Watch the Kung Fu Panda movies in release order, which is also story order: Kung Fu Panda (2008), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) and Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024). Each film follows Po on from the last.
- Titles
- 4
- Films
- 4
- Watch time
- 6 hours
- Box office
- $2.37 billion
- Avg IMDb
- 7.1
Kung Fu Panda movies in release order
Here is every Kung Fu Panda title in the order it came out, 2008 to 2024: 4 films.
| # | Title | Year | Type | Runtime | IMDb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kung Fu Panda | 2008 | Film | 1h 30m | 7.6 |
| 2 | Kung Fu Panda 2 | 2011 | Film | 1h 31m | 7.3 |
| 3 | Kung Fu Panda 3 | 2016 | Film | 1h 35m | 7.1 |
| 4 | Kung Fu Panda 4 | 2024 | Film | 1h 34m | 6.3 |
Release or chronological: which order is best?
For Kung Fu Panda, release order and story order are the same thing: every film picks up after the one before it. There is no prequel to slot in early and no flashback to reshuffle, so the list above is the only order you need.
Where to start
Start with Kung Fu Panda and go in release order.
The whole thing is 6 hours. At two hours a night that is about 4 evenings.
The three highest rated: Kung Fu Panda (7.6), Kung Fu Panda 2 (7.3), and Kung Fu Panda 3 (7.1).
Every Kung Fu Panda movie, explained
One entry per title in release order: what it is about, why it matters to the bigger story, who is in it and how it did.
No. 01 · 2008 · Film · 1h 30m
Kung Fu Panda
Chosen by prophecy but doubted by all, Po is an unlikely choice for the mystical title of the Dragon Warrior—a clumsy panda thrust into the world of kung fu as a deadly enemy threatens the Valley of Peace. Under reluctant guidance by Master Shifu and the Furious Five, Po must embrace who he is to unlock the power that no scroll can teach.
Why it matters: Po becomes the Dragon Warrior.
- Starring
- Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, and Angelina Jolie
- Director
- Mark Osborne and John Stevenson
- Box office
- $632 million on a $130 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 87%
No. 02 · 2011 · Film · 1h 31m
Kung Fu Panda 2
Po is finally living the dream as the Dragon Warrior—until a shadow from his past comes roaring back. When the ruthless peacock Lord Shen unleashes a devastating new weapon used to wipe out kung fu masters across the land, Po and the Furious Five race across China to put an end to his plans. But if Po is to have any hope of stopping him, he must first confront the truth of his origins—and find inner peace before his past tears him apart.
Why it matters: Po's origins and Lord Shen.
- Starring
- Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Dustin Hoffman
- Director
- Jennifer Yuh Nelson
- Box office
- $666 million on a $150 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%
No. 03 · 2016 · Film · 1h 35m
Kung Fu Panda 3
While Po and his father are visiting a secret panda village, an evil spirit threatens all of China, forcing Po to form a ragtag army to fight back.
Why it matters: Po finds his father and the panda village.
- Starring
- Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, and Dustin Hoffman
- Director
- Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni
- Box office
- $521 million on a $145 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 87%
No. 04 · 2024 · Film · 1h 34m
Kung Fu Panda 4
Po is gearing up to become the spiritual leader of his Valley of Peace, but also needs someone to take his place as Dragon Warrior. As such, he will train a new kung fu practitioner for the spot and will encounter a villain called the Chameleon who conjures villains from the past.
Why it matters: Po chooses his successor.
- Starring
- Jack Black, Awkwafina, and Viola Davis
- Director
- Mike Mitchell
- Box office
- $548 million on a $80 million budget
- Scores
- IMDb 6.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 71%
Kung Fu Panda box office and budgets
The 4 Kung Fu Panda films with reported numbers have grossed $2.37 billion worldwide on about $505 million in combined budgets, roughly 4.7 times what they cost. The biggest is Kung Fu Panda 2 at $666 million, 28% of the franchise's total on its own, followed by Kung Fu Panda ($632 million) and Kung Fu Panda 4 ($548 million).
Measured against what it cost, the best return belongs to Kung Fu Panda 4, which made 6.9 times its $80 million budget. The weakest was Kung Fu Panda 3 at 3.6 times its $145 million budget. As a rule of thumb, a film needs about two and a half times its budget at the box office to cover marketing and the theaters' cut.
The best and worst rated Kung Fu Panda movies
Across 4 rated titles, Kung Fu Panda averages 7.1 on IMDb. The top of the list is Kung Fu Panda at 7.6, then Kung Fu Panda 2 (7.3) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (7.1). At the bottom: Kung Fu Panda 4 (6.3) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (7.1).
- Kung Fu Panda7.6 · RT 87%
- Kung Fu Panda 27.3 · RT 82%
- Kung Fu Panda 37.1 · RT 87%
- Kung Fu Panda 46.3 · RT 71%
Who appears in the most Kung Fu Panda movies
Jack Black leads with 4 appearances as Po, ahead of Dustin Hoffman (4) and Seth Rogen (4). Counted from each title's top-billed cast.
| Actor | Role | Titles | First and latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Black | Po | 4 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
| Dustin Hoffman | Shifu | 4 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
| Seth Rogen | Mantis | 4 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
| James Hong | Mr. Ping | 4 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
| Angelina Jolie | Tigress | 3 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) |
| Lucy Liu | Viper | 3 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) |
| David Cross | Crane | 3 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) |
| Jackie Chan | Monkey | 3 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) |
| Ian McShane | Tai Lung | 2 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
| Randall Duk Kim | Oogway | 2 | Kung Fu Panda (2008) to Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) |
| Bryan Cranston | Li | 2 | Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) to Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) |
Kung Fu Panda directors and creators
5 filmmakers have directed or created Kung Fu Panda; Jennifer Yuh Nelson has the most, with 2.
- Jennifer Yuh NelsonKung Fu Panda 2 (2011) and Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Mark OsborneKung Fu Panda (2008)
- John StevensonKung Fu Panda (2008)
- Alessandro CarloniKung Fu Panda 3 (2016)
- Mike MitchellKung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
How long it takes to watch every Kung Fu Panda movie
All 4 titles add up to 6 hours. That is about 4 two-hour evenings, or 1 days of ten-hour binges. The longest film is Kung Fu Panda 3 at 1h 35m.
The 4 best rated films: Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Kung Fu Panda 3, and Kung Fu Panda 4.
Everything takes about 7 days.
Track what you've watched on the timeline and it counts the hours left.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Kung Fu Panda movies in?
Watch the Kung Fu Panda movies in release order, which is also story order: Kung Fu Panda (2008), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) and Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024). Each film follows Po on from the last.
How many Kung Fu Panda movies and shows are there?
There are 4 titles in the Kung Fu Panda franchise: 4 films and 0 series, released from 2008 to 2024.
How long does it take to watch all the Kung Fu Panda movies?
About 6 hours for all 4 titles, counting every episode.
What is the first Kung Fu Panda title in chronological order?
Kung Fu Panda, set in The Valley of Peace. In release order the first is Kung Fu Panda (2008).
What is the best Kung Fu Panda movie?
By IMDb score, Kung Fu Panda (2008) at 7.6, followed by Kung Fu Panda 2 at 7.3.
What is the highest-grossing Kung Fu Panda movie?
Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), with $666 million worldwide. Kung Fu Panda films have made $2.37 billion in total.
Who has appeared in the most Kung Fu Panda movies?
Jack Black, in 4 of them as Po.
What is the longest Kung Fu Panda movie?
Kung Fu Panda 3, at 1h 35m.
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