Since its release in 2008, Kung Fu Panda has become a classic feel-good movie that all kinds of viewers can savor. The doe-eyed panda with dreams of becoming a kung fu master aims for more than just becoming the Dragon Warrior he ends up being an inspiration for audiences everywhere. Po’s story is universally relatable: his determination to overcome any challenge and never let other people tell him what he cannot achieve take center stage and make it easy for viewers to connect with him.
The Kung Fu Panda franchise now consists of four full-length movies, four TV specials, an acclaimed video game trilogy at least one spin off series that focuses on fan-favorite characters. Clearly the studio loves to make content around the charming panda and his humorous adventures. What really sets Kung Fu Panda apart from other animated shows is how it seamlessly blends action and comedy into each installment.
It goes without saying that even after 14 years, Po continues to mesmerize people of all ages with his kung fu prowess and never seems to stop packing theaters around the world. It is no surprise at all why this beloved cartoon remains one of DreamWorks’ flagship franchises. With its interesting plots, fantastic cast of characters and incredible martial arts sequences, it’s easy to see why Kung Fu Panda continues to impress generations after generations!
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Kung Fu Panda Franchise: Every Movies, Short Films and TV Series in Order
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Kung Fu Panda
Directors: Mark OsborneJohn Stevenson
Writers: Jonathan Aibel(screenplay), Glenn Berger(screenplay), Ethan Reiff(story)
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Ian McShane(voice), Angelina Jolie(voice)
Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Kung Fu Panda is a computer-animated comedy martial art movie started in 2008 when the first movie Kung Fu Panda was released on 11 July 2008.
In ancient China where anthropomorphic animals lived, Po, a giant lazy panda adopted by Mr. Ping runs a noodle restaurant. It was Po’s dream to fight with the Furious Five, a group of kung fu masters consisting of Master Tigress, Crane, Monkey, Mantis, and Vipre.
The Jade Palace was their home and they helped others. Po always dreamed of learning kung fu. One day, Shifu organized a tournament for the Five so that Oogway would identify the Dragon Warrior who would fight Tai and save everyone. Po was mistakenly chosen as a dragon warrior.
The journey from a dreamy Panda to a Kung Fu Panda starts here. Many challenges come to Po and how does he fight them and ultimately become a dragon warrior? Because Po was a hard-working panda, he never regretted becoming a Dragon Warrior and learning kung fu from Shifu.
Finally, he faced Tai Lung. How did he defeat Tai Lung? This is the most interesting part. Kung fu fighting senses are mind-blowing.
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Kung Fu Panda 2
Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Ethan Reiff
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Angelina Jolie(voice), Jackie Chan(voice)
Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
After the first part’s huge success, DreamWorks Productions released the second part of Kung Fu Panda on 26 May 2011.
The peacock rulers of Gongmen City invented fireworks for peaceful purposes, but Lord Shen, their son, used fireworks and gunpowder for evil purposes. Lord Shen has already used it to destroy the giant panda population. Even Shen’s parents tried to save him but after many years Shen comes back with his wolf army to conquer all of China.
Po enjoys his newly acquired identity. After Shen battled the furious five and the dragon warrior Po, Shen won, and the others surrendered. Afterward, the five embark on a mission to destroy cannons in order to save Gongmen city and others. We learn about Po’s past and get a glimpse of his biological parents as he searches for his family. At that place, Po achieves inner peace and is able to recall his past.
Finally, everyone fights against Shen. How does Po fight again with Lord Shen? Were they able to kill Shen? Po once again proved his kung fu skills and they won. Po finally called Mr. Ping’s father, in which Po’s biological father senses that his son is still alive. This identifies a story to be continued.
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Kung Fu Panda 3
Directors: Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Ethan Reiff(based on the characters created by)
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Bryan Cranston(voice), Dustin Hoffman(voice)
Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Part three of the Kung Fu Panda animated movie series was released in 2016. It was first released in China on January 23, 2016.
The story turns to grand master Oogway who fights against General Kai in the Spirit Realm. Yak is a spirit warrior, who fights with all dead kung fu masters and steals their Chi. On the other side, Shifu announces his retirement from teaching and chooses Po as the new teacher.
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When Po returns home, he meets his biological father. And the journey to his home, the Panda village, starts when Po meets other Pandas in a secret Panda village. The main plot starts here when Po teaches everyone Kung Fu, and then they fight with Kai. The battle was thrilling, and you need to watch this movie. At last, Po and others win, and everyone learns kung fu and chi.
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Kung Fu Panda 4
If you are waiting for Kung Fu Panda 4, you need to wait a little longer. According to Universal Pictures Kung Fu Panda 4 is ongoing or under-planned and set to be released on March 8, 2024. However, it has been officially announced by DreamWorks. They mention that Kung Fu Panda has 6 parts, and only 3 are available now. Therefore, we can hope that other parts will be released at the right time.
All Kung Fu Panda Short Films
Kung Fu Panda is the most popular animated action movie worldwide. When the makers saw its popularity, they made five short movies and a television show. Here is a brief look at the Kung Fu Panda series:
In addition to the main movie, Kung Fu Panda 2 has a short film released.
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Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five
Director: Raman Hui
Writers: Paul McEvoy, Todd Berger, Jed Diffenderfer
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Dustin Hoffman(voice), Will Shadley(voice)
Genres: Animation, Short, Action, Comedy, Family
This short film was released on 11 November 2008, and the director was Raman Hui. Master Shifu gives Po the task of teaching Bunnies Kung Fu. Po tries to discipline the class, and here we can see the story of the Furious Five when they were children. This movie beautifully shows the primary stage of a Kung Fu student.
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Kung Fu Panda: Secrets Of The Masters
Director: Tony Leondis
Writers: Todd Berger, Paul McEvoy, Ethan Reiff
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Angelina Jolie(voice), Dustin Hoffman(voice)
Genres: Animation, Short, Action, Comedy, Family
On December 13, 2011, director Tony Leondis released another short film to delight Kung Fu Panda fans. As Po and Tigress enter the Hall of Heroes with Mantis and Tigress, we can see the three Kung Fu masters’ secrets. The film tells the story of three masters and their secrets one by one.
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Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll
Director: Rodolphe Guenoden
Writers: Paul McEvoyEthan Reiff, Cyrus Voris
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Eliott Guenoden(voice), James Hong(voice)
Genres: Animation, Short, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
On December 15, 2015, a cute and funny animated movie was released. The director was Rodolphe Guenoden. Mr. Ping is allowed to make noodles, and Po travels to the Jade Palace. However, after Boar makes Shifu sick, how Tigress manages to defeat Boar is interesting.
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Panda Paws
Stars: Kate Hudson(voice), Steele Gagnon(voice), Barbara Dirickson(voice)
Genres: Animation, Short, Comedy, Family
As part of the Kung Fu Panda 3 storyline, Panda Paws was released on May 13, 2016. Mei Mei participated in the Spring Festival. But Bao wins because of his cuteness. The fight between Bao and Mei Mei is very funny and at the end, they end with a Panda Paws photo together.
All Kung Fu Panda Television Specials and Series
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Kung Fu Panda Holiday
Director: Tim Johnson
Writers: Jonathan Groff, Jon Pollack, Ethan Reiff
Stars: Jack Black(voice), Dustin Hoffman(voice), Angelina Jolie(voice)
Genres: Animation, Short, Action, Comedy, Family
This animated Christmas television special was released on 24 November 2010. The director was Tim Johnson.
Master Shifu assigns Po to host an annual winter feast at the Jade Palace, which all Kung Fu masters will attend. But Po wants to spend his holiday with his father. This computer-animated television special is very comical, and lastly, how Po manages everything is quite interesting.
Kung Fu Panda 2 also features two short films on this theme.
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Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness
Stars: Mick Wingert, Kari Wahlgren, Fred Tatasciore
Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
In 2010, Nickelodeon broadcasted 80 episodes of this animated television series. Po and the Furious Five defeat a group of villains from the valley of peace. In these, Po makes mistakes and eventually learns a lesson. And learn more about the history of Kung Fu. At last, he meets other famous kung fu masters.
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Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny
Creator: Elliott Owen
Stars: Laya DeLeon Hayes, Makana Say, Gunnar Sizemore
Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
This is an animated television series created by DreamWorks Animation and the Kung Fu Panda universe. It contains 26 episodes starting from 16 November 2018 to 5 July 2019. In this television series, 4 adorable young pandas are off on an adventure, absorbing the chi belonging to ancient kung fu masters. Po has no other choice but to teach them Kung Fu. The series is an exciting journey and a worthwhile show for Kung Fu fans.
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Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight
Stars: Jack Black, Mick Wingert, Rita Ora
Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
After the release of Kung Fu Panda 3 and The Paws of Destiny, in March 2022, on National Panda Day, DreamWorks Production announced a new animated series of Kung Fu Panda. This animated series broadcast on Netflix on July 14, 2022. It has 11 episodes on Netflix.
Even Po is a Kung Fu Master, but he destroyed a village because of his mistake during a battle. Afterward, Queen England announced that he would withdraw his title as Kung Fu master to accomplish. Po, the dragon warrior, and the Kung Fu master work together to complete a mission for an English knight named Luthera, known as Wandering Blade.
They partner to fight many villains along with Klaus and Verucain in China. And they must find the 4 elemental weapons that cause mass destruction to save the world and China. Experience an amazing journey to China and the action is waiting for you.
Conclusion
Kung Fu Panda is a very famous and top-grossing movie. Even today, they have no upcoming movies but Kung Fu Panda is still popular. According to the source, they give hints about the Kung Fu Panda 4 movie, which is set to be released in 2024. Even though Kung Fu Panda was said to have 6 parts, there has been no recent update regarding a future movie.
We have to wait a short while longer for any other parts. TV series and short films are more meaningful to them than long movies. Kung Fu has its roots in China and Buddhism. And we all know that Kung Fu is very famous but making a 3D animated movie on this theme takes much effort and time.
The Kung Fu Panda movies are presented here in chronological and serial order. Without any doubt you can go for this serial order and you can watch all movies easily.
