Gravity Falls
An animated series about twins investigating paranormal mysteries in a strange town.
Gravity Falls is an American animated mystery comedy television series created by Alex Hirsch for Disney Channel and Disney XD. The series follows the adventures of Dipper Pines (Jason Ritter) and his twin sister Mabel (Kristen Schaal), who are sent to spend the summer with their great-uncle (or "Grunkle") Stan (Hirsch) in Gravity Falls, Oregon, a mysterious town rife with paranormal incidents and supernatural creatures. The kids help Stan run the "Mystery Shack", the tourist trap that he owns, while also investigating the local mysteries. The series premiered on June 15, 2012, and ran for two seasons until February 15, 2016.
- creator
- Alex Hirsch
- network
- Disney Channel / Disney XD
- premiere_date
- June 15, 2012
- finale_date
- February 15, 2016
- seasons
- 2
- genre
- Animated mystery comedy
- main_voice_cast
- Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch, Linda Cardellini, J. K. Simmons
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The series was inspired by Hirsch's own childhood experiences and his relationship with his twin sister growing up during their summer vacations, such as roadside attractions including the Mystery Spot and Oregon Vortex, and a road sign for a town named Boring. He inserted many of his real-life experiences into the show, such as living in Piedmont, California, and trick-or-treating with his sister as kids. Dipper is based on Hirsch's memory of how it felt to be a kid—he "would record [him]self and play it backwards and try to learn to speak backwards" and described himself as "that neurotic kid who would carry 16 disposable cameras everywhere I went." Mabel Pines was inspired by his twin sister, Ariel Hirsch, who "really did wear wacky sweaters and have a different ridiculous crush, every week." In the series, Mabel gets a pet pig, just like his sister had always wanted when she was a kid. Grunkle Stan was inspired by Hirsch's grandfather Stan, who "was a guy that told tall tales and would frequently mess with us to get a rise out of us." Hirsch first developed the concept for the show in an 11-minute low-budget student film that he made at the California Institute of the Arts. He was called in to do a pitch for Disney Channel for a show based on the short pilot; Disney Channel bought the idea and the series premiered on June 15, 2012. On November 20, 2015, Hirsch announced that the series would conclude with its second season, stating that this was "100% [his] choice" and that "the show isn't being cancelled – it's being finished" and was reaching its intended conclusion. He later stated that he remains open to producing additional episodes or specials.
Reader's Guide
Gravity Falls has received critical acclaim for its writing, characters, voice acting, animation, and humor. Additionally, the series won two Emmy Awards, three Annie Awards, and a BAFTA Children's Award, among various other wins and nominations. Gravity Falls garnered high viewership amongst children, teenagers, and young adults during its run and was Disney XD's highest-rated show in 2015 and early 2016, while also setting several ratings records for the network. The series has attracted a broad and passionate fandom, is considered to be an influence for many animated shows that followed it, and spawned a variety of official merchandise. Various literary works partially set after the events of the series have since been released, including the 2016 replica of Journal 3, the 2018 graphic novel Gravity Falls: Lost Legends, and the 2024 teen-oriented novel The Book of Bill.
Did You Know?
- The series was inspired by Hirsch's own childhood experiences and his relationship with his twin sister growing up during their summer vacations.
- Hirsch first developed the concept for the show in an 11-minute low-budget student film that he made at the California Institute of the Arts.
- Grunkle Stan was inspired by Hirsch's grandfather Stan, who 'was a guy that told tall tales and would frequently mess with us to get a rise out of us.'
- On November 20, 2015, Hirsch announced that the series would conclude with its second season, stating that this was '100% [his] choice' and that 'the show isn't being cancelled – it's being finished.'
- Gravity Falls was Disney XD's highest-rated show in 2015 and early 2016, while also setting several ratings records for the network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Gravity Falls?
Alex Hirsch developed the series for Disney Channel and Disney XD, and he also handled much of the writing, direction, and voice work himself.
How many seasons of Gravity Falls are there?
The show ran for two seasons, debuting in June 2012 and wrapping up with its two-part finale in February 2016.
What happens in the Gravity Falls ending?
In the finale, Dipper and Mabel finally confront Bill Cipher and uncover the truth behind their great-uncle Stan's real identity. The twins defeat Bill, and the series closes with the Pines family back together running the Mystery Shack.
Who are the main characters in Gravity Falls?
The story follows twin siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines, who spend their summer helping their great-uncle Stan run the Mystery Shack tourist trap. Together they dig into the town's supernatural mysteries.
What is Gravity Falls, Oregon in the show?
In the series, Gravity Falls is a fictional Oregon town that acts as a hub for paranormal creatures and hidden supernatural events. It's the setting where the Pines family lives and where nearly every mystery unfolds.
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