Unveiling the Enigmatic Filming Spots of 2023's Goosebumps Reboot

Summary

To create the authentic small-town atmosphere of Port Lawrence in the 2023 reboot series of Goosebumps, a number of filming locations were carefully chosen. Notable sites like Deep Cove Yacht Club and Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School beautifully contribute to the Pacific Northwest ambiance.

Cloverdale, particularly Minnekhada Lodge, acts as the backdrop for Biddle House, a key location in the Goosebumps narrative that establishes an eerie atmosphere in Port Lawrence.

Whistler Olympic Park serves as the wintry landscape in Goosebumps, intensifying the storyline and alluding to the title's association with fear and the human nervous system.

The 2023 reboot series of Goosebumps utilizes various filming locations throughout British Columbia to bring RL Stine's popular children's horror books to the screen. With a fresh twist on the beloved story, the series follows a group of outcast teenagers who are cursed with supernatural experiences after attending a Halloween party at the Biddle House. As they navigate through dark events, they must work together to uncover the secrets their parents harbored, which triggered everything.

The first five episodes of Goosebumps premiered on Hulu and Disney Plus on October 13, with a new episode airing every week until all ten are released. The cast of Goosebumps features both established actors and talented newcomers, who play pivotal roles in driving the storyline. While the series remains faithful to the iconic monsters and characters of Goosebumps, there is a notable difference that sets it apart. Unlike previous iterations, this version of Goosebumps is set in the fictional town of Port Lawrence, exclusively filmed using the breathtaking buildings and landscapes found across British Columbia (via IMDb and Atlas of Wonders).

Deep Cove Yacht Club, Vancouver, British Columbia

In the first episode of Goosebumps, a brief aerial shot showcases the town of Port Lawrence. This particular shot, lasting only about a second, was captured above the Deep Cove Yacht Club in Vancouver, British Columbia. Despite the bustling reality of the area, the production team opted to enhance the shot using CGI. Their modifications included making the treeline appear denser, incorporating a school, and removing some of the buildings.

Although short in duration, this shot effectively sets the scene for the town where Goosebumps unfolds. Firstly, it portrays Port Lawrence as relatively small in size, with the CGI alteration of removing buildings contributing to its rural atmosphere. Additionally, the shot highlights the town's proximity to water and its abundant greenery, both of which hold significance within the show. Lastly, the inclusion of the school and football field in the aerial shot emphasizes their importance to the overall narrative of Goosebumps.

Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School, Maple Ridge, British Columbia

Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School in Maple Ridge, British Columbia serves as one of the main settings for Goosebumps' Port Lawrence High School. This school plays a crucial role in the TV series as the group of misfit students - Margot, James, Isabella, Isaiah, and Lucas - are all high schoolers. Moreover, the presence of a malevolent spirit possessing teacher Nathan Bratt adds to the significance of the school. Its selection as a filming location was ideal due to its unremarkable and ordinary appearance.

The school's architecture closely resembles that of a typical high school in both the United States and Canada. Its lack of distinctiveness allows viewers to relate their own experiences and perceptions of school settings. Furthermore, the hallways and classrooms in Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School are perfectly proportioned to offer various filming angles while still creating a sense of smallness, reinforcing the small-town atmosphere. By incorporating these familiar locations associated with teenage life, the paranormal and eerie events in Goosebumps carry greater impact.

Cloverdale, Surrey, Vancouver, British Columbia

Cloverdale serves as the backdrop for the surrounding area of Biddle House in the Goosebumps series. The lush greenery of Cloverdale aligns perfectly with the atmosphere of Port Lawrence, creating a genuine Pacific Northwest ambiance. The filming of all the Biddle House scenes took place at the renowned Minnekhada Lodge within Cloverdale. The architectural style and color of Biddle House closely resemble other haunted homes found across North America, which holds significant importance within the Goosebumps storyline. It is at Biddle House where Harold Biddle's death occurs, and it is also the setting for the Halloween party that brings together a diverse group of teenagers at the heart of the plot. Furthermore, the spookiness in Port Lawrence originates from the Biddle House itself.

Furthermore, Port Lawrence, particularly Biddle House, plays a pivotal role in providing a central location for the events in the various Goosebumps books, as they often unfold across different towns, homes, and involve different characters. The lore of the TV show consistently revolves around the Biddle House and the Biddle family. The spirit that possesses Mr. Bratt in Goosebumps is none other than Harold Biddle, hailing from the very location itself. Similar to the Neibolt House in IT, everything in Goosebumps is interconnected with the Biddle House.

Britannia Mine Museum, Britannia Beach, British Columbia

During Goosebumps, season 1, episode 3, "The Cuckoo Clock of Doom," the main characters stumble upon a network of underground tunnels that hold the key to the enigmatic secrets of Port Lawrence. These tunnels span across the majority of the town, connecting various locations, and ultimately leading back to the infamous Biddle House. Filming for all the tunnel scenes took place at the Brittania Mine Museum in Britannia Beach, British Columbia. While the tunnels may appear similar due to the common rock formations, the vast expanse of this underground realm provides endless opportunities for creating diverse shots in future Goosebumps seasons. Thus, these tunnels at the Brittania Mine Museum offer a versatile and captivating setting for the continuation of the series.

Deep Cove North Shore Marina and Rentals, North Vancouver, British Columbia

The teens frequently gather at Harbor Stop, a charming diner and coffee shop located on the scenic coastline of Port Lawrence in the Goosebumps TV show. It serves as their go-to spot for engaging in conversations about life and unraveling the mysterious events that occur within the town. The visually captivating Deep Cove North Short Marina and Rentals perfectly captures the essence of Harbor Stop, both on the outside and inside.

The filming location has a rustic feel reminiscent of a mountainous or secluded lakeside area. With the tree-covered hill on the opposite shore, this location reinforces the charming small-town atmosphere of Port Lawrence in the Pacific Northwest. Furthermore, the inclusion of small, older but still well-maintained boats in the shots contributes to portraying the socioeconomic status of the town in Goosebumps.

Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler, British Columbia

The winter scenes featuring snow in Goosebumps were captured at Whistler Olympic Park in Whistler, British Columbia. This park, originally constructed for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, boasts an expansive 56-mile landscape adorned with trees, vast fields, and slopes. Instead of emphasizing significant buildings related to the story, this filming location primarily serves to establish the atmospheric and climatic conditions of Port Lawrence. Moreover, the fluctuating weather patterns contribute to the plot's tension, symbolizing change. This cleverly aligns with the title of the series, which alludes to the goosebumps one experiences when feeling cold or scared. Whistler Olympic Park scenes are featured in the latter portion of the Goosebumps series.