May 15 (Bloomberg) -- Sony Corp. acquired rights to make a film based on the ``Goosebumps'' books, R.L. Stine's series of horror tales for children.

Sony Pictures will develop the movie with Scholastic Corp., the books' publisher, and independent production company Original Film, the companies said today in a statement. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

More than 300 million copies of ``Goosebumps'' books have been sold worldwide, making them the second-best selling children's series after ``Harry Potter,'' the companies said. A television show based on the books aired on the Fox Kids cable network for four seasons beginning in 1995.

Original Film's Neal Moritz, a producer of ``I Am Legend,'' will co-produce the ``Goosebumps'' movie with Deborah Forte, whose credits include ``The Golden Compass,'' based on the book by Philip Pullman.

To contact the reporter on this story: Michael White in Los Angeles at mwhite8@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: May 15, 2008 16:23 EDT