The Calvin and Hobbes Show (2024 Series)

The Calvin and Hobbes Show is a 2024 traditionally animated streaming television series developed by Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds and is based off the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip by Bill Watterson. The show follows the titular duo on their various adventures and mis-adventures.

Premise
The show is based off the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. While not explicitly mentioned, the show is set in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Bill Watterson's hometown. Episodes revolve around the everyday adventures of Calvin and Hobbes, going on various adventures, wagon-rides, and other things that often lead to trouble and chaos occurring. Other episodes feature Calvin and Hobbes pulling pranks on next-door neighbor Susie Derkins, G.R.O.S.S. meetings taking place, time-travelling or space escapades, or running away from and fighting the occasional villain.

The show is set in the modern day, though it is apparent and clear that Calvin's Father still enjoys living in the past, much to Calvin's annoyance. References to past strips are also brought up, indicating that the show is in the same continuity as the strip.

Despite not appearing until the last few months of the original strips run, Galaxoid and Nubular make frequent appearances, usually requesting assistance from Calvin and Hobbes. The alien pair are also in clash with (and also fear of) Lord Jorgenstein, a ruthless alien overlord bent on trying to conquer the entire galaxy. Additional new characters include Superintendent Barnes, the superintendent of Calvin's school district, who is easily annoyed by Calvin's antics. He frequently is attempting to be impressed by Principal Spittle, usually in order to try and convince Barnes not to fire him and try and get him away from Calvin. Other new characters include include Dr. Zenith, a mad-scientist who is bent on world domination, and Rufus, Dr. Zenith's less than intelligent assistant, but also proves to be incredibly destructive at times.

Voice Cast

 * Tom Kenny as Calvin
 * Ryan Reynolds as Hobbes
 * Tara Strong as Mom
 * Matthew Broderick as Dad
 * Jenna Ortega as Susie Derkins
 * Frank Welker as Moe
 * Lily Tomlin as Miss Wormwood
 * Patrick Warburton as Principal Spittle
 * Grey DeLisle as Rosalyn
 * Kevin Michael Richardson as Superintendent Barnes
 * Keegan-Michael Key as Galaxoid
 * Jordan Peele as Nubular
 * Jack Black as Lord Jorgenstein
 * Will Ferrell as Rufus
 * Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Zenith

Production
Following working together on "Spirited" in 2022, actors Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell floated ideas about working on a possible cartoon show together. After coming up with no viable options for an original show, Reynolds and Ferrell ended up deciding on doing a Calvin and Hobbes cartoon. Initially, creator Bill Watterson had no interest in adapting Calvin and Hobbes after not doing so for the decades prior. However, he soon would change his mind after reading a script that Reynolds and Ferrell developed for the potential series, after which he became open to working with them, on the condition that all decisions regarding castings, direction, scripts, etc. were cleared by him before they could go forward, to which Reynolds and Ferrell agreed to do.

Initial talks for a network to air the show fell through, with Cartoon Network and Disney Channel turning down offers. After realizing that the show being picked up to air on a regular station would be unlikely with the current market, Reynolds and Ferrell looked towards streaming services, and eventually reached an agreement with Paramount+ to stream the series, along with Nickelodeon having the opportunity to air episodes on their channels later on. After rumors about the series began to surface, Reynolds and Ferrell announced with Paramount+ on March 29th, 2023 that an animated Calvin and Hobbes series would be developed under Watterson's supervision, and that a 20-episode first season had been ordered.

As production began, the crew had to deal with hurdles and problems caused by the 2023 WGA Writers' Strike, though work with trying to secure voice actors and preparing scripts still managed to continue, with Watterson contributing to several scripts. Watterson also assisted and sat in on auditions for potential voice actors for the series. The first person to be cast was Tom Kenny, who was announced to voice Calvin on July 2nd, 2023. After continuous struggles on finding a suitable voice for Hobbes, Watterson suggested to Reynolds about potentially voicing him. After initial hesitance, Reynolds agreed to read lines of Hobbes from the original comic strip, to which Watterson approved of, and Reynolds agreed to voice Hobbes. The full cast was later announced on September 10th, 2023, along with the announcement that the show would be released for streaming in Spring 2024.

On January 27th, 2024, it was announced that the first season would be released for streaming in two sets, with the first ten episodes being released on April 5th, 2024, and the next ten on September 13th, 2024. The first ten episodes were released on the aforementioned date, and broke numerous streaming records and received critical acclaim. The next set of ten episodes were also released on their aforementioned date, to further positive reviews for the series. Paramount+ renewed the series for a second season, increasing the episode count to 25. Nickelodeon would also begin airing episodes on their channels on October 6th, 2023.