Looking for more Mystery and Adventure cartoons to binge?

Who doesn’t miss the Mystery twins Dipper and Mable? I definitely do! It’s sad that such a great cartoon that both kids and adults can enjoy only ran for about 2 seasons. But for some reason those 40 episodes told a great coming-of-age story that involves adventure, mystery and family. The show ended because it was meant to, not because it got low ratings or needed to be cancelled. 

Still, that doesn’t stop fans from wanting more. We probably won’t be getting a season 3 of Gravity Falls, but here are some great cartoons you can binge that are similar to the cartoon.

10. Martin Mystery

Martin Mystery Trailer

Is a French Italian Canadian Animated Series based off a comic of the same name. The comic follows 4 agents of “The Center”: Martin Mystery, Diana Lombard, Billy and Java. This 4-man team investigates and solves paranormal activity that could possibly endanger the earth. While Martin may be smart when it comes to the supernatural, his ego and clumsiness would occasionally sabotage the smoothness of a mission.

This show is a little bit older than Gravity Falls, but nonetheless entertaining. Just based on its name we can already tell there’s going to be a bunch of paranormal activity involved. While not “exactly” like Gravity Falls it does have similar themes of mystery and family, just told in a different way. The show only lasted 3 seasons and was presumably cancelled due to low ratings—but don’t let those ratings discourage you from giving it out a try. It’s still a pretty solid show overall.

9. Amphibia 

Amphibia Trailer

Anne Boonchuy, a 13-year-old Thai-American Girl stole the Calamity Box for her friends Sasha Waybright and Macy Wu on her birthday. The box teleported her along with her friends to the strange world of Amphibia. Anne gets separated from her friends and meets Sprig Plantar. The two of them form a team seeking adventure and exploring more of Amphibia. Together with Sprig and the rest of the Plantar Family, Anne tries to learn more about this new world, find her missing friends, and find a way home.

While Dipper and Mable have the mysteries of the journal to worry about, Anne has the Calamity Box as her top 1 thing to solve in the strange world she somehow got teleported in. In terms of storytelling, you’ll see similarities with Gravity Falls, especially when it comes to the humor and adventure aspect of the series. In fact, there is even one episode that plays homage to Gravity Falls. An episode called the “Wax Museum” shows the Planter family travel to a museum that resembles the Mystery Shack. The Curator of the museum is also voiced by Alex Hirsch who—you guessed it! Is not only the creator of Gravity Falls, but also the voice actor of our beloved Grunkle Stan.

8. Phineas and Ferb

Phineas and Ferb Trailer

The series follows two step brothers: Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher, who live in the city of Danville. During their summer break they are bored and constantly looking for ways to occupy their time. Their summer activities include turning their backyard into a theme park or building something highly complex and dangerous. This causes their older sister Candice to constantly try to bust her brothers—however, her brothers’ inventions miraculously manage to disappear everytime she tries to do so.

Strange things happening and kids having a blast during the summer? That’s Gravity Falls and Phineas and Ferb. While not exactly similar, they do happen when the kids are most free: during  summer and without the supervision of their parents. Let’s not forget their respective mascots, Waddles the pig and Perry the platypus. However, Perry seems to have his own big adventures as Agent P behind the scenes.

7. Star Vs. The Forces of Evil

Star Vs. The Forces of Evil Trailer

This cartoon is an American animated Magical Girl series featuring Star Butterfly, a princess from the Mewni dimension. On her 14th birthday she is given her family’s wand but accidentally sets the castle on fire. Her parents then decide to send her to Earth and continue her magical training there as a foreign exchange student. She befriends Marco Diaz and lives with him and his family in Los Angeles and now attends Echo Creek Academy. Star and Marco now deal with everyday school life while making sure Star’s wand will not fall into the wrong hands.

Star is basically Mabel as a Magical Girl. So, if you’re hoping to fill the void Gravity Falls’ Mabel has left behind, then Star Butterfly might be the next best girl you can find. Star Vs. The Forces of Evil is a lot less serious than Gravity Falls (especially season 1) but it does get better and the plot does thicken as we enter season 2. There are also a bunch of Gravity Falls easter eggs thrown here and there as you go along the series. See if you can spot them all!

6. Adventure Time

Adventure Time Trailer

Adventure Time is an American Animated TV series about a human boy named Finn and his magical shape-shifting dog named Jake. They live and have several adventures in the Land of Ooo. While the land is on earth, earth itself was destroyed 1000 years prior to the beginning of the series due to the events of the Great Mushroom War, leaving civilization wiped out and other objects and beings were mutated. Finn is the only known human being in the beginning of the series.

Most of the time you’d see Gravity Falls and Adventure Time neck and neck when it comes to ratings. These two are basically the most influential cartoons of its time. While the plot of Adventure Time takes time to flesh out as compared to Gravity Falls, the former still has a pretty good story to tell and all the supporting characters make the show worthwhile. If you’ve been a die-hard Gravity Falls fan for a while, it might be time to let go of old rivalry and give Adventure Time a shot.

5. Steven Universe

Steven Universe Trailer

In an ancient beachside temple in Beach City, Delmarva, the Crystal Gems live there and protect humanity from different monsters and other threats. The Gems are ageless alien warriors who project humanoid forms from their gemstones. These are the Crystal Gems: Garnet, Amethyst and Pearl—included in this pack is an odd ball by the name of Steven, who is half-human and half gem-boy. Steven Inherited his powers and stone from his mother, Rose Quartz who was the former leader of the Crystal Gems. Steven’s days are spent exploring his abilities with the other gems and other human companions. While not as powerful or as smart as the other Crystal Gems, Steven still manages to save the world…somehow.

While lacking in the mystery aspect that Gravity Falls has, Steven Universe is still similar to the show when it comes to exploring the relationships of each of the  characters. How they highlight the importance of friendship and family is shown as each of the characters grow in the series. In a way, it’s a coming-of-age story. If you’re also looking for modern cartoons with good music—Steven Universe has some pretty catchy in-show music to get into.

4. Spirited Away

Spirited Away Trailer

Chihiro along with her folks are travelling to their new home, while her parents are ecstatic with the new life ahead, Chihiro does not share the same sentiments. Along the way they stumble upon an “abandoned’ amusement park, and the family decide to do some exploring. When night comes upon them, Chihiro’s parents turn into pigs. Chihiro managed to get saved by a boy named Haku. Haku tells Chihiro to go to the bathhouse and ask for a job so she can stay in this world and find a way to break her parents’ curse.

While most people are probably expecting more western style cartoons in this list, I thought of adding a Japanese one. Gravity Falls and Spirited Away are both shows that talk about growing up, accepting changes, and the importance of friends. Chihiro is shown to hold a special love for her parents as well as all the friends she has made in her journey. She learns to be brave and appreciates her parents more by the end of the movie. The same can be said for Dipper and Mabel. It took an adventure on a fateful summer for them to grow their bonds as siblings as well as learn more about their Grunkle Stan. Through the mysteries of Gravity Falls they learn to understand the other supporting characters.

Also, as an added bonus a creature in Gravity Falls, The Summerween Trickster is the show’s way to pay homage to No Face from Spirited Away.

3. The Owl’s House

The Owl's House Trailer

A teenage human girl named Luz Noceda while on her way to a juvenile summer detention camp, accidentally stumbles upon a portal that leads her to another world. She arrives in a strange land called the Boiling Isles and meets the Owl Lady, Eda Clawthorne and her demon companion King. Luz, having no magical ability, decides her new goal in life is to become a witch by becoming Eda’s apprentice.

Introducing Gravity Falls' younger cousin—The Owl's House! Aside from it belonging to the same network, the show is also produced by Dana Terrace who was a storyboard artist for Gravity Falls. While they share the same animation style the series also tackles important family matters and themes of growing-up and finding yourself. Of course, in Luz’s case her Owl House family are not really blood relatives—that just goes to show that we can share familial bonds literally anywhere, even in an alternate dimension.

2. Over the Garden Wall

Over The Garden Wall Trailer

In a strange forest called the Unknown, two half-brothers ended up lost and are now attempting to make their way home. Occasionally they will receive help from an elderly Woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice. The bird tells the boys that she is also searching for someone who can supposedly help the boys find their way home. While they try to navigate through the forest there is a beast constantly on their tails that is rumored to lead lost souls astray till they eventually lose hope and turn into Edelwood trees.

Another great show that ended in its own terms and not because it was cancelled. The two-share similar main cast characters. Dipper and Writ are both awkward and a little too careful and more concerned about solving the mystery of their own respective area. Meanwhile, we have Mabel and Greg being excitable, positive and carefree siblings with their strange choice of animal companions. Maybe it’s because the shows’ respective creators were part of the same class in California Institute of the Arts?

1.Duck Tales (2017)

Duck Tales (2017) Trailer

Scrooge McDuck is reunited with Donald Duck after not speaking to the latter for over 10 years. Donald, along with his three nephews Heuy, Dewey and Louie move-in to the McDuck Manor. This new change reignited Scrooge’s thirst for adventure. Now Scrooge leads the pack for several treasure hunting expeditions along with the nephew’s new friend Webby.

In my opinion, the Duck Tales reboot is Disney’s attempt to extend Gravity Falls without it being Gravity Falls. I could be wrong and the similarity might just be due the fact several of the staff of Gravity Falls have also worked with Duck Tales or it could even be the other way around. Duck Tales is an older show that started in 1987 and could just be picking up from the old series. So, it could be that Gravity Falls is the one that drew inspiration from the original show. Either way, I feel both shows are worth the watch if you love mystery and adventure. Watching Webby who is a weird combo of the twins has been a great treat during my initial run of the show.

You may also be interested in:

• [Top 25] Best Cartoon Movies of All Time 
• Top 15 Best Detective Anime for Adventure and Mystery 
• Top 10 Best TV Shows We Love