Should 'Gravity Falls' Get a Sequel? Exploring The Possibilities For A New Series
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As we approach a decade since the beloved finale of Gravity Falls, the fans who grew up with the Pines twins find themselves in a state of perpetual nostalgia. Fans are still campaigning for creator Alex Hirsch to expand on the series, and for good reason. Though the show only ran for two seasons, with 20 episodes a pop, it has retained an immense, cult-like popularity. Even years later, the community is alive with fans replaying episodes to find hidden (and not so hidden) ciphers and rediscovering the deep lore of Gravity Falls.
The fire was reignited in 2024 when Alex Hirsch released a series of cryptic clues leading up to the publication of The Book of Bill. This wasn’t just a simple tie-in; it retold the story of Gravity Falls from the perspective of the infamously triangular villain Bill Cipher. Interestingly, the book was targeted at Hirsch’s adult fans, featuring darker themes and a more mature tone. Its status as a New York Times Best Seller proved that the audience hasn’t just stayed, it has grown up.
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Gravity Falls first premiered on Disney Channel in 2012 and follows Dipper Pines (Jason Ritter) and his twin sister, Mabel Pines (Kristen Schaal), as they spend their summer vacation with their "Grunkle" Stan (Alex Hirsch) in a sleepy town that is anything but normal. Upon discovering a mysterious journal stamped with a six-fingered hand, the twins are thrust into a world of gnomes, ghosts, and interdimensional rifts.
The show’s heart comes from its authenticity. It was loosely inspired by Hirsch’s own relationship with his twin sister, Ariel, and their childhood summer vacations. This, combined with a powerhouse voice cast including Linda Cardellini and the always brilliant J.K. Simmons, created a series that felt emotionally grounded despite its paranormal absurdity.
But we aren’t here to talk about what could happen; the real question is: Should Gravity Falls get a sequel? Honestly, the answer is complicated.
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While I loved the show and binged every too-short Short Disney released to ease my post-Falls sadness, the ending was objectively perfect. The finale, "Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back The Falls," provided a definitive conclusion to the characters' arcs. Dipper learned to grow up, Mabel learned to let go, and Stan found redemption.
The current consensus among many purists is that a hypothetical third season risks "The Zombie Effect" where a show continues until it loses its spark. Alex Hirsch himself addressed this on Tumblr years ago, stating: "I always designed Gravity Falls to be a finite series about one epic summer... There are so many shows that go on endlessly until they lose their original spark."
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If Gravity Falls is resurrected, it should not be a "Season 3." Instead, it should be a spiritual successor or a "Next Generation" story. Here are a few ways Disney and Hirsch could expand the universe without tarnishing the original 40 episodes:
The "Young Stan and Ford" Prequel: Fans have long clamoured for a series detailing the adventures of the original Pines Twins as they travelled the world and researched the anomalies of the town.
The Adult Sequel: Following the success of The Book of Bill, a limited series on a platform like Hulu or Disney+ (aimed at an older audience) could follow Dipper and Mabel returning to the town as adults.
The Anthology Approach: A series focusing on different paranormal events across the globe, with Gravity Falls acting only as a hub.
The precedent for a return is there. Disney has successfully revived older IPs like That’s So Raven and The Proud Family. Furthermore, the creative DNA of the show has lived on in series like The Owl House, created by Dana Terrace, where Hirsch served as a creative consultant.
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From a financial perspective, a sequel is a no-brainer. The series finale broke records for Disney XD, drawing 2.9 million viewers, the highest in the network's history. Recently, Meredith Roberts, Executive Vice President of Television Animation at Disney, teased fans by saying, "You know, we're in conversations with Alex... So never say never."
This confirms that the door isn't just ajar; it’s unlocked. However, the catch remains Alex Hirsch’s involvement. Without his specific brand of humour and "mystery-box" storytelling, a sequel would likely feel like a hollow imitation.
So, will Gravity Falls get a sequel? It remains the ultimate mystery. While the original series ended on a high note that few shows ever achieve, the demand for more lore is undeniable.
The best-case scenario isn't a retcon of the summer we know, but an invitation to a new one. Whether it’s a movie, a spin-off, or a new set of journals, the world Hirsch built is too rich to stay buried forever. As the bus left the town in the finale, a note was left for the twins: "See you next summer." Perhaps it’s finally time for that summer to arrive.
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