After a decade-long absence from the airwaves, the new season of “Phineas and Ferb” clocks in as one of Disney’s most ambitious animated comebacks in recent memory. This season, which began releasing its first half in June 2025, dropped the first two episodes of the second half last weekend.
From the outset, it’s clear that the creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh are not interested in reinventing the wheel.
Instead, they deliver a fresh batch of summer shenanigans that feel both familiar and invigorating. The core premise remains unchanged: stepbrothers Phineas Flynn, played by Vincent Martella (“Everybody Hates Chris,” “Batman: Under the Red Hood”) and Ferb Fletcher, played by David Errigo Jr. (“Tiny Toons Looniversity”) spend “another” 104 days of summer vacation building wildly imaginative inventions, much to the bewilderment of their older sister Candace, returning Ashley Tisdale-French (“High School Musical,” “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”).
The kids’ friend group, Isabella (Alyson Stoner), Buford (Bobby Gaylor) and Baljeet (Maulik Pancholy) are back along for the ride — and even Perry the Platypus (Dee Bradley Baker) returns to his double life as Agent P, once again thwarting the ludicrous plans of the fan-favorite bumbling Dr. Doofenshmirtz (Povenmire).
The original run of “Phineas and Ferb” aired from 2007 to 2015 on Disney Channel. Visually, the new episodes retain the show’s signature crisp aesthetic, although there are subtle updates for high-definition standards — and the characters may just be an inch or two taller.
The new storylines lean heavily into nostalgia without being beholden to it. Recurring gags and beloved character dynamics are present in full force, from Candace’s relentless attempts to “bust” her brothers (only to be thwarted every time) to the interplay between Perry and Doofenshmirtz that remains a comedic highlight. However, the writers also skillfully introduce fresh elements and running gags. The first episode of the new season starts off on the last day of school, a setting never seen in the original series. Buford’s insistence on building a “bread bowl hot tub” and appearances by “Tropey McTropeface” the zoetrope, with a contribution by musical guest Michael Bublé, are early highlights.
Musically, “Phineas and Ferb” continues to excel. This season’s soundtrack, which dropped alongside the series, includes catchy new numbers with inspirations from new musical themes. It’s a creative choice that cleverly bridges past and present. This melding of musical eras gives longtime fans the “warm fuzzies” while offering newcomers something fresh to enjoy.
That said, the season isn’t without its minor missteps. Some episodes pack in an almost frenetic number of jokes and sight gags that can feel overwhelming, making it harder to savor individual punchlines. Additionally, die-hard fans may find themselves longing for a little more deviation from the original formula. But these are small quibbles in a revival that largely delivers on its promise: good-natured fun with heart and humor for viewers of all ages.
It doesn’t hurt that the show’s first run of characters and storylines have fully entered memorability through the proliferation of online memes, enough so for Disney to greenlight the revival in 2023 after a well-received guest appearance on Povenmire and Marsh’s second Disney show, “Milo Murphy’s Law” (an excellent show in its own right, by the way, starring “Weird” Al Yankovic and Sabrina Carpenter).
Ultimately, “Phineas and Ferb” season 5 succeeds because it embraces the essence of what made the show special while thoughtfully updating its world for 2025. Whether you’re revisiting Danville after years away or diving in for the first time, this season reminds us that summer — and great storytelling — never really ends.