Disney’s 2-Part Mystery Series Was Named One Of The Best By Guillermo del Toro

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Guillermo del Toro, a celebrated horror director known for films like Pan’s Labyrinth, Blade II, The Devil’s Backbone, The Shape of Water, and his take on Frankenstein, doesn’t often praise TV series. However, one Disney show impressed him enough to earn his recommendation during its two seasons. Del Toro is a highly respected figure in horror, and he frequently uses his influence to champion other artists.

When the Apple TV thriller Servant came out, both Guillermo del Toro and Stephen King praised it, helping many new viewers discover the show. Del Toro is also well-known for sharing his favorite movies on social media – there’s even a dedicated Letterboxd list cataloging all his recommendations, from classics like Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times to beloved animated films like The Iron Giant.

It’s not surprising that a recent Disney+ series caught the eye of a famous horror master. What is remarkable is that this show was originally a DisneyXD cartoon designed for kids! Created by Alex Hirsch, Gravity Falls first aired in 2012 and ran for two seasons, quickly becoming one of Disney’s most highly praised TV shows.

Gravity Falls Is One of the Best Disney Shows Of All Time

The animated series Gravity Falls is set in the quirky town of the same name. It follows twelve-year-old twins, Dipper and Mabel Pines, during a summer spent with their great-uncle, Stan. Stan runs the “Mystery Shack,” a tourist trap filled with supposed oddities, and is a bit of a con artist. Ironically, despite being a clear attempt to make money, the town is actually full of real, strange, and supernatural events.

Before the popular show Stranger Things, there was Gravity Falls, which combined the fun of growing up with a richly imagined world full of secrets. The show mixes science fiction, horror, mystery, and fantasy, featuring everything from gnomes and monsters to time travelers and ghosts. But even with all these strange happenings in the town, the story also focuses on relatable experiences like first crushes and making friends, following a young boy named Dipper and his twin sister Mabel as they navigate summer in a quirky small town.

It’s rare for any Disney show to get a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, but Gravity Falls has done just that – maintaining a 100% rating. While shows on streaming services like Netflix, such as My Name, sometimes achieve this, it’s often because they haven’t received many reviews. What makes Gravity Falls‘ success unique is that it was a popular show on DisneyXD with a large and dedicated fanbase throughout its two seasons, yet it still has a perfect critical score.

Gravity Falls Succeeded By Breaking With Disney Tradition

Guillermo del Toro publicly praised the show on X, calling it “one of the best and most captivating series out there.” He also mentioned it in a 2017 interview, describing it as “superb” and specifically naming Gravity Falls as a show he greatly admires. This is significant coming from such a well-known director, but those familiar with Gravity Falls likely aren’t surprised by his enthusiastic review.

Similar to the popular show Rick and Morty, Gravity Falls quickly gained critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase thanks to its unique storytelling. The show drew inspiration from surprising sources, including Twin Peaks and the works of Stephen King, incorporating elements rarely seen in Disney’s family-focused programming and resulting in a truly original series.

Though Disney had previously included spooky elements in films like The Black Cauldron, Gravity Falls stood out because it felt like a show for everyone, not just kids. Its intricate mysteries, revealed slowly over time, were as captivating as those in shows like Lost or Stranger Things. Ultimately, the series finale was more satisfying and well-planned than the endings of those other popular, more mature shows.

Drawing on the spirit of shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tangled, and Enchanted, Gravity Falls offered a refreshingly unpredictable, funny, and sometimes surprisingly dark experience for younger audiences. Its concise two-season run – each with 20 episodes – meant the show ended before it could lose its spark, leaving fans wanting more of Mabel and Dipper’s stories, but also satisfied with the complete, original narrative.

Will Gravity Falls Season 3 Ever Happen?

Whether a third season of Gravity Falls will ever happen, or even if it would be a good move, remains uncertain. However, since the show ended in 2016, several projects have kept the series alive in fans’ minds. These include the popular animated shorts “Soos’ Stan Fiction,” “Gravity Falls x Line Rider,” “Broken Karaoke,” and “How NOT to Draw,” as well as the 2018 graphic novel Gravity Falls: Lost Legends and the 2024 novel The Book of Bill, both of which have added to the show’s story and world.

Bringing back Gravity Falls for a third season presents some challenges. The show’s story – following Mabel and Dipper over one impactful summer and concluding with their trip home – feels complete. Adding new main characters in a third season could make it feel more like a separate spin-off series rather than a continuation of the original.

However, revisiting the same characters might not be the best idea. Mabel and Dipper have grown up since we last saw them, and making them typical teenagers could ruin the show’s charming mix of innocence and wonder. For these reasons, Gravity Falls might be best remembered as the complete, two-season story it is.

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2026-05-30 21:29