10 Best Adult Animation Shows, Ranked

Forget the idea that cartoons are just for kids! While adult animated shows aren’t *for* children, they’re often much more than just crude or silly. Many offer smart commentary on current events, explore important social and political issues, and honestly portray everyday struggles – even big life questions. Plus, they’re genuinely funny! After all, a little humor can help us get through tough times.

Many adults consider live-action shows to be more serious and realistic, but 2D animation offers a unique way to tell stories. Animation allows for over-the-top expressions, wild situations, and imaginative settings that would be difficult to achieve in live-action. If you’re open to discovering something new, or giving animated shows a chance, you might be surprised by what you find!

10) Mission Hill

Andy French, a 24-year-old, works as a salesman and dreams of becoming a cartoonist. He enjoys a carefree life with his roommates, Posey and Jim, often spending his time socializing. However, his life is disrupted when his awkward 17-year-old brother, Kevin, shows up needing a place to stay, bringing their dog, Stogie, along with him. Andy suddenly finds himself with new responsibilities as Kevin joins his household.

Mission Hill is unavailable for streaming.

9) South Park

South Park follows the often-crazy lives of four elementary school kids – Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny – in a small Colorado town that’s anything but ordinary. The show uses over-the-top, often crude, and unpredictable humor to comment on current events and tackle tough topics. It’s known for its satire, poking fun at everything from religion and politics to the media and popular trends.

South Park can be streamed on Paramount+ or Pluto where available.

8) The Boondocks

Okay, so I just watched this movie about Robert Freeman, or “Granddad” as everyone calls him, who takes in his two grandsons after their parents can’t care for them. He thinks moving to this fancy neighborhood called Woodcrest will give them a fresh start, away from the rough streets of Chicago. But let me tell you, these aren’t your typical kids. Huey, the older one, is a surprisingly articulate ten-year-old with some pretty radical ideas, and his little brother Riley, who’s eight, is just a straight-up handful. Plus, the neighborhood itself is… unique, to say the least. Peaceful living? Yeah, that’s not happening. It’s a wild ride from the start!

The Boondocks can be streamed on Max where available.

7) Close Enough

I’m totally hooked on this new show! It follows Josh and Emily, a normal couple in their thirties, as they navigate life with their daughter, Candice, in LA. They live next door to their divorced friends, Alex and Bridgette, and honestly, their everyday struggles – being parents, keeping their marriage strong, and just getting older – always seem to spiral into the most hilariously weird situations. Seriously, we’re talking stolen ham and… stripper clowns! It’s not a perfect life, but it feels so real. And it’s created by J.G. Quintel, the genius behind *Regular Show*, so you know it’s going to be funny and a little bit strange. It really captures what it’s like to move from your twenties into your thirties – all the awkwardness and relatable moments.

Close Enough is unavailable for streaming.

6) Helluva Boss

I.M.P., or Immediate Murder Professionals, isn’t just a messy business-its employees are too. After a series of chaotic events, the team of killers is trying to balance making a living by, well, killing people, with dealing with their complicated personal lives in Hell. As Blitzo, the founder and manager of I.M.P., puts it: “We have special access to the world of the living, so we can help you get revenge on anyone who wronged you!”

Created by Vivienne Medrano (known as VivziePop) and produced by SpindleHorse Toons in 2020, this adult animated comedy series expanded the world established in her popular pilot and sister series, *Hazbin Hotel*. It explores everyday life in Hell, focusing on the experiences of regular demons-like imps, succubi, and hellhounds-and how they take advantage of both human sins and each other.

Helluva Boss can be streamed on Prime and Youtube.

5) Bojack Horseman

Bojack Horseman was a popular sitcom star in the 1990s, but the last twenty years have been difficult for him. Feeling like his career has faded, Bojack has battled with problems stemming from the harsh world of show business, his past mistakes, and his own internal struggles. He tries to distract himself from his personal demons while chasing a dream of regaining relevance. Though it’s a comedy, *Bojack Horseman* delves into serious topics like depression, mental health, unhealthy relationships, addiction, self-destructive habits, taking responsibility for one’s actions, the dark side of the entertainment industry, and the search for purpose in a shallow world.

Bojack Horseman can be streamed on Netflix.

4) Futurama

Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery guy from the late 20th century, is accidentally frozen and wakes up a thousand years in the future. He finds a job at Planet Express, a company that delivers packages to planets all over the universe. The company is run by his very distant nephew, Professor Farnsworth, and Fry works alongside a quirky crew: Leela, the one-eyed ship captain; Bender, a sarcastic robot; Amy Wong, a young intern; Hermes, a Jamaican accountant; and… Zoidburg. Together, they travel the universe delivering packages and encountering all sorts of strange people and situations.

Futurama can be streamed on Disney+ or Hulu where available.

3) Bob’s Burgers

Bob Belcher is a chef who simply wants to run his restaurant, Bob’s Burgers, alongside his wife, Linda, and their three kids: Tina, Gene, and Louise. The Belchers are a funny and lovable family, and life at the restaurant is never boring. Their daily routines are often thrown into chaos by the kids’ wild ideas and the colorful people in town, making it a constant challenge for Bob and Linda to keep the business going. But through it all, this family always sticks together – and they’re passionate about their burgers!

Bob’s Burgers can be streamed on Disney+ or Hulu where available.

2) King of the Hill

Hank Hill might seem like a typical, everyday American living in the suburbs, but his life is surprisingly eventful – even if he’d probably prefer it to be simple. He lives in Arlen, Texas with his wife Peggy, a confident Spanish teacher; his good-hearted but quirky son Bobby; and his innocent niece Luanne. Hank’s greatest joys are selling propane, taking care of his lawn, and relaxing with his friends. Though he generally holds traditional, conservative beliefs, Hank often finds himself facing situations that push him to reconsider his viewpoints and expand his horizons.

King of the Hill is an animated comedy that looks at how people deal with changing times, what makes a family, and the challenges of modern life. The show originally aired from 1997 to 2010, and a new season-the 14th-was released in 2025. This new season shows the characters older and adapting to life in the years since we last saw them.

King of the Hill can be streamed on Disney+ or Hulu where available.

1) The Simpsons

The Simpsons is an animated series that humorously portrays the daily lives of the Simpson family – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie – in the quirky town of Springfield. Created by Matt Groening, it’s been on air since 1989 and has become the longest-running American animated show, with a huge number of episodes. The series has gained a large and devoted fanbase, and is now a major part of pop culture, appealing to more than just animation enthusiasts.

The show frequently features celebrity guests and uses satire to explore topics like politics, the media, and everyday American life. Over the years, it’s become incredibly well-known-so much so that people joke about its uncanny ability to ‘predict’ the future. Other shows and viewers often say ‘The Simpsons Did It’ when the series has already covered a similar idea.

The Simpsons can be streamed on Disney+ or Hulu where available.

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2025-09-14 21:43