Convention - SDCC 2025: Hulu Brings King of the Hill to Life at SDCC Activation

By Mulder, 10 july 2025

This summer, King of the Hill will make a triumphant, boots-on-the-ground return at San Diego Comic-Con 2025, as Hulu prepares to unveil one of the most heartfelt and immersive activations of the entire convention. Just outside the Convention Center, fans will step into Hank Hill’s Backyard, an elaborate outdoor setup transforming a Bayfront parking lot into a living tribute to Arlen, Texas. Beginning July 24 and running through July 27, this activation will not only serve to promote the highly anticipated revival of the show, which premieres August 4, 2025, but will also reconnect attendees with a piece of animation history that continues to resonate across generations. Attendees will be welcomed into the world first crafted by Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, where propane grills will crackle beside classic lawn games, and guests will sip cold Alamo-branded canned water while soaking in the charm of the show’s signature deadpan humor.

The full activation promises to be an unforgettable love letter to longtime fans and a clever introduction for new ones. Visitors will be invited to play Alamo Pong, snap photos with oversized 2D character cutouts, and even mount a replica of the Hill family's lawn mower in one of the installation’s standout photo ops. From the Mega Lo Mart Customization Hat Station—where guests will design their own Arlen-style trucker caps—to the Rhinestein’s Cowboy Boot Toss, each component of the activation will deliver both fun and fandom in equal measure. Fans can expect exclusive prizes, playful challenges, and enough visual callbacks to satisfy even the most eagle-eyed viewers. All of this will unfold with the kind of authenticity that made King of the Hill such a quiet triumph throughout its original run—never loud, never flashy, just real.

This event will come at a momentous time for the King of the Hill franchise. The revival, officially greenlit by Hulu and produced by Bandera Entertainment, will bring back much of the original cast, including Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Stephen Root, Lauren Tom, and Toby Huss, with Saladin Patterson serving as showrunner. The revival will feature a time jump with Bobby Hill now grown up, and will update the iconic opening sequence to reflect the passage of time—an artistic decision that aligns perfectly with the generational appeal of the show. Sadly, the new season will also arrive with heavy hearts, following the untimely death of Johnny Hardwick, who had completed six episodes as Dale Gribble before his passing in 2023. Toby Huss will take over the role in subsequent episodes. The cast will also honor the late Jonathan Joss, who voiced John Redcorn and completed recordings for four episodes before his tragic death in June 2025. This SDCC activation, then, will not only be a joyful celebration—it will also carry the weight of tribute.

What makes this activation particularly meaningful is how perfectly it reflects the soul of King of the Hill. Unlike louder, more sensationalized adult animation, this show has always prided itself on a grounded, character-driven approach to storytelling. Its humor was never about punchlines—it was about quiet absurdities, misunderstood intentions, and the dignity of everyday life. By recreating Arlen with such care—from the water tower handing out canned Alamo water to the picnic tables that will invite guests to sit with the Hill family and enjoy Texas BBQ bites—Hulu will effectively bring the show’s modest genius into the real world. Fans will be able to pose with Dale’s Dead Bug van, play cornhole next to the Mega Lo Mart, and hear classic clips from the show playing on a massive grill while relaxing in the shade. It won’t be a loud party; it’ll be a backyard hangout—just as Hank Hill would want.

In terms of cultural timing, this activation could not be more well placed. With adult animation seeing a resurgence and nostalgia becoming a key force in entertainment, Hulu is smart to invest in this revival—and in making the King of the Hill brand feel personal again. The show has always been an outlier: a series that found humor not in pop culture references but in propane tanks, awkward teenage dreams, and conservative values challenged by a changing world. For many fans, this activation will feel like stepping into their past. For others, it will serve as a gentle invitation into a series that, despite its humble tone, has earned a spot among the greatest of all time. This SDCC installation will bridge those generations with ease, proving that Arlen—and its people—are still worth visiting.

With the official premiere of the revival just days after Comic-Con ends, the activation will also serve as a springboard for renewed conversation around King of the Hill’s enduring impact. The show's legacy as one of the most realistic and humane portrayals of American life, animated or otherwise, will undoubtedly be a key talking point throughout the weekend. From its early Emmy wins to its syndication legacy on Adult Swim, FXX, and now streaming globally on Disney+ and Hulu, the series has remained quietly essential. This activation will reflect that journey—not through spectacle, but through the same sincerity and detail that has defined the show for nearly three decades. It’s more than a marketing stunt; it’s a homecoming.

In a Comic-Con packed with multiverse portals, AI-enhanced superheroes, and billion-dollar franchises, it’s telling that one of the most anticipated experiences is a Texas backyard filled with lawn chairs, canned water, and quiet nostalgia. That’s the power of King of the Hill—a show that never screamed for attention but earned its place in television history with every understated, heartfelt episode. With this activation, Hulu will give King of the Hill fans what they’ve long deserved: a place to gather, remember, and celebrate a world that felt just like theirs. And maybe, over a cold can of Alamo, they’ll whisper that one beloved line: That boy ain’t right—but this event sure is.

(Source : press release)