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Smiling Friends 2020

★ 8.5/10 · 445 votes TV-MA AnimationComedySci-Fi & Fantasy 3 seasons · 27 eps Ended
Community & Your Rating
★ 8.5/10
Where to watch: HBO Max Amazon ChannelYouTube TVAdult SwimHBO MaxAmazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesFandango At HomeNow TV
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Quick answer

What is Smiling Friends?

Smiling Friends is an American-Australian adult animated sitcom created by internet personalities Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack for the Adult Swim programming block on Cartoon Network. The series follows the surreal misadventures of the employees at Smiling Friends Inc., a small company dedicated to bringing happiness and comfort to troubled people who contact their hotline.

Type
TV series
Year
2020
Status
Ended
Episodes
27
First aired
Apr 1, 2020
Last aired
Apr 12, 2026
Original language
EN
Origin
US
Networks
Adult Swim
Genres
Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Updated
Streaming Intelligence

Binge-Worthiness & Content Radar

86 /100 Highly Bingeable
⚡ Pacing & Momentum9.2/10
🧠 Narrative Depth8/10
🔄 Rewatch Potential8.9/10
🎬 Production Scale8.2/10
🎯 Bingeable Series #Animation #Comedy #Sci-Fi & Fantasy 🏆 Critically Acclaimed
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Estimate the schedule using 27 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.

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Overview

Smiling Friends is an American-Australian adult animated sitcom created by internet personalities Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack for the Adult Swim programming block on Cartoon Network. The series follows the surreal misadventures of the employees at Smiling Friends Inc., a small company dedicated to bringing happiness and comfort to troubled people who contact their hotline. The show centers on the day-to-day lives of its representatives, including the lazy and cynical Charlie and the cheerful, optimistic Pim. While the company aims to fulfill simple requests, the employees frequently discover that their jobs are far more complicated and bizarre than they initially appear, making it difficult to bring happiness to the world. The series features voice performances by creators Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, alongside Marc M. and Joshua Tomar. The pilot episode, titled Desmond's Big Day Out, aired on April 1, 2020, with the remainder of the first season premiering on January 10, 2022. The show is scheduled to run through 2026.

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Should you watch it?

“A small company dedicated to bringing happiness faces increasingly complicated challenges in their mission to help others.”

Reasons to watch
  • unique character dynamics
  • unpredictable storylines
Keep in mind
  • thematic complexity
  • unconventional humor

Watch it if you enjoy surreal workplace comedies that subvert expectations.

The series features cynical themes and complex situations that may not be suitable for all audiences.

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Your verdict

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Cast

Comprehensive Directory

Episode guide

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by serialized narrative importance. Skip standalone side quests and streamline your binge.

Time Saved 0.2h Skipping 1 filler episode
37%
59%
Mytharc (10): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (16): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (1): Standalone / filler
Season 1 · 9 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →
Season 2 · 8 episodes Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →
Season 3 · 10 episodes Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →
Verified insights

Frequently asked questions

What is the goal of Smiling Friends Inc.?

The company aims to bring happiness and make people smile.

Who are the main characters?

The series follows Charlie, who is cynical and lazy, and Pim, who is optimistic and cheerful.

What do the characters do?

They work as representatives who answer a hotline to comfort and cheer up troubled people.

Are the jobs easy to complete?

While the requests often seem simple, the jobs frequently become more complicated than expected.

What is the tone of the show?

The series focuses on the day-to-day misadventures of the staff as they struggle to bring happiness to the world.

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