What is Gravity Falls's IQ Score?

Gravity Falls has an IQ Score of 158/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient framework, placing it in the Stimulating tier. The score breaks down to 44/50 Cognitive Stimulation, 30/50 Educational Value, and 46/50 Craft & Quality.

Is Gravity Falls educational?

Gravity Falls is moderate on educational value, 30/50 on TVI's rubric. Some learning happens, but it isn't the show's primary work.

How does TV Intelligentsia calculate IQ Score?

TV Intelligentsia's current published formula is round((Cognitive Stimulation × 0.4 + Educational Value × 0.35 + Craft & Quality × 0.25) × 4), scoring titles from 0 to 200 across five tiers. TVI publishes a three-dimension breakdown only when those values reproduce the displayed composite. The framework is published at tvintelligentsia.com/methodology/.

Gravity Falls IQ Score 158/200

Gravity Falls has an IQ Score of 158/200 on TV Intelligentsia's Intelligence Quotient rubric, placing it in the Stimulating tier.

By Jordan Robinson, MD, MPH·Updated 2026-10-05·Methodology

animationmysterycomedychildren

158/ 200

Stimulating

Consistently challenges the viewer and rewards attention

Ages 8-12SEL 30/50

Gravity Falls poster, IQ Score 158/200, Stimulating tier on TV Intelligentsia

Score Breakdown

Legacy score. Published under our earlier workflow, before the current standard took effect in August 2026. A founder reviewed and approved it against our methodology, under a process that does not meet the standard we hold now. What this means →

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Cognitive Stimulation/50

Educational Value/50

Craft & Quality/50

SEL Score/50

The SEL value shown is a legacy value, reviewed at the total level only. Competency-level SEL review is part of re-verification.

IQ = round((Cognitive × 0.4 + Educational × 0.35 + Craft × 0.25) × 4) · How we score →

What these dimensions mean

Cognitive Stimulation: observable narrative complexity, conceptual density, ambiguity, inference, and sustained intellectual demands in the work.
Educational Value: the density and integration of substantive academic, historical, scientific, cultural, ethical, or practical information in the work.
Craft & Quality: production excellence in service of the work, its direction, writing, performance, and aesthetic intent.
SEL: social-emotional learning on the CASEL framework, self-awareness, regulation, social awareness, relationships, and decision-making. Does not affect the IQ Score.

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The Verdict

Best forKids 8 to 12 who love cracking ciphers and tracking a serialized summer mystery

Skip ifMonster imagery and dread are outside the household comfort range; the intensity can be a lot before age 8

Use it asCo-viewing fuel, pause the credits and decode the hidden cryptograms together

Why you should trust this score

TVI Kids methodology reviewed by Cordelia Witty, EdS., NCSP

Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Shapes and reviews the kids methodology and personally reviews every TVI Kids Essential designation.

Methodology

Published rubric, v1.3.1

Formula

round((C × 0.40 + E × 0.35 + Q × 0.25) × 4)

Database scale

2,608 titles, version-controlled

How we stay independent. Editorial scores are not for sale. TVI may take on paid advisory or research work, but no commercial relationship buys coverage, advance access to scores, favorable treatment, or a change to a published finding. We pay for our own streaming subscriptions, and no reviewer sees sponsor data or affiliate revenue tied to a score. More about how we work →

The TVI Take

Dense mystery-adventure with cryptographic puzzles, serialized mythology, and genuine narrative complexity rare in children' animation.

People & Production Alex Hirsch · Aaron Springer · Disney Television Animation 22 connections

Direction & creation

Director

Aaron Springer Rob Renzetti Stephen Sandoval Matt Braly

Creator

Alex Hirsch

Writer

Alex Hirsch

On screen & sound

Selected voice cast

Jason Ritter Kristen Schaal Alex Hirsch Linda Cardellini T. J. Miller John DiMaggioSelected in source order; not represented as billing order.

Composer

Brad Joseph Breeck

Production & release

Production company

Disney Television Animation

Original broadcaster

Disney Channel Disney XD

Country of origin

United States

Original language

English

Credits and relationships: Wikidata, CC0. TVI preserves production, broadcasting, and distribution as separate roles.

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145

Also produced by Disney Television AnimationPhineas and FerbStimulating

143

Also originally on Disney ChannelLittle EinsteinsStimulating

181

Also features Grey DeLisleAvatar: The Last AirbenderMasterclass

122

Also features Dee Bradley BakerSpongeBob SquarePantsCompetent

The Trailer

Official trailer, embedded from YouTube.

Characters Scored Here

People search for these characters by name. TVI doesn't invent fictional-character IQ numbers, but Gravity Falls's score is the honest answer to how seriously the work treats each mind.

Ford PinesIQ → Bill CipherIQ → Dipper PinesIQ → Grunkle StanIQ →

Where to Watch

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Streaming availability data via JustWatch + TMDB. Updated weekly; check the provider for current pricing.

Featured in a TVI Kids guide

This show is in the TVI Kids Swap Guide, better picks for the kid who already loves what they love.

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Parent Decision Guide

The honest answer for families, scored on a public methodology shaped and reviewed by a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

Is Gravity Falls Too Scary for Kids? →

Where to go next

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