Summary

• Goosebumps season 2 has been renewed at Disney+ but with an anthology format.
• The new season will have a new cast and setting based on R.L. Stine's book series.
• The show has received positive reviews and performed well in of viewership.

Goosebumps season 2 has been renewed at Disney+, but there's a major catch. Developed by Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller, the story centers around a group of teenagers who accidentally release supernatural forces out into the world. They must find a way to recapture those forces, but along the way, they also discover their parents' secrets from the past. The more serialized revival of the popular franchise debuted on October 13, on Hulu and Disney+, to largely positive reviews.

At the Disney+ at the Television Critics Association’s Winter 2024 press tour, Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis confirmed that Goosebumps season 2 has been renewed as an anthology. The installment will consist of eight episodes, instead of ten, and it will feature an entirely new cast and setting based on R.L. Stine’s iconic Scholastic book series despite the unresolved cliffhangers. The synopsis for season 2 is below (via Variety):

Teenage siblings discover a threat within their home, setting off a chain of events that unravel a profound mystery. As they delve into the unknown, the duo find themselves entangled in the story of five teenagers who mysteriously vanished in 1994.

What Does This Mean For Goosebumps Season 1's Ending?

The ending episode of Goosebumps season 1, titled "Welcome to Horrorland", which is written by Stoller and Letterman and directed by David Grossman, focuses on the show's core group working to save the town of Port Lawrence from the evil plans of Kanduu (Chris Geere), an evil magician who has possessed Slappy the Dummy. Kanduu has some twisted ideas about causing immense suffering to alleviate further adversity, which manifests in turning the town's citizens into dummies. Kanduu is eventually defeated, though not without a cost.

Isaiah (Zack Morris) takes the bullet for Margot (Isa Briones), saving her from a rampaging Kanduu. In turn, Margo uses Kanduu's dark magic to resurrect Isaiah who would have likely died otherwise. There's also the other tease of Mr. Bratt (Justin Long) still seeing Kanduu in the mirror, so it's possible the villain isn't completely vanquished.

Looking at past comments from producers, an anthology direction for Goosebumps was always possible. It's also likely that season 2 exists in the same universe as season 1, which allows for guest appearances from former main characters. The adaptation was a fast success, being viewed 594 million minutes across its first six episodes and very nearly rising to the top of Nielsen's charts. It remains to be seen if the new ensemble and the new story connect in the same way.

Goosebumps is available to stream on Disney+.

Source: Disney/TCA, Variety