If you’re the type to binge all the latest Netflix releases as soon as they drop, you’ve probably noticed a new animated series climbing the charts. That’s right! “The Amazing Digital Circus” is now the third most-watched show globally and ranks fourth in the United States, even surpassing hit titles like “Unsolved Mysteries,” “The Perfect Couple,” and “Heartstopper,” according to FlixPatrol.
Furthermore, if you’ve also ventured to watch the trailer, you surely realized it’s not your typical production on the topic. From its unique animation style to its unconventional storyline, it offers a fresh and innovative take, which is refreshing considering the streamer often sticks to tried-and-true genres.
So, if you’ve been holding off just because it’s animated, you’re missing out on a major moment. Here’s everything you need to know about the series and why you should start watching it right after you finish reading this!
Why ‘The Amazing Digital Circus’ is Netflix’s new animated hit
“The Amazing Digital Circus” is an Australian adult animated web series that follows a group of humans trapped inside a circus-themed virtual reality game, controlled by a chaotic AI. As they navigate the bizarre world, they also confront their personal traumas and psychological struggles.
If this premise rings a bell, it might be because the story draws inspiration from Harlan Ellison’s iconic short story “I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream,” a post-apocalyptic tale that explores the dangers of technology, human resilience, and existential horror.
The series is created by Gooseworx, a YouTuber and animator known for her work on “Hazbin Hotel” and “Helluva Boss”. Initially, the title was exclusive to YouTube, with Gooseworx expressing reluctance about moving to a streaming platform. However, a deal with Netflix allowed the production to remain premiering on YouTube while Netflix gained distribution rights without pushing for creative control.
Due to the intricate animation style, episodes are released over several months. The first episode premiered in October 2023, followed by a second in May 2024, and the third in October 2024. While rumors suggest the fourth episode will drop on December 13, nothing is officially confirmed yet.
On the slow release schedule, development producer Jasmine Yang told Comic Book: “If we had to wait until the entire season was ready before dropping any episodes, [the Digital Circus pilot] would not have premiered for years … dropping all the episodes at the same time is not only impractical but also counterintuitive … For us, not only is [the wait] practical but it works a little bit in our favor because every time we make a new episode of anything, we can make a big event about it. So, we’ll have to wait a bit for the story to continue, but it will be worth it!