Big Mouth

A group of middle school friends are forced to handle the chaotic, often embarrassing changes of adolescence while weird, outspoken beings called Hormone Monsters loudly represent their urges and anxieties. The show follows Nick, Andrew, Jessi, Jay and their peers as they deal with crushes, body changes, social pressure and family issues, with humor that swings from absurd to frank. Episodes mix surreal gags and sharp dialogue to show how awkward moments and sudden feelings shape identity and friendships, treating puberty as messy, strange, sometimes painful, but often oddly funny without resolving every problem neatly.

The series premiered on Netflix in 2017, created by Mark Levin, Nick Kroll and Jennifer Flackett. It uses adult animation and an ensemble voice cast, including Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas and Maya Rudolph.

The show has received industry recognition, earning multiple Emmy nominations over its run for categories that highlight animation and voice work. Critics and peers have noted its strong writing and standout vocal performances, which helped the series gain awards attention within television circles.

Big Mouth left a clear mark on pop culture by popularizing the image of Hormone Monsters as shorthand for uncontrollable adolescent impulses, and by bringing candid talk about puberty and sexuality into mainstream adult animation. It inspired online memes, discussions about sex education, and conversation around how media can address uncomfortable topics with humor, while also drawing occasional criticism for its explicit content.

Reception among reviewers and audiences has generally been positive, reflected in a vote average around 7.6 out of 10 from a large sample of viewers. Praise often centers on the cast's energy, bold humor and willingness to tackle topics like consent, identity, mental health and shame. The show balances crude jokes with surprisingly sincere moments about friendship and growing up, making it feel honest even when it leans into the outrageous.