The Kung Fu Panda franchise is expanding again with Kung Fu Panda 4, the first film installment in over eight years. It will see Jack Black reprising one of his most iconic roles ever as Po, the Dragon Master. With the return of various fan favorites and the welcoming of new cast members like Awkwafina, Ke Huy Quan, and Viola Davis, Po’s next film is shaping up to be spectacular. For those wishing to catch up with the entire film series, this guide will explain how and where to stream all the Kung Fu Panda movies in order.
Kung Fu Panda’s success isn’t surprising, as there’s nothing quite like it. Given their similar premises, it’s believed that the film series was inspired by the DreamWorks video game T'ai Fu: Wrath of the Tiger. The original Kung Fu Panda exhibited the company’s most advanced animation and is brimming with nods to Chinese culture that display the extensive research that went into production.
The movie contained references to Chinese shadow puppetry and mythology. Plus, the Furious Five, voiced by powerhouses Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogan, and David Cross, represent the Five Animals Southern styles of Chinese martial arts. The appreciation for Chinese culture, stunning animation, star power, and mythological storyline made Kung Fu Panda a hit both in China and the U.S.
It’s no surprise that Kung Fu Panda 2 quickly followed and saw Po returning as the unlikely kung fu master protecting the Valley alongside the Furious Five and Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). The plot didn’t vary much from the original. Still, humor, martial arts action, and top-notch performance from the returning cast members allowed the sequel to match the original's success, crossing the $600 million milestone at the box office and nabbing an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.
DreamWorks took their time bringing Kung Fu Panda 3 to the screen, releasing it in 2016. Although the film failed to receive an Oscar nomination or surpass $600 million at the box office, it was just as well received critically as the other films.
With Kung Fu Panda 4 on the horizon, here’s where and how to watch the film series in order. Given that the film series’ chronological and release date order is the same, there’s only one viewing order. Additionally, viewers can enjoy a few Kung Fu Panda shorts and specials, although they’re not essential to understanding the movies.