February 26, 2026 | Breaking News
The popular Adult Swim cartoon Smiling Friends will end after Season 3. This was announced in a video post on Adult Swim’s social media from the show’s creators, Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack. And they made it clear this was not a prank, this was real news.
What Did the Creators Say ?
Zach Hadel spoke first. They wanted to be upfront and straightforward, he said. The show is set to conclude after Season 3, according to him.
Michael Cusack said the two were pretty worn out after Season 3. They have been on the show for several years. They also experienced a sense of pride about what they created. But they thought this was the moment to call it a day.
They said they no longer wanted to continue the show in part without complete passion.
They think it is better to end the show while fans still love it, instead of continuing too long and disappointing people.
Two More Episodes Coming on April 12
Fans will still get two more episodes from Season 3.
These episodes will air on April 12, 2026 at 11 p.m. on Adult Swim.
The creators said these are not special ending episodes. They were already made earlier but were not shown before. Hadel called them “extra” episodes that did not air with the rest of the season.
Why Is This So Surprising ?
This news surprised many fans. The series was ordered up for Seasons 4 and 5 in June 2025.
The show was very successful. It was one of the biggest shows of the Adult Swim era and had a successful run on HBO Max as well. Some fans went as far as to compare its success to that of Rick and Morty.
But even with that success, the creators said they had already told the story they wanted to tell. They felt it was better to stop now.
They did say they might return in the future for a special project. But as a regular series, the show is officially over.
The Story and Success of the Show
Smiling Friends first appeared as a surprise pilot on April Fools’ Day in 2020. It started out as a tiny, weird cartoon that only few watched. Soon, it became very popular.
The series revolves around Charlie and Pim. They are employed at a company named Smiling Friends. They have a task to help people feel happy. It uses normal cartoons, CGI, stop motion, and even live action. And gave it a completely different feel than other shows.
Season 3 started on October 5, 2025. Most of the season finished on November 30, 2025. The last two episodes will now finish the series on April 12, 2026.
What Will the Creators Do Next ?
Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack will probably go on to make more stuff even though the show is over. We may still hear from them in the future with new ideas and creative work.
They have not completely closed the door on Smiling Friends. They may return to this world someday.
Quick Facts
- Show: Smiling Friends (Adult Swim)
- Creators: Zach Hadel & Michael Cusack
- Announcement Date: February 26, 2026
- Final Season: Season 3
- Last Episodes Air: April 12, 2026 at 11 p.m.
- Reason for Ending: The creators felt tired and wanted to end the show on a high note
- Future Seasons: Seasons 4 and 5 were planned but will not happen
In simple words, the creators decided to stop while the show is still loved. The final goodbye will happen on April 12, 2026.
