Gravity Falls is an animated series and a brainchild of Alex Hirsch. This show, a mix of mystery and humor, was successful in tugging at the audience’s heartstrings. Debuting in 2012, this show is based on twins Dipper and Mabel Pines, who move to spend the summer in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, and experience adventures and strange happenings.
Despite a relatively short run of two seasons, Gravity Falls won critical acclaim and cultivated a dedicated fan base. Packed with dense plot threads, well-realized characters and crisp humor that kids and adults alike could appreciate, this show remains a memorable one. Since the second season concluded in 2016, fans have been clamoring for a third season. They believe the lore is very lush and character arcs too good to let slide. This fact is evident in the popularity of related media, such as graphic novels and merchandise. All of them maintain their popularity among the audience.
Not to mention, with reportedly recent discussions among Disney executives regarding revivals, it is far from a legacy completely dead. While fans reminisce over their favorite moments and theorize about unresolved mysteries, the calls for a new installment only continue to grow louder. This article explores compelling reasons why a third season of Gravity Falls should be greenlit—to show that there are so many more adventures to take on and that this classic series remains relevant to this very day.
5 reasons why Gravity Falls Season 3 needs to happen soon
1) Strong fan demand
Since the end of the show, a great number of fans have supported the idea of its comeback. A simple search on the internet and we can find numerous fan art, theories and threads on open plotlines all over social media, subjects to which the fans have tied their emotions.
There are even separate gatherings, often in multiple different countries, at events such as the annual Gravity Falls fan conventions. Fans not only come together to celebrate the show and share their love, but also to express how much they need a return or continuation of these adventures.
2) Disney's interest in revivals
Disney executives, most recently Meredith Roberts, hinted that there could be a revival for Gravity Falls. This is a sure sign that the network recognizes the lasting impact and popularity of the show. Interest in this is not merely speculatory.
Rather, it's part of a greater trend of reviving adored animated series to cash in on nostalgia and fan engagement. Having opened up avenues for new content—be it shorts, specials, or even a new season—Disney can re-engage the already existing fanbase, while also pulling in new viewers.
3) Rich lore and story potential
From cryptographic journals to mythical creatures, from the mysterious Bill Cipher and a slew of supernatural phenomena inhabiting the town, there are multiple potential elements for new storylines.
For instance, it would be great to have a third season in which Dipper and Mabel transition into young adulthood with a new set of problems. Thisnpremise could be complimented by new adventures and characters that still retain the feel of the original by finding time for several old favorites.
4) Cultural impact and legacy
Gravity Falls has left a very broad influence on animated TV, providing a staple of storytelling that manages both humor and deeper themes within the narrative. Its ingenuity in character development and plot complexity has inspired successors of similar styles like Steven Universe and Amphibia.
Bringing back Gravity Falls will not only do service to its heritage but also further solidify the show's role as a trendsetter in animation, inspiring future artists and animators to experiment more with the medium.
5) The success of related media
The fact that other media, such as Journal 3, graphic novels and merchandise, have proved successful shows that people are still interested in the universe of Gravity Falls. To add to the general acclaim, these projects have received good reviews and sold well.
For example, Journal 3 turned out a bestseller, which was clear proof that fans were seeking more content. Further, this sustained engagement suggests that a new season could succeed as it will play off current excitement and further expand the franchise.
Why has Gravity Falls ended?
Gravity Falls ended its second season in 2016 and was very much in line with the creator's vision. Alex Hirsch had originally planned that the series would consist of only two seasons. The intent was to lay out the story as a whole work with a beginning, middle, and end.
He has since made it clear it was his sole decision to end the series. In an interview with Cartoon Brew in 2015, he said:
“The first thing to know is that the show isn’t being canceled; it’s being finished”.
This was in an attempt to avoid the pitfalls common with any long-running series. They quite often lose their original spark, or sometimes fail to resolve major plotlines. The series finale, Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls, resolved all the major mysteries and character arcs, bringing the series to a satisfactory end.
Hirsch said he wanted the story to end on an incredibly high note, and not just kind of meander along. Although Hirsch is certainly open to some additional work within the Gravity Falls universe—graphic novels, potential spin-offs— according to him, this core story has reached its intended conclusion.
Watch Gravity Falls streaming on Hulu and DisneyNOW.
