As a longtime fan of the classic Goosebumps book series, I was thrilled to get my first glimpse of the upcoming Disney+ series Goosebumps: The Vanishing at this year’s New York Comic Con. The new trailer sets up a tantalizing and eerie mystery that picks up decades after the events of the first season, drawing inspiration from several fan-favorite R.L. Stine stories.
Dark Secrets Unraveled
The trailer introduces us to David Schwimmer as Anthony, a divorced father hosting his twin children Cece and Devin for the summer in Gravesend, Brooklyn. From the start, we can sense an unsettling tension as Anthony lays down a stern rule: “I only have one rule: stay out of the basement.” Of course, this immediately piques the curiosity of his son Devin, who asks, “What have you got in the basement?“
A series of chilling supernatural events unfold, seemingly connected to a local legend about four teenagers who mysteriously vanished back in 1994. As Cece, Devin, and their friends Alex, CJ, and Frankie start digging into this decades-old mystery, they discover that “a threat is stirring” and “dark secrets are among them.”
Creepy occurrences and unsettling revelations.
The trailer does an excellent job of building an atmosphere of dread and suspense. Unsettling occurrences such as worm-like creatures wriggling on Anthony’s arm, a bathroom sink overflowing with a dark, oozing substance, and a car seemingly with a mind of its own are depicted in the trailer. Fans of Goosebumps will undoubtedly experience chills from these supernatural elements.
But the real intrigue comes from the hints we get about Anthony’s own mysterious past. Cece’s speculation that “Dad’s behind all the crazy stuff happening” reveals a deeper side to this father figure. The discovery of a package from the police containing the clothes of Anthony’s missing brother further suggests a dark history that the characters will have to unravel.
Expanding the Goosebumps Universe
Goosebumps: The Vanishing builds upon the solid foundation of the first season, which premiered earlier this year, making it one of the most exciting aspects. That initial outing introduced us to a group of high school students who experienced a Halloween party gone horribly wrong, unleashing all kinds of monstrosities inspired by classic Goosebumps stories.
Now, with this new season, the series is expanding its scope and drawing from an even wider range of Stine’s beloved books. The trailer teases elements from titles like “Stay Out of the Basement,” “The Haunted Car,” “The Girl Who Cried Monster,” and “Welcome to Camp Nightmare.” This anthology-style approach allows the show to keep things fresh and offer something for every Goosebumps fan.
A Talented Cast and Creative Team
Goosebumps: The Vanishing boasts an impressive cast, led by the ever-talented David Schwimmer as the troubled father Anthony. The young ensemble, including Sam McCarthy, Jayden Bartels, Elijah M. Cooper, Francesca Noel, and Galilea La Salvia, look poised to deliver compelling performances as they unravel the series’ supernatural mysteries.
Behind the scenes, the series is in excellent hands, with Nicholas Stoller and Rob Letterman serving as developers. Letterman, who directed the 2015 Goosebumps film, brings his expertise in translating Stine’s horror-tinged stories to the screen.
A Must-Watch for Goosebumps Fans
With its eerie atmosphere, tangled web of secrets, and promise of more Goosebumps-inspired thrills, this new Disney+ series is shaping up to be a must-watch for fans of the beloved book franchise. The Vanishing trailer has certainly piqued my interest, and I can’t wait to see what other chilling surprises are in store when the series premieres on January 10, 2025.