First Look & Release Details Revealed for 'Bob's Burgers' Holiday Special at NYCC

Fans of the beloved animated series "Bob's Burgers" have a special holiday treat awaiting them with the upcoming Hulu-exclusive holiday short, "On the Fort Day of Christmas." This highly anticipated special is set to premiere on December 7, available for streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.

The announcement regarding the short's release date and a first look at the holiday special came directly from creator and executive producer Loren Bouchard at the "Bob's Burgers" New York Comic-Con panel. The short had initially been unveiled at the "Bob's Burgers" San Diego Comic-Con panel on July 25. "On the Fort Day of Christmas" will see the Belcher children—Gene (voiced by Eugene Mirman), Tina (Dan Mintz), and Louise (Kristen Schaal)—working together to construct an elaborate and massive fort during a record-breaking snowstorm, fulfilling a classic kid's winter activity taken to an extreme.

This holiday release is particularly significant as it aims to tide fans over during a shift in the show's regular broadcast schedule. While Fox's Animation Domination slate has returned, "Bob's Burgers" Season 17 will not be premiering in its usual fall slot. Instead, the Belcher family will join fellow network mainstays like "Family Guy" and "American Dad" in premiering midseason, with Joel McHale's "Animal Control" taking up their usual time slot after "The Simpsons." Season 17 is slated to return to Fox in early 2027. The holiday short ensures that the series maintains its long-standing tradition of excellent Christmas episodes, which began with Season 3's "Bob Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins."

The New York Comic-Con panel was a star-studded affair, with Bouchard joined by key voice cast members H. Jon Benjamin (Bob Belcher), John Roberts (Linda Belcher), Kristen Schaal (Louise Belcher), Eugene Mirman (Gene Belcher), Dan Mintz (Tina Belcher), and Larry Murphy (Teddy). The cast and creator reflected on 16 seasons of the acclaimed adult animated comedy and previewed what's to come for the Belcher family, including this latest Christmas spectacular, which promises humor and heart aplenty.

"Bob's Burgers" has demonstrated remarkable staying power since its debut in 2011 to an impressive audience of 9.39 million viewers. The series has garnered critical acclaim, including a pair of Emmys, and expanded its universe with "The Bob's Burgers Movie" in 2022, which centered on a massive sinkhole appearing in front of the family's restaurant. The show's longevity is further cemented by a four-season renewal received last year, assuring its presence on Fox at least through the 2028-29 season. Produced by 20th Television Animation, the series is executive produced by Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith, Dan Fybel, Rich Rinaldi, Jon Schroeder, Steven Davis, Scott Jacobson, Holly Schlesinger, Wendy Molyneux, Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin, and Janelle Momary-Neely, and co-developed by Jim Dauterive. While Bouchard has expressed interest in another movie, it is anticipated to be some time before the Belcher family makes another big-screen appearance.