An image from the stop-action series “Robot Chicken”
Adult Swim, 2026
During a presentation at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Adult Swim announced a slate of new specials, shows and documentaries that will premiere over the upcoming year.
Highlights include the greenlight of Heist Brothers, a new series from Genndy Tartakovsky, new Robot Chicken specials celebrating the network’s legacy, a forthcoming Cartoon Network documentary event marking its 35th anniversary, and updates across upcoming original programming.
The Heist Brothers is described as a “high-energy comedy” about three frogs robbing a bank. It was created by Genndy Tartakovsky, who is best known for his work on Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars, Sym-Bionic Titan, and Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal.
The series has had an interesting history at Annecy. Tartakovsky originally pitched Heist Brothers live onstage to Adult Swim President Michael Ouweleen during the network’s Studio Focus Panel in 2024.
At the 2025 Annecy, the idea was announced as in development as Heist Safari. And now the show has been given a full-season order for Adult Swim under the name Heist Brothers.
Adult Swim also announced that its Emmy Award–winning stop‑motion comedy series Robot Chicken, from co‑creators Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, will return with two new specials.
Robot Chicken Adult Swim Special, premieres Sunday, August 30th with a celebration of Adult Swim’s 25th anniversary.
Here is the official logline:
Every iconic character in Adult Swim’s history is aboard a cruise ship celebrating a quarter century on the air, but toasts turn to screams as it develops into a disaster of titanic proportions! Will the stars of Smiling Friends, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Metalocalypse, Assy McGee, Venture Bros., and dozens more survive? Or meet a watery doom? This half-hour Robot Chicken special commemorating 25 years of TV’s most groundbreaking and perplexing programming!
Additionally, the celebrated stop‑motion series is also in production on a second special, this one setting its sights on Cartoon Network’s legendary series and characters. The special will commemorate Cartoon Networks’ 35th anniversary with a debut planned for 2027.
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