FOX has officially dropped the premiere dates for two of its animated comedies- Family Guy and the one that's coming back after eleven years, American Dad!. Created by Seth MacFarlane, these powerhouse shows are the elements of raw humor and satirical ejection that sit well together on a Sunday night. And the best news of all, Peter Griffin and Stan Smith are returning sooner than you think!
Family Guy season 24 premieres on Feb. 15, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET/8:30 PM CST, right after The Simpsons' season 36 finale. American Dad! season 20 begins the week after, on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 9 PM EST/8 PM CST. It'll follow a new episode of Universal Basic Guys, now in its second season.
2026 is going to be an exciting year for FOX television. The Simpsons will mark their 800th episode, and as we said, American Dad! and Family Guy will resume new episodes, with the latter celebrating its 450th. That's monumental!
Last season of Family Guy, we had to say goodbye to a longtime character. While deaths don't occur that often in animated comedies, it's still shocking, given how long they've been with the show a the legacy they've created a legacy. While I didn't care too much about Ernie the Giant Chicken going, I did feel salty about Doug, Stewie's frenemy, dying off-screen. He was the perfect addition to the show because, beneath that spoiled, uppity attitude, Doug still had vulnerability and a childlike quality within, which made him a relatable and slightly dangerous individual.
That said, I can't wait to see what American Dad! will bring to the Animation Domination block following its long absence from the network. Will Roger continue his gender-fluid personas? Will Steve Smith rejoin his boyband? And what about Stan's boss, Avery Bullock? Will his voice actor, Patrick Stewart return? These and several other questions that I have are yet to be answered.
In case you're wondering why American Dad! hasn't been on FOX for over a decade; it rented space at the TBS Network. The comedy surrounding Stan Smith and his kooky family, including their alien Roger with the persona of the late Paul Lynde, and a snarky life perspective, has garnered a fanbase there. Moreover, American Dad! was scheduled with other notable shows such as syndicated episodes of The Big Bang Theory and Friends.
But, all of that is changing. Beginning in 2026, season 20 of the beloved series will skyrocket home to FOX, where its legacy began in 2005, where we first became attached to Stan and his family. The Smiths might be as dysfunctional as the Griffins, but both families bring heart and deposition to their dynamics, often leading to a somewhat questionable, but buildable plot.
American Dad! and Family Guy can be streamed on Hulu for your binging convenience!