View source for Courage the Cowardly Dog

{{Short description|American animated television series}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox television
| image              = Courage The Cowardly Dog logo.png
| genre              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Black comedy]]
* [[Comedy horror]]
* [[Slapstick comedy|Slapstick]]
* [[Science fantasy]]
* [[Surreal humor|Surreal comedy]]
}}
| creator            = [[John R. Dilworth]]
| voices             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Marty Grabstein]]
* [[Thea White]]
* [[Lionel Wilson (voice actor)|Lionel Wilson]]
* [[Arthur Anderson (actor)|Arthur Anderson]]
* [[Paul Schoeffler]]
}}
| director           = John R. Dilworth
| open_theme         =
| end_theme          =
| composer           = {{Plainlist|
* Jody Gray
* Andy Ezrin
}}
| country            = United States
| language           = English
| network            = [[Cartoon Network]]
| executive_producer = John R. Dilworth
| producer           = {{Plainlist|
* Robert Winthrop
* Winnie Chaffee
}}
| company            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Stretch Films]]
* [[Cartoon Network Studios]]{{efn|Pilot only. Produced entirely under [[Hanna-Barbera Cartoons]].}}
}}
| num_seasons        = 4
| num_episodes       = 52 (102 segments)
| list_episodes      = List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes
| runtime            = 22 minutes{{efn|11 minutes per segment}}
| first_aired        = {{Start date|1999|11|12}}
| last_aired         = {{End date|2002|11|22}}
| related            = ''[[What a Cartoon!]]''
}}
'''''Courage the Cowardly Dog''''' is an American animated [[comedy horror]] television series created by [[John R. Dilworth]] for [[Cartoon Network]]. It follows the [[anthropomorphic]] [[title character]], Courage, who lives with an elderly couple, Muriel and Eustace Bagge, in the middle of Nowhere, a fictional town in [[Kansas]]. In each episode, Courage and his owners are thrown into [[paranormal]] or [[supernatural]] adventures. The series is known for its [[Black comedy|dark]], [[Surreal humour|surreal humor]] and atmosphere.<ref name="Puri">{{Cite news |last=Puri |first=Chhavi |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Best 90s Cartoons to Make You Nostalgic Right Away |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/90s-cartoons-animated-tv-shows-1094856 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516100824/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/90s-cartoons-animated-tv-shows-1094856 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref>

Dilworth pitched the series to [[Hanna-Barbera]]'s animated shorts showcase ''[[What a Cartoon!]]'' and a pilot titled "The Chicken from Outer Space" aired on Cartoon Network on February 18, 1996.<ref name=outerspace/><!-- defined by transclusion of List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes|Series overview --> The segment was nominated for an [[Academy Award]] but lost to ''[[Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave]]''. The short was greenlit to become a series, which premiered on November 12, 1999, and ended on November 22, 2002, with four seasons consisting of 13 episodes each. It was nominated for three [[Golden Reel Award (Motion Picture Sound Editors)|Golden Reel Award]]s and won one [[Annie Award]].

== Premise ==
{{See also|List of Courage the Cowardly Dog characters}}
''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' follows Courage ([[Marty Grabstein]]), a kind but easily frightened <!-- Do not add "purple", "pink", "magenta", etc. here. His color changes with the lighting. --> dog. He was abandoned as a puppy after his parents were sent into outer space by a crazy veterinarian.<ref name="Remembrance of Courage Past">{{Cite episode |title=Remembrance of Courage Past |episode-link=List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes#Season 4: 2002 |series=Courage the Cowardly Dog |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=2002-11-22 |season=4 |number=13a}}</ref> Soon after, he was found in an alleyway by Muriel Bagge ([[Thea White]]), a caring woman who decided to take Courage in as her own; the nature of this first meeting inspired her to give him his name. In the present, Courage lives in an isolated farmhouse in Kansas with Muriel and her husband Eustace Bagge ([[Lionel Wilson (voice actor)|Lionel Wilson]] in episodes 1–33, [[Arthur Anderson (actor)|Arthur Anderson]] in episodes 34–52), a cranky and greedy man who is jealous of Courage, refers to him as "stupid dog", and uses the "Ooga Booga" mask to scare him. The nearest town to the farmhouse is called Nowhere.

Courage and his owners frequently encounter monsters, aliens, zombies, and other paranormal or supernatural creatures that are attracted to Nowhere. Plots generally use conventions common to [[horror film]]s. Although most of the creatures the three face are hostile, others suffer from distress, anger, and/or desperation, and sometimes are friendly. On occasion, some are even false antagonists.

The task of protecting Muriel and Eustace from such dangers falls on Courage, who endeavors to thwart or reconcile with the [[Villain of the week|monster of the week]] and remedy or repair any damages done. Although Courage is occasionally aided with that task, the full extent of his efforts is usually performed unbeknownst to Muriel and Eustace. Ironically, given his name and expressing much of his distress with over-the-top, piercing shrieks, Courage may be considered a genuine hero who often goes to great lengths to protect his owners.

Although episodic in nature, there are a handful of recurring characters in the show's cast, including Courage's sarcastic, sentient computer ([[Simon Prebble]]); the family physician Dr. Vindaloo ([[Paul Schoeffler]]); a fortune-telling [[Chihuahua (dog)|chihuahua]] named Shirley the Medium ([[Mary Testa]]); Eustace's mother "Ma" ([[Billie Lou Watt]]); some of the villains including Katz, Le Quack, Snowman (all three also voiced by Schoeffler), and the antagonistic Di Lung (Tim Chi Ly).

== Production ==
=== Creation ===
[[File:DillyDali2014.jpg|thumb|269x269px| Series creator [[John R. Dilworth]] in 2014.]]

Originally, ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' was created as a seven-minute animated short, "[[The Chicken from Outer Space]]". Dilworth started the animated short with Hanna-Barbera, sponsored by [[Cartoon Network]] and introduced Courage.<ref name="Miller">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Bob |date=November 1, 1999 |title=The Triumphant Independent—An Interview with John R. Dilworth |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/triumphant-independent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507145802/https://www.awn.com/articles/people/triumphant-independent |archive-date=7 May 2011 |access-date=10 July 2011 |website=[[Animation World Network]] |volume=4 |issue=8}}</ref> Dilworth graduated with a [[Bachelor of Fine Arts]] from the [[School of Visual Arts]] in New York in 1985. He became an art director and founded his own animation studio, Stretch Films, in 1991, and incorporated in 1994.<ref name="Miller" /> The character of Courage grew out of an earlier character of Dilworth's called Hamilton, who appeared in ''Smart Talk with Raisin'', a pilot Dilworth created for MTV.

The animated short was shown as one of the episodes of Cartoon Network's ''World Premiere Toons'' in 1996, a [[Hanna-Barbera|Hanna-Barbera Cartoons]] innovation by then-president [[Fred Seibert]]. The short served as a ''de facto'' pilot for the future series.<ref name="Strike">{{Cite web |last=Strike |first=Joe |date=July 15, 2003 |title=The Fred Seibert Interview—Part 1 |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/fred-seibert-interview-part-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806012907/https://www.awn.com/articles/people/fred-seibert-interview-part-1 |archive-date=August 6, 2010 |access-date=April 13, 2011 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> The original animated short had no dialogue except for one line spoken by Courage, who had a more authoritative voice akin to [[Jackie Mason]] than in the series. It was uttered by voice actor [[Howard Hoffman]] who also provided all the other vocal sounds and effects for the short.<ref name="Miller" /> An alien chicken was the villain in this short, who later reappears in the series to seek revenge. His sons also attempt to seek revenge in an even later episode.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Revenge of the Chicken from Outer Space |episode-link=List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes#Season 1: 1999-2000 |series=Courage the Cowardly Dog |network=[[Cartoon Network]] |date=June 9, 2000 |season=1 |number=12}}</ref> The short was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film]] at the [[68th Academy Awards]], but lost to the ''[[Wallace and Gromit]]'' short film ''[[A Close Shave]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 68th Academy Awards {{!}} 1996 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1996 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109213421/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1996 |archive-date=November 9, 2014 |website=[[Oscars.org]] |date=October 5, 2014 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]}}</ref>

=== Sound design ===
When deciding on sound effects, Dilworth tried to avoid pre-made stock sounds.<ref name="Miller" /> He contributed a substantial amount of new material to sound designer Michael Geisler<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Geisler |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0312054/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref> and only looked for sounds that made him laugh. The composition of the series' music relied on what was being portrayed: suspense, comedy, or [[Action (fiction)|action]]. The production crew worked together to come up with new music for the series that had not previously been used. There were a few sections on one particular piece that Dilworth exceptionally liked.<ref name="Miller" /> The production crew was able to isolate these sections and expand them into a usable theme.<ref name="Miller" />

Original music featured in ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' was composed by Jody Gray<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Darlene |date=November 14, 2002 |title=Creating Successful Music for Animation |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/creating-successful-music-animation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803142024/http://www.awn.com/articles/profiles/creating-successful-music-animation |archive-date=3 August 2011 |access-date=5 July 2011 |publisher=[[Animation World Network]]}}</ref> and Andy Ezrin.<ref name="Sporn">{{Cite web |last=Sporn |first=Michael |date=August 9, 2008 |title=Splog » Dil & Dali |url=http://www.michaelspornanimation.com/splog/?p=1559 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319025944/http://www.michaelspornanimation.com/splog/?p=1559 |archive-date=19 March 2012 |access-date=5 July 2011 |website=MichaelSpornAnimation.com}}</ref><ref name="Hollywood Reporter">{{Cite web |last=Guerin |first=Ada |date=April 23, 2002 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog—Cartoon Network |url=http://www.jodygray.com/press_hollywood.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425021255/http://www.jodygray.com/press_hollywood.htm |archive-date=25 April 2012 |access-date=30 June 2011 |website=Jodygray.com |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Classical music can be heard at times, which pays homage to classic [[Warner Bros.]] animation and the scores of [[Carl Stalling]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crisafull |first=Chuck |date=August 20, 2002 |title=Children's Programming Is Pacing the Field of TV Music |url=http://www.jodygray.com/press_hr_sk.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015175855/http://www.jodygray.com/press_hr_sk.htm |archive-date=15 October 2011 |access-date=3 July 2011 |website=Jodygray.com |publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In several episodes, Gray arranged various famous classical pieces, such as [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]]'s "[[Ride of the Valkyries]]", and wrote up to 15 songs.<ref name="Hollywood Reporter" />

=== Broadcast history ===
''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' originally was premiered as a short on February 18, 1996. The show premiered on November 12, 1999, and became the highest-rated premiere in Cartoon Network history at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 16, 1999 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog Best Series Premiere in Cartoon Network History |url=https://www.warnermediagroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/1999/11/COURAGE_COWARDLY_DOG_Best_Series_Premiere_in_Cartoon_11-16-1999.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427011045/https://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/1999/11/COURAGE_COWARDLY_DOG_Best_Series_Premiere_in_Cartoon_11-16-1999.php |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |access-date=March 24, 2011 |publisher=[[Time Warner]]}}</ref> Previews for ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' were shown in American movie theaters before ''[[Pokémon: The First Movie]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stanley |first=T. L. |date=November 8, 1999 |title=Marketers of the Next Generation; Unique On-Air Promos and Off-Air Partnerships Have Made Cartoon Network a Destination |magazine=[[Brandweek]] |publisher=[[Adweek]] |volume=40 |issue=42 |page=28 |issn=1064-4318}}</ref> It ended on November 22, 2002, with 52 episodes produced in four seasons.

== Episodes ==
{{main|List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes}}
In total, there were 52 episodes in four seasons produced, plus a pilot episode and a special episode. The series ran from November 12, 1999, to November 22, 2002. {{#section-h: List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes|Series overview}}

== Reception ==
John G. Nettles of ''[[PopMatters]]'' reviewed the show and called it "a fascinating and textured mixture of cartoon and horror-movie conventions, and a joy to watch."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nettles |first=John G. |year=2001 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog Review |url=https://www.popmatters.com/courage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023012302/http://www.popmatters.com/review/courage/ |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2017 |website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref>

Alex Mastas of ''Lights Out Films'' reviewed the show, gave it a grade "A−" and described it: "The backgrounds are rich and imaginative—they composite a lot of the show over real photos and occasionally integrate [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] into the cartoon. The look is weird and ethereal, just like the show itself."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mastas |first=Alex |date=March 4, 2003 |title=TV Review: Courage the Cowardly Dog (2003) |url=http://www.lightsoutfilms.com/tv_couragethecowardlydog.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030512012334/http://www.lightsoutfilms.com/tv_couragethecowardlydog.html |archive-date=2003-05-12 |access-date=2011-07-14 |website=Lights Out Films}}</ref>

KJ Dell Antonia of [[Common Sense Media]] gave the show three stars out of five, with the summary "Cult fave 'toon plays over-the-top violence for laughs."<ref name="Common Sense">{{Cite web |last=Antonia |first=KJ Dell |date=2008-12-02 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog—Television Review |url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/courage-the-cowardly-dog |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214135125/http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/courage-cowardly-dog |archive-date=14 December 2010 |access-date=7 July 2011 |website=[[Common Sense Media]]}}</ref> Antonia warned parents that the series contains graphic animated violence, including "exploding organs, growing extra limbs, turning inside out, you name it".<ref name="Common Sense" /> Randy Miller III of [[DVD Talk]] said that shows aimed at younger audiences "usually don't go for thrills and chills, so it's good to see a genuinely surreal and slanted series develop a decent following."<ref name="dvdtalk">{{Cite web |last=Miller III |first=Randy |date=July 21, 2010 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog: Season One : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43190/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season-one/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100923045205/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43190/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season-one/ |archive-date=September 23, 2010 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |website=[[DVD Talk]]}}</ref>

Jeff Swindoll of ''Monsters and Critics'' reviewed the first season DVD and praised all the episodes featured in the first season and encouraged fans to buy the season's DVD, but also noted the exclusion of the original Hanna-Barbera short ''The Chicken from Outer Space'' on the DVD.<ref name="Swindoll">{{Cite web |last=Swindoll |first=Jeff |date=July 21, 2010 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog: Season 1 - DVD review |url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1572340.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220012023/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1572340.php |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |access-date=June 11, 2011 |website=Monsters and Critics}}</ref> ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' was ranked number five in ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s 2012 list of "10 Best Cartoon Network Shows".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 1, 2012 |title=10 Best Cartoon Network Shows: We Rank 'Em! |url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-cartoon-network-shows-we-rank-em/579218_5-courage-cowardly-dog |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123193945/http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-cartoon-network-shows-we-rank-em/579218_5-courage-cowardly-dog |archive-date=November 23, 2015 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> In 2023, Indian entertainment journal ''[[Pinkvilla]]'' ranked the show no. 1 of their list of top 10 1990s cartoons and gave special praise to the episode "Courage in the Big Stinkin' City", stating that the show remains enjoyable in present times.<ref name="Puri" />

=== Awards and nominations ===
{{awards table}}
|-
! style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="4"|Academy Awards
|-
| 1995
| John R. Dilworth (for "The Chicken from Outer Space")
| [[Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film|Best Animated Short Film]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="4"|Annie Awards
|-
| 2000
| John R. Dilworth (for "A Night at the Katz Motel")
| Outstanding Individual Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television Production<ref>{{Cite web |title=28th Annual Annie Awards—Category # 15 - Outstanding Individual Achievement for Design In an Animated Television Production |url=https://annieawards.org/28thwinners.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424041350/http://annieawards.org/28thwinners.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 |access-date=30 June 2011 |publisher=Annie Awards}}</ref><ref name="awards">{{Cite web |title=Awards for "Courage the Cowardly Dog" (1999) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220880/awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182132/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220880/awards |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=5 July 2011 |website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref>
| {{won}}
|-
! style="background:#bfd7ff;" colspan="4"|Golden Reel Awards
|-
| 2000
| For "The Duck Brothers"
| Best Sound Editing—Television Animated Series—Sound<ref name=" awards" />
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2001
| For "Courage in the Big Stinkin' City"
| Best Sound Editing—Television Animated Series—Sound<ref name=" awards" />
| {{won}}
|-
| 2003
| For "The Tower of Dr. Zalost"
| Best Sound Editing—Television Animated Series—Sound<ref name=" awards" />
| {{nom}}
|}

== Merchandise ==
=== Home media ===
VHS editions of ''[[Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost]]'' and ''[[Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders]]'' each include an episode of ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' as a bonus.

''Courage the Cowardly Dog: Season One'', a two-disc DVD set featuring all 13 episodes from the show's first season, was released in Australia ([[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region]] 4) on September 12, 2007, by [[Madman Entertainment]].<ref name="Madman Entertainment">{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog |url=https://www.madman.com.au/series/home/6233 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002175417/http://www.madman.com.au/series/home/6233 |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=June 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref name="madman season 1">{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog Season 1 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/8699 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005185358/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/8699 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]]}}</ref> On January 13, 2010, the complete second season was also released, which as of 2023, is the only DVD release of "The Chicken from Outer Space".<ref name="Madman Entertainment" /><ref name="madman season 2">{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog Season 2 |url=https://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/12203 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005185450/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/12203 |archive-date=October 5, 2012 |access-date=June 6, 2011 |publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]]}}</ref>

A Region 1 release of the first season was done by [[Warner Home Video]] (via [[Warner Archive Collection|Warner Archive]]) on July 20, 2010. The release is the second in an official release of several [[Cartoon Cartoons]] on DVD, under the "Cartoon Network Hall of Fame" name.<ref name="TVShowsonDVD">{{Cite web |last=Lacey, Gord |date=June 29, 2010 |title=Cartoon Network Hall of Fame: Season 1 Press Release |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-1-Press-Release/13990 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702235206/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-1-Press-Release/13990 |archive-date=July 2, 2010 |access-date=July 8, 2010 |website=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]}}</ref> The second season was released on October 14, 2014, as the fourth in the "Hall of Fame" series.<ref name="Animation World Network">{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Jennifer |date=July 23, 2014 |title=Cartoon Network to Release Season 2 of 'Courage the Cowardly Dog' |url=https://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-release-season-2-courage-cowardly-dog |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728130255/http://www.awn.com/news/cartoon-network-release-season-2-courage-cowardly-dog |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |access-date=August 6, 2014 |publisher=AWN.com}}</ref> The third season was originally supposed to be released on DVD in Region 1 on February 2, 2016,<ref name="Lambert">{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=David |date=October 21, 2015 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog - 'Season 3,' the Next-to-Last Season, is Slated for DVD in 2016 |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-3/21660 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101140227/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-3/21660 |archive-date=2016-01-01 |website=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]}}</ref> but it was delayed to (and was released on) March 22, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog DVD news: Update about Season 3 |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-3/21883 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110062143/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-3/21883 |archive-date=2016-01-10 |website=[[TVShowsOnDVD.com]]}}</ref> It is the fifth title in the Cartoon Network Hall of Fame series. The fourth and final season was released on September 27, 2016. ''Courage '' is one of the few Cartoon Network shows to be available as separate season sets in its entirety on DVD.

In addition, all four seasons of the series are available for download on [[iTunes]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog, Season 1 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id362811158 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416145437/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id362811158 |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2011 |website=iTunes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog, Season 2 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id362812410 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416143813/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id362812410 |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2011 |website=iTunes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 1999 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog, Season 3 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id387369129 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416161202/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id387369129 |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |access-date=June 10, 2011 |website=iTunes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 12, 1999 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog, Season 4 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id387369511 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013213637/https://itunes.apple.com/us/tv-season/courage-the-cowardly-dog-season/id387369511 |archive-date=October 13, 2013 |access-date=June 10, 2011 |website=iTunes}}</ref> The PlayStation 2 version of the video game ''[[Cartoon Network Racing]]'' contains the episodes "Robot Randy" and "The Magic Tree of Nowhere" as unlockable extras.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' home video releases
! colspan=3 rowspan=2|Season || rowspan=2|Episodes || colspan=2|Release dates
|-
! United States || Australia
|-
! style="background:#979797| || [[List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes#Season 1 (1999–2000)|1]]
| style="text-align: center"|1999–2000 || rowspan=4 style="text-align: center"|13 || [[The Powerpuff Girls]]: Birthday Bash ([[VHS]]): November 7, 2000<br />''Episode(s)'': "Journey to the Center of Nowhere"<hr />Cartoon Network Halloween: 9 Creepy Cartoon Capers: August 10, 2004<br />''Episode(s)'': "The Demon in the Mattress" - "Courage Meets Bigfoot"<hr />Cartoon Network Halloween 2: Grossest Halloween Ever: August 9, 2005<br />''Episode(s)'': "Night of the Weremole"<hr />The Complete First Season: July 20, 2010<hr />4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection: March 13, 2012<br />''Episode(s)'': "A Night at the Katz Motel" – "The Gods Must Be Goosey"<hr />4 Kid Favorites: The Hall of Fame Collection Vol. 2: March 12, 2013<br />''Episode(s)'': "Queen of the Black Puddle" – "The Great Fusilli"<hr />The Complete Series: October 2, 2018<br />''Episode(s)'': Entire season featured || September 12, 2007<ref name="Madman Entertainment" /><ref name="madman season 1" />
|-
! style="background:#209FE4| || [[List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes#Season 2 (2000–01)|2]]
| style="text-align: center"|2000–01 || Cartoon Network Halloween 2: Grossest Halloween Ever: August 9, 2005<br />''Episode(s)'': "Courage Meets the Mummy"<hr />The Complete Second Season: October 14, 2014<ref name="Animation World Network" /><hr />The Complete Series: October 2, 2018<br />''Episode(s)'': Entire season featured || January 13, 2010<ref name="Madman Entertainment" /><ref name="madman season 2" />
|-
! style="background:#72208f| || [[List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes#Season 3 (2002)|3]]
| rowspan=2 style="text-align: center"|2002 || The Complete Third Season: March 22, 2016<ref name="Lambert" /><hr />The Complete Series: October 2, 2018<br />''Episode(s)'': Entire season featured || {{n/a}}
|-
! style="background:#3F5978| || [[List of Courage the Cowardly Dog episodes#Season 4 (2002)|4]]
| Cartoon Network Christmas: Yuletide Follies: October 5, 2004<br />''Episode(s)'': "The Nutcracker"<hr />The Complete Fourth Season: September 27, 2016<ref>{{Cite web |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog DVD news: Release Date for Courage the Cowardly Dog&nbsp;— Season 4 {{!}} TVShowsOnDVD.com |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-4/16690 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921014016/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/releases/Courage-Cowardly-Dog-Season-4/16690 |archive-date=2016-09-21}}</ref><hr />The Complete Series: October 2, 2018<br />''Episode(s)'': Entire season featured || {{n/a}}
|}

=== Video games ===
Though the series has no official video games, characters from ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' appear in the Cartoon Network games ''[[Cartoon Network Speedway]]'', ''[[Cartoon Network: Block Party]]'', ''Cartoon Network Racing'', and ''[[FusionFall|Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall]]''.

==Possible revivals==
In February 2012, [[BuzzFeed]] reported that a CGI special of ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'' was in development.<ref name="buzzfeed.com">{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2012 |title=Courage The Cowardly Dog Is Returning To TV |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/keenan/courage-the-cowardly-dog-is-returning-to-tv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116233320/http://www.buzzfeed.com/keenan/courage-the-cowardly-dog-is-returning-to-tv |archive-date=2016-01-16 |access-date=2016-11-06 |website=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref> The seven-minute special, titled ''The Fog of Courage'', aired in 2014. Dilworth uploaded the special on his StretchFilms YouTube channel on March 14, 2024.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlKfbLJ94uM |title=The Fog of Courage |date=March 14, 2024 |last=Dilworth |first=John R. |author-link=John R. Dilworth |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

In October 2018, Dilworth commented on a Facebook post that he was in negotiations with [[Boomerang (TV network)|Boomerang]] for a prequel to the series under the working title ''Before Courage.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bishop |first=Rollin |date=23 October 2018 |title='Courage the Cowardly Dog' Prequel Series Allegedly in the Works |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2018/10/23/courage-the-cowardly-dog-prequel-series-beyond-courage/ |access-date=21 October 2019 |work=ComicBook.com}}</ref> However, in May 2020, when asked about the project, Dilworth responded that it had been "transformed into another thing".<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1262555288286232576 |user=DillyDilworth |title=@wwefnfurlife It somehow transformed... |author=John Dilworth |author-link=John R. Dilworth |date=19 May 2020}}</ref> In June 2021, Dilworth revealed that the project was on turnaround as Cartoon Network's management is prioritizing their focus on other projects.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1407128908852518917 |user=DillyDilworth |title=@kalebgreen1358 @hbomax Agree!... |author=John Dilworth |author-link=John R. Dilworth |date=22 June 2021}}</ref> However, in January 2022, Dilworth revealed that the project has already been dropped and fell through for the same reason.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1482018430052192265 |user=DillyDilworth |title=Already has! |author=John Dilworth |author-link=John R. Dilworth |access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1482019140915408896 |user=DillyDilworth |title=Nope. It's not going on... was a gorgeous idea. Courage with his birth parents, before the Farm. |author=John Dilworth |author-link=John R. Dilworth |access-date=January 15, 2022}}</ref> On February 1, 2024, Dilworth uploaded the animatic pilot titled ''Goblins of Litter'' on his StretchFilms YouTube channel<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwAolFFs_y0 |title=Goblins of Litter, Directed by John R. Dilworth |date=February 1, 2024 |last=Dilworth |first=John R. |author-link=John R. Dilworth |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> and on February 23, 2024, uploaded the same pilot with music and sound effects added.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXGwCz9g-KI |title=Goblins of Litter by John R. Dilworth. Full music and SFX. |date=February 23, 2024 |last=Dilworth |first=John R. |author-link=John R. Dilworth |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

== Crossover film ==
{{main|Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog{{!}}Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog}}
On June 22, 2021, [[Warner Bros. Animation]] announced an animated direct-to-video crossover film with ''[[Scooby-Doo]]'' called ''[[Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog]]''. The film follows Scooby-Doo and his friends finding a suspicious object in Nowhere, Kansas, where Courage and his owners reside.<ref name=":0" />

Marty Grabstein and Thea White reprise their roles as Courage and Muriel, while Eustace is voiced by [[Jeff Bergman]] because of the deaths of the character's former voice casts [[Lionel Wilson (voice actor)|Lionel Wilson]] and [[Arthur Anderson (actor)|Arthur Anderson]] in 2003 and 2016, respectively. The film was released on DVD and digital on September 14, 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=June 22, 2021 |title='Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog' Crossover Arrives Sept. 14 |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/home-entertainment/straight-outta-nowhere-scooby-doo-meets-courage-the-cowardly-dog-crossover-arrives-sept-14/ |access-date=June 22, 2021 |website=Animation Magazine}}</ref> The film also serves as a posthumous role for Thea White, who died in July 2021, around two months before the film's release date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Megan |date=August 1, 2021 |title=Courage the Cowardly Dog Star Thea White Dies at 81 |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/courage-the-cowardly-dog-thea-white-death/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910190019/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/courage-the-cowardly-dog-thea-white-death/ |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> Series creator John R. Dilworth did not have any involvement in the crossover.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dudok de Wit |first=Alex |author-link=Alex Dudok de Wit |date=June 24, 2021 |title='Courage the Cowardly Dog' Creator John Dilworth Not Involved in 'Scooby-Doo' Crossover |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/direct-to-video/courage-the-cowardly-dog-creator-john-dilworth-not-involved-in-scooby-doo-crossover-206410.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624160235/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/direct-to-video/courage-the-cowardly-dog-creator-john-dilworth-not-involved-in-scooby-doo-crossover-206410.html |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=June 27, 2021 |website=[[Cartoon Brew]]}}</ref> According to animator and artist Tracy Mark Lee, the film's original premise was originally pitched as an episode of ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Tracy Mark |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Yes, Courage was going to be one of our guest stars at one point then it blossomed into a DTV movie. Best wishes on that! |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFseExQD5NG/c/17938556323398081/r/18103810852170311/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CFseExQD5NG |archive-date=2021-12-26 |website=[[Instagram]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Courage the Cowardly Dog}}
{{Wikiquote|Courage the Cowardly Dog}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000304003158/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/doc/courage/index.html ''Courage the Cowardly Dog'']—[[Cartoon Network]] Department of Cartoons (Archive)
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Toonopedia|courage.htm}}

{{Former Cartoon Network original programming}}
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