Cartoon Network schedules global rollout for Adventure Time companion series
Cartoon Network has set international and US release dates for Adventure Time: Side Quests, a new companion series to the award-winning Adventure Time franchise. The studio announced the series will premiere on linear Cartoon Network channels worldwide on Monday, October 5, 2026. In the United States the show will be available earlier on the streaming platform Hulu, beginning June 29, 2026.
The announcement, issued from Dubai on May 19, 2026, positions Side Quests as a lighter, more episodic entry designed to reintroduce the Land of Ooo to younger viewers while delivering familiar characters and humour for existing fans. Unlike serialized seasons that advanced the franchise’s mythology, the new series focuses on standalone adventures featuring Finn the Human and his magical dog, Jake.
Production team, cast and creative approach
The series is produced by Cartoon Network Studios with Nate Cash serving as showrunner and executive producer, and Darrick Bachman listed as story editor. Direction is shared by Victor Courtright and Niki Yang, Nick Cross is the art director and Matthew Janszen composed the score. Casting notes include Sasha Knight as the voice of Finn and the return of John DiMaggio as Jake.
Side Quests will reunite several fan-favourite characters, with Tom Kenny returning as Ice King, Hynden Walch as Princess Bubblegum, Olivia Olson as Marceline and Niki Yang voicing BMO. The creative team says the show emphasises short, self-contained plots and a tone reminiscent of Adventure Time’s earlier seasons, blending whimsical humour with character-driven moments.
Vanessa Brookman, general manager for International Kids, Animation and Franchise at Warner Bros. Discovery, described the new series as both an entry point for new audiences and a “heartfelt love letter” for long-term fans. Showrunner Nate Cash said producing Side Quests felt similar to the early, collaborative spirit of the original series.
Industry context and strategic implications
Adventure Time has been one of Cartoon Network’s most commercially and critically successful franchises since its debut, earning multiple awards and a dedicated fanbase. The network’s decision to expand the universe with a companion series reflects a wider industry trend: established IPs are increasingly extended through spin-offs and short-form projects to sustain audience attention across platforms.
The staggered release plan – a Hulu exclusive window in the US followed by a global linear rollout months later – highlights how broadcasters are balancing streaming partnerships with traditional television distribution. For rights holders, this approach can drive subscriber interest in key markets while preserving linear scheduling for international partners and regional programming strategies.
For the Middle East and UAE audiences, Cartoon Network’s Dubai-based announcement underscores the territory’s role as a communications hub for regional media launches. Local linear airings remain relevant in many markets across EMEA, where free-to-air and pay-TV reach can be stronger among family audiences than streaming alone.
What to expect and potential challenges
Side Quests aims to attract a new generation without alienating long-standing fans by returning core characters and the franchise’s distinctive aesthetic. However, companion series face scrutiny from established audiences who often compare new entries against the original show’s tone and narrative depth.
From a commercial standpoint, refreshing the Adventure Time brand opens opportunities beyond viewership: merchandising, licensing and international localisation can all benefit from renewed attention. At the same time, the series will need to navigate a crowded children’s content market where streaming-first competitors often release large volumes of original animation.
Cartoon Network’s move follows a pattern among legacy animation studios that leverage nostalgia while adapting formats to contemporary viewing habits. Whether Side Quests becomes a durable extension of the Adventure Time universe will depend on critical reception, audience uptake on Hulu, and performance in international linear windows later this year.
Adventure Time: Side Quests is scheduled to premiere on Hulu in the United States on June 29, 2026, with a global linear rollout on Cartoon Network beginning October 5, 2026.