Dropout Challenges Netflix by Streaming the Weirdest Puppet Show Ever Made

While streaming giants like Netflix host Sesame Street and Disney Plus continues the legacy of The Muppets, the comedy-centric platform Dropout is taking a far more surreal plunge into the world of puppetry. Starting today, the cult-classic web shorts of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared are officially available on the service. According to Variety, the expanded six-episode television series will follow, with new installments arriving bi-weekly beginning March 20.

Described as a “viscerally unsettling” comedic experience, Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared juxtaposes the colorful aesthetics of children’s television with a haunting, David Lynch-inspired atmosphere—frequently likened to The Muppet Show if it were set in Twin Peaks. The project first gained notoriety via YouTube between 2011 and 2016 before transitioning into a full television production that aired on the UK’s Channel 4 in 2022. Creators Becky Sloan and Joseph Pelling expressed their excitement over the Dropout partnership, humorously noting that they’ve been assured the episodes will be presented in high definition with audio and visuals that “sync up most of the time.”

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Dropout, as it represents the platform’s inaugural venture into third-party licensing. The three-year, non-exclusive agreement is what CEO Sam Reich calls a “deliberate and experimental foray” into selective acquisitions. Reich, who has long admired the series, praised the creators and described the show as one of his “absolute favorite examples of the internet’s wonderful weirdness.”

The deal arrives during a period of rapid evolution for the streaming service, which has built a loyal following with originals like Dimension 20, Very Important People, and the trivia hit Um, Actually. This month alone, the company saw its first Blu-ray release for Game Changer sell out almost immediately and launched a 24/7 linear channel on Dropout.tv featuring continuous marathons of its flagship tabletop RPG programs.

Reich has hinted that the success of these initiatives—ranging from physical media to specialized streaming channels—will dictate how Dropout expands its library and format options in the future. With Variety reporting a surge in subscriber growth and production development, the inclusion of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared likely signals the start of an ambitious new era of curated content for the platform.

Source: Polygon