Netflix finally did it. They took a card game about goats, back hair, and weaponized felines and turned it into a high-concept adult animation. If you've spent any time at a party in the last decade, you've probably seen someone lose their mind because they drew an exploding kitten without a defuse card. It's chaotic. It's loud. The show, which hit Netflix in mid-2024, tries to bottle that specific brand of panicked energy, but it adds a massive theological twist that literally nobody saw coming.
God is a cat now. Specifically, a chubby, white housecat voiced by Tom Ellis. Yes, the guy from Lucifer. The irony is thick.
What is the Exploding Kittens TV Show actually about?
Forget the simple mechanics of the tabletop game for a second. The series centers on the eternal conflict between Heaven and Hell, but with a massive corporate-restructuring vibe. God gets fired. Well, not exactly fired, but he’s basically put on a performance improvement plan because he’s been slacking off. His punishment? He gets sent to Earth trapped in the body of a chunky housecat to reconnect with humanity.
It’s a weird premise. It works because it doesn't try to be "preachy."
To make matters worse, Hell has its own issues. The Antichrist is also a cat living right next door. Enter Beelzebub, or "Devilcat," voiced by Sasheer Zamata. The show effectively becomes a suburban sitcom where the ultimate forces of good and evil are stuck fighting over laser pointers and tuna while living with a dysfunctional family, the Higgins.
Matthew Inman, the creator of The Oatmeal and the original artist for the game, is the heartbeat of this production. You can see his fingerprints everywhere. The jagged, intentional crudeness of the animation reflects the comic style that made the card game a record-breaking Kickstarter success back in 2015. It feels familiar but expanded.
The creative team behind the chaos
Showrunners Shane Kosakowski and Matthew Inman didn't just wing this. They brought in heavy hitters. Mike Judge and Greg Daniels—the legends behind King of the Hill and The Office—are executive producers. That's a lot of comedic pedigree for a show about felines that blow up.
Why does that matter?
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It matters because adult animation is a crowded field. For every BoJack Horseman, there are ten forgettable clones that rely solely on shock value. By bringing in Judge and Daniels, the Exploding Kittens TV show manages to find a rhythm that balances the absurd with actual character growth. The Higgins family isn't just a backdrop; they are the catalyst for God’s "rehabilitation."
The voice cast is also surprisingly stacked. You’ve got:
- Tom Ellis as Godcat (perfectly haughty)
- Sasheer Zamata as Devilcat (chaotic and cynical)
- Suzy Nakamura as Abbie
- Mark Proksch (the energy vampire from What We Do in the Shadows)
- Ally Maki and Kenny Yates
Mark Proksch brings that specific, awkward dryness that makes the human elements of the show actually funny rather than just "the parts between the cat fights."
Breaking down the Godcat vs. Devilcat dynamic
The core of the show isn't really the humans; it’s the rivalry between the two celestial pets. Honestly, the dynamic is kinda relatable if you’ve ever owned two cats who hate each other. Godcat is frustrated by his limited physical form—having "paws instead of hands" is a recurring existential crisis for him.
Meanwhile, Devilcat is loving it. She's lean, black, and perfectly embodies the "jerk cat" trope.
They represent two different approaches to the Earthly experience. Godcat wants to fix everything but realizes he's powerless without human help. Devilcat just wants to cause minor inconveniences that escalate into global catastrophes. It’s a clever way to handle the "Exploding" part of the title without just having cats blow up every five minutes, which would get old fast.
Why the show deviates so much from the card game
If you were expecting a literal translation of the game—people sitting around a table getting stressed—you’ll be disappointed. That would be boring TV. Instead, the creators used the aesthetic and the vibe of the game.
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The game is about tension. The show is about the absurdity of existence.
Some fans were annoyed that the "Exploding" aspect is more metaphorical or situational. In the game, an exploding kitten is the end of your journey. In the show, it's more about the explosive nature of the characters' personalities. It’s a common pivot in Hollywood. Think about how Battleship became a movie about aliens. At least here, the transition to a narrative about God and the Devil feels somewhat in line with the "magical realism" of the original cards like the "Catterwocky" or the "Tacocat."
The "Oatmeal" influence is the secret sauce
Matthew Inman’s humor has always been about the intersection of extreme intelligence and extreme stupidity. His comics often explore deep philosophical questions through the lens of a dog wanting to eat its own vomit. The show leans into this. It’s smart, but it’s not "too smart for its own good." It still finds time for physical comedy that feels ripped straight from a Sunday morning funny page, only with more swearing and existential dread.
Critical reception and the "Netflix Effect"
When the show dropped, the internet was divided. Some loved the sheer audacity of the "Godcat" concept. Others felt it was a bit late to the party—the peak of the card game's cultural dominance was a few years ago.
But here’s the thing: Netflix knows their data. Adult animation is one of their strongest performing categories globally. Exploding Kittens fits right into the slot vacated by shows like Paradise PD or F is for Family, though it has a bit more heart than the former.
The animation style is a big talking point. It’s 2D, vibrant, and looks exactly like a high-budget version of an internet comic. In an era where everything is shifting toward 3D or hyper-detailed anime styles, there’s something refreshing about seeing thick outlines and expressive, simple faces. It allows the dialogue to do the heavy lifting.
Is it actually funny?
Humor is subjective, obviously. But if you like dry, cynical wit mixed with over-the-top violence, yeah, it’s funny. It’s not a show for kids. Despite the "Kittens" in the title, the themes of burnout, corporate bureaucracy in the afterlife, and family dysfunction are aimed squarely at people who are old enough to have a 401(k) and a favorite brand of dish soap.
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The jokes about God’s ego are particularly sharp. He’s a creator who has forgotten how to care about his creation, and seeing him forced to care about a teenager’s social life or a mom’s career is a solid comedic engine.
Actionable insights for fans and viewers
If you're diving into the Exploding Kittens TV show, or you're a long-time fan of the franchise, here is how to get the most out of this weird little corner of the internet.
Watch it for the easter eggs.
The show is packed with references to the original card game. Look at the background art in the Higgins' house. You’ll see nods to specific cards like the "Hairy Potato Cat" or the "Rainbow-farting Unicorn." It’s a reward for the people who actually spent hours playing the tabletop version.
Don't skip the mobile game tie-ins.
Netflix actually integrated this show with their gaming platform. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can play the Exploding Kittens mobile game for free without ads. They updated the game to include characters and cards from the show. It’s one of the few times a "multimedia synergy" move actually feels useful for the consumer.
Check out the original comics.
If you find the humor in the show hits home, go back to the source. Matthew Inman’s website, The Oatmeal, has years of content that explains the DNA of the show. Specifically, read his pieces on his own cats; you’ll see exactly where the inspiration for Godcat’s neurotic behavior comes from.
Contextualize the "Adult" rating.
Parents, be careful. The branding looks "cute," but the show deals with mature themes and language. It’s rated TV-MA for a reason. Don't put this on for a five-year-old expecting Paw Patrol. You’ll have a lot of awkward questions to answer about the nature of the soul and why the cat is swearing.
Final thoughts on the feline apocalypse
The Exploding Kittens TV show is a gamble that largely pays off because it doesn't take itself too seriously. It knows it's based on a deck of cards. It knows the premise is ridiculous. By leaning into that absurdity rather than trying to make a "gritty" version of the game, Netflix found a way to honor the source material while building something entirely new.
Whether we get a second season usually depends on the "completion rate"—basically, if people watch the whole thing in the first 28 days. Given the cliffhangers and the chemistry between Ellis and Zamata, there's definitely more story to tell in this universe.
Next Steps for You:
- Verify your subscription: Ensure your Netflix account is active to access both the series and the ad-free mobile game.
- Compare the decks: If you own the physical "Party Pack" or "Expansion" decks, look for the "Godcat" and "Devilcat" cards that were released as promotional tie-ins to see how the powers translate from screen to table.
- Explore the "Oatmeal" archives: Spend twenty minutes on Inman's site to understand the visual language of the show; it makes the animation choices much more satisfying.