The most famous dunce of Saint-Potache hasn't lost any of his popularity. On Sunday, TF1 broadcast Ducobu Goes Green for the first time on free-to-air television, the fifth film in the saga inspired by the comic strip by Godi and Zidrou. And Ducobu won his duel. The film, directed by Élie Semoun, drew 2,37 million viewers, representing 17,4% of the audience, allowing TF1 to secure first place in the evening's ratings. A great performance for the family comedy, which will be released in theaters in 2024. Facing stiff competition, Ducobu thus confirms his ability to unite audiences, more than fifteen years after the character's arrival on the big screen.
Élie Semoun and Ducobu are ahead of Camille Cottin
France 2 wasn't far behind, however. The channel aired * Toni en famille *, a film by Nathan Ambrosioni starring Camille Cottin. Nearly 2,1 million viewers tuned in, representing a 15,2% audience share. The victory, therefore, went to TF1 and * Ducobu passe au vert* , which edged out the France 2 film. In this fifth installment, Ducobu returns to school in Saint-Potache with a new idea that only he could come up with: taking a gap year to save the planet, but above all, to avoid school. This initiative, of course, quickly provokes a reaction from Professor Latouche. Élie Semoun reprises this iconic character from the saga and also directs. The cast also includes Frédérique Bel, Émilie Caen, Loïc Legendre, Caroline Anglade, Damien Pauwels, and Gérard Jugnot.
A franchise that continues to appeal to the public
TF1's first-place finish confirms Ducobu's remarkable longevity. The character first appeared in theaters in 2011 with *L'Élève Ducobu* (Ducobu the Student ), before returning in * Les Vacances de Ducobu* (Ducobu 's Holidays ) in 2012. The franchise then experienced a resurgence under the direction of Élie Semoun with * Ducobu 3* in 2020, *Ducobu Président!* (Ducobu President!) in 2022, and *Ducobu passe au vert* (Ducobu Goes Green) in 2024. Over the course of the films, Élie Semoun has become inseparable from this universe, both in front of and behind the camera. His teacher, Latouche, Ducobu's eternal adversary, accompanies a saga that has managed to reinvent itself while retaining its characters and family-friendly humor. And this television victory couldn't be more timely: Ducobu is already about to make his comeback.
Ducobu returns to cinemas on October 7th
The next installment , Ducobu and the Ghost of Saint-Potache , will be released in theaters on October 7, 2026, in the heart of autumn. This will be the last Ducobu film directed by Élie Semoun. This time, the franchise will take on a Halloween theme. Professor Latouche and Miss Rateau will move into a house haunted by Anatole, presented as the biggest dunce in the entire history of Saint-Potache. Ducobu and Léonie will also find themselves caught up in this adventure. Élie Semoun will be joined by Émilie Caen, Frédérique Bel, and Loïc Legendre, with appearances by Gérard Jugnot and the very promising Gustavia Harfouch. After conquering movie theaters several times, Ducobu has just proven that he remains a sure bet on television as well. His number one spot on TF1 provides an excellent launchpad before his return to the big screen on October 7.
France 3 ahead of M6 City’s set back
Behind the duel between TF1 and France 2, France 3 aired the series " Association criminelle" (Criminal Association ). The channel managed to beat M6. On M6, Julien Courbet presented an episode of " Capital" dedicated to water parks, their attractions, and their business model. The program failed to compete for first place. Ducobu emerged victorious once again, topping the evening's ratings. And for the dunce from Saint-Potache, the year is far from over: after TF1 this summer, he'll be heading to the big screen on October 7th with "Ducobu et le Fantôme de Saint-Potache" (Ducobu and the Ghost of Saint-Potache).
