The Kung Fu Panda works as an animated movie created by DreamWorks Animation and which has attracted the interest of people from the young age to the adult age. Since the animation films portray interesting stories and have adorable characters such as Po, the panda, it becomes almost natural to desire to watch the movies sequentially. Follow this wiki’s guide to, both, newcomers and Kung Fu Panda series fans to watch the animated movies in the right order.
1. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
One has to start the battle from the beginning, that is with the first ever Kung Fu Panda movie that came out in the year 2008. This movie presents to us a panda named Po who happens to be overweight and has a dream of being a kung fu master. This show was about a chubby and overweight panda named Po, who surprisingly gets chosen as the Dragon Warrior, which means he has to achieve and bring harmony to the Valley of Peace. Po is accompanied by his friends, the Furious Five, Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane and with the assistance of his Master Shifu must overcome the main villain in the form of a tiger, Tai Lung. This film is the first one in the series and lays down the basic plot, characters, and concepts of the franchise.
2. Kung Fu Panda which was released in the year 2011.
The second part of the series is Kung Fu Panda 2, which was released in the year of 2011 and it too is based on the further adventures of Po, now the Dragon Warrior. This time, Po is faced with a new adversary in the person of Lord Shen, a peacock who wants to take over China through use of weapons that are technologically advanced at that time – cannons. In the process Po learns even more about his unexplained early life, his past as an adopted baby, which is a very important aspect of his journey to confront and defeat Shen. The movie adds some facets to feelings in Po’s character and develops the cinematographic universe of Kung Fu Panda.
3. Kung Fu Panda 3 is an animated action comedy movie released in 2016.
The third series of Kung Fu Panda was released in 2016 where Po meets his real father, Li Shan, and embraces his panda clan. This film is about how Po gathered a group of animals to become his family and teach them kung fu in order to fight the spirit warrior Kai who came from the spirit world to steal the chi of kung fu masters. This one is about the conclusion of Po’s character development as he realizes what it really is to be a Dragon Warrior and assumes the role of a mentor and a protector.
4. Kung Fu Panda 4 is yet to be released.
Kung Fu Panda will be hitting the theaters soon with its fourth part being announced by DreamWorks Animation. While the movie’s release date as well as the exact storyline has not been unveiled, the fans are waiting for the new escapades and trials that Po and the others will face. Another not yet released but still worth to be looked for in the future installment of the film series.
Bonus: Kung Fu Panda Special and Series
In addition to the main movies, there are several Kung Fu Panda specials and television series that expand on the universe and provide additional backstory and adventures:In addition to the main movies, there are several Kung Fu Panda specials and television series that expand on the universe and provide additional backstory and adventures:
- Kung Fu Panda Holiday (2010): An episode which is kinda centered on the Winter Feast and how Po becomes less of a Dragon Warrior during the special occasion.
- Kung Fu Panda: Jack Black as Po launching a new kung fu mode in… Secrets of the Masters (2011): It is a short film which explains the early days of Master Shifu and the Furious Five.
- Kung Fu Panda: TV series Legends of Awesomeness (2011–2016): A show in which Po travels the world between the two movies.
- Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny (2018–2019): A show that continues from where the third film left off and revolves around Po preparing the young dragon warriors for kung fu.
Conclusion
Following the release and features of the two Kung Fu Panda movies is the only way to experience the transformation of Po from a panda that enjoys noodles to a Dragon Warrior. Watch the first movie made in 2008, continue with the second one in 2011 then the third one in 2016 and wait for the fourth one, Kung Fu Panda 4. Do not miss other programs containing different specials and series exploring more about kung fu and the figures which viewers have come to know and love.
