The network releases the full stop-motion horror short from Lee Hardcastle that opened the series’ Season 3 ‘Curse of the Green Halloween Witch’ episode as part of its April Fools programming.
Adult Swim marked April Fools’ Day by debuting the stand-alone, full-length horror short Ghosts ’n Chainsaws that opened the Season 3 episode, “Curse of the Green Halloween Witch,” from its hit animated comedy, Smiling Friends.
The 10-minute Claymation short, created by British animator Lee Hardcastle, appears within episode as the Smiling Friends crew gathers in the break room to watch the film together. Adult Swim aired the film this past midnight. And you can watch it now!
In the episode, the characters react to the film with varying enthusiasm, with Pim calling it "Pretty good," Charlie describing it as "One of my favorites," and the Boss declaring it "the best thing I’ve ever seen in my freaking life!"
Hardcastle previously created the Rick and Morty horror parody Summer’s Sleepover in 2022 and has produced multiple Smiling Friends IDs. On Ghosts ’n Chainsaws, he serves as writer and director, with voice performances by Adam Buxton, Tim Atkins, and Hardcastle himself, sound by Tim Atkins, music by Nathan Williams and Aaron Rubin, and strata-cut work by David Daniels.
Smiling Friends Season 3 follows Pim, Charlie, Flint, and the broader team as they continue their efforts to spread happiness across a surreal world. The series, co-created by Michael Cusack and Zach Hadel and animated by Princess Bento Studio, remains one of Adult Swim’s top-performing titles on HBO Max and was renewed for Seasons 4 and 5 ahead of the current Season 3 launch.
Source: Adult Swim
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
