Best television shows based on video games: The Cuphead Show!
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2022 | TV-Y7 | 2 Seasons | TV Comedies
Follow the misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his easily swayed brother Mugman in this animated series based on the hit video game.
Starring: Tru Valentino, Frank Todaro, Wayne Brady
Based on the hit 2017 indie game from Studio MDHR, The Cuphead Show! is one of the most recent video game-to-television successes to come to us courtesy of Netflix. Like the game, The Cuphead Show has an aesthetic that is reminiscent of vintage “rubber-hose” animation a la the very early Disney days. The show has been well-received since its February 2022 release. Season 2 launched in August.
It is a loose adaptation of the game, and is geared more toward kids than veterans of the tough-as-nails run-and-gun platform-shooter. The show follows brothers Cuphead and Mugman—the same protagonists from the game. The pair has a knack for getting into trouble, especially with the Devil. The voice casting includes Tru Valentino (who also voiced Adam Gette in Psychonauts 2) as Cuphead. Veteran actor and voice actor Frank Todaro is both Mugman and Jerry. Grey DeLisle voices Ms. Chalice, Hilda Berg, Dorris and Emma. And Jim Conroy is Ollie Bulb, Jasper and Duke.
Ireland-based Lighthouse Studios handles the animation—and unlike the game’s hand-drawn animations, the show uses a variety of other methods in order to meet deadlines. American composer Ego Plum, perhaps best known for his work on Spongebob Squarepants, is responsible for the show’s music.
All images and synopsis information via netlix.com.
Season 1
Release year: 2022
Follow the misadventures of the impulsive Cuphead and his easily swayed brother Mugman in this animated series based on the hit video game.
1. Carn-Evil
Cuphead convinces Mugman they should ditch their chores and head to the carnival, unaware it’s a front to collect souls.
2. Baby Bottle
The brothers take care of a baby left at their front door. But with Elder Kettle gone and a strict warning to be good, it’s harder than they imagined.
3. Ribby & Croaks
A squabbling Mugman and Cuphead sneak into a club to grab some ice cream after the boxing champs who own it steal their money.
4. Handle with Care
After Mugman’s handle breaks off, the brothers visit a greedy shopkeeper and get creative while on the hunt for glue.
5. Roll the Dice
All bets are off when Cuphead takes over Inkwell Isle’s No. 1 game show, much to the annoyance of its devious host King Dice and his devilish boss.
6. Ghosts Ain’t Real
A spooky bunch of ghosts treat Cuphead and Mugman to a night of chills and thrills after trapping them inside a creepy graveyard.
7. Root Packed
Cuphead and Mugman have to defend Elder Kettle’s precious vegetable garden after a rotten gang turns their yard into a party.
8. Sweater Off Dead
Mugman knits a special sweater to keep Cuphead’s soul safe. Meanwhile, in the underworld, the Devil is throwing a party.
9. Sweater Off Next Time
The Devil follows the brothers day after day, waiting for Cuphead to take off his sweater so he can collect his soul before Stickler finds out.
10. Dangerous Mugman
Cuphead and a cowardly Mugman test their courage after Porkrind sends them on a dangerous errand that quickly gets out of hand.
11. Dirt Nap
Elder Kettle overhears strange conversations between Cuphead and Mugman, then worries that the boys have menacing plans for him.
12. In Charm’s Way
Trouble follows the brothers when Cuphead and Mugman get in over their heads upon meeting a free-spirited, street-smart new friend.
Season 2
Release year: 2022
Pirate adventures, giant peppermints, devilish pitchforks and more! Wherever Cuphead and Mugman go this season, fun and mischief are sure to follow.
1. Jailbroken
Cuphead and Mugman are in the slammer after breaking into the cookie factory. Prison’s scary — but now they can’t decide whether to bust out or stay in!
2. Charmed & Dangerous
Trouble comes a-knockin’ when Ms. Chalice turns up on Elder Kettle’s doorstep and turns on the charm. The question is: Can she be trusted?
3. A High Seas Adventure!
The boys think they’re just “playing” pirate until they actually drift out to sea and get roped into a mission to reunite a captain and his sweetheart.
4. Another Brother
After an argument with Mugman, Cuphead goes looking for another brother. But his reckless new sibling isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.
5. Sweet Temptation
Cuphead’s self-control is put to the test when he discovers a sugary dreamland where he can eat all the sweets he wants… with a catch.
6. The I Scream Man
All Mugman wants is a little peace and quiet while Cuphead and Elder Kettle are away. Enter the ice cream man — and his jaunty truck’s maddening jingle.
7. Piano Lesson
Mugman gets dangerously jealous when his snooty piano teacher taps Cuphead to compete for a $10,000 musical prize instead of him.
8. Release the Demons!
Steaming mad and ready for revenge, the Devil summons his finest demons and sends them above ground on a mission to recapture Cuphead’s soul.
9. Dead Broke
Ms. Chalice and the boys craft a perfect spooky scam: making money as ghost removers! But things get real when they pick a house that’s already haunted.
10. Rat’s All, Folks
A crafty rat claims ownership of Elder Kettle’s cottage and all of its contents after a careless Cuphead and Mugman leave the door open.
11. Say Cheese
Elder Kettle wants to snap a family portrait of him and his boys — and, boy, does he get it! Just not in the picture-perfect setting he was expecting.
12. Lost in the Woods
Winter’s coming and there’s lots of work to do, but Cuphead doesn’t want to do any of it. Forget chopping wood — he’d rather launch rockets into the sky!
13. The Devil’s Pitchfork
Cuphead and Mugman are giddy with power when they get their hands on the Devil’s pitchfork and make fiery mischief all over town.
Wrap up
If you are a fan of gorgeous animation and slapstick humor (and no, you don’t have to be 10 and under to belong to this category) you should definitely check this out if you haven’t already. Fans of the game should also give The Cuphead Show! a chance. Netflix initially ordered 36 episodes across three seasons, but with the show’s warm reception it is safe to say The Cuphead Show! will be around a little longer in one form or another.
Featured image via marca.com.
