The end is coming for Adult Swim’s hit animated show. Adult Swim just put out an official preview for the final episodes of Smiling Friends, and fans are getting emotional. The network shared a trailer showing Charlie, Pim, and the rest of the crew dealing with their last jobs. The show, created by Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack, will wrap up on April 12, 2026, with two back-to-back episodes.
The announcement comes after Hadel and Cusack shared earlier this year that they chose to end the series themselves. They said they did not want the show to go on for too long and lose its charm. The final season, which is Season 3, will finish with a total of 28 episodes.
Creators Explain Why They Decided to End Smiling Friends Now
Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack opened up about their choice to stop making the show. Both creators felt tired after working non-stop for years. They said they wanted to leave fans wanting more instead of making episodes just because they could.
“To be perfectly honest, after we finished season 3, Zach and I just both had the same feeling where we felt pretty burnt out after putting years and years into this. But also pretty accomplished. We just came to this feeling where we’re like, ‘I think that could just be it…’ We both felt like it was right.” – Michael Cusack
Hadel added more details about their thinking. He explained that from the very start, they always talked about making the show as good as possible and then stopping on a high note. He said they did not want people to say “that show is still on the air” in a bad way.
“What feels like, ‘Leave them wanting more,’ rather than, ‘Oh, that show is still on the air? Oh God.’ After several years of really grinding on this show, nonstop without any breaks, 24/7, we got to a point where we just felt like that’s a good spot to end it.” – Zach Hadel
The show had already been renewed for up to Season 5. But Hadel and Cusack made the choice to stop early. Adult Swim told them they can always bring the show back later if they want. But the creators did not make any promises about a return.
What to Expect From the Smiling Friends Finale Episodes
The last two episodes of Smiling Friends will air together on April 12. The episode titles give fans a good idea of what is coming. The first finale episode is called “Friend Bot (Version 12589218731809213528796879521).” The second one is named “Charlie’s Uncle Dies and Doesn’t Come Back.”
The official preview shows Mr. Boss running in and shouting “We’re saved!” He then quickly says “no, not really” and gives the actual job. Charlie’s uncle will be visiting, and the team needs to make him smile. The title of the second episode suggests things might not go well for Charlie’s family member.
The trailer also shows Charlie and Pim thinking about life after work. They realize their time at the Smiling Friends office is ending. The network is calling this a “celebration” of the final two chapters of the show.
These two episodes were not originally written as a series finale. Hadel and Cusack called them “little stragglers” that they finished after deciding to end the show. So fans should not expect a perfect, tidy ending. The show will likely stay true to its weird and unpredictable style until the very last minute.
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Where to Watch the Smiling Friends Series Finale
Smiling Friends will air its final two episodes on Adult Swim on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. ET/PT. People can also watch the episodes the next day on Max. The show is available on HBO Max, Sling TV, and the Adult Swim website.
Smiling Friends first started in 2020 with a pilot episode that aired on April Fools’ Day. The show follows a small charity company where employees try to make people smile. Pim, voiced by Michael Cusack, is a happy pink character who always wants to help. Charlie, voiced by Zach Hadel, is a yellow cynic who just wants to go home. The show also features Allan, Glep, and Mr. Boss.
The series became very popular for its strange humor and mixed animation styles. It uses traditional 2D animation, 3D models, stop motion, and even live-action. The show has been praised for its writing and voice acting since it first aired.
Fans are sharing their reactions online. Many are sad to see the show go but respect the creators’ choice. The final episodes drop this Sunday, marking the end of one of Adult Swim’s most unique shows.
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