Highlights

  • The revival of King of the Hill is currently being produced by Bandera Entertainment, the animation company formed by the writers of the original show, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels.
  • Viewers can enjoy 13 classic seasons of King of the Hill, consisting of 259 episodes, while waiting for the rebooted revival to be released.
  • Hank Hill and his neighbors are expected to return to television in the first quarter of 2024 on the Hulu streaming service.

One of the most popular animated shows to round out the 1990s is returning. The revival of King of the Hill is currently being produced by Bandera Entertainment, the animation company formed by the writers of the original show, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels. Hank Hill and his neighbors are expected to return to television in the first quarter of 2024, on the Hulu streaming service, and the new studio is working on several projects along with the revival of the classic animated series.

In the meantime, there are 13 classic seasons of King of the Hill that viewers can enjoy, consisting of no less than 259 episodes from which to choose. It's tough to pick out a few of the best, and it's interesting to see how much the show changed since it started in 1997 and how much it has stayed the same.

Updated December 16, 2023, by Kristy Ambrose: The new series featuring Hank Hill and his friends is still in production at Bandera Entertainment. That gives fans of the show a chance to catch up on a few more of the best vintage episodes before the rebooted revival hits everyone's favorite streaming services. Hulu, the streaming service that is also hosting the revival, has all 13 seasons of the show available. King of the Hill retains plenty of fans from years ago along with many enthusiastic new viewers, and both groups can enjoy some of the best King of the Hill episodes in Arlen's history.

Related
13 Awesome '80s Cartoons That Have Been Forgotten To Time
The 80s saw an influx of great cartoons, some of which have been forgotten to time. Here's a look at some of the best.

16 "Keeping Up With Our Joneses"

Season 1, Episode 10

Keeping Up With Our Jonses_King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: April 27, 1997

Sometimes good intentions backfire, especially when it comes to raising children. That's what happens when Hank decides to teach Bobby a lesson about smoking and gets addicted himself. This escalates to both Hank and Peggy becoming smokers again, while Bobby also takes up the habit, and the whole family is hooked.

It's Luann who saves them using the same technique that worked to keep Ladybird the dog from eating her organic cosmetics. It's one of the best and funniest King of the Hill episodes not only because of the satire but also the grim reality of nicotine addiction.

15 "Bobby Goes Nuts"

Season 6, Episode 1

Bobby Goes Nuts King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: November 11, 2001

Bobby is getting pushed around at school, and Hank concludes he needs a boost in his self-confidence. Of course, a kid who gets bullied at school would benefit from a few self-defense courses. What could go wrong?

Related
9 Awesome 2000s Cartoons That Have Been Forgotten To Time
The 2000s was packed with amazing cartoons, so much so that some great series have been forgotten.

A moment of confusion lands Bobby in a self-defense course designed specifically for women, and for a clue to the signature move that he learns, take a second look at the episode's title. The pendulum swings back, however, and Bobby starts to take his newfound power too seriously. He's finally checked by that bane of every pre-adolescent child; his mother.

14 "Shins Of The Father"

Season 1, Episode 8

Shins Of The Father King of the Hill Papa Cotton and horse
  • Original Air Date: March 23, 1997

This episode starts with a pretty good laugh, with Bobby addressing a letter to his grandfather Cotton with the city as "Hell" because Peggy told him her father-in-law was the Devil. Previously, Old Man Cotton had only appeared in a few of Hank's unpleasant childhood flashbacks, but this was the first episode in which the character appeared.

Cotton comes to visit for Bobby's birthday, but given how Peggy feels about him, he probably wouldn't be welcome for any other reason. Old Man Cotton would return later on and become a more complicated and enigmatic character than anyone else could have imagined, and stars in some of the best King of the Hill episodes of later seasons.

13 "Returning Japanese"

Season 6, Episode 21

Returning Japanese King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: May 12, 2002

The first installment of a two-part episode, this is the story of how Hank's gruff and insensitive father, Cotton, tried to make amends for some of his actions as part of the American forces that invaded Japan at the end of World War II. The memories of every person he killed during wartime are triggered by a sweat lodge ceremony hosted by John Redcorn, and he insists on returning to Japan to apologize to the widow of a man he killed — or so he says.

It turns out this isn't just about what he did as a soldier, but also about the family he left behind. The woman he's looking for isn't a widow, but a woman he left behind. When Hank follows Cotton to meet her, there's another surprise waiting for him: a half-brother.

12 "A Firefighting We Will Go"

Season 3, Episode 10

A Firefighting We Will Go Season 3 King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: January 12, 1999

This unique episode starts "in media res" which means that the story starts at a pivotal event that's in the middle of the narrative as opposed to the beginning. Movies often start like this as a way to hook the viewer. To sum up, when the firefighters of Arlen go on strike, Hank and the boys decide to take over their duties, and that already implies how everything gets even worse.

An extended flashback reveals the downward spiral that culminates in Dale wrecking a funeral and a fire station burning to the ground because of a faulty novelty neon lamp. Luckily, Chet Elderson, the owner of said neon sign and the person who was buried at the recent funeral, takes the blame for the final and worst disaster.

11 "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying"

Season 2, Episode 1

How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying King of the Hill Hank and Bobby with a rifle
  • Original Air Date: September 21, 1997

This is one of the best King of the Hill episodes that features Bobby and Hank trying to bond in some way, this time through the magic of firearms. They manage to come to a better understanding of each other even though their attempt isn't exactly a roaring success.

Bobby is a crack shot and Hank can't hit the broad side of a barn, which wouldn't be an issue except that Hank wants to enter a father-son competition with Bobby, and he can't let his son down. It's not just a lack of skill that's the problem but a traumatic childhood experience that Hank has to get past.

10 "Hank’s Dirty Laundry"

Season 2, Episode 17

Hank’s Dirty Laundry King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: March 1, 1998

Speaking of a time capsule of sorts, this episode is a reminder of a before-time when physical video rentals were a thing. It seems simple, but it was amazing how fast renting a simple VHS for the weekend would have dire future consequences.

Related
14 Awesome '70s Cartoons That Have Been Forgotten To Time
Not all cartoons withstand the test of time, even if they're great. Check out these lost gems from the 1970s.

Hank finds out his credit rating is at an all-time low, and the culprit is an overdue account at the local video rental store. The plot thickens when it's revealed the tape in question was pornography, and Hank insists he never rented the tape. He doubles down and starts his own lonely protest, but when he enlists Dale's help, things get even more silly.

9 "Chasing Bobby"

Season 5, Episode 9

Chasing Bobby Season 5 King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: January 21, 2001

This is one of those episodes where viewers get something in their eye once in a while, especially the touching final scene. Many fans sympathize with Hank in the first few minutes of the show, when he breaks down upon the grim realization that his 20-year-old truck is about to drive off that mortal coil.

What follows is a compelling emotional journey for Hank in which he moves through the stages of grief, through a series of events that symbolize the stages of Denail to Acceptance. He accepts the passing of his old truck, and at the end of his sorrow, he comes to understand his son better. The old truck might be gone, but there's a new truck now, and Bobby can ride in it with his dad, making this one of the best King of the Hill episodes ever.

8 "Ho Yeah!"

Season 5, Episode 13

Ho Yeah! King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: February 25, 2001

The title is an innocent reference to Peggy's catchphrase, but in the context of this special episode, it has a slightly different connotation. Tammi needs a place to live, and her friend Peggy offers her a place in her own home. Hank isn't exactly up for Peggy's friend staying in their den to begin with, and when several gentleman callers turn up, it becomes clear that Tammi is a sex worker.

Rather than judge Tammi or kick her out, Hank and Peggy stand up for her. Hank shows how savvy he can be when he catches on quickly to the game and comes up with a plan to free Tammi from the clutches of an evil pimp.

7 "Propane Boom"

Season 2, Episode 23

Propane Boom King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: May 17, 1998

Hank loses his job when a big box store named Mega Lo Mart moves into town and puts the squeeze on Arlen's small businesses. To add insult to injury, the only place he can get another job is the same glorified warehouse dollar store.

To make matters even worse, he takes a job in the propane section that was originally promised to Luann, who needs the money to pay for school. This escalates even further when a propane leak causes a massive explosion that engulfs not only the store, but also a guest performer, musician Chuck Magione. All of this ends on a cliffhanger that's to be continued in the next season.

6 "A Beer Can Named Desire"

Season 4, Episode 6

Beer Can Named Desire
  • Original Air Date: November 14, 1999

The setting for this episode is New Orleans, hence the title, but it's not high art that brings the Hills to Louisiana. Luanne decides she's going to take a beer from Hank's fridge, and when she finds out it's the winning can for a contest, Hank takes the can because she's underage and probably wouldn't be able to claim the prize.

What follows is a series of trials for Hank as he learns how to throw a football through a giant novelty beer can, which is what he'll have to do at a televised football game in New Orleans to claim the prize money. In the meantime, they're staying with Hank's eccentric cousins, and Bobby is picking up the foppish habits of a proper Southern gentleman.

5 "Jumpin' Crack Bass"

Season 2, Episode 5

Jumpin' Crack Bass King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: November 2, 1997

One of the more lovable characters in the show was the main character himself, Hank Hill. He's not stupid, and he's a genius compared to characters like Dale. However, he seems to misunderstand the obvious once in a while and the results are hilarious.

Related
9 Awesome '90s Cartoons That Have Been Forgotten To Time
Despite the popularity of many 90s cartoons, some brilliant ones fly under the radar nowadays. Here are some shows that deserve more recognition.

In this episode, the boys have taken up fishing. Ray, the owner of the bait shop, recommends that Hank try some bait from a local vendor that guarantees results, and he accepts. The catch? Hank is using crack cocaine as bait. Of course, it works extremely well, which is the problem.

4 "Hank's Back Story"

Season 5, Episode 19

Hank's Back Story Season 5 king of the hill
  • Original Air Date: May 6, 2001

The title is a play on the expression "back story" that would refer to a character's past and maybe their family roots, but in the fashion of Texan slang, it just means what it says. This is the story of Hank's back, or more accurately, his lack of any back. There's a scientific name for this condition, Diminished Gluteal Syndrome, and it's common in men of Hank's age and ethnic background.

To minimize the effects of his condition, Hank purchases a prosthetic for his posterior. Meanwhile, there's a vendetta evolving among Dale, Boomhauer, and Bill regarding the First Annual Durndle County Mower Races. The question is, will Hank's condition be a liability for the race, being that use of the back is essential to sitting on a mower? This also has a hilarious residual effect on Bobby, who becomes obsessed with toning his buttocks to avoid inheriting his father's genetic trait.

3 "Square Peg"

Season 1, Episode 2

Square Peg King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: January 12, 1997

It's weird to think of sex-ed being a controversial topic, but here we are, and not much has changed since this episode aired in 1997. It was the first episode of the series after the pilot, and it was so good that it ensured the show would continue well into the future.

It's one of the best and funniest King of the Hill episodes because parents, kids, and teachers can all relate to what Peggy and the family deal with when it comes to a variety of issues all related to the scholastic application of this touchy subject. That includes Peggy and her peers taking a more serious look at what they learned when they were young, which affirms her resolve to teach the school's sex-ed class.

2 "I Don't Wanna Wait..."

Season 5, Episode 3

I Don't Wanna Wait King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: November 12, 2000

Bobby has some of the best King of the Hill episodes, mainly because they're the most relatable. Everyone remembers some of the more awkward moments of childhood, and that's what this episode is about.

Our hero returns from the summer vacation feeling good about his personal development, only to have his optimism deflated when he sees his friend Joseph, who has grown about a foot taller and is sporting a mustache. However, it turns out that Joseph is deeply envious of Bobby's self-confidence and intelligence. It's easy to see who has the advantage in the long term. Who says that boy ain't right?

1 "To Sirloin With Love"

Season 13, Episode 24

To Sirloin With Love King of the Hill
  • Original Air Date: September 13, 2009

The final episode not only of season 13 but also the whole series, "To Sirloin With Love" deserves some recognition for being the best episode overall. The storyline itself would be clichéd if it followed the usual formula of sports or musical talent, but this storyline is instead about the tough and unforgiving world of grading beef cuts.

There's some clever satire here when it comes to ruthless competition, corruption, and rooting for the underdog. The heartwarming part, however, is that after 13 years, Hank and Bobby can finally connect over their mutual love of the grill. Their connection, which seemed to signify the finale of the show, makes this one of the best King of the Hill episodes.

King of the Hill
King of the Hill

Creator
Mike Judge, Greg Daniels
Number of Episodes
259
Release Date
January 12, 1997
Seasons
13
Streaming Service(s)
Hulu , Spectrum , Adult Swim