|
The [[pilot episode]] aired April{{nbsp}}1, 2020, unannounced as part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' Day event alongside the premiere of Cusack's other series, ''[[YOLO (2020 TV series)|YOLO]]''. On May{{nbsp}}19, 2021, Adult Swim ordered a full season that was initially set to premiere in late 2021.[{{Cite news |last1=Tapp |first1=Tom |title=Adult Swim Orders Series Pick Ups For 'Royal Crackers' And 'Smiling Friends' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/adult-swim-series-royal-crackers-smiling-friends-1234759884/ |access-date=May 19, 2021 |publisher=Deadline |date=May 19, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519140129/https://deadline.com/2021/05/adult-swim-series-royal-crackers-smiling-friends-1234759884/ |url-status=live }}] A panel dedicated to the series was held during the Adult Swim Festival on November 12, 2021, where co-creator Zach Hadel mentioned the show would premiere "within a few months", pushing the release schedule ahead to 2022.[{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2021 |title=2021 Adult Swim Festival Coming to Screens Everywhere |url=https://www.awn.com/news/2021-adult-swim-festival-coming-screens-everywhere |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012202737/https://www.awn.com/news/2021-adult-swim-festival-coming-screens-everywhere |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 15, 2021 |work=Animation World Network}}] The first season contains nine episodes, including the pilot and an 11-minute special.[{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SPnm43q3E |title=PsychicPebbles on Making Smiling Friends |date=July 22, 2021 |publisher=The Create Unknown |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SPnm43q3E |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}][{{Cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/smiling_friends/s01 | title=Smiling Friends | website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=July 26, 2022 | archive-date=July 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726024807/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/smiling_friends/s01 | url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=2022-05-18 |title=Smiling Friends to Release New Special Episode |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-season-2-special-episode-adult-swim/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726025301/https://comicbook.com/anime/amp/news/smiling-friends-season-2-special-episode-adult-swim/ |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}] The first season eventually premiered on January{{nbsp}}10, 2022, with Adult Swim airing all episodes of the season, except for the special, in one night despite initial plans for a weekly release.[{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=2022-01-10 |title=Adult Swim Shocks Fans With Secret Smiling Friends Premiere Marathon |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-premiere-marathon-adult-swim-surprise-fan-reactions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111202611/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-premiere-marathon-adult-swim-surprise-fan-reactions/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |access-date=January 25, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}] |
|
The [[pilot episode]] aired April{{nbsp}}1, 2020, unannounced as part of Adult Swim's annual April Fools' Day event alongside the premiere of Cusack's other series, ''[[YOLO (2020 TV series)|YOLO]]''. On May{{nbsp}}19, 2021, Adult Swim ordered a full season that was initially set to premiere in late 2021.[{{Cite news |last1=Tapp |first1=Tom |title=Adult Swim Orders Series Pick Ups For 'Royal Crackers' And 'Smiling Friends' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/adult-swim-series-royal-crackers-smiling-friends-1234759884/ |access-date=May 19, 2021 |publisher=Deadline |date=May 19, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519140129/https://deadline.com/2021/05/adult-swim-series-royal-crackers-smiling-friends-1234759884/ |url-status=live }}] A panel dedicated to the series was held during the Adult Swim Festival on November 12, 2021, where co-creator Zach Hadel mentioned the show would premiere "within a few months", pushing the release schedule ahead to 2022.[{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2021 |title=2021 Adult Swim Festival Coming to Screens Everywhere |url=https://www.awn.com/news/2021-adult-swim-festival-coming-screens-everywhere |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211012202737/https://www.awn.com/news/2021-adult-swim-festival-coming-screens-everywhere |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 15, 2021 |work=Animation World Network}}] The first season contains nine episodes, including the pilot and an 11-minute special.[{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SPnm43q3E |title=PsychicPebbles on Making Smiling Friends |date=July 22, 2021 |publisher=The Create Unknown |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722195920/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3SPnm43q3E |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}][{{Cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/smiling_friends/s01 | title=Smiling Friends | website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=July 26, 2022 | archive-date=July 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726024807/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/smiling_friends/s01 | url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=2022-05-18 |title=Smiling Friends to Release New Special Episode |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-season-2-special-episode-adult-swim/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726025301/https://comicbook.com/anime/amp/news/smiling-friends-season-2-special-episode-adult-swim/ |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |access-date=July 26, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}] The first season eventually premiered on January{{nbsp}}10, 2022, with Adult Swim airing all episodes of the season, except for the special, in one night despite initial plans for a weekly release.[{{Cite web |last=Valdez |first=Nick |date=2022-01-10 |title=Adult Swim Shocks Fans With Secret Smiling Friends Premiere Marathon |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-premiere-marathon-adult-swim-surprise-fan-reactions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111202611/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-premiere-marathon-adult-swim-surprise-fan-reactions/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |access-date=January 25, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}] |
|
''Smiling Friends'' received widespread critical acclaim for its animation, writing, humor, characters and voice acting. It was renewed for a second season on February{{nbsp}}9, 2022.[{{Cite web|last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra|title='Birdgirl' & 'Smiling Friends' Renewed For Season 2 By Adult Swim|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/birdgirl-smiling-friends-renewed-season-2-adult-swim-1234929116/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809193335/https://deadline.com/2022/02/birdgirl-smiling-friends-renewed-season-2-adult-swim-1234929116/|url-status=live}}] The season premiere aired on April 1, 2024,[{{Cite web |last1=Valdez |first1=Nick |title=Smiling Friends Season 2 Shares First Look at Premiere: Watch |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-season-2-episode-1-watch-adult-swim/ |website=Comicbook.com |date=April 2, 2024 |access-date=2 April 2024 |language=en |quote="after the special puppet episodes, Adult Swim sneakily premiered the first episode of the new season" |archive-date=2 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402202332/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-season-2-episode-1-watch-adult-swim/ |url-status=live }}] with the rest of the season beginning to air on May 13.[{{Cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=2024-03-24 |title=Smiling Friends Returns Next Sunday; Season 2 Mini-Teaser Released |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/smiling-friends-returns-next-sunday-season-2-mini-teaser-released/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324231209/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/smiling-friends-returns-next-sunday-season-2-mini-teaser-released/ |url-status=live }}][{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSwfwTw79HQ |title=Adult Swim Special Broadcast 2024 |date=April 1, 2024 |publisher=[[Adult Swim]] |access-date=April 1, 2024 |via=[[YouTube]] |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331223641/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSwfwTw79HQ&rv=NSwfwTw79HQ |url-status=dead }}] On June 13, 2024, Adult Swim renewed the series for a third season.[{{Cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title=Adult Swim Unveils Series Orders for 'Oh My God, Yes!,' 'Ha Ha You Clowns' and Season 3 of 'Smiling Friends' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/smiling-friends-oh-my-god-yes-ha-ha-you-clowns-1236036199/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=13 June 2024 |date=13 June 2024 |archive-date=13 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613125555/https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/smiling-friends-oh-my-god-yes-ha-ha-you-clowns-1236036199/ |url-status=live }}] The third season was previewed at [[Annecy International Animation Film Festival|Annecy]] on June{{nbsp}}11, 2025.[https://programme.annecyfestival.com/en/program/event/1a524636-eb73-4b0a-8687-1d13236d1a3d] On the same day, it was announced the series was renewed for an additional fourth and fifth season.[{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=2025-06-11 |title='Smiling Friends' Lands Two-Season Pickup at Adult Swim (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/smiling-friends-adult-swim-renewed-two-seasons-interview-1236262230/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}][{{Cite web |title=Season 4 & 5 renewal announcement |url=https://x.com/toonhive/status/1932740099113996413?s=46&t=evFrDjOz0J56cjwXHKohcA}}] The third season premiered on October{{nbsp}}5, 2025.[{{Cite web |last=Zahed |first=Ramid |date=2025-08-28 |title=Adult Swim to Launch 'Smiling Friends' S3 and 'Haha, You Clowns' in October|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/08/adult-swim-to-launch-smiling-friends-s3-and-haha-you-clowns-in-october/ |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=Animation Magazine |language=en-US}}] |
|
''Smiling Friends'' received positive reviews from critics. It was renewed for a second season on February{{nbsp}}9, 2022.[{{Cite web|last=Del Rosario|first=Alexandra|title='Birdgirl' & 'Smiling Friends' Renewed For Season 2 By Adult Swim|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/birdgirl-smiling-friends-renewed-season-2-adult-swim-1234929116/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=August 11, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809193335/https://deadline.com/2022/02/birdgirl-smiling-friends-renewed-season-2-adult-swim-1234929116/|url-status=live}}] The season premiere aired on April 1, 2024,[{{Cite web |last1=Valdez |first1=Nick |title=Smiling Friends Season 2 Shares First Look at Premiere: Watch |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-season-2-episode-1-watch-adult-swim/ |website=Comicbook.com |date=April 2, 2024 |access-date=2 April 2024 |language=en |quote="after the special puppet episodes, Adult Swim sneakily premiered the first episode of the new season" |archive-date=2 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402202332/https://comicbook.com/anime/news/smiling-friends-season-2-episode-1-watch-adult-swim/ |url-status=live }}] with the rest of the season beginning to air on May 13.[{{Cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=2024-03-24 |title=Smiling Friends Returns Next Sunday; Season 2 Mini-Teaser Released |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/smiling-friends-returns-next-sunday-season-2-mini-teaser-released/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324231209/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/smiling-friends-returns-next-sunday-season-2-mini-teaser-released/ |url-status=live }}][{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSwfwTw79HQ |title=Adult Swim Special Broadcast 2024 |date=April 1, 2024 |publisher=[[Adult Swim]] |access-date=April 1, 2024 |via=[[YouTube]] |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331223641/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSwfwTw79HQ&rv=NSwfwTw79HQ |url-status=dead }}] On June 13, 2024, Adult Swim renewed the series for a third season.[{{Cite web |last1=Lang |first1=Jamie |title=Adult Swim Unveils Series Orders for 'Oh My God, Yes!,' 'Ha Ha You Clowns' and Season 3 of 'Smiling Friends' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/smiling-friends-oh-my-god-yes-ha-ha-you-clowns-1236036199/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=13 June 2024 |date=13 June 2024 |archive-date=13 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613125555/https://variety.com/2024/tv/global/smiling-friends-oh-my-god-yes-ha-ha-you-clowns-1236036199/ |url-status=live }}] The third season was previewed at [[Annecy International Animation Film Festival|Annecy]] on June{{nbsp}}11, 2025.[https://programme.annecyfestival.com/en/program/event/1a524636-eb73-4b0a-8687-1d13236d1a3d] On the same day, it was announced the series was renewed for an additional fourth and fifth season.[{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=2025-06-11 |title='Smiling Friends' Lands Two-Season Pickup at Adult Swim (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/smiling-friends-adult-swim-renewed-two-seasons-interview-1236262230/ |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}][{{Cite web |title=Season 4 & 5 renewal announcement |url=https://x.com/toonhive/status/1932740099113996413?s=46&t=evFrDjOz0J56cjwXHKohcA}}] The third season premiered on October{{nbsp}}5, 2025.[{{Cite web |last=Zahed |first=Ramid |date=2025-08-28 |title=Adult Swim to Launch 'Smiling Friends' S3 and 'Haha, You Clowns' in October|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/08/adult-swim-to-launch-smiling-friends-s3-and-haha-you-clowns-in-october/ |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=Animation Magazine |language=en-US}}] |
|
Despite being renewed for two more seasons, in February 2026, Hadel and Cusack announced in a video that the series would end after its third season.[{{Cite AV media |title=Important announcement from Michael and Zach {{!}} Smiling Friends {{!}} adult swim |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwS2iF3VE3U |publisher=[[Adult Swim]] |date=February 25, 2026 |access-date=February 25, 2026 |medium=Video |time=0:20, 2:53|url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]]|last=Cusack|first=Michael|last2=Hadel|first2=Zach|author-link2=Zach Hadel|author-link=Michael Cusack (animator)}}] They attributed the series' abrupt conclusion to [[Occupational burnout|burnout]], a shared belief that the show had run its natural course, and expressed concern that if they continued creating episodes that there would be a drop in quality.[{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 25, 2026|title=''Smiling Friends'' Creators Announce Show Is Ending With Season 3 On Adult Swim: "It Was Our Decision"|url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/smiling-friends-canceled-adult-swim-season-3-extra-episodes-1236736868/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=April 9, 2026}}] Despite this, they did not entirely rule out the possibility of the series returning for a special or another season in the future. The final two episodes of the third season were released on April 12, 2026.[{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jack |date=2026-02-26 |title=Adult Swim's ''Smiling Friends'' to End After Season 3 |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/smiling-friends-ending-season-3-adult-swim-1236673215/ |access-date=2026-02-26 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}] |
|
Despite being renewed for two more seasons, in February 2026, Hadel and Cusack announced in a video that the series would end after its third season.[{{Cite AV media |title=Important announcement from Michael and Zach {{!}} Smiling Friends {{!}} adult swim |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwS2iF3VE3U |publisher=[[Adult Swim]] |date=February 25, 2026 |access-date=February 25, 2026 |medium=Video |time=0:20, 2:53|url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]]|last=Cusack|first=Michael|last2=Hadel|first2=Zach|author-link2=Zach Hadel|author-link=Michael Cusack (animator)}}] They attributed the series' abrupt conclusion to [[Occupational burnout|burnout]], a shared belief that the show had run its natural course, and expressed concern that if they continued creating episodes that there would be a drop in quality.[{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=February 25, 2026|title=''Smiling Friends'' Creators Announce Show Is Ending With Season 3 On Adult Swim: "It Was Our Decision"|url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/smiling-friends-canceled-adult-swim-season-3-extra-episodes-1236736868/|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=April 9, 2026}}] Despite this, they did not entirely rule out the possibility of the series returning for a special or another season in the future. The final two episodes of the third season were released on April 12, 2026.[{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jack |date=2026-02-26 |title=Adult Swim's ''Smiling Friends'' to End After Season 3 |url=https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/smiling-friends-ending-season-3-adult-swim-1236673215/ |access-date=2026-02-26 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}] |
|
''Smiling Friends'' received widespread critical acclaim. Lex Briscuso of ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' praised the show's tone and animation style, particularly its use of "unnerving close-up cuts and creepy supporting character design".[{{Cite web |last1=Briscuso |first1=Lex |title=Smiling Friends Is a Balm |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/smiling-friends-adult-swim-hbo-max.html |website=Vulture |date=February 9, 2022 |publisher=New York Magazine |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521163622/https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/smiling-friends-adult-swim-hbo-max.html |url-status=live }}] Margaret Lyons of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the show's humor and compared it favorably to ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''.[{{Cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Margaret |date=February 10, 2022 |title=How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/television/bel-air-whitney-houston-national-anthem.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |access-date=24 June 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923071350/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/television/bel-air-whitney-houston-national-anthem.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |url-status=live }}] Noah Dominguez of ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' also made this comparison, and additionally praised the show as "unique" and commended its "bizarre humor" and "surrealist tone".[{{Cite web|last=Dominguez|first=Noah|date=January 24, 2021|title=Why You Should Watch Smiling Friends|url=https://www.cbr.com/why-you-should-watch-smiling-friends/|access-date=January 28, 2021|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|archive-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125190027/https://www.cbr.com/why-you-should-watch-smiling-friends/|url-status=live}}] |
|
''Smiling Friends'' received positive reviews from critics. Lex Briscuso of ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'' praised the show's tone and animation style, particularly its use of "unnerving close-up cuts and creepy supporting character design".[{{Cite web |last1=Briscuso |first1=Lex |title=Smiling Friends Is a Balm |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/smiling-friends-adult-swim-hbo-max.html |website=Vulture |date=February 9, 2022 |publisher=New York Magazine |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521163622/https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/smiling-friends-adult-swim-hbo-max.html |url-status=live }}] Margaret Lyons of ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the show's humor and compared it favorably to ''[[Aqua Teen Hunger Force]]''.[{{Cite news |last1=Lyons |first1=Margaret |date=February 10, 2022 |title=How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/television/bel-air-whitney-houston-national-anthem.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |access-date=24 June 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=23 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923071350/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/television/bel-air-whitney-houston-national-anthem.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare |url-status=live }}] Noah Dominguez of ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' also made this comparison, and additionally praised the show as "unique" and commended its "bizarre humor" and "surrealist tone".[{{Cite web|last=Dominguez|first=Noah|date=January 24, 2021|title=Why You Should Watch Smiling Friends|url=https://www.cbr.com/why-you-should-watch-smiling-friends/|access-date=January 28, 2021|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|archive-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125190027/https://www.cbr.com/why-you-should-watch-smiling-friends/|url-status=live}}] |
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
