Home is where the haunted house is.

Universal released the first trailer for 'The House With a Clock in Its Walls," a family-friendly horror thriller based on the kids book by John Bellairs.

The story centers on a 10-year-old orphan boy named Lewis who goes to live with his uncle (Jack Black) in "a creaky old house with a mysterious tick-tocking heart." Lewis soon discovers the town is full of warlocks and witches, including his neighbor (Cate Blanchett). And when the boy inadvertently awakens the dead, a hair-raising magical adventure follows.

The film is directed by horror helmer Eli Roth and written by Eric Kripke ("Supernatural," "Timeless"). The mix of adventure and spooky otherworldliness seems more in Kripke's bag, while Roth is stepping outside his comfort zone of more traditional horror like "Cabin Fever" and "Hostel." There's definitely a "Goosebumps" vibe going on.

"The House With a Clock in Its Walls" opens in theaters September 21.