- Adventure Time Side Quests is a spin-off animated series of episodic adventures starring a younger Finn and Jake
- US premiere: June 29, 2026 on Disney+ and Hulu, with a second batch of 20 episodes on October 2, 2026
- Format: standalone, roughly 11-minute adventures across the Land of Ooo
- Not a strict prequel: it revisits the classic adventuring era rather than directly preceding the original show
- Returning elements: Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, Ice King, kingdoms, and dungeons of Ooo
What Adventure Time Side Quests Is
Adventure Time Side Quests is a spin-off animated series from Cartoon Network's beloved Adventure Time franchise. Instead of continuing from the latest point in the franchise timeline, the show returns to an earlier period of Finn and Jake's adventuring years, telling relatively self-contained, episodic stories across the Land of Ooo.
The official trailer describes the project as a collection of new episodic adventures for Finn and Jake — smaller quests that fit around their established journeys rather than replacing them. Each episode runs approximately 11 minutes, matching the short-form structure that made the original series famous.
| Series Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Episodic animated spin-off |
| Main characters | Finn and Jake |
| Setting | Land of Ooo, classic era |
| Episode length | About 11 minutes |
| US premiere | June 29, 2026 |
| US streaming | Disney+ and Hulu |
| Episodes released | 40 (as of October 2026) |
Despite the video-game-sounding title, Side Quests is not a game. The name refers to the smaller, standalone adventures Finn and Jake take between their bigger journeys — a nod to classic role-playing terminology applied to a cartoon format.
Release Schedule and Episodes
The series launched in the United States on June 29, 2026, with a first batch of 20 episodes arriving simultaneously on Disney+ and Hulu. A second batch of 20 episodes followed on October 2, 2026, bringing the total to 40 released episodes.
International audiences get the series through Cartoon Network and HBO Max, with a new broadcast run beginning October 5, 2026 in select regions.
| Release Milestone | Date | Platform | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US premiere batch | June 29, 2026 | Disney+ / Hulu | Episodes 1–20 |
| Second batch | October 2, 2026 | Disney+ / Hulu | Episodes 21–40 |
| International broadcast run | October 5, 2026 | Cartoon Network / HBO Max | Varies by region |
Community-shared episode lists confirm titles from the first batch such as Bros and Arrows, Dandy Bug, The Prophecy, and Car Wars, reflecting the series' mix of comedy and quest-driven premises.
Batch 1 Highlights
- Bros and Arrows
- Dandy Bug
- The Prophecy
- Car Wars
- 20 total episodes
Batch 2 Highlights
- Episodes 21–40
- Launched October 2, 2026
- Same 11-minute format
- Continues standalone quest structure
International Rollout
- Cartoon Network broadcast
- HBO Max availability
- Begins October 5, 2026
- Regional schedules vary
The batch-release model means US subscribers can binge all 40 episodes at once. International viewers should check local Cartoon Network or HBO Max listings, since broadcast schedules may differ from the streaming rollout.
Timeline: Prequel or Not?
The single most debated question among fans is whether Side Quests is a prequel. The community remains split, and the safest reading is that the series revisits Finn and Jake's earlier adventuring years without functioning as a strict, formal prequel to the original show.
The distinction matters. A strict prequel would need to slot into a fixed point before the original series' events. Instead, Side Quests behaves more like a return to the classic era — additional standalone stories set during the period when Finn and Jake regularly roamed Ooo together.
| Timeline Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is it a strict prequel? | Not confirmed; community debates this |
| When is it set? | During Finn and Jake's earlier adventuring years |
| Does it continue the original finale? | No, it returns to the classic era |
| Can new viewers start here? | Yes, episodes are largely standalone |
| Is the original show required viewing? | Helpful for context, but not required |
Some coverage labels the series simply as a "prequel," but that framing is contested by fans. Treat Side Quests as standalone classic-era adventures rather than a canonical origin story.
Characters and Returning Cast
The core appeal of Side Quests is the return of the classic Adventure Time ensemble. Finn and Jake anchor every adventure, while other familiar residents of Ooo reappear as the stories demand.
Finn
- Human hero of the series
- Returns to his younger adventuring days
- Sword-first problem solver
Jake
- Magical stretchy dog
- Finn's best friend and partner
- Relaxed humor and shapeshifting powers
Princess Bubblegum
- Ruler of the Candy Kingdom
- Science-minded monarch
- Recurring quest-giver figure
Marceline
- Vampire Queen
- Centuries-old musician
- Longtime friend of the duo
Ice King
- Wizard of the Ice Kingdom
- Unpredictable recurring rival
- Classic-era antagonist energy
New Faces
- Fresh monsters and side characters
- Standalone quest casts
- Expansions of Ooo's world
Official series descriptions confirm the show revisits classic elements including the Ice King, meaning viewers can expect the original dynamic between early Finn and Jake and the wizard's schemes.
For detailed voice actor information and any cast changes from the original series, check our dedicated Characters and Cast guides, which track confirmed performers as listings are updated.
How to Watch: Step-by-Step
Confirm Your Region's Platform
US viewers should head to Disney+ or Hulu, where all 40 episodes are available. International viewers should check local Cartoon Network or HBO Max availability starting October 5, 2026.
Watch the Official Trailer
The Cartoon Network official trailer, with hundreds of thousands of views, previews the episodic quest format, returning characters, and visual style before you commit.
Start With Batch 1 (Episodes 1–20)
Because episodes are standalone, release order is the simplest path. Batch 1 establishes the tone, character dynamics, and quest structure.
Continue Into Batch 2 (Episodes 21–40)
Pick up where you left off. Batch 2 launched October 2, 2026 and follows the same self-contained format, so there is no complex arc to track.
Optional: Rewatch Classic Adventure Time
Longtime fans can pair Side Quests with the original series for richer context, though the spin-off is designed to be enjoyed on its own.
Side Quests works well as a first taste of the franchise. Each 11-minute episode delivers a complete adventure, making it an easy, low-commitment entry into the world of Ooo.
Viewer Checklist and Key Locations
Side Quests Viewing Checklist:
- Watch the official trailer on Cartoon Network's channel
- Complete episodes 1-20 (Batch 1) on Disney+ or Hulu
- Complete episodes 21-40 (Batch 2, October 2026)
- Note returning characters: Bubblegum, Marceline, Ice King
- Explore the original series for classic-era context
Side Quests sends Finn and Jake across the familiar geography of Ooo. The main types of settings include:
| Location Type | Description | Quest Role |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdoms and settlements | Candy Kingdom and other populated areas | Meet residents, find quests |
| Dungeons | Classic hazard-and-loot adventure zones | Exploration and combat |
| Wilderness of Ooo | Forests, ruins, open landscapes | Travel and encounters |
| Islands and remote areas | Isolated, self-contained settings | Standalone mysteries |
For deeper dives into specific episodes, villains, and Ooo locations, browse the Episodes, Villains, and Locations sections of this wiki for structured guides.
FAQ
Q: What is Adventure Time Side Quests?
It is an episodic animated spin-off of Adventure Time featuring a younger Finn and Jake in standalone, roughly 11-minute adventures across the Land of Ooo. It premiered June 29, 2026 on Disney+ and Hulu in the US.
Q: Is Adventure Time Side Quests a prequel?
Not strictly. The series revisits Finn and Jake's earlier adventuring years, but calling it a formal prequel is contested. It is best described as additional standalone adventures set during the classic era of the original show.
Q: Where can I watch Adventure Time Side Quests?
In the US, all 40 released episodes stream on Disney+ and Hulu. International viewers can watch via Cartoon Network and HBO Max, with a broadcast run starting October 5, 2026.
Q: How many episodes of Side Quests are there?
As of October 2026, 40 episodes have been released: the first 20 on June 29, 2026, and the second batch of 20 on October 2, 2026, each running about 11 minutes.