The Hitchhiking Ghosts series is headed to Netflix, not Disney+?

Happy almost Halfway-to-Halloween, fellow Foolish Mortals! Looks like we have a treat coming our way this month with the release of The Hitchhiking Ghosts series. But in a crazy twist, it will be on Netflix instead of Disney+.

What? Why? How?

Let’s first take a peek at what the 13-episode live-action series will be about. Then we’ll unpack what led to the Haunted Mansion’s itchy feet ghosts getting a series on an unlikely streamer.

The Hitchhiking Ghosts Series Storyline

Who are Ezra Beane, Professor Phineas Plump, and Gus? How did this trio find themselves in Gracey Manor? Did they die there…or did they die elsewhere and hitch a ride there? Were they always hitchhikers, or are they so desperate to escape Gastley Manor (what some of the other ghosts call Gracey Manor) that they only learned to stick out their thumbs in the afterlife? And were they friends before, or did that happen once they passed?

The Hitchhiking Ghosts delves into the origin story —and forever phantom friendship— of three of the Haunted Mansion’s happiest haunts to answer questions about the ghouls that fans have long been dying to know.

About the Hitchhiking Ghosts

Since there’s not much to go on from the series’ storyline, I wanted to see what I could find out about the ghosts themselves. Would that give us a glimpse into a possible plot? I don’t know, but I learned more about their backgrounds on the Disney Parks Blog, which posted about the 13 ghosts in the Haunted Mansion.

Ezra Beane is the tallest of the three Hitchhiking Ghosts. Apparently, he lived his life as a vagabond, which helps explains his hitchhiking ways. The Disney Parks Blog also included something else I found interesting:

Some would consider him the leader of the three.

Huh. I never thought about which one might be the ringleader among them, did you?

Phineas Plump also spent his life on the road, “hocking snake oil at train depots.” His is the only death that was mentioned:

He crossed over to the spirit realm while experimenting with a new miracle concoction and still keeps his trusty carpet bag by his side, eager to make another sale.

So if Phineas follows you home, don’t accept any concoctions he pulls from his bag to try and peddle to you! Also, since he carries a carpet bag, does that mean he hails from the north? And will it play into his storyline at all?

Gus is the ghost with the least backstory, but what little there is also leads to the most questions. Here’s what Disney Parks Blog wrote:

Poor Gus served most of his time for a crime he did not commit. Upon encountering this pint-sized phantom, it is easy to tell he is no criminal mastermind. His playful innocence is apparent as he always looks at the bright side of the afterlife.

Well, that explains the ball and chain that he carries. But what crime did he serve time for? And if he didn’t do it, who did? Was he framed? And if so, by who? Will the person, or people, who let the innocent Gus go to prison be made to pay for it in The Hitchhiking Ghosts series?

How Netflix Landed The Hitchhiking Ghosts Series

If you made it all the way to this section without doubting the veracity of this story, please accept my sincerest apologies. It’s all been a big ol’ April Fool’s Day joke!

Check-In

Did I getcha? Whether you got got or not, I have one more question: Which Hitchhiking Ghost would you want to follow you home? Ezra, Phineas, or Gus?