“Goosebumps” Won’t Return for Season 3 on Disney+: A New Chapter for the Anthology Series
In a move that has left both fans and industry insiders buzzing, Goosebumps, the horror anthology series based on R.L. Stine’s iconic book series, will not be returning for a third season on Disney+. The series, which captivated both nostalgic audiences and new generations, premiered its first season on the streaming platform in October 2023, with the second season following in January 2025. However, despite the show’s strong performance, it seems the franchise’s future is headed in a new direction.
According to exclusive reports from Variety, the series, which amassed over 75 million hours watched in the U.S. and an additional 43 million hours across 16 international markets, has officially been shelved on Disney+ for now. The decision has sent ripples through the entertainment world, especially given the buzz surrounding the show’s atmospheric blend of teen mystery, supernatural elements, and references to Stine’s beloved literary works.
Goosebumps—which originally began as a 1990s episodic anthology series and evolved into a successful film franchise in 2015 and 2018—was developed for television by Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman, both of whom served as executive producers. With Hilary Winston at the helm as showrunner and additional executive producers from Sony Pictures Television, Scholastic Entertainment, and Disney Branded Television, the series seemed poised for long-term success. However, the news of its cancellation has raised questions about the future of the franchise.
In an exclusive statement, a source close to the project revealed that Sony Pictures Television plans to shop the series to other networks and streaming platforms, with an eye on exploring new creative directions for the Goosebumps brand. This means that while the show won’t be continuing on Disney+, it might find a new home and potentially be reimagined, bringing fresh life to the beloved franchise.
The first season of Goosebumps consisted of 10 episodes, following a group of high schoolers who unravel the dark mystery surrounding Harold Biddle, a teenager whose death decades earlier still looms large over their town. Season 2, which dropped all episodes at once, expanded the scope with a fresh storyline involving fraternal twins moving in with their father, a botanist, only to encounter strange occurrences that lead them on a thrilling adventure.
The cast in the first season included the likes of Justin Long, Rachael Harris, Zack Morris, and Isa Briones, while Season 2 featured David Schwimmer, Ana Ortiz, and Jayden Bartels among other notable names. The mix of veteran actors and rising stars helped make the show both an eerie delight and an emotional rollercoaster.
Despite the cancellation, the Goosebumps brand remains a juggernaut, with over 400 million copies of R.L. Stine’s books in print, and more than 200 titles spanning various series and spinoffs. With such a dedicated fanbase and the possibility of a reinvention under a new banner, this cancellation could be the prelude to a bold new era for the franchise.
Unlike other high-profile Disney+ cancellations like Willow and Star Wars: The Acolyte, which have remained firmly locked in their streaming homes, Goosebumps could still rise from the ashes, with a third season or an entirely reimagined version potentially in the cards.
For now, fans of the spooky, sinister world of Goosebumps will have to wait and see where the franchise lands. Will it find a new home, or is the spooky anthology series truly turning the page on its current chapter?
