Adventure Time: Side Quests has debuted with a rare Rotten Tomatoes score.
Created by Pendleton Ward, Adventure Time originally debuted in 2010 and quickly became one of Cartoon Network’s defining animated series. The fantasy adventure followed Finn the Human and Jake the Dog as they explored the post-apocalyptic Land of Ooo. Across its ten-season run, the show earned widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike, eventually spawning multiple spinoffs and sequel projects after its conclusion in 2018.
Now, the franchise’s newest revival, Adventure Time: Side Quests, is proving to be another hit with critics. The first season debuted with a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews, giving the series one of the rarest achievements on the platform.
While the score could change as more reviews are added, the debut is another strong sign that the Adventure Time universe remains as popular as ever with critics.
Premiering on Hulu and Disney+, Adventure Time: Side Quests takes viewers back to the earlier days of Finn and Jake’s friendship. Unlike recent Adventure Time projects that explored more mature themes and expanded mythology, the new series focuses on standalone adventures designed to capture the charm and energy of the original show’s early seasons.
The revival follows a younger Finn and Jake as they embark on monster-hunting quests throughout Ooo, encountering familiar characters including Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, Ice King, and BMO along the way. Critics have praised the show’s ability to recapture the spirit of classic Adventure Time while remaining accessible to new viewers. Reviews have highlighted its lighter tone, shorter episodic format, and focus on friendship and adventure.
The strong reception is particularly notable given the franchise’s already impressive critical track record. Following the original series’ ending, Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. Animation continued expanding the universe through Adventure Time: Distant Lands and Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake.
Rather than building on the increasingly complex mythology established by later seasons and spinoffs, Side Quests embraces the whimsical adventures and simple storytelling that first attracted viewers in 2010, and its early reception shows that decision has paid off.
The original series also left a lasting impact on modern animation. Alongside shows such as Regular Show and Steven Universe, Adventure Time helped usher in a new era of creator-driven animated storytelling that blended comedy, fantasy, and serialized character development.
While some longtime fans initially expressed concerns about the new animation style, some critics have argued that the softer visual approach fits the youthful focus of the series and successfully differentiates it from previous entries in the franchise.
With familiar characters, a return to the franchise’s roots, and a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score to its name thus far, Adventure Time: Side Quests appears to have successfully recaptured the magic that made audiences fall in love with Finn and Jake in the first place. As the series continues its run, the latest chapter in the beloved fantasy world of Ooo is already shaping up to be another worthy addition to the beloved franchise.
Adventure Time: Side Quests is available to stream now on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Release Date
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June 29, 2026
- Network
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Hulu, Disney+
- Showrunner
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Nate Cash
Cast
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John DiMaggio
Jake the Dog (voice)
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