Regular Show: The Lost Tapes is an American animated sitcom created by J. G. Quintel for Cartoon Network. A revival of Quintel's series Regular Show (2010–2017), the series premiered globally on May 11, 2026.[1][2]
| Regular Show: The Lost Tapes | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Created by | J. G. Quintel |
| Based on | Regular Show by J.G. Quintel |
| Showrunner | J. G. Quintel |
| Voices of |
|
| Theme music composer | J. G. Quintel |
| Composers |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 10 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Ryan Slater |
| Running time | 11–22 minutes |
| Production company | Cartoon Network Studios |
| Original release | |
| Network | Cartoon Network |
| Release | May 11, 2026 – present |
| Related | |
Similar to the original series, it follows the daily adventures of blue jay Mordecai and raccoon Rigby, who work as groundskeepers at a local park. Other members of the park include their short-tempered boss Benson (a gumball machine), the lollipop-shaped owner of the park Pops, and their coworkers, Skips (a yeti), Muscle Man, and Hi-Five Ghost.
Premise
editThe series depicts a new set of surreal situations faced by Mordecai (J. G. Quintel) and Rigby (William Salyers)—two best friends and groundskeepers at a park where they often avoid work to have fun, much to the annoyance of their boss Benson (Sam Marin). Other characters include Pops (Marin), the owner of the park, and their coworkers Skips (Mark Hamill), Muscle Man (Marin) and Hi-Five Ghost (Quintel).
Each episode—as revealed in the first episode—is told under the framing device of Pops in the afterlife following the events of the series finale of the original series, in which each untold adventure is played out through footage from a box of VHS tapes Pops found, aptly titled "The Lost Tapes". As a result, any episode can theoretically take place in different time periods of the original series instead of following a linear timeline.
Production
editOn June 12, 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that a new Regular Show series titled Regular Show: The Lost Tapes had been greenlit for two seasons, with J. G. Quintel returning as showrunner.[3] On September 30, 2024, Mark Hamill confirmed that he would reprise his role as Skips.[4] Later it was unveiled that much of the original cast—including Quintel, William Salyers, Sam Marin, and Minty Lewis—were returning.[1] The series is produced by Cartoon Network Studios, with Quintel and Sean Szeles returning as executive producers alongside studio president Sam Register.[5][6]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title [7][8] | Written and storyboarded by | Story by | Original release date [7][8] | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fix That Tape" | Written by : J. G. Quintel, Sean Szeles, Toby Jones, and Calvin Wong Storyboarded by : Siti Lu and Calvin Wong | Matt Price | May 11, 2026 | 101A | 0.20[9] |
|
Following the events of the series finale of the original series, Pops, now residing in the afterlife, accidentally breaks his memory VHS tape and tries to find another copy. Song: "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra | ||||||
| 2 | "Skips' Luau" | Maddie Brewer and Ryan Pequin | Minty Lewis | May 11, 2026 | 101B | 0.20[9] |
|
Mordecai and Rigby use a hovercraft to take out the trash after Benson suspends their wheel privileges so they can attend Skips' luau and eat a special burger. An FBI agent mistakes them for aliens. Song: "Kiss on My List" by Daryl Hall & John Oates | ||||||
| 3 | "Blade Games" | Sam Lane and Bryan Mann | Minty Lewis | May 12, 2026[a] | 102 | 0.17[9] |
|
Benson watches a motivational VHS tape in an attempt to improve Mordecai and Rigby's work ethic. | ||||||
| 4 | "Nap Spot" | Alex Cline and Monty Ray | Michele Cavin and Matt Price | May 13, 2026[a] | 103 | 0.08[9] |
|
When Mordecai and Rigby discover Muscle Man's secret nap spot, Muscle Man must enter their dreams to rescue them from its horrors. | ||||||
| 5 | "Coffee Shop Wars" | Maddie Brewer and Ryan Pequin | Michele Cavin | May 14, 2026[a] | 104 | 0.08[9] |
|
Margaret and Eileen create a new recipe to compete with a nearby fusion restaurant threatening their coffee shop. | ||||||
| 6 | "Boba or Bo-Bust" | Alex Cline and Monty Ray | Minty Lewis | May 18, 2026[a] | 105 | 0.16[9] |
|
After replacing all the food in the snack bar with boba, Mordecai and Rigby have to sell it and repay the money they spent. They later use Pops as a mascot for the boba, which transforms him into a new persona, "Boba Casanova." | ||||||
| 7 | "Corpse Flower" | Monty Ray and Alex Cline | Minty Lewis | May 19, 2026[b] | 106 | 0.12[9] |
|
When Eileen learns that her trip to see the blooming of an corpse flower coincides with Margaret's poetry recital, Rigby helps her attempt to attend both events in time. | ||||||
| 8 | "Beginson" | Hilary Florido and Madeline Queripel | Michele Cavin | May 20, 2026[b] | 107 | 0.10[9] |
|
Benson recounts how he was kicked out of his band, Hair to the Throne, and later became the park manager after dealing with a lazy coworker named Talks. | ||||||
| 9 | "Good Mitch Spiking" | Sam Lane and Bryan Mann | Michele Cavin | May 21, 2026[b] | 108 | 0.12[9] |
|
Muscle Man recounts his first breakup with Starla and how he pursued a volleyball career to win her back. | ||||||
| 10 | "Stilt Walkers" | Maddie Brewer and Ryan Pequin | Matt Price | May 22, 2026[b] | 109 | 0.21[9] |
|
When Rigby uses a pair of stilts as chopsticks for old Christmas decorations to act as sushi, and wants a picture taken out of it, the others call it a terrible idea. This leads him to move to a small civilization led by Uncle Sam, where everyone walks in stilts. | ||||||
| 11 | "Spice It Up: Beyond Underdome" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 12 | "Secret Menu Item" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 13 | "Smoke Alarm on the Water" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 14 | "Party Horse 4: Third Time's a Charm" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 15 | "Clean the Living Room" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 16 | "Artist's Block" | Hilary Florido, Madeline Queripel, J. G. Quintel and Sean Szeles | Michele Cavin | May 28, 2026[c] | TBA | TBD |
| 17 | "That's Funny" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 18 | "Cool Boss" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 19 | "Terror Tales of the Park"[d] | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| TBA | ||||||
| 20 | "Skips' Van" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 21 | "Super Strong Johns" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 22 | "Car Wash" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 23 | "All You Can Fit" | Hilary Florido and Madeline Queripel | Matt Price | May 28, 2026[c] | TBA | TBD |
| 24 | "Don's Back" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 25 | "Life & Death of Robot Dog" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 26 | "Before Sunrise" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 27 | "Recycle Yo!" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 28 | "Hi Five's Throat" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 29 | "Carter & Briggs Are Here" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 30 | "Wet Phone" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 31 | "Dip Deep" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 32 | "Ketch of the Day" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 33 | "Thanks for the Memories" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 34 | "Master Curator" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 35 | "12,000 Seconds" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 36 | "The Afterheist" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 37 | "Japlan" | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| 38 | "The Ultimate Format War"[d] | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBD |
| TBA | ||||||
Release
editRegular Show: The Lost Tapes officially premiered on Cartoon Network feeds worldwide on May 11, 2026.[1][11] In Canada, the series aired on YTV the same day.[12] The series is also streaming on HBO Max and Hulu, starting in the United States on June 8, 2026.[13][1][14] Internationally, the series is streaming on StackTV and Teletoon+ in Canada,[15] Neon in New Zealand,[16] Now in Italy,[17] and Movistar Plus+ in Spain.[18]
Critical reception
editThe series has received mixed reviews from critics, with split opinions regarding its attributes in comparison to the original Regular Show. Some critics praised its respect for the original show's style and continuity, while others saw it as having an overreliance on the original show's humor or as having pacing issues.
Chris Gallardo of Tell-Tale TV gave the series a positive review, assuring that the humor of the series is "still as absurd as ever, blending its off-beat, surreal humor with the fast-paced energy" and that "the comedy still hits relatively the same".[19] Sean Isaacs of The Fanboy Factor praises the series for retaining its original format and "presenting the episodes as stories that could have existed alongside the original run rather than continuing it."[20]
Guy Dolbey of DiscussingFilm rated the series 2 out of 5 stars; he critiqued the material as too familiar to the original series, lacking in surprises, and deemed the humor as "not very funny", while comparing to the perceived decline in quality of The Simpsons.[21] Wilson Chapman of IndieWire criticized the series for "failing to stack up to the original run at its best" and being "a bit frantic and poorly paced, lacking the contrast between the chill, down-to-earth characters and the absurdity surrounding them that gave the series its initial hook".[22]
Notes
edit- 1 2 3 4 This episode first premiered on HBO Max internationally on May 11, 2026, ahead of its official air date.
- 1 2 3 4 This episode first premiered on HBO Max internationally on May 18, 2026, ahead of its official air date.
- 1 2 This episode was accidentally added to Hulu and Disney+ via a bundle subscription prematurely.[10] It would later be taken down hours later.
- 1 2 This is a half-hour episode.
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Moorman, Taijuan. "New 'Regular Show' series 'The Lost Tapes' on Cartoon Network: What to know". USA Today. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Maldonado, Leo. "Looking Through Leo's Lens: OHHHH!!! Regular Show the Lost Tapes Teaser". The Decaturian. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Hopewell, John; Lang, Jamie (June 12, 2024). "New 'Regular Show,' 'Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends' Series Unveiled at Annecy (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ↑ Flook, Ray (September 30, 2024). "Regular Show Revival Will Include Mark Hamill Returning as Skips". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ↑ Milligan, Mercedes (March 23, 2026). "Oooooh! 'Regular Show: The Lost Tapes' Brings a Cartoon Network Favorite Back to Screens in May". Animation Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "J.G. Quintel on 'The Lost Tapes,' Cartoon Network's Golden Age and Pushing the 'Regular Show' TV-PG Rating to the Limit: 'They Were Like, "We Need You Guys to Tone It Down"". Variety. May 9, 2026. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- 1 2 "A Cartoon Network májusi újdonságai". mentrum.hu. April 1, 2026. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Bracamonte, Facundo (April 6, 2026). "Un Show Más: Las Cintas Perdidas ya tiene sus primeros episodios confirmados". TVLaint (in Spanish). Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "U.S. Cartoon Network and Adult Swim Ratings". SpoilerTV+. Google Drive. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
- ↑ @AnimationOnMax (May 28, 2026). "In other streaming news, "Regular Show: The Lost Tapes" has been added prematurely to Disney+. Probably in error because only episodes 16 and 22 are available, neither of which have aired anywhere else in the world yet" (Tweet). Retrieved May 28, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ↑ Chu, Jennifer (March 19, 2026). "Cartoon Network Brings Back Regular Show After 9 Years". Screen Rant. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ "TV Schedule for YTV (Youth Television) - East". TV Passport. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "What's New On HBO Max This June". Warner Bros. Discovery. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
- ↑ "Regular Show: The Lost Tapes | Watch Full Episodes". Disney+. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Corus Entertainment Delivers A Red-Carpet 2025/2026 Lineup Across Its Specialty Portfolio And Streaming Platforms". Corus Entertainment. June 1, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Watch Regular Show: The Lost Tapes Online". Neon. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Regular Show: Le cassette perdute". Now. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Historias Corrientes: Las cintas perdidas". Movistar Plus+. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
- ↑ Gallardo, Christ (May 7, 2026). "Regular Show: The Lost Tapes Review: Same Old Absurdity With an Updated Visual Look". Tell-Tale TV. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Isaacs, Sean (April 27, 2026). "Regular Show: The Lost Tapes Review — A Familiar Return That Doesn't Miss a Beat". The Fanboy Factor. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
- ↑ Dolbey, Guy (April 27, 2026). "Regular Show: The Lost Tapes Review – More of the Same, But Not For the Better". DiscussingFilm. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
- ↑ Chapman, Wilson (May 14, 2026). "Regular Show: The Lost Tapes and the Tricky Science of a TV Revival". IndieWire. Retrieved May 17, 2026.