50 Best Animated Series For Adults, Ranked

Animation has 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.

The best animated TV series for adults showcase the format's potential for delivering mature storylines in creative ways, not to mention with unforgettable and often even complex characters that audiences get attached to over time. Viewers looking for must-see adult animated series will be happy to know there's no shortage of excellent shows worth checking out, from award-winning new series to long-running irreverent comedies.

50 'The Boys Presents: Diabolical' (2022 - )

Creators: Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg

Taking advantage of the massive popularity that their adult superhero show The Boys had garnered, Prime Video released an animated anthology series taking place in the world of the series right before the release of season 3. This was Diabolical, comprised of a collection of short stories that expand the universe of The Boys.

Each of the show's episodes has a unique animation style, a fresh sense of humor, and something special to add to this richly intricate world. From the amusing Looney Tunes-like style of "Laser Baby's Day Out" to the game-changing canon prequel that is "One Plus One Equals Two", Diabolical has plenty to offer to all those who enjoyed the original show.

The Boys Presents: Diabolical

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49 'Brickleberry' (2012 - 2015)

Creators: Roger Black and Waco O'Guin

The Comedy Central slapstick satire Brickleberry is about a group of forest rangers facing the shutdown of their National Park, when a new ranger arrives to help them transform the park and save it. It's a crude, shamelessly vulgar comedy that fans of that kind of humor are sure to find hilarious, full of colorful characters and creative gags.

Far from being provocative just for the sake of it, which many adult animated shows with a similar sense of humor end up doing, Brickleberry most often knows exactly which buttons to push in order to be transgressive, but never obnoxious. Its cancelation after just three seasons broke fans' hearts, but at least they will always have those good old 36 episodes of Brickleberry to look back to.

Brickleberry

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48 'F Is for Family' (2015 - 2021)

Creators: Bill Burr and Michael Price

F Is for Family is an animated raunchy comedy series set in the 1970s, which follows the Murphy family's hilarious hijinks. The must-see Netflix original mostly focuses on the struggles of Frank Murphy (voiced by Bill Burr), a gruff yet endearing airport baggage handler, as he deals with the challenges that come with work, family, and life in a tumultuous era.

With its honest and humorous portrayal of the dysfunctions of a typical American family, F Is for Family uses familiar tropes that will appeal to fans of similar adult TV series. Its brutal honesty can come off as abrasive, but fans of that type of humor will definitely enjoy it. While the series doesn't do much to offer anything new in the adult animated space, it sticks with what works and adds a nostalgic '70s feel to help it stand out in the genre.

F Is for Family

Watch on Netflix

47 'Aggretsuko' (2018 - 2023)

Creator: Sanrio

An unconventional animated series Netflix was quick to adapt from the original Japanese version, Aggretsuko follows the relatable yet somehow also completely wild character of Retsuko (Erica Mendez). She starts out as a seemingly mild-mannered red panda with a mundane office job, but it's soon revealed that she copes with the repetitive daily grind by singing her heart out with death metal karaoke. It's certainly a one-of-a-kind way to deal with workplace sexism and the frustrations that come with late stage capitalism.

The Netflix original's unique mix of cuteness (kawaii) and the harsh nature of the modern workplace garnered it a large fanbase. It offers up an adorable slice-of-life series that soon turns into commentary about the absurdity of the quest for work-life balance. Its unique kawaii-style mixed with death metal may not appeal to most, but those who enjoy this unique mix are likely already hooked.

Aggretsuko (2016)

Watch on Netflix

46 'Solar Opposites' (2020 - )

Creators: Mike McMahan and Justin Roiland

Created by TV veteran Mike McMahan and the same Justin Roiland who created Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites has plenty of the same kind of intellectual, absurdist sci-fi humor for fans to enjoy. It's a sitcom about a family of aliens who move to middle America, where they debate whether life is better there or back on their home planet.

The show works equally well as a family sitcom and as a clever sci-fi show, constantly subverting tropes of both genres and mixing them in delightfully creative ways. While the series isn't without its missteps (the latest season in particular having been a bit underwhelming for most fans), its jokes land and its stories are effective much more often than not.

Solar Opposites

Watch on Hulu

45 'Inside Job' (2021 - 2022)

Creators: Shion Takeuchi and Alex Hirsch

Created by Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch and Gravity Falls writer Shion Takeuchi, Inside Job is a Netflix conspiracy comedy about the people whose full-time job is to hide the conspiracies of the Deep State. Though, to fans' dismay, the show was canceled after just one two-part season, it still lives on as one of the best animated adult shows of the 2020s thus far.

Sadly, the series didn't get enough time to find its creative voice's full potential, resulting in humor and social commentary that's sometimes a bit dodgy. However, the absurdist jokes land more often than they don't, the social and political critiques are most often very clever, and the character arcs are quite nuanced. Even with its short length, Inside Job is an immediate classic.

Inside Job

Watch on Netflix

44 'Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man' (1994 - 1997)

Creators: Everett Peck, Gabor Csupo, and Arlene Klasky

USA Network's cult classic Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man might be one of the most underrated animated shows of all time. It's an edgy comedy about a crass, womanizing duck who works as a private eye with his pig sidekick, all while raising a family as a single dad. For those who have fun with crude humor, Duckman couldn't be a more perfect fit.

In a market saturated with animated shows whose humor relies so shallowly on vulgarity that they fall flat on their face, Duckman feels like a breath of fresh air even three decades after it first aired. The thing that sets it apart is that its quirky humor is so intelligently constructed and executed with so much heart.

Buy on Amazon

43 'Undone' (2019 - 2022)

Creators: Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg

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, which 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 exploration of ideas around mental health and understanding yourself that adult viewers will easily relate to. Undone's pacing can be a bit dizzying, but its overall story makes it worth sticking with until the end. Fans of BoJack Horseman will especially appreciate the Prime Video series' uncompromising take on mental health.

Undone

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42 'Close Enough' (2020 - 2022)

Creator: J. G. Quintel

J.G. Quintel has been a pivotal force in creating beloved adult cartoon series 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. It often starts with regular domestic problems before turning into strange, even absurd situations as the characters try to solve these adult problems. They aren't the most likable bunch, but that could just be because they remind viewers too much of real-life crises. Plus, fantastic voice acting from J.G. Quintel, Gabrielle Walsh, Jessica DiCicco, and more make each moment even more appealing.

Close Enough

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41 'Hazbin Hotel' (2019 - )

Creator: Vivienne Medrano

The pilot for Hazbin Hotel debuted on YouTube all the way back in 2019, animated by freelance artists and financed through creator Vivienne Medrano's Patreon. The concept gained more popularity than Medrano could have anticipated, and soon enough, acclaimed indie studio A24 picked the show up for production of a first season that was recently released on Prime Video. It's a dark comedy with elements of horror and musical numbers about the daughter of Lucifer, who opens a hotel for misfit demons to find redemption.

Hazbin Hotel is a mishmash of different genres that, on paper, shouldn't go together. Somehow, though, the creative team behind the show makes all of its different tones and tropes work together in perfect harmony, creating a visually charming and incredibly fun tale of emotion, surprisingly deep lore, and catchy music. This is a hellish creative triumph and some of the best adult animation has to offer.

Hazbin Hotel

Watch on Amazon Prime

40 'The Critic' (1994 - 2001)

Creators: Al Jean, Mike Reiss, and Jon Lovitz

A series that was canceled too soon, The Critic is a sitcom that's centered on the life and experiences of the often sarcastic New York film critic Jay Sherman (Jon Lovitz). The plot follows Jay as he goes through the ups and downs of his career, from reviewing blockbuster films to obscure art-house movies. Along the way, he meets other interesting city folk, many of whom offer glimpses into their own imperfect lives.

The Critic takes an irreverent look at the world of film criticism and pop culture, with many of its episodes featuring parodies of well-known movies like Apocalypse Now, The Silence of the Lambs, The Godfather, and more. This unsurprisingly results in several clever movie references and satirical takes on Hollywood's culture of excess, all delivered with sharp wit and rapid-fire humor. Although there aren't many episodes to binge, it's worth checking out today.

The Critic

Watch on Tubi

39 'The Boondocks' (2005 - 2014)

Creator: Aaron McGruder

As if any more proof was needed that Adult Swim has for years dominated the adult animation television industry, there is The Boondocks. This uniquely animated action comedy is about brothers Huey and Riley Freeman, who experience a culture clash when they leave Chicago to move in with their grandfather in the suburbs.

Reveling in its cleverly written and even more cleverly executed social and political satire, The Boondocks is as biting and profound as one would expect, without ever sacrificing laughs or pure entertainment value. Though the show's third and fourth seasons weren't as well received as their two predecessors, this nevertheless remains one of the most important and fun adult animated shows in modern American TV history.

The Boondocks

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38 'Big Mouth' (2017 - 2024)

Creators: Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett

Big Mouth is an adult animated coming-of-age sitcom and one of Netflix's best original shows that explores and embraces all the weird, completely normal, and totally confusing parts of adolescence. Big Mouth is known for its raunchy and absurdist humor that perfectly complements its openness about sex and the human body. It also benefits from the comedic prowess of some of its featured voices, including John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph, and Jordan Peele.

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, leaving plenty of opportunity for it to cement itself as one of the best adult animated comedy shows.

Big Mouth

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37 'The Legend of Vox Machina' (2022 - )

Developer: Chris Prynoski

Amazon Prime Video has spent years in the streaming game, and though they've certainly had misfires, they've also made some of the best streaming series currently out there (including several of the most underrated sci-fi TV shows). One of their best shows is The Legend of Vox Machina, about a ragtag team of misfits faced with saving the world from a sinister group of dragons.

What makes the series all the more enjoyable is how it came to be. It was created by Critical Role, a media company composed of several nerdy voice actors who created a web series documenting their Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. This show is an adaptation of their first campaign. This gives it an air of sincerity and humor that's very welcome in a genre that can sometimes take itself a bit too seriously. Imaginative, colorful, and violent, it's one of only a few D&D adaptations that are genuinely terrific.

The Legend of Vox Machina

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36 'Moral Orel' (2005 - 2009)

Creator: Dino Stamatopoulos

Religious satire is hard to get right, but when executed well, it can make for some really funny and entertaining shows. Such is the case with Moral Orel, one of Adult Swim's most underrated shows. It's a parody of religious animated shows of the past, following an optimistic, god-fearing, Protestant boy named Orel, who deals with the cynicism of the world and the abuse of his alcoholic father.

The show deals with some pretty heavy subject matter, but handles it with grace. Its mixture of comedy and drama strikes a balance far more perfect than most other series in its genre, resulting in episodes that are as hilarious and delightfully offensive as they are poignant and thought-provoking. With great music, unique animation, and episodes full of humorous surprises, Moral Orel is a show that more fans of adult animation should talk about.

Moral Orel

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35 'Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law' (2000 - 2007)

Creators: Michael Ouweleen and Erik Richter

An Adult Swim series and a spin-off of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law is a sitcom that focuses on the happenings within the Sebben & Sebben law firm. The firm's staff is made up mostly of superheroes, who are classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters reimagined as legal professionals. With just 39 episodes, it's incredibly easy to binge-watch.

Fans got to see characters like Birdman and the Galaxy Trio in a bizarre yet hilarious legal setting. Bizarre situations are commonplace on the show as cases against heroes, anti-heroes, and villains are tried in ways that aren't at all representative of the real-life legal system. The star of the series is, of course, Harvey Birdman (voiced by Gary Cole), who now practices law and is involved in the comical proceedings of characters like Shaggy and Scooby-Doo, and even Yogi Bear.

Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law

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34 'The Venture Bros.' (2003 - 2018)

Creator: Jackson Publick

The Venture Bros. is a beloved Adult Swim series (and one of its longest-running original shows) that revolves around the bumbling but endearing Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture (James Urbaniak) and his two sons, Hank (Chris McCulloch) and Dean Venture (Michael Sinterniklaas). The trio finds themselves in bizarre and often dangerous situations, encountering a host of eccentric characters and villains.

The Venture Bros. is a brilliant parody of the superhero and adventure genres, often drawing inspiration from iconic characters and stories to create its gut-busting episodes. Critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase kept The Venture Bros. alive, despite several hiatuses and changes in production, with many fighting for each new season. Fans rightly became attached to its increasingly complex characters, with even the minor figures getting intricate arcs as time went on. It's this attention to detail and an obvious attention to what viewers want that kept the series going despite its niche.

The Venture Bros.

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33 'Aqua Teen Hunger Force' (2000 - 2023)

Creators: Dave Willis and Matt Maiellaro

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. Often next to them are recurring characters like their neighbor Carl (Willis), lunar creatures known as the Mooninites Ignigknot (Willis) and Err (Matt Maiellaro), and mad scientists Dr. Weird and Steve (both voiced by C. Martin Croker).

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.

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

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32 'This World Can't Tear Me Down' (2023)

Creator: Zerocalcare

The follow-up to the Italian adult animated drama Tear Along the Dotted Line, This World Can't Tear Me Down may not be quite as great as its predecessor, but it's still more than good enough to be considered one of the best adult cartoons. In it, when an old friend returns to the neighborhood, protagonist Zerocalcare want to help him find his place back in the world.

The series has the perfect balance between dark adult humor, complex character writing, and some really hard-hitting moments of existential dread. As rebellious and stylish as its characters, the show touches on many complicated topics, such as politics and suicide, in deeply nuanced ways. For those who enjoy profound stories and great music in their adult animated shows, this is a perfect fit.

Watch on Netflix

31 'Harley Quinn' (2019 - )

Creators: Justin Halpern, Dean Lorey, and Patrick Schumacker

DC's success in the realm of animated television has been varied, but Harley Quinn is undoubtedly one of their best, most inventive, most subversive works. It's a laugh-out-loud action adventure comedy focusing on a single Harley Quinn as she sets off to make it on her own in Gotham City.

Funny, true to the source material, and as smart as it is silly, Harley Quinn benefits from having a writers' room that clearly cares about the characters they're writing about, as well as an incredibly talented voice cast featuring the likes of Kaley Cuoco as Harley. Energetic and colorful, the series is the perfect one to binge for DC fans looking for some outstanding villain content.

Harley Quinn

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