After spending years redefining how animation can talk about growing up, the creative minds behind Big Mouth are shifting gears. Their next project, an adult animated romantic comedy called Mating Season, is heading to Netflix and already looks tailor-made for fans in the United States who love sharp, unapologetic humor.
Set to premiere on Netflix on May 22, 2026, Mating Season moves away from teen angst and dives straight into the chaos of adult relationships — with one major twist: everything plays out in the animal kingdom. Produced by renowned animation studio Titmouse, the show uses anthropomorphic forest creatures to poke fun at dating, desire, and commitment.
From Big Mouth to a new chapter in adult animation
Big Mouth is nearing the end of its run, with an eighth and final season scheduled for May 23, 2025. As that series wraps up, Mating Season arrives as a natural next step for creators Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett.
The team’s production company Brutus Pink summed up the transition in a statement: after eight seasons focused on coming-of-age stories, they’re now excited to tell stories about actual adults — who just happen to be animals, and also happen to be cartoons. For viewers in the United States who discovered their work through Netflix, this new series extends the same candid, edgy tone into a fresh setting.
A forest full of messy, relatable characters
Rather than centering on human leads, Mating Season builds its world around a cast of anthropomorphic animals dealing with very human problems. Viewers will meet a love-seeking bear, a smooth-talking raccoon, a shy deer, a cunning fox, and other forest dwellers, all trying to figure out how modern relationships actually work.
Through these characters, the show explores universal themes that resonate strongly with adult audiences in the United States: longing and desire, monogamy and its limits, jealousy, and the often-elusive search for a soulmate. The tone leans into the same biting humor and blunt honesty that helped make Big Mouth a standout of Netflix’s adult animation slate.
Titmouse brings its adult animation expertise
The animation is handled by Titmouse, the studio known for its work on series such as Big Mouth and BoJack Horseman. With a strong track record in adult-oriented animation, Titmouse is positioned to give Mating Season a polished look and a distinct visual identity.
The goal is not just to make the animal characters funny, but to reinforce both the comedic beats and the emotional punch of the stories through the show’s aesthetic. For Netflix subscribers in the United States, that means another visually memorable adult cartoon joining the platform’s lineup.
Building anticipation ahead of the 2026 release
Even though Mating Season will not hit Netflix until May 22, 2026, the announcement alone is already generating buzz among fans of Big Mouth and adult animated comedies in general. With its provocative premise and creative pedigree, the series is positioned as one of the most anticipated additions to Netflix’s adult animation offerings.
While they wait, viewers can turn their attention to the farewell tour for Big Mouth, titled “The Big Mouth Swallows America Farewell Tour,” running from May 5 to May 19, 2025 across the United States. The tour will feature exclusive previews and special merchandise for fans, serving as a bridge between the end of Big Mouth and the arrival of Mating Season a year later.
Why Mating Season matters for Netflix’s adult animation strategy
For audiences in the United States, Mating Season represents more than just another animated comedy. It continues Netflix’s push into bold, adult-focused storytelling that doesn’t shy away from sex, relationships, or uncomfortable truths. By shifting the focus from adolescence to adulthood, the creative team can tackle new questions: what happens after you grow up, and why are relationships still so complicated?
Using animals as stand-ins for human behavior also allows the show to satirize modern dating in a way that feels both accessible and exaggerated. That mix of relatability and absurdity is exactly what tends to perform well on streaming and in recommendation feeds like Google Discover for viewers looking for their next binge-worthy animated series.
FAQ
When will Mating Season be released on Netflix?
Mating Season is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on May 22, 2026.
Who are the creators of Mating Season?
The series comes from Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, the creative team behind Big Mouth.
What is Mating Season about?
Mating Season is an adult animated romantic comedy that follows a group of anthropomorphic forest animals — including a bear, a raccoon, a deer, and a fox — as they navigate love, desire, jealousy, monogamy, and the search for a soulmate.
Who is handling the animation for Mating Season?
The animation is produced by Titmouse, the studio known for its work on adult animated series such as Big Mouth and BoJack Horseman.
