Genndry Tartakovsky, the creator of Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, and Star Wars: Clone Wars, premiered a new series on Adult Swim, the visceral and moving Primal. The first season’s five episodes offer a fascinating and harrowing glimpse into the human condition. Fans of the animator’s previous work will definitely want to know how to watch Primal.
Primal marks a significant step forward for Tartakovsky into more sophisticated, adult-focused work, similar to Samurai Jack‘s epic final season. Unconcerned with evolutionary timelines, the show tells the story of a caveman named Spear partnering with a dinosaur named Fang to face the cruel and unusual world together in the wake of tragedy.
Tartakovsky makes room for deep fear, rage, and depression, not usually encountered in animated series. The beautifully drawn, starkly landscaped Primal forgoes dialogue altogether, instead focusing on the rawness in retribution, survival, and grief. Writers David Krentz, Don Shank, and Tartakovsky never overextend the primary characters’ actions or motives over the 22-minute episodes. Spear and Fang attempt to survive on mammoths or whatever the harsh land provides, while nightmarish characters await them at every turn.
The positive reviews for Primal are likely a godsend for Adult Swim, after the network came under fire last month for sharing a comic on Twitter that some commenters accused of being transphobic and anti-journalist.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to stream Adult Swim’s Primal.
What is Primal?
- Launched: October 7, 2019
- Channel: Adult Swim/Cartoon Network
- Genre: Teen drama
- Starring: Aaron LaPlante as Spear
- Seasons: 1
- Status: Pending
Primal Reviews
What the critics are saying:
- “At 22 minutes, episodes occasionally strain the limits of its dialogue-free, roar-heavy approach to storytelling. As an event, though—as a dose of bracingly original animation from a master of the form—it’s hard to question its few missteps. After all, everybody’s gotta eat.” –William Hughes, AV Club
- “Epic yet intimate, Primal is awash in eye-popping imagery. … Tartakovsky has long been a distinctive force in TV animation and this is another winner, a spare storytelling experiment that plays like nothing else in the current landscape.” –Dan Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter
How to stream Primal
Cartoon Network is available on a few of the major live TV streaming services. When trying to decide which one is best for you, you’ll want to weigh the cost, the other channels you’ll receive, and the compatible devices for streaming.
Cartoon Network on Hulu with Live TV
Hulu Live TV is a great way to stream live TV, as it comes with access to Hulu’s massive library of on-demand content. You’ll be able to choose from movies, shows, and Hulu’s original programming, and keep up with what’s new each month. Hulu plans even include a bundle option where you can access Disney+ and ESPN+ along with Hulu.
Hulu Live TV sets you up with local channels and has a broad spectrum of entertainment and sports channels to review, including the full suite of ESPN channels, FX, HGTV, and even deep cuts like National Geographic and Syfy, and of course, Cartoon Network where you can stream hits like The Powerpuff Girls and We Bare Bears.
| Hulu Live TV | $69.99 |
| Hulu Live TV (no ads on Hulu content) | $75.99 |
Cartoon Network on Sling TV
If you’re looking for a streamlined, cost-effective streaming package, check out Sling TV. It offers two basic cable packages, Sling Orange and Sling Blue, each of which costs $30 per month. There’s also the third option of getting Sling Orange + Blue for just $45 per month. You’ll get more Sling TV channels by choosing Sling Blue, with its 40 channels including sports favorites like FS1 and NBCSN and cable mainstays like Food Network and Discovery Channel. But Sling Orange brings must-haves Disney Channel and ESPN as part of its package. To gain access to Cartoon Network, you’ll either need Sling Blue, Sling Orange, or Sling Orange + Blue. Sling also has a number of add-ons, including robust international packages organized by languages all over the globe.
| Orange | $35 |
| Blue | $35 |
| Orange + Blue | $50 |
Cartoon Network on AT&T TV Now
If you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs, you might consider AT&T TV Now to cover streaming for you. AT&T TV Now channels start with Plus and Max, which even include HBO. Then, AT&T plans expand from there, approaching cable selection and pricing with AT&T TV Now’s biggest packages. AT&T streaming also comes with Cloud DVR, letting you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. If you’re looking for Cartoon Network, get in at the AT&T TV Now Max tier to stream it.
Cartoon Network on YouTube TV
The YouTube TV channel list includes local channels, sports options including ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, and NBA TV, and plenty to keep kids (and kids at heart) occupied, including Disney Channel and its companion channels, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network—all in one easy-to-access package. It even comes with a few Spanish-language channels like Telemundo and NBC Universo. YouTube add-ons include HBO Max, Showtime, and Starz. YouTube TV packages have some advantages over their competitors, including a generous DVR and multiple screens package. From one account, each user can create an individual profile to track favorite shows.
If you’re looking for Cartoon Network, know that you can stream it on YouTube TV.
| 1 Month | $64.99 |