includes the following titles:
- The Girl Who Cried Monster (1996)
- The Cuckoo Clock of Doom (1996)
- Welcome to Camp Nightmare (1996)
- Return of the Mummy (1996)
- Night of the Living Dummy II (1996)
- The Headless Ghost (1996)
- My Hairiest Adventure (1996)
- Be Careful What You Wish For (1997)
- Go Eat Worms! (1997)
- Bad Hare Day (1997)
- Let’s Get Invisible! (1997)
- Attack of the Mutant (1997)
- Ghost Beach (1997)
- You Can’t Scare Me (1997)
- Monster Blood (1997)
- Attack of the Jack-o’-Lanterns (1997)
- Calling All Creeps! (1997)
- Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes (1998)
Goosebumps triple header (1997–1998)
The Goosebumps Triple Header contains two books with three stories, each hosted by a three-headed monster called Lefty, Righty, and Slim:
- Three Shocking Tales of Terror: Book 1 (1997)
- Three Shocking Tales of Terror: Book 2 (1998)
Goosebumps series 2000 (1998–2000)
The Goosebumps Series 2000 introduced changes to the original cover designs. A dispute between R.L. Stine and the Scholastic publishing company cut the series short, so it only contains 25 titles:
- Cry of the Cat (1998)
- Bride of the Living Dummy (1998)
- Creature Teacher (1998)
- Invasion of the Body Squeezers: Part 1 (1998)
- Invasion of the Body Squeezers: Part 2 (1998)
- I Am Your Evil Twin (1998)
- Revenge R Us (1998)
- Fright Camp (1998)
- Are You Terrified Yet? (1998)
- Headless Halloween (1998)
- Attack of the Graveyard Ghouls (1998)
- Brain Juice (1998)
- Return to HorrorLand (1999)
- Jekyll and Heidi (1999)
- Scream School (1999)
- The Mummy Walks (1999)
- The Werewolf in the Living Room (1999)
- The Horror of the Black Ring (1999)
- Return to Ghost Camp (1999)
- Be Afraid – Be Very Afraid! (1999)
- The Haunted Car (1999)
- Full Moon Fever (1999)
- Slappy’s Nightmare (1999)
- Earth Geeks Must Go! (1999)
- Ghost in the Mirror (2000)
Goosebumps graphix (2006–2015)
The Goosebumps Graphix series features interpretations of select Goosebumps books as graphic novels, including:
- Creepy Creatures (2006)
- Terror Trips (2007)
- Scary Summer (2007)
- Slappy’s Tales of Horror (2015)
Goosebumps horrorland (2008–2012)
The Goosebumps HorrorLand series is the first series where R.L. Stine made all the books a part of the same plot. This series also saw characters and villains from different books interacting, marking the first Goosebumps fictional crossover.
Here are the titles in the Goosebumps HorrorLand series in order so you can keep up with the storylines:
- Revenge of the Living Dummy (2008)
- Creep from the Deep (2008)
- Monster Blood For Breakfast! (2008)
- The Scream of the Haunted Mask (2008)
- Dr. Maniac vs. Robby Schwartz (2008)
- Who’s Your Mummy? (2009)
- My Friends Call Me Monster (2009)
- Say Cheese – And Die Screaming! (2009)
- Welcome To Camp Slither (2009)
- Help! We Have Strange Powers! (2009)
- Escape From HorrorLand (2009)
- The Streets of Panic Park (2009)
- Welcome to HorrorLand: A Survivor Guide (2009)
- Goosebumps HorrorLand: Write Your Fright (2009)
- When The Ghost Dog Howls (2010)
- Little Shop of Hamsters (2010)
- Heads, You Lose! (2010)
- Weirdo Halloween (2010)
- The Wizard Of Ooze (2010)
- Slappy New Year! (2010)
- The Horror at Chiller House (2011)
Goosebumps most wanted (2012–2016)
Like Goosebumps Hall of Horrors and HorrorLand, the Goosebumps Most Wanted series features a recurring story arc. It also sees the return of Goosebumps’ most notorious villains.
The series includes the following titles:
- Planet of the Lawn Gnomes (2012)
- Son of Slappy (2013)
- How I Met My Monster (2013)
- Frankenstein’s Dog (2013)
- Dr. Maniac Will See You Now (2013)
- Creature Teacher: The Final Exam (2014)
- A Nightmare on Clown Street (2015)
- Night of the Puppet People (2015)
- Here Comes the Shaggedy (2016)
- Lizard of Oz (2016)
The Goosebumps Most Wanted special edition titles are:
- Zombie Halloween (2014)
- The 12 Screams of Christmas (2014)
- Trick or Trap (2015)
- The Haunter (2016)
Movie tie-ins (2015–2018)
The following titles were released as tie-in books for the Goosebumps film series:
- The Movie Novel (2015)
- Night of the Living Monsters (2015)
- Slappy’s Revenge (2015)
- Monster Survival Guide (2015)
- Activity Book (2015)
- Movie Novel (2018)
- Slappy’s Return (2018)
Goosebumps slappyworld (2017–present)
The Goosebumps SlappyWorld series was launched on the 25th anniversary of the franchise. Each book features the infamous Slappy the Dummy as either the narrator or the main antagonist, including:
- Slappy Birthday to You (2017)
- Attack of the Jack (2017)
- I Am Slappy’s Evil Twin (2017)
- Please Do Not Feed the Weirdo (2018)
- Escape From Shudder Mansion (2018)
- The Ghost of Slappy (2018)
- It’s Alive! It’s Alive! (2019)
- The Dummy Meets the Mummy! (2019)
- Revenge of the Invisible Boy (2019)
- Diary of a Dummy (2020)
- They Call Me the Night Howler! (2020)
- My Friend Slappy (2020)
- Monster Blood Is Back (2021)
- Fifth-Grade Zombies (2021)
- Judy and the Beast (2021)
- Slappy in Dreamland (2022)
- Haunting with the Stars (2022)
An analysis of the Goosebumps book series
At their core, the Goosebumps books are all about entertaining young readers. But they're also more than that. Many of the books deal with issues like bullying, family dynamics, and the challenges of growing up. They present these issues in a way that is accessible and relatable to young readers, helping them to navigate the complexities of childhood in a healthy way.
Another interesting aspect of the series is how it plays with the concept of fear. While the books are designed to be scary, they're also meant to be fun. The horror elements are often tempered with humor, making the books more enjoyable and less intimidating for younger readers. In this way, the Goosebumps series is able to introduce young readers to the concept of fear and how to deal with it in a safe, controlled environment.
Additionally, the Goosebumps series has had a significant impact on popular culture. The books have been adapted into a successful television series, multiple movies, and even a video game. The iconic covers, featuring creepy illustrations and bold fonts, have become instantly recognizable to many people. The series has also inspired a generation of young writers and horror fans, who continue to be influenced by R.L. Stine's work today
The unparalleled legacy of the Goosebumps books
It's hard to overstate just how important the Goosebumps series has been to the world of children's literature. Stine's books have inspired generations of young readers, many of whom have gone on to become writers themselves. The series has also spawned movies, TV shows, and countless other spinoffs. Even today, more than 25 years after the first book was published, Goosebumps remains one of the most iconic and beloved book series of all time.
How Goosebumps books changed the way we read
Perhaps the most significant way that Goosebumps has influenced our culture is by changing the way we think about horror and suspense. By introducing younger readers to these genres in a safe and accessible way, Stine has helped to create a new generation of horror fans. But it's not just the horror elements that are important. Goosebumps has also helped to foster a love of reading in countless young people around the world. By presenting stories that are engaging, relatable, and fun, Stine has done his part to ensure that reading remains a fundamental part of childhood for generations to come.
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FAQ
What are the four rare Goosebumps books?
There are four rare Goosebumps books:
- Legend of the Lost Legend
- Werewolf Skin
- I Live in Your Basement!
- Monster Blood IV
These books were never reprinted, so they exist only as first editions.
Who is the author of Goosebumps?
R.L. Stine is the author of Goosebumps.
Are Goosebumps books still coming out?
New Goosebumps books are still being released. In fact, two new additions to the Goosebumps SlappyWorld series, Night of the Squawker and Friiight Night, are expected to come out in 2023. You can pre-order both books on Amazon. In addition, a new series, Goosebumps House of Shivers, should also debut in September of the same year.
Cliff Weitzman
Cliff Weitzman is a dyslexia advocate and the CEO and founder of Speechify, the #1 text-to-speech app in the world, totaling over 100,000 5-star reviews and ranking first place in the App Store for the News & Magazines category. In 2017, Weitzman was named to the Forbes 30 under 30 list for his work making the internet more accessible to people with learning disabilities. Cliff Weitzman has been featured in EdSurge, Inc., PC Mag, Entrepreneur, Mashable, among other leading outlets.