Smiling Friends (2020)
An anarchic Adult Swim animated comedy where two mismatched employees tackle absurd, often chaotic missions in the name of human happiness.
Smiling Friends - Series Information
- Original Title: Smiling Friends
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: Michael Cusack, Zach Hadel
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 27
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 1, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), April 1, 2020 (Canada - 18+), April 1, 2020 (United Kingdom - 15), April 1, 2020 (Germany - 18), April 1, 2020 (France - 18), April 1, 2020 (Australia - MA 15+), April 1, 2020 (Brazil - 16), April 1, 2020 (Mexico - C), April 1, 2020 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: Adult Swim
- Production Companies: Six Point Harness, Williams Street, Goblin Caught on Tape, Princess Bento Studio, Studio Yotta
- Production Countries: United States of America, Australia
- Alternative Titles: Nasmijani prijatelji (HR), Насмеани пријатели (MK), Uśmiechnięci przyjaciele (PL), Весели другари (RS), Mosoly Zrt (HU), Nasmejani prijatelji (SI), Amigos Sorridentes (BR), Amici sorridenti (IT)
Smiling Friends - Plot
Smiling Friends Inc. is a small company whose main purpose is to bring happiness and make people smile. The series follows the day-to-day lives and misadventures of its representatives, the lazy, cynical Charlie, and the cheerful, optimistic Pim, as they try to cheer up and comfort the troubled people who call their company's hotline. They receive seemingly simple requests but the jobs turn out to be more complicated than they seem, making it difficult to bring happiness to the world.
Smiling Friends - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the chaos of happiness-delivery unfold:
Where to Watch Smiling Friends
Looking for where to watch Smiling Friends?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Smiling Friends - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Michael Cusack
- Zach Hadel
Main Cast
- Michael Cusack
- Zach Hadel
- Marc Moceri
- Joshua Tomar
- Erica Lindbeck
- Harry Partridge
- Hans van Harken
- Mick Lauer
- David Dore
- Mike Stoklasa
Writers
- Zach Hadel
- Michael Cusack
Executive Producers
- Zach Hadel
- Brendan Burch
- Michael Cusack
- Emma Fitzsimons
- Mike Cowap
Smiling Friends - FAQs
Where can you stream Smiling Friends online?
Smiling Friends is available to stream on Max (formerly HBO Max) and Adult Swim's free platform. It can also be accessed via HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, and Spectrum On Demand. Digital purchase options are available on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Is Smiling Friends based on a true story?
No, Smiling Friends is not based on a true story. It is an entirely original animated comedy series created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel, rooted in absurdist humor and surreal storytelling rather than real-world events or people.
Who are the voice actors in Smiling Friends?
The main voice cast includes Michael Cusack as Pim Pimling, Zach Hadel as Charlie Dompler, Marc Moceri as Mr. Boss, Joshua Tomar as Officer Brule, Erica Lindbeck as Jennifer, Harry Partridge as William Worm, Hans van Harken as Priest, and Mick Lauer, David Dore, and Mike Stoklasa in supporting roles.
How many seasons does Smiling Friends have?
Smiling Friends has 3 main seasons plus a collection of specials. Season 1 contains 9 episodes, Season 2 has 8 episodes, and Season 3 features 10 episodes. There are also 6 special episodes, bringing the total episode count to 27 across all seasons.
Is Smiling Friends cancelled or still ongoing?
Smiling Friends is currently a returning series and is still in production. As of 2025, the show has not been cancelled and continues to air on Adult Swim, with Season 3 having aired in 2025.
What is Smiling Friends actually about?
Smiling Friends follows employees of Smiling Friends Inc., a small company dedicated to making people happy. The cynical Charlie and the upbeat Pim respond to calls from troubled individuals, only to find each job spiraling into bizarre, surreal chaos. Critics praise it for its sharp absurdist humor and inventive animation style.
Did Smiling Friends win any awards?
Smiling Friends has received significant recognition in the animation community. The show was nominated for Annie Awards and earned praise from critics and audiences alike, holding strong ratings on IMDb. It has been widely celebrated as one of the standout adult animated series of the 2020s.
What is the content rating for Smiling Friends?
Smiling Friends is rated TV-MA in the United States, meaning it is intended for mature audiences only and may be unsuitable for children under 17. The series contains adult humor, crude language, and surreal or disturbing imagery consistent with its Adult Swim programming block.
More About Smiling Friends
Explore further details about Smiling Friends on these authoritative resources: