Goosebumps Season 3: Key Questions Addressed Following Anthology Twist
Goosebumps continued delivering thrills, but with that surprising anthology twist, what does it entail for season 3?
“Transitioning to an anthology format truly aligned with the spirit of Goosebumps. If you’re familiar with the books, you’ll know that R.L. Stine tends not to conclude his stories with a ‘happily ever after,’” executive producer Rob Letterman shared with Us Weekly. “He intentionally favors cliffhangers or surprising twists.”
The series on Disney+ mirrored this storytelling style. “Upon reviewing the first season’s conclusion, it felt like a quintessential Goosebumps ending for the storyline,” Letterman explained when discussing the change for season 2.
Launched in October 2023, Goosebumps showcased five teenagers collaborating after unintentionally unleashing supernatural forces in their town. The first season followed Isa Briones, Ana Yi Puig, Zack Morris, Miles McKenna, and Will Price as the main characters.
Shows like Goosebumps, Cruel Summer, and Scream have made the leap to an anthology format following their renewal. The Disney series, which launched in October 2023, draws heavily from R.L. Stine’s notable horror series. The storyline features five teens who must unite to confront the chaos unleashed after their mistake.
The show underwent a significant transformation when it adopted an anthology style. Season 2 focused on twins (Sam McCarthy and Jayden Bartels) sent to spend their summer in Brooklyn with their estranged father (David Schwimmer) whose plant-experimenting takes a dark turn.
“In season 2, we aimed to take a different direction while ensuring fans from the first season felt at home with the storytelling format. That’s why we preserved the mystery framework that needed solving,” Letterman explained to Us. “We cherished that structural approach while aspiring to explore entirely fresh and innovative narratives. This approach allows us to maintain the essence of the Goosebumps series while presenting it as an anthology.”
Season 2 premiered on January 11 and drew inspiration from various titles, including Stay Out of the Basement, The Ghost Next Door, The Boy Who Cried Monster, Monster Blood, and The Haunted Car. While the main group of friends — made up of Elijah M. Cooper, Galilea La Salvia, Francesca Noel, Stony Blyden, McCarthy, and Bartels — managed to conquer the threat, the season hinted that dark forces lingered.
Will season 3 resolve the remaining questions from the finale? “We approach this one day at a time and don’t project too far ahead,” Letterman remarked to Us. “But certainly, Goosebumps allows for endless possibilities, which is the exciting part.”
The success of a TV adaptation like Goosebumps lies in blending the source material with novel storytelling elements. This eerie series, available on Disney+ and Hulu, reimagines R.L. Stine’s classic book series. It follows five teenagers who unite following a supernatural mishap that changes everything.
As per Letterman and co-executive producer Hilary Winston, there’s even a possibility of a Goosebumps “multiverse.” Additionally, the cast has shared their willingness to reprise their roles for upcoming episodes, even though they signed onto an anthology format.
“Numerous stories await, and it largely hinges on audience interest and their responses,” Noel mentioned to Us. “We’re definitely open to it. We’re passionate about our characters, and the last season demonstrated that as well. The universe is expansive and we want to explore it.”
Goosebumps is available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
