Connection Between Goosebumps: The Vanishing and Season 1’s Story Explained

While Goosebumps: The Vanishing does not directly continue the narrative established in Season 1, it still harbors possible connections worth exploring. The 2023 iteration of the Goosebumps series takes a different creative direction compared to the original ’90s show, which itself adapted RL Stine’s popular children’s horror books. Targeted towards an older demographic, the new adaptation intertwines various storylines across multiple Stine novels into a comprehensive season-long narrative rather than presenting a single book per episode, leading to a thrilling cliffhanger by the season’s end.

Fans anticipating a resolution to that cliffhanger in Goosebumps Season 2 may find themselves disappointed. The storyline of Goosebumps: The Vanishing centers on an entirely new cast. David Schwimmer portrays Anthony Brewer, a botanist, alongside Sam McCarthy and Jayden Bartels as his teenage twins, Devin and Cece. Their summer adventure in Gravesend leads them to bond with local teenagers—Alex, CJ, Frankie, and Trey—unearthing a conspiracy tied to the decades-old disappearance of Anthony’s elder brother.

Goosebumps: The Vanishing Is Not A Sequel To Season 1’s Harold Biddle Story

Goosebumps: The Vanishing Has No Canon Connection To Season 1

Mysterious alive plant in Goosebumps: The Vanishing

Cece, Devin and Frankie looking out the window

Despite sharing a similar tone, it is essential to note that Goosebumps: The Vanishing is not canonically connected to its predecessor. Unlike the cliffhanger of Season 1, this latest entry concludes its storyline without leaving lingering questions about the future. The finale provides a satisfying wrap-up, although there are hints at potential future scenarios. Both adaptations are characterized by their blend of horror and teen drama, with a gradual revelation of characters’ backstories.

Notably, Goosebumps: The Vanishing features an episode that draws from the story of The Haunted Car, presenting a subplot for the character Alex, who grapples with his status as a troubled youth. Similarly, the episode titled “Monster Blood” takes inspiration from both Monster Blood and The Blob That Ate Everyone, shedding light on Cece’s character development.

Disney+ & Hulu’s Goosebumps Show Is An Anthology

Goosebumps Functions Like American Horror Story or Slasher

Ana Yi Puig in Goosebumps: The Vanishing

Miles McKenna's character looking terrified

Isa Briones as Margot in Goosebumps 2023

In terms of style and atmosphere, Goosebumps season 1 and Goosebumps: The Vanishing share notable similarities. Viewers, however, might be surprised to learn that the characters do not overlap. The creators of Goosebumps Season 2 have opted for an anthology format, allowing each new season to introduce a self-contained premise with an entirely new cast of characters. This approach is reminiscent of earlier anthology series like The Twilight Zone, which delivered fresh stories with every episode, contrasting with more contemporary formats like American Horror Story and Slasher, which adapt their narratives per season. Given the extensive catalog of RL Stine’s Goosebumps books, the franchise has ample inspiration for its future adaptations.

Could There Be Crossovers In Goosebumps’ Future?

Goosebumps: The Vanishing’s Sequel Could Cross Over With Season 1’s Story

Harold and Slappy on stage in Goosebumps 2023

Though no direct character crossover exists between season 1 and Goosebumps: The Vanishing, the prospect of future seasons opening up this possibility remains. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producers Rob Letterman and Hilary Winston hinted at discussing the potential for a singular character to bridge both narratives, suggesting that crossovers could be within reach. Such an opportunity resonates well, considering the interchangeable tones of both shows, making a crossover potentially feasible.

Furthermore, with the inclusion of Slappy, the notorious antagonist from the Goosebumps films—functioning as a meta character positioned within both the story universe and “reality”—the notion of future character interactions seems plausible. Ultimately, even with the distinct separation between Goosebumps: The Vanishing and its predecessor, there remains a chance for integration as the series progresses.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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