Image Credit: Adult Swim/Warner Bros. Despite its devoted fanbase and critical acclaim since debuting in January 2022, Smiling Friends won't be returning for a fourth season. Co-creators Zach Hadel and Michael Cusack surprised fans in February 2026 with an announcement that the Adult Swim animated comedy will conclude after its third season - even though the network had previously renewed it for seasons 4 and 5. "I'm gonna cut right to the chase," Hadel said at the top of the message. "This is not a bit, this is not a joke.