R.L. Stine's 'Afraid of Clowns' Set for 2027 Premiere on Tubi

Tubi has ordered "R.L. Stine's Afraid of Clowns," an original horror movie from the "Goosebumps" author, set to premiere on the streamer in 2027, Variety reports exclusively.

The cast includes Frankie Honey, Ava Ferrer, Azriel Dalman, Joe Moore and Jimbo, the Season 8 champion of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars."

The film follows Frankie, a young resident of the town of Redhaven. According to the official logline, "When Ringmaster Rollo and his mysterious clown troupe arrive in Redhaven, Frankie discovers their visit may be connected to a child who vanished years ago. Convinced they've now set their sights on her little brother, Frankie must convince her friends to help uncover the truth and stop the clowns before her brother disappears with them for good."

"Afraid of Clowns" marks the third collaboration between Tubi and Stine. The partnership began with "R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead," which released on the streamer in October 2025, and continues with the sequel "Pumpkinhead 2," debuting Oct. 9.

Jem Garrard, who wrote and directed both "Pumpkinhead" films, returns as writer-director for "Afraid of Clowns." Front Street Pictures produces, with James Mattagne, Joan Waricha, Harvey Kahn, Yvonne Bernard, Dan Bernard, Garrard, Allen Lewis and Rama Diallo credited as producers.

Tubi's chief content officer, Adam Lewinson, framed the project as part of the platform's broader investment in Stine's brand of youth-oriented horror. "R.L. Stine has been the first taste of fear for legions of fans — and the beginning of a lifelong love of horror," Lewinson said. "Tubi's collection of R.L. Stine movies gives longtime fans more of the stories that sparked their imaginations, while welcoming new audiences to the thrill of being scared."

Stine, whose "Goosebumps" series has sold to generations of young readers, addressed the film's premise directly. "Clowns have been scaring kids long before I ever got to them — I just gave them a reason to be afraid of the ones in Redhaven," he said.

The 2027 date gives Tubi a long runway on a franchise it is clearly building: with "Pumpkinhead 2" arriving in October and "Afraid of Clowns" in development, the streamer now has three Stine projects either released or in the pipeline, all made with the same writer-director.