Summary

• Kung Fu Panda franchise began in 2008, with multiple spinoffs and movies grossing over $1.8 billion.
• Kung Fu Panda 4 released in 2024, could be confusing due to the eight-year gap between previous installments.
• The franchise can be enjoyed chronologically or by release date order, offering plenty of stories to watch and enjoy.

The Kung Fu Panda franchise has been incredibly successful since it started in 2008 with multiple spinoffs, television specials, a holiday special, and four main movies that may challenge one who wants to watch it all in order. The Kung Fu Panda franchise has grossed over $1.8 billion at the box office and has been a massive hit with fans worldwide, even getting a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon at the parade. With an all-star cast and plenty of stories left to tell, Kung Fu Panda shows no sign of ending any time soon.

Kung Fu Panda 4 was released on March 8, 2024, bringing back much of the original Kung Fu Panda cast for an exciting new installment to the franchise. The eight-year difference between Kung Fu Panda 3 and Kung Fu Panda 4 could make the new release confusing. There are already several spinoffs and films, so it can be easy to get confused about the proper order to watch the Kung Fu Panda franchise. The DreamWorks franchise has a ton to enjoy, which can be viewed chronologically or in order of release date.

Kung Fu Panda Movies In Order Of Release Date

Concerning release dates, Kung Fu Panda began in 2008 with Jack Black in the title role, and it has grown from there. It was an instant success, bolstered by the star power of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, and Angelina Jolie, attracting millions of people in the United States and worldwide to the world of the Valley of Peace. Similar to the Shrek movie series, the franchise expanded into several television specials and shows. With this in mind, here is how to watch the Kung Fu Panda franchise in the order of their release date.

Kung Fu Panda Movies & Shows In Chronological Order Of Events

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Box Office: $143.5 million | Runtime: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Ian Shane (Tai Lung), Angelina Jolie (Master Tigress), Jackie Chan (Master Monkey), Lucy Liu (Master Viper), Seth Rogen (Mantis), David Cross (Master Crane), Randall Duk Kim (Master Oogway), James Hong (Mr. Ping)

Just as it was listed in the release date order, Mark Osborne and John Stevenson's first Kung Fu Panda movie began the franchise in 2008. The first film focuses on Po's path as the Dragon Warrior after he is selected to defeat Tai Lung, a villain and former student of kung fu master Shifu. Raised as the son of a humble noodle maker, Po has little self-esteem and is designated as a "big, fat, panda" by almost everyone in the Jade Palace. After a bumpy start with the Furious Five, Po's confidence grows as he trains, and he learns a good lesson about having faith in himself to be "The Big, Fat, Panda".

Secrets of the Furious Five (2008)

Runtime: 25 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Max Koch (Young Mantis), Jessica DiCicco (Young Viper), David Cross (Crane), Tara Strong (Young Tigress), Jaycee Chan (Young Monkey), Stephanie Lemelin (Mei Ling), Randall Duk Kim (Master Oogway)

This short film was released concurrently with the Kung Fu Panda DVD as a bonus feature. Taking place shortly after the first film, Raman Hui's short follows Po as he teaches an introduction to a kung fu class of young bunnies. To help teach the class, Po tells the stories of each member of the Furious Five in flashback form with 2-D animation. Each member of the Furious Five learns a different lesson that helps them on their kung fu journey, ranging from Tigress as she learns to control her explosive temper to Mantis as he learns patience after being captured.

Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010)

Runtime: 25 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Angelina Jolie (Master Tigress), Jackie Chan (Master Monkey), Lucy Liu (Master Viper), Seth Rogen (Mantis), David Cross (Master Crane), James Hong (Mr. Ping), Jack McBrayer (Wo Hop)

The first televised spinoff of Kung Fu Panda, this holiday special focuses on the true meaning of family. Po is assigned to help with the Annual Winter Fest at the Jade Palace, much to the disdain of his father, who helps feed the villagers who have nowhere to go for the holidays. Po also accidentally brings shame to Chef Wo Hop's village while trying to decide on a chef for the event. Torn between being with his father and his duties to Shifu, Po ends up overloaded and exhausted. He recruits the help of the Furious Five and a suicidal Wo Hop to help put the event together. Eventually, everyone comes together for a special meal at Mr. Ping's, where everyone learns that family doesn't have to be blood.

Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011-2016)

Cast: Mick Wingert (Po), Fred Tatasciore (Master Shifu), Kari Wahlgren (Master Tigress), Amir Talai (Master Crane), Lucy Liu (Master Viper), Max Koch (Master Mantis), James Sie (Master Monkey), James Hong (Mr. Ping)

Taking place between Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2, the Nickeloeden television series keeps the same themes as the movie and referenced to them often without being -non-canon. While none of the original cast is in it except for Lucy Liu and James Hong, the principle is the same. As Po learned more about the responsibilities of being a Dragon Warrior, each episode focused on a particular lesson for a character to learn. The audience also got to meet other kung fu masters that the first movie only touched on and learned more about the backgrounds of each of the characters.

Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011)

Runtime: 23 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Angelina Jolie (Master Tigress), Seth Rogen (Master Mantis), Randall Duk Kim (Master Oogway), Dennis Haysbert (Ox), Paul Scheer (Rhino), Tony Leondis (Croc), David Cowgill (Master Flying Rhino)

The Secrets of the Masters focuses on a few characters featured in Kung Fu Panda 2. Released as part of the Kung Fu Panda 2 DVD in 2011, this short is best watched before seeing the film. It covers the adventures of Masters Thundering Rhino, Croc, and Ox as they learn to find a purpose in their fighting and help save their village from being destroyed by the evil Wu Sisters. Similar to The Secrets of the Furious Five and other flashback sequences in the series, the flashback sequences take place in 2-D animation. This short is also an excellent chance to see more outside the Valley of Peace and enjoy the 2-D animation style featured in the flashbacks.

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Box office: $165.2 million | Run time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Gary Oldman (Lord Shen), Angelina Jolie (Master Tigress), Jackie Chan (Master Monkey), Lucy Liu (Master Viper), Seth Rogen (Mantis), David Cross (Master Crane), James Hong (Mr. Ping), Danny McBride (Wolf Boss), Victor Garber (Master Rhino), Jean-Claude Van Damme (Master Croc), Michelle Yeoh (Soothsayer)

The second movie in the Kung Fu Panda movie series and the most successful at the box office. After he defeated Tai Lung and earned his rightful place as the Dragon Warrior, Po has still not achieved inner peace and is struggling to discover his actual past. When an evil peacock named Lord Shen invents a weapon to wipe kung fu out of existence, Po must learn to reconcile his past with his future and learn about where he came from. Kung Fu Panda 2 focused on the psychological aspects of Po and delved deep into his thought process and that of his colleagues.

Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2015)

Cast: Jack Black (Po), James Hong (Mr. Ping), Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), Tara Macri (Young Tigress), Randall Duk Kim (Master Oogway), Stephen Kearin (Master Mongrel), Jayden Lund (Boar), Seth Rogen (Mantis), David Cross (Crane), James Sie (Monkey), Lucy Liu (Viper), Kari Wahlgren (Adult Tigress)

Set shortly before Kung Fu Panda 3, Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scrolls covered the origins of the Furious Five and how Po became interested in kung fu. After his dad accidentally sells his action figures, Po sets out on a quest to look for them and reminisces on how he gained his love for kung fu. 10 years before Kung Fu Panda 1, a teenaged Po and Tigress are learning about noodles and kung fu respectively. When an unbeatable warrior named Boar arrives in the village, Tigress must find four warriors to help defeat him since Shifu is sick with food poisoning, thanks to Po. Thanks to a mixup with a scroll, Tigress ends up recruiting Mantis, Viper, Crane, and Monkey, all of whom are stuck at a crossroads in their lives to eventually form the Furious Five.

Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Box office: $143.5 million | Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Bryan Cranston (Li), J.K. Simmons (Kai), Angelina Jolie (Master Tigress), Jackie Chan (Master Monkey), Lucy Liu (Master Viper), Seth Rogen (Mantis), David Cross (Master Crane), Kate Hudson (Mei Mei), James Hong (Mr. Ping), Randall Duk Kim (Master Oogway), Steele Gagnon (Bao), Liam Knight (Lei-Lei)

The third movie in the trilogy, Kung Fu Panda 3, continues on from where Kung Fu Panda 2 left off. As Po continues to enjoy his life as Dragon Warrior and as a beloved member of the Jade Palace, he learns that his biological father, Li, is still alive. After they reunite and head for the hidden panda village, Po learns to transition from student to teacher as he teaches his fellow pandas the art of kung fu. Along with several new panda characters, Po must take on the challenge of his life as he fights against the supernatural villain Kai, who is determined to capture the chi of all the kung fu masters in China.

Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny (2018-2019)

Cast: Mick Wingert (Po), Haley Tju (Nu Hai), Gunnar Sizemore (Bao), Laya DeLeon Hayes (Jing), Makana Say (Fan Tong), Christopher Swindle (Li), James Hong (Mr. Ping), Amy Hill (Grandma Panda), Cherise Boothe (Jade Tusk), Chrissy Metz (Mei Mei), Piotr Michael (Oogway), Jeff Bennett (Zhizhu)

Set directly after Kung Fu Panda 3, The Paws of Destiny followed Po and young pandas Nu Hai, Jing, Bao, and Fan Tong on a new kung fu adventure. After the kids accidentally absorb the chi of old kung fu warriors, they learn that they can save the world from evil. Mick Wingert and James Hong reprise their roles from the TV show Legends of Awesomeness as they lend a guiding hand during the adventures of the kids. Audiences see more of the panda village from Kung Fu Panda 3 and learn more about the lovable pandas.

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (2022-2023)

Cast: Jack Black (Po), Rita Ora (Luthera/Wandering Blade), Rahnuma Panthaky (Rukhmini), James Hong (Mr. Ping), Chris Geere (Klaus Dumont), Della Saba (Veruca Dumont), Ed Weeks (Colin), Harvey Guillen (Pei Pei), Richard Ayoade (Kyle), Shohreh Aghdashloo (Forouzan), Melissa Villaseñor (Akhna), Amy Hill (Pei Pei)

Described as being darker than previous DreamWorks movies and TV series, the most recent television show in the Kung Fu Panda franchise follows Po once again in his adventures. Unlike the other TV series where Po was voiced by Mick Wingert, Jack Black returns to voice Po again as he teams up with new character Luthera to find magical weapons and restore his damaged reputation. Instead of being in the Valley of Peace, Po goes on an adventure across China as he discovers more about himself and the future of kung fu.

Kung Fu Panda 4