25 Best Animated Series For Adults, Ranked

It’s tough to say why, but animation has been getting a lot of disrespect lately. During the Oscars, many felt the jokes and overall attitude towards animated movies devalued their impact by basically saying that they’re just for kids. Even Netflix essentially devalued their animation department by making major cuts and cancelations after its subscriber base took a massive hit. This idea that animation isn’t that important or only for kids simply isn’t true as animation has continually grown to be for every kind of viewer.

Disney and Pixar have certainly shown that within the vibrant and often magical worlds, they deliver mature and relatable themes and have expanded cultural representation with their films. Animation has also become a tool to break past the limitations of live action in delivering more mature content in gore, action, and comedy as well as some darker depictions of adult themes. Even on the small screen, there have been plenty of animated series that have proven that animated content can be for adults.

25 ‘Undone’ (2019 – 2022)

Prime Video’s adult animated series Undone not only provides visually stunning animation through its rotoscope aesthetic, but also an emotional character-driven story that’s relatable and relevant.

Between all its mind-bending sequences that break time and reality, Undone takes viewers on a personal journey that sees its lead character Alma attempt to figure out the truth behind her father’s death that embodies ideas of self-growth and discovery. Rosa Salazar’s performance as Alma is immensely underrated for the emotional connection she establishes with viewers and the great themes around mental health and understanding yourself that adult viewers will easily relate to.

Watch on Prime Video

24 ‘Close Enough’ (2020 – 2022)

J.G Quintel has been a pivotal force in creating beloved adult cartoons like Regular Show, and his latest animated series on Max, Close Enough, is adulting at its finest.

The series follows a couple as they try to manage to transition from their twenties to their thirties while taking care of their eccentric daughter and dealing with some strange characters. Close Enough is basically the antics of Regular Show mixed with the all too real reality of trying to stay young while getting older, and it’s amazing.

23 ‘Big Mouth’ (2017 – )

An adult animated coming-of-age sitcom and one of Netflix’s best original shows, Big Mouth explores and embraces all the weird, completely normal, and totally confusing parts of adolescence. It’s known for its raunchy and absurdist humor that perfectly complements its openness about sex and the human body.

The sitcom is centered on a group of mostly awkward teenagers who have to deal with puberty, which forces some of them to face their monsters (literally). Its crass approach to humor about bodily functions may not be for everyone, but those who do enjoy it will be glad to know it doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.

Watch on Netflix

22 ‘Aqua Teen Hunger Force’ (2000 – )

The longest-running Adult Swim series to date, Aqua Teen Hunger Force has created an irreplaceable spot for its brilliantly absurd misadventures centered on three anthropomorphic fast food items. The three roommates – Master Shake (Dana Snyder), Frylock (Carey Means), and Meatwad (Dave Willis) – are a dysfunctional trio who are always finding themselves in nonsensical situations.

Once an obscure show, Aqua Teen Hunger Force now enjoys a growing fanbase who enjoy the series’ irreverent humor and unconventional storytelling. The bizarre characters and often surreal settings they’re in are further bettered by the show’s distinct visual style, all of which combine to create the eccentric masterpiece that is the adult series.

Watch on Max

21 ‘Castlevania’ (2017 – 2021)

While older gaming fans have been patiently waiting for a new Castlevania game to see the light of day, Netflix’s Castlevania anime series has not only pleased longtime fans but brought in a new audience for the franchise.

Through its expansive story and gory action, Castlevania has given adult viewers a horror-centric action animated series that’s become one of Netflix’s most popular animated shows. It hits a mature tone and level of action that’s really garnered wide attention from adult audiences making it one of the biggest breakout adult animated series in recent times.

Watch on Netflix

20 ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’ (2022)

Based on CD Projekt Red’s AAA game, Cyberpunk 2077, Edgerunners depicts the futuristic world by telling a story centered on David Martinez (Kenn). When he encounters the netrunner Lucy (Aoi Yūki), he’s drawn into her gang and their life of crime in the unforgiving landscape of Night City.

Taking elements from the video game, the series explores the dark side of cyberware, and what happens when the edgerunners take it too far. Dealing with themes like friendship, leadership, and sacrifice, not to mention corporate greed, it’s a limited series meant for adults. Plus, the violence and gruesome scenes can be intense.

Watch on Netflix

19 ‘The Midnight Gospel’ (2020)

Netflix’s The Midnight Gospel is an excellent mix of a thought-provoking podcast with trippy animated adventures, something that adult audiences would be super into.

Each episode features audio of comedian Duncan Trussell’s podcast with a variety of guests that are played over the animated adventures of multiversal podcaster Clancy (voiced by Trussell) that take him to trippy worlds. With the animation being directed by Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward, every episode of The Midnight Gospel is colorful and weird and the subject of Trussell’s conversations really work in giving the series a mature feel and deliver some surprisingly raw emotion.

Watch on Netflix

18 ‘American Dad’ (2005 – )

The weird and wonderful world of the Smith family is explored in American Dad. The long-running sitcom follows Stan Smith (voiced by Seth MacFarlane, who’s also one of the show’s creators), a CIA agent with some twisted perspectives, his wife Francine (Wendy Schaal), their two children, a talking goldfish, and an alien named Roger (also voiced by MacFarlane).

Although it took a while for the sitcom to find its own voice (after understandably being compared to MacFarlane’s other hit show), it now enjoys a fantastic reputation as an unapologetic show full of satirical humor that pokes fun at the mundane aspects and absurdities of life.

Watch on Hulu

17 ‘King of the Hill’ (1997 – 2010)

King of the Hill is one of the best animated TV shows for adults that has a deceptively simple premise. It revolves around the Hill family and their friends, who all live and work in Arlen, Texas. Relationships between the everyman Hank Hill (Mike Judge) and his son Bobby (Pamela Adlon), his wife Peggy (Kathy Najimy), and his friends Bill (Stephen Root), Dale (Johnny Hardwick), and Boomhauer (Judge) are the focus of the series.

The show is known for the witty way it pokes fun at political correctness, the challenges of puberty, and even aspects of a midlife crisis, among others. Its unique brand of comedy is still appreciated today, as proven by the fact that there’s interest in a potential revival in the near future.

Watch on Hulu

16 ‘Disenchantment’ (2018 – )

Matt Groening’s Disenchantment quickly became part of the most popular animated shows for adults. Set in the medieval fantasy kingdom of Dreamland, it follows the story of the rebellious princess Bean (Abbi Jacobson), who lives with alcoholism, a dim-witted elf called Elfo (Nat Faxon), and devious “personal demon” Luci (Eric André).

There’s rightly sustained interest in the hilarious show, as the satirical sitcom mocks the overused tropes and archetypes in shows and movies within the fantasy genre, doing so with its own genuinely engrossing story about a princess who wants more.

Watch on Netflix

15 ‘Daria’ (1997 – 2002)

La la la la la. Daria is a beloved ’90s classic series that’s part of many viewers’ childhoods. Revolving around the life and misadventures of Daria Morgendorffer (Tracy Grandstaff), the series follows the sarcastic and smart teen’s challenging daily life as she struggles with the problems that come with not fitting in her high school.

The incisive satirization of the teen experience is made mostly effective by Daria’s iconic characterization. Her dry wit and deadpan comebacks make her oddly likable, as fans can’t help but root for the protagonist (who, perhaps, they see a bit of their own odd self in).

Watch on Paramount+

Metalocalypse is a gut-busting show that focuses on the fictional band Dethklok, made up of the lead singer Nathan Explosion (Brendon Small), lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf (Small), rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth (Tommy Blacha), bassist William Murderface (Blacha), and Pickles the Drummer (Small). Set in a world where metal music reigns supreme, the series portrays the band’s grip on the globe and the foolish decisions they make in the process of pursuing more intense music.

Undoubtedly one for more mature audiences, the Adult Swim series has no shortage of gore and violence. One of the first scenes audiences witness is a giant contraption holding the band members falling from the sky and brutally killing hundreds of their fans – a normal occurrence at a Dethklok concert.

Watch on Adult Swim

13 ‘Love, Death, & Robots’ (2019 – )

Netflix absolutely struck gold with their animated anthology series Love, Death, & Robots in delivering some visionary animated short stories that generally resonate with a more adult audience.

While there are some live-action segments and shorts, Love, Death, & Robots is largely known for its ambitiously diverse animated shorts that touch on some mature subject matter and can be surprisingly gory. For adult viewers who love stuff like Black Mirror, Love, Death, & Robots has been a great animated companion.

Watch on Netflix

12 ‘Bob’s Burgers’ (2011 – )

Bob’s Burgers revolves around the entertaining daily activities of the Belcher family, who own a burger restaurant. Created by Loren Bouchard, the series introduces audiences to the lovable, hilarious, and often relatable family comprised of Bob Belcher (H. Jon Benjamin), a third-generation restaurateur, his wife Linda (John Roberts), and their three children Tina (Dan Mintz), Gene (Eugene Mirman), and Louise (Kristen Schaal).

The show is well-loved in large part due to the well-written characters who learn important lessons about running a business, maintaining relationships, and getting away with wacky antics. Of course, what holds it all together are their shared love for food and unique burgers (which Bob thankfully has a knack for).

Watch on Hulu

11 ‘Archer’ (2009 – 2023)

Archer has provided adult audiences with the animated spy adventure they didn’t know they wanted mixing in some loveably dopey comedy that comes directly from its titular spy.

Archer has continually raised the bar with each season as it delves into different eras and styles of spy films that not only makes its animation style more versatile, but also puts its hilarious cast of characters in new situations that never shy away from delivering graphic comedy and action.

Watch on Hulu

10 ‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998 – 1999)

Don’t let its recent unsuccessful remake deter you from checking out the original Cowboy Bebop anime series. The critically-acclaimed neo-noir sci-fi show revolves around a motley crew of bounty hunters who travel through space in pursuit of dangerous criminals.

Masterfully combining Western and noir elements alongside stylish action and a jazz-heavy soundtrack, Cowboy Bebop is an anime show that was way ahead of its time. Its meticulous world-building is almost as impressive as its profound characterizations that will have viewers rooting for the complicated characters before the show is over.

Watch on Netflix

9 ‘Rick and Morty’ (2013 – )

Since premiering on Adult Swim back in 2013, Rick and Morty has absolutely taken the world by storm with its cynical approach to its hilarity and wild sci-fi adventures to become one of the most prolific modern adult animated series.

Every adventure with the titular duo brings some mind-bending sci-fi moments, hilarious parodies, and some gruesome gore that would seem more geared toward younger teen audiences, but it also delivers deep character arcs and intriguing themes that show some mature sides to its story and characters.

Watch on Hulu

8 ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ (1993 – )

Beavis and Butt-Head is a legendary animated series that follows the titular duo, two teenagers who love to listen to metal music and absolutely hate authority figures. Instead of paying attention in school, the two protagonists spend their days making crass jokes, pulling off pranks, and generally just hanging around.

With its offbeat and irreverent humor, the series captured slacker culture in the 90s, making it an unexpected instant hit among fans. This celebration of crude humor and teenage delinquency still resonates with mature viewers today, so much so that a second revival from Paramount+ showcased even more of their antics.

Watch on Paramount+

7 ‘Samurai Jack’ (2001 – 2017)

For kids of the early 2000s, Samurai Jack was the kind of animated series that made them feel like they were watching their first adult show. Genndy Tartakovsky’s visionary animation style brought viewers into a beautifully realized samurai journey full of dark imagery and characters as well as some vivid, fast-paced action.

It’s possibly one of Cartoon Network’s most mature shows of all time and delivers the kind of epic action, memorable characters, and ambitious atmosphere that most wish could be achieved in live action.

Watch on Max

6 ‘Arcane’ (2021 – )

Based on the world and characters of the massive video game franchise, League of Legends, the groundbreaking animated series Arcane is a mesmerizing journey into the vibrant but corrupt metropolis that is Piltover and the seedy city that lurks beneath, Zaun.

In the midst of the endless cycle of violence are two sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), who embark on hopelessly different paths and find themselves going against each other. Their heart-pounding story unfolds through gorgeous and dynamic visuals that undoubtedly helped the show become the first streaming series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program.

Watch on Netflix