Fans of the spine-chilling Goosebumps series will be disappointed to hear that Disney+ has officially canceled the show after just two seasons. Variety has confirmed exclusively that the horror anthology, based on R.L. Stine’s best-selling books, will not be returning for a third season on the streaming platform.
The series, produced by Sony Pictures Television, premiered its first season in October 2023 with 10 episodes released weekly. Season 2, which debuted in January 2025, consisted of eight episodes dropped all at once.
Despite strong viewing numbers — 75 million hours watched in the U.S. and 43 million hours internationally across 16 markets — Disney+ has decided to pull the plug. However, there’s still hope for fans: Sony Pictures Television plans to shop the show to other platforms and explore fresh creative directions for the beloved IP.
Storylines That Paid Tribute to R.L. Stine’s Work
Each season of Goosebumps incorporated multiple references to Stine’s original books.
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Season 1: Followed five high school students drawn into a decades-old mystery about the death of Harold Biddle.
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Season 2: Focused on fraternal twins who move in with their divorced botanist father. Strange occurrences push them and their friends into uncovering dark secrets.
The cast of Season 1 included Justin Long, Rachael Harris, Zack Morris, Isa Briones, Miles McKenna, Ana Yi Puig, and Will Price. Season 2 brought in David Schwimmer, Ana Ortiz, Jayden Bartels, Sam McCarthy, Elijah M. Cooper, Francesca Noel, and Galilea La Salvia.
Goosebumps: A Legacy of Horror for Young Readers
Since its debut in the 1990s, Goosebumps has been one of the best-selling children’s book series of all time, with more than 400 million English-language copies in print and translations in 32 languages.
The franchise spans over 200 books and has inspired multiple adaptations, including:
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A 1990s TV anthology series
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Two theatrical films (Goosebumps in 2015 and Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween in 2018)
The Disney+ series was developed for television by Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman, with Hilary Winston serving as executive producer and showrunner.
What’s Next for Goosebumps?
While Disney+ may have closed the door on Goosebumps, Sony’s intent to shop the series to other outlets means this might not be the end. Whether the next chapter lands on another streaming platform or a traditional network, fans will be eagerly awaiting its return.
Until then, the haunting mysteries of R.L. Stine’s universe remain on the bookshelf, ready to send shivers down your spine.
