King of the Hill Returns: Revival Season Earns Perfect Score with Critics
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The long wait is over for fans of Arlen, Texas: after 15 years, the highly anticipated revival of King of the Hill has arrived, debuting on the 2025 TV schedule and currently streaming on Hulu. The beloved animated series, which originally concluded in 2010 after 13 seasons, picks up approximately eight years later, with Hank and Peggy Hill returning to their hometown after a stint working in Saudi Arabia.
The revival has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, currently holding a perfect 100% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 33 reviews. Critics are praising the show’s ability to stay true to its legacy while navigating a changed cultural landscape and offering fresh perspectives on its iconic characters.
Bobby’s ‘Moving Upgrade’ Captivates Critics
Perhaps the most significant transformation in the new season centers around Bobby Hill, now a young adult pursuing his passion as a chef in Dallas. Critics have been particularly impressed with the character’s evolution, noting a depth and maturity previously unseen.
One reviewer from The Telegraph commented that Pamela Adlon’s voice for Bobby remains remarkably consistent, “often proving unsettling.” However, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Slant magazine’s Paul Attard observed that Bobby has undergone “the most unassumingly moving upgrade,” evolving from a source of comic relief into “an earnest, hard-working young adult with a raspy, sugar-dipped twang.” The Guardian echoed this sentiment, stating Bobby’s upgrade feels “at once generous, eccentric and earned.”
Further praise came from ScreenRant, with a critic noting Adlon “nails Bobby’s sweet naïveté as he deals with cultural backlash, work-life balance, and unrequited love.” Variety highlighted Adlon’s continued skill, noting that Bobby’s signature rasp “remains a touchstone of many childhoods spent watching reruns.”
King of the Hill has always been known for its subtle political commentary, and the revival season appears to maintain that tradition. Critics note the show avoids heavy-handed moralizing, instead opting for a more nuanced approach.
According to Slant, the series finds humor and heart in Hank’s willingness to “learn, however begrudgingly,” and to “sit with his discomfort.” The Guardian observed that Hank “longs for an old, moderate America that couldn’t always agree, but could at least accept shared terms of reference within which they could argue.”
IndieWire praised the show’s ability to elevate “simple truths in ways that are downright inspirational,” even in a world where “self-evident rights and wrongs are being routinely, dishonestly evaluated and reevaluated.” Even Dale Gribble’s conspiracy theories remain a source of humor, as noted by ScreenRant: “I wasn’t sure how this character would play in 2025, since government conspiracies have become a much more serious issue in today’s climate, but Dale and his ridiculous theories are still just as hilarious as ever.”
A Fresh Perspective on a Beloved Classic
Overall, critics agree that King of the Hill Season 14 is a successful revival that honors the show’s legacy while offering a fresh perspective. The Telegraph awarded the season 4 out of 5 stars, praising the timeline’s ability to bring “fresh perspective on familiar characters” and the beautiful handling of Hank’s retirement. Slant gave the season 3 out of 4 stars, noting that the show “hasn’t reinvented itself so much as it’s settled deeper into its own skin.” The Guardian also awarded 4 out of 5 stars, calling it “nuanced, subtly political, poignant TV – and there’s never been a better time for its focus on tolerance.”
IndieWire gave the season a B+, stating it’s “a reminder that times change, but values don’t.” ScreenRant concluded with an 8/10 rating, declaring it “the rare reboot that lives up to the original series, justifies its existence, and feels exciting and new.”
These glowing reviews may be enough to convert casual viewers – like the author – into full-blown fanatics. All 10 episodes of King of the Hill’s 14th season are available to stream now on Hulu.
