Shocking Twist! Why Disney+ Canceled The Goosebumps Series After Season 2—And Where It Could Land Next

The lights have gone out on the Disney+ *Goosebumps* series, but the story is far from over. As of today, December 10, 2025, the supernatural horror-comedy series, a modern adaptation of R.L. Stine’s iconic books, has officially been canceled by Disney+ after a two-season run. The news has sent shockwaves through the fandom, especially considering the show’s impressive viewership and critical acclaim, leaving viewers to wonder why a successful series like *Goosebumps* would get the axe.

The first season of the *Goosebumps* series, which premiered in October 2023, was a major hit for the streaming service, amassing a combined 75 million viewing hours in the US and an additional 43 million internationally. Despite this success and a subsequent renewal for a second season, *Goosebumps: The Vanishing*, which debuted on January 10, 2025, the series ultimately did not secure a third-season order, but its producing studio, Sony Pictures Television, is already fighting to keep the nightmare alive on a new platform.

The *Goosebumps* Series (2023) — A Brief Biography of Its Run

The 2023 iteration of *Goosebumps* was not a simple rehash of the 90s television show. It was a modern, serialized, and slightly darker take on the source material, developed by Rob Letterman (who directed the 2015 *Goosebumps* film) and Nicholas Stoller. The series was a co-production between Disney Branded Television and Sony Pictures Television, airing concurrently on Disney+ and Hulu in the US.

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• Original Title: *Goosebumps* (Season 1) / *Goosebumps: The Vanishing* (Season 2)
• Based On: The *Goosebumps* book series by R.L. Stine
• Genre: Supernatural Horror-Comedy, Teen Drama
• Developers: Rob Letterman, Nicholas Stoller, W. Scott Forbes
• Executive Producers: Neal H. Moritz, Iole Lucchese, Pavun Shetty, Conor Welch, Nicholas Stoller, Rob Letterman
• Production Companies: Original Film, Stoller Global Solutions, Scholastic Entertainment, Sony Pictures Television
• Original Network/Platform: Disney+ and Hulu
• Season 1 Premiere Date: October 13, 2023
• Season 1 Main Cast (The Port Lawrence Crew): Justin Long (Mr. Bratt), Zack Morris (Isaiah), Isa Briones (Margot), Miles McKenna (James), Ana Yi Puig (Isabella), Will Price (Lucas)
• Season 2 Premiere Date (*The Vanishing*): January 10, 2025
• Season 2 Main Cast (The Vanishing Crew): David Schwimmer (Anthony), Samara Morgan (Devon), Eloise Clark (Jess), Chris Geere (Ben), and new ensemble cast for the anthology format.
• Cancellation Date: Confirmed in mid-2025 after Season 2’s run.

The Three Shocking Reasons Behind the Disney+ Cancellation

The decision to cancel the series after only two seasons, especially when the second season, *Goosebumps: The Vanishing*, adopted a successful anthology format with a completely new cast, is baffling to many fans. However, the cancellation is likely a result of three key factors that plague even popular streaming shows.

1. The External Production Cost and Ownership Battle

The most significant factor in the cancellation is almost certainly the series' production structure. *Goosebumps* is an outside production, meaning the rights are owned by Sony Pictures Television, not Disney. When a streaming service like Disney+ licenses a show from an external studio, the cost of renewal can be significantly higher than producing an in-house series. As major streaming platforms shift focus to prioritizing content they fully own to build their own libraries, expensive licensing deals for third-party shows, even popular ones, are often the first to be cut. Disney+ may have decided the high licensing fee for a third season from Sony was no longer financially justifiable, despite the viewership numbers.

2. The "Too Dark" or "Too Progressive" Fan Backlash

While the first season performed well, it was not without controversy among the dedicated R.L. Stine fanbase. Some critics and fans felt the show strayed too far from the original book’s horror-comedy tone, leaning too heavily into teen melodrama and a darker, more serialized narrative. Furthermore, the series, particularly the first season, was noted for its progressive casting and LGBTQ+ themes. While this was celebrated by many, some sensationalized reports and online chatter suggested this was a factor in the cancellation, though this remains an unconfirmed, speculative rumor. The core issue for some viewers was simply that the new *Goosebumps* felt different from the nostalgia-driven original, leading to a polarized reception that may have impacted long-term subscriber engagement.

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3. The Streaming Trend of High Visibility, Low Longevity

The cancellation of *Goosebumps* reflects a larger, troubling trend in the streaming industry: initial high visibility and strong launch numbers do not guarantee longevity. The first season was a major Halloween event for Disney+ and Hulu, but maintaining that momentum through a second, anthological season is a challenge. Even with 75 million viewing hours, if those viewers don't translate into sustained subscriptions or if the cost per episode is too high, the show becomes a liability. The fact that the second season, *Goosebumps: The Vanishing*, switched to a new cast and storyline may have fragmented the audience, making it a riskier bet for a third season renewal in a period when streaming services are aggressively cutting costs.

The Future of *Goosebumps* Season 3: Sony is Shopping the Series

For fans who were left hanging by the Season 2 cliffhanger, there is a substantial glimmer of hope. The cancellation by Disney+ does not mean the end of the *Goosebumps* series entirely. Because Sony Pictures Television is the production company that owns the rights, they are reportedly "actively exploring new platforms" to keep the spooky series alive. This is a crucial detail that transforms the cancellation news from a definitive end to a potential transfer.

Where Could *Goosebumps* Land Next?

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Sony Pictures Television has a history of successfully moving popular shows to new homes after a cancellation. The most likely candidates for a *Goosebumps* Season 3 are:

• Netflix: As the largest streaming platform, Netflix has a massive global audience and a history of picking up canceled shows. The horror-comedy genre also performs well on their service.
• Amazon Prime Video / MGM+: Amazon is another major player that could be interested in a well-established IP like *Goosebumps* to bolster its young adult offerings.
• Hulu (Exclusively): Since the show already aired on Hulu alongside Disney+, a move to a Hulu-exclusive deal, which falls under Disney's umbrella but operates with a different content strategy, is a possibility, especially if Sony can negotiate a favorable licensing agreement.
• Another Sony-Owned Platform: While less likely, Sony could attempt to license the series to a network or platform where they have a stronger partnership or a strategic interest in building out content.

The fate of a third season now rests on whether Sony can find a new streaming partner willing to take on the production costs and licensing fees. The impressive performance of the first season and the global recognition of the R.L. Stine brand make the *Goosebumps* series a highly attractive property, suggesting that the ultimate cancellation of the series is unlikely—it’s just moving to a different neighborhood. Fans should keep an eye on official announcements from Sony Pictures Television for the next chapter of the terrifying anthology.