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Gravity Falls: Where to watch? Episodes, Casts & Reviews

TV Show Expert

29 Jul 2025 — 8 min read

Dive into the mysterious world of Gravity Falls, Disney's acclaimed animated masterpiece that captivated audiences worldwide. From supernatural adventures to cryptic puzzles, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about watching, understanding, and appreciating this beloved series that earned perfect scores from critics.

How many seasons and episodes does Gravity Falls have?

Gravity Falls consists of two complete seasons with a total of 40 episodes1 2. The series aired from June 15, 2012, to February 15, 2016, following a carefully planned narrative arc that creator Alex Hirsch designed from the beginning3 4.

Season 1 premiered on June 15, 2012, and concluded on August 2, 2013, featuring 20 episodes1. Season 2 began on August 1, 2014, and ended with a one-hour finale titled "Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls" on February 15, 20164 2. Additionally, the series includes several shorts and mini-episodes that expand the Gravity Falls universe5 6.

The show's creator Alex Hirsch deliberately chose to end the series after two seasons, stating this was "100% [his] choice" and that "the show isn't being cancelled – it's being finished"3 4. Hirsch designed Gravity Falls as a finite series about "one Epic summer" with a clear beginning, middle, and end7.

What is the plot/storyline of Gravity Falls?

Gravity Falls follows 12-year-old fraternal twins Dipper and Mabel Pines, who are sent from their home in Piedmont, California, to spend their summer vacation with their great-uncle (or "Grunkle") Stan in the mysterious town of Gravity Falls, Oregon4 8. What begins as a typical summer vacation quickly transforms into an extraordinary adventure filled with supernatural mysteries and paranormal encounters.

The twins help their eccentric great-uncle Stan run the Mystery Shack, a tourist trap that he owns and operates, filled with supposedly mysterious artifacts and oddities designed to fleece unsuspecting visitors89. However, Dipper and Mabel soon discover that while the Mystery Shack itself may be a hoax, the town of Gravity Falls harbors genuine supernatural secrets and unexplained phenomena8.

The series' central mystery begins when Dipper discovers a mysterious journal hidden in the woods, marked with the number "3" and a six-fingered hand symbol4. This journal, written by an unknown author, documents the various paranormal creatures, anomalies, and supernatural occurrences throughout Gravity Falls. Armed with this guide, Dipper becomes determined to uncover the town's secrets, often dragging the more carefree Mabel into his investigations8.

Throughout the first season, the twins encounter a wide array of supernatural creatures and bizarre phenomena, from gnomes and lake monsters to time travelers and dream demons. Each episode typically features a standalone adventure while contributing to the overarching mystery of who wrote the journal and what darker secrets Gravity Falls might be hiding4.

The show's mythology deepens significantly in the second season with the introduction of Stanford Pines, Stan's twin brother and the actual author of the journals7. Stanford is a brilliant scientist who had been trapped in an alternate dimension for thirty years after conducting dangerous experiments with otherworldly portals. His research attracted the attention of Bill Cipher, a powerful and malevolent dream demon who serves as the series' primary antagonist7.

Bill Cipher represents pure chaos and destruction, seeking to merge the dream world with reality and plunge both dimensions into eternal pandemonium. The climactic "Weirdmageddon" arc sees Bill successfully breaking into the physical world, transforming Gravity Falls into a nightmarish apocalyptic landscape where reality itself begins to break down7. The final episodes bring together all the series' characters, mysteries, and relationships as they unite to stop Bill and restore normalcy to their world.

Central to the series is the theme of growing up and the bittersweet nature of childhood's end. The show explores how summer vacation represents a liminal space between childhood innocence and adult responsibility, with the twins learning valuable lessons about family, friendship, trust, and sacrifice. The series concludes with the twins returning home, having grown significantly during their extraordinary summer, while the bonds they've formed with the residents of Gravity Falls remain unbreakable.

What are the casts of Gravity Falls?

Gravity Falls features a talented voice cast led by several prominent actors who brought the beloved characters to life8 4:

Main Cast:

Jason Ritter voices Dipper Pines, the curious and adventurous 12-year-old boy who discovers the supernatural mysteries of Gravity Falls8
Kristen Schaal voices Mabel Pines, Dipper's optimistic and energetic twin sister known for her colorful sweaters and bubbly personality8
Alex Hirsch voices multiple characters including Grunkle Stan (Stanley Pines), the twins' great-uncle who runs the Mystery Shack, as well as Bill Cipher, the main antagonist, and Soos Ramirez8 4
Linda Cardellini voices Wendy Corduroy, the laid-back teenage employee at the Mystery Shack8

Supporting Cast:

J.K. Simmons voices Stanford Pines, Stan's twin brother and the author of the mysterious journals
Dee Bradley Baker provides voices for various creatures and monsters throughout the series
John DiMaggio voices the Summerween Trickster and other characters
Kevin Michael Richardson voices Sheriff Blubs and additional characters

Creator Alex Hirsch's involvement as a voice actor was particularly notable, as he performed many of the series' most memorable characters8. His versatility allowed him to voice both the lovable Grunkle Stan and the terrifying Bill Cipher, showcasing his range as a performer. The decision to have Hirsch voice multiple characters also helped maintain consistency in the show's tone and personality across different roles.

The voice acting in Gravity Falls received widespread praise for bringing depth and authenticity to the characters, with particular acclaim for the natural chemistry between Jason Ritter and Kristen Schaal as the twin protagonists10.

What are the reviews of Gravity Falls?

Gravity Falls has received overwhelming critical acclaim and audience praise across multiple review platforms, establishing itself as one of the highest-rated animated series of all time.

Reddit Reviews

Reddit communities, particularly r/gravityfalls, consistently praise the series for its clever writing, character development, and intricate mysteries11 12. Users frequently describe Gravity Falls as having "something for everyone" and praise its ability to appeal to both children and adults12. Many Reddit users highlight the show's exceptional rewatch value, noting that viewers discover new Easter eggs and foreshadowing elements during subsequent viewings12. The community particularly appreciates Alex Hirsch's attention to detail and the show's complex mythology, though some users debate whether certain plot elements could have been handled differently12.

Douban Reviews

On Douban, China's premier film and television rating platform, Gravity Falls has achieved remarkable scores that reflect its international appeal13 14. Season 1 holds an impressive 9.5/10 rating, while Season 2 has earned an even higher 9.7/10 rating14 15. Chinese viewers particularly praise the series' dark atmospheric elements and Egyptian mythology references, calling it a "hidden gem" of Disney's animated catalog15. Douban reviewers frequently mention the show's sophisticated storytelling approach and its ability to handle mature themes while remaining accessible to younger audiences15.

IMDB Reviews

IMDB users have awarded Gravity Falls a stellar 8.9/10 rating based on over 161,000 user votes16. The series ranks as the fourth-highest rated animated television series on the platform17. Individual episodes consistently receive high ratings, with standout episodes like "Dreamscaperers" and "Gideon Rises" earning ratings of 9.2/101. IMDB reviews consistently praise Oscar Isaac's performance and the show's unique blend of comedy, mystery, and supernatural elements16. Users frequently describe the series as "smart," "funny," and "sometimes even scary," emphasizing its broad appeal across age groups10.

Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes has awarded Gravity Falls perfect scores, with 100% from critics and 97% from audiences18 19. Critics describe the series as "a mishmash of The X-Files and Scooby Doo, Where Are You!, with some Twin Peaks vibes and The Simpsons-style humor added for good measure"10. Professional reviewers consistently praise the show's "smart, satirical, and sweet" approach to storytelling10. The critical consensus emphasizes that Gravity Falls "continues to blend old fashioned storytelling with a modern sense of humor to create a uniquely enjoyable viewing experience"20.

Where to watch Gravity Falls online?

Gravity Falls is available for streaming on several major platforms, making it easily accessible for both new viewers and longtime fans21 22.

Primary Streaming Options:

Disney+: The complete series is available with full episodes and bonus content2223
Hulu: Both seasons are currently streaming for subscribers21 24

Digital Purchase Options:

Apple TV: Episodes and seasons available for purchase and download21
Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu): Digital purchase and rental options available21
Google Play: Complete seasons available for purchase25

The series is exclusively available through Disney's official distribution channels, as Disney owns the rights to the show. There are currently no free legal streaming options available, though Disney+ occasionally offers free trial periods for new subscribers21. For viewers seeking the highest quality experience, Disney+ provides 4K resolution episodes along with behind-the-scenes content and creator commentary tracks22.

International availability may vary by region, but Disney+ has made Gravity Falls accessible in most major markets worldwide. The complete series includes all 40 episodes plus additional shorts and specials that expand the Gravity Falls universe22 5.