Disney+’s New ‘The Doomies’ Premieres Soon as Creators Discuss Horror Influences

Disney+ enthusiasts on the lookout for their next animated favorite have been eagerly anticipating ‘The Doomies’ since its chilling trailer debuted online, drawing immediate parallels to the cherished ‘Gravity Falls.’ Set in the quaint coastal town of Ouimper, this series follows two best friends as they delve into a conspiracy filled with monsters that has overtaken their once-peaceful community. The excitement leading up to its premiere has been steadily growing, amplifying the buzz surrounding the show.

Created by the renowned French studio Xilam Animation, known for the Oscar-nominated film ‘I Lost My Body,’ in collaboration with Disney Television Animation, ‘The Doomies’ is co-created and directed by Andrès Fernandez alongside artist Rémi Zaarour, professionally known as Pozla. His unique visual style immerses viewers in a world reminiscent of a contemporary graphic novel.

An episode titled “Night of the Fishing Dead” was selected from over 2,400 global entries to compete in the TV Films category at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, marking a significant early endorsement for the show.

With the premiere just days away, the creative team has shared insights into the horror influences that shaped the series from the beginning, revealing some surprising inspirations. Producer Marc du Pontavice traced the concept back about eight years, noting a lack of comedy-horror content in animation at that time. He cited the live-action ‘Goosebumps’ series, which adapted R.L. Stine’s novels in the 1990s, as the kind of spooky animated experience he had always envisioned.

Co-creator and director Andrès Fernandez mentioned even edgier influences for his creative direction. In an interview with Animation Magazine, Fernandez highlighted ‘The Evil Dead 2’ as a significant source of inspiration, expressing his desire to create a kid-friendly version of ‘The Evil Dead.’ He also referenced ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ for its serialized storytelling format.

This serialization is a key element that distinguishes ‘The Doomies’ from much of Disney’s recent animated offerings. All 22 half-hour episodes will be released simultaneously, marking Xilam’s first fully serialized production, with writer Henry Gifford collaborating closely with Fernandez and the team to achieve this. Du Pontavice has confirmed that pre-production for a potential second season has already commenced at the studio, despite Disney not yet making any official announcements regarding the show’s future.

For fans of ‘Gravity Falls’ still hoping for a return to the Mystery Shack, the situation remains unchanged. Disney executives have previously mentioned discussions with creator Alex Hirsch about a revival, but nothing concrete has been confirmed. Meanwhile, ‘The Doomies’ is set to premiere with a TV-PG rating, indicating a step up from ‘Gravity Falls’ and its TV-Y7 designation, suggesting a series that is willing to explore slightly darker comedic themes.

Initial reactions from those who have previewed episodes have been overwhelmingly positive, praising the show for its impressive animation, memorable monster designs, and a central mystery that keeps viewers engaged. Rather than relying on cheap jump scares, the series balances its creature horrors with the genuine anxieties of adolescence, aligning with its influences from ‘Buffy’ and ‘Evil Dead.’ For those who have long awaited a supernatural animated series with true comedic horror ambition, does ‘The Doomies’ seem like the one that finally fulfills that promise, or are you still on the fence?