30 Years Ago Today: Classic 'Goosebumps' Episode Released - And It Still Holds Up

Thirty years ago today, one of the top episodes of an iconic children's television series of the '90s premiered.

R.L. Stine's best-selling book series, Goosebumps, was adapted into a television show in the mid-90s. The series premiere, a two-parter called The Haunted Mask, aired on Oct. 27, 1995.

The series produced 74 episodes over four seasons. The two-part finale, Deep Trouble, aired on Nov. 16, 1998. Today, the original Goosebumps television show remains popular among audiences of all ages.

It was on this very day, 30 years ago, that Goosebumps fans gathered around their television sets to watch The Werewolf of Fever Swamp for the first time. The episode was based on Stine's book of the same name, released in Dec. 1993.

The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is regarded as one of the best episodes from the '90s series. The success led to its release on VHS and DVD. Stine himself appeared at the beginning and the end of the episode.

'The Werewolf of Fever Swamp' Delivered Stunning and Chilling Twists

The Werewolf of Fever Swamp was unlike any other Goosebumps episode. As it was a kids' series, producers had to be cautious and ensure it didn't get too creepy or dark for its audience.

But most of those bets were off for The Werewolf of Fever Swamp. The episode follows the Tucker family after they move into Fever Swamp.

The main character, Grady Tucker (played by Brendan Fletcher), befriends another boy named Will Blake, who tells him the story of a werewolf that lurks in the swamp behind their homes.

The episode references a series of savage human and animal slayings by the werewolf. Off-screen, the werewolf kills a lonely swamp hermit who warned Grady of the creature. Leading up to that scene, the audience was led to believe the hermit was the episode's real villain.

There's one more chilling twist at the very end. It's largely implied, but not confirmed, that Grady has also become a werewolf.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 5:00 AM.