Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bland R.L. Stine entry is more silly than spooky.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
R.L. Stine's Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?
What's the Story?
Once again, in R.L. STINE'S MOSTLY GHOSTLY: HAVE YOU MET MY GHOULFRIEND?, Phears (Charlie Hewson) -- a ghoul trapped in a cemetery, whose goal is total power over all things living and dead -- sets out to find the two ghost children who can help him escape and reach that goal. And once again, Max Doyle (Ryan Ochoa), age 11, the current holder of a magic ring that protects ghost children Tara and Nicky Roland, is called upon to save the day. Max has a giant schoolboy crush on beautiful and popular Cammy (Bella Thorne), and he has a lot to lose, particularly if Tara and Nicky don't stop embarrassing him with their unseen-by-others presence. Phears raises a former Moscow circus performer from her grave to inhabit Max's body, retrieve the ring, and catch the Roland kids. It's all happening as Max plans for a first date with Cammy, must pass a tough physical test at school, and is dealing with his always-tormenting big brother. Finally, time is of the essence; all things must be resolved before the rapidly approaching Halloween holiday.
Is It Any Good?
Other than a few cackles and zaps, this movie is way too silly to be scary, so it never delivers on its essential promise. However, if audiences can ignore the cheesy special effects, stereotypical bullies and teens, a villain who restates his evil purpose time and time again for the benefit of anyone who can't hold a thought for five minutes or more, and amateurish, exaggerated performances (particularly by the adult members of the cast), there's some fun to be had here. Because the hero is "inhabited" by a formerly dead circus performer, some of the acrobatics and tumbling feats will elicit laughter. And invisible-to-all-but-one-person ghosts popping up in scenes to wreak havoc on the leading character's life is a tried-and-true formula for humor. But don't expect logic, motivated behavior, solid characters, or an original story to spoil the filmmakers' desire to produce a cheap and easy sequel in an already popular franchise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the difference between silly-scary, creepy-scary, and frightening-scary. Into which of these categories would you place this movie? Why?
In this film, as in many others, many middle school and high school kids are portrayed as bullies, teases, and, generally, mean-spirited people. Is this true to your experience? Why do you think filmmakers fall back on this concept to provide conflict in a story?
Discuss the teachers and parents in this movie. Are these people like most of the adults in your life? What do you think the filmmakers are hoping to achieve by characterizing adults in this manner?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 2, 2014
- Cast : Ryan Ochoa , Charlie Hewson , Bella Thorne
- Director : Peter Hewitt
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Run time : 91 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild action, rude humor, and language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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