‘King of the Hill’ Season 15 Just Earned its Rotten Tomatoes Score — See What the Critics are Saying

After spending more than 15 years away from television, King of the Hill is officially back, and the first wave of reviews suggests the beloved animated comedy has returned in impressive form. Ahead of its July 20 premiere on Hulu, the revival has already earned a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on its first eight reviews.

That early reception is a strong sign for a series that has always been praised for its grounded humor and relatable characters. Instead of trying to completely reinvent itself, the new season appears to focus on what made King of the Hill a fan favorite while updating its world for modern audiences.

Season 15 picks up years after the original series ended. Hank and Peggy Hill are now enjoying retirement on Rainey Street, but peaceful living doesn’t last long as they continue dealing with the strange situations and colorful neighbors that have always surrounded them. Their son Bobby has also entered a new stage of life, balancing old friendships while facing the challenges of running his own business.

The revival also brings the familiar Texas town into the present day. According to the official season description, Hank now finds himself surrounded by electric cars, science fiction conventions and other modern trends that naturally clash with his old-school way of thinking. That culture clash has become one of the biggest sources of comedy in the new episodes.

Critics have responded very positively to the show’s return. Writing for The Age, Jared Richards awarded the season four out of five stars and praised how naturally the series fits into today’s world. He described the new season as “a simple delight,” saying Hank’s reactions to modern life create plenty of laughs.

Processed Media critic Randy Dankievitch was equally enthusiastic, giving the season an A grade. He wrote that “King of the Hill settles back into itself like a farmhouse after a thunderstorm… a distinctly memorable, singular reflection on Americana that’s still running strong nearly 270 episodes in.” His review suggests the revival feels just as authentic as the original series.

At Pop Culture Leftovers, Tiffany McLaughlin felt the newest episodes improve on the previous revival season. She wrote, “While at times Season 14 felt like dipping a toe back into the Arlen pool rather than diving headfirst, the all-new Season 15 sheds the training wheels and fully embraces the core fanbase as the love letter to the series it is.”

People’s World critic Chauncey K. Robinson also praised the new episodes, giving them an A grade and calling the season “comedic gold.” Robinson added that the show offers “a refreshing interpretation of the current state of our world and how we navigate it,” showing that King of the Hill still has something meaningful to say while remaining funny.

Collider’s Nate Richard was among the most enthusiastic reviewers, scoring the season 9 out of 10. He wrote that “The King of the Hill revival has safely cemented itself as one of the best modern revivals on television, and this new batch of episodes proves that Season 14 wasn’t just a fluke.”

Luke Y. Thompson, writing for Mortal Cinema, also highlighted the show’s optimistic message. He noted that “Part of the point of this season, though, is learning to coexist – again, an idealization more optimistic than real life, but sometimes cartoons can be aspirational.”

Although only eight reviews have been published so far, the perfect Rotten Tomatoes score gives the revival an excellent start. More reviews will likely arrive after the full season premieres, which could change the rating over time, but the early response suggests longtime fans have plenty to look forward to.

With familiar characters, updated stories and critics already calling it one of television’s strongest revivals, King of the Hill appears to have successfully returned to Arlen without losing the charm that made it a classic in the first place.

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