Cropped poster for "Kung Fu Panda 4"
Note: This article has been updated with streaming information pertaining to Universal Pictures releases.
Kung Fu Panda 4 — Jack Black’s latest animated film hit — is now available to stream online on select digital platforms.
Released in theaters on March 8, Kung Fu Panda 4 marks the first big screen adventure for Black’s martial arts expert Panda Bear Po since Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016. The film franchise kicked off in 2008 with Kung Fu Panda and its first sequel hit theaters in 2011.
After a $57 million opening weekend in March, Kung Fu Panda 4’s box office has earned $166.4 million at the domestic box office to date. Combined with $251.3 million in ticket sales overseas, Kung Fu Panda 4 has a combined gross of $417.7 at the worldwide box office so far.
While a “free” streaming date for Kung Fu Panda 4 has not been set yet by Universal Pictures — provided you subscribe to the studio’s streaming service Peacock. Generally, per an agreement between Universal and Peacock in December 2021 (via Variety), most Universal films debut on the streamer as soon as 45 days after they are released. Exempt from the agreement are the studio’s larger high-profile releases.
However, Kung Fu Panda 4 is now available to rent on digital video, also known as premium video on demand. Currently, such streaming platforms as Prime Video, AppleTV+ and VUDU have the film available to rent for $19.99.
If viewers don’t want to rent Kung Fu Panda 4 via PVOD — which generally gives renters 48 hours to stream the film once they start watching it — a digital copy of the film is available to purchase on the same platforms for $29.99.
What Is ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ About?
At the beginning of the Kung Fu Panda saga, Po (voice of Jack Black) finally accepts his destiny per ancient prophecy and becomes a Dragon Warrior and a master of Kung Fu.
In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po’s Kung Fu teacher, Master Shifu (voice of Dustin Hoffman), informs the gregarious Panda Bear that he needs to find and train a new Dragon Warrior so he can become the new Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.
However, since a new enemy called The Chameleon (voice of Viola Davis) has emerged, Po is reluctant to make the transition. Naturally, Po comes face to face with the Chameleon — and discovers that the shapeshifting sorceress wants to steal his Staff of Wisdom so she can pull all of Po’s previous enemies out of the spirit realm and gain their Kung Fu skills.
Thankfully, Po won’t face the Chameleon alone since he’s found a friend in a sly fox named Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina).
Kung Fu Panda 4 received a warm reception from Rotten Tomatoes critics by earning a “fresh” rating of 72% based on 145 reviews. The film was embraced even more by viewers and earned an 86% positive audience score based on 1,000-plus verified ratings.
Kung Fu Panda movie received a franchise-high 87% percent “fresh” Rotten Tomatoes rating while Kung Fu Panda 2 scored an 86% percent rating and Kung Fu Panda 3 nabbed an 81% rating.
While Kung Fu Panda 4 has the lowest rating of all four films via Rotten Tomatoes critics, it surprisingly has the highest audience score in the franchise.
