27 Years Ago, the Best Sci-fi Animated Series of All-Time Premiered (And It’s Even Better Now)

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Matt Groening is famous for creating some of the best animated shows on TV, and The Simpsons is certainly one of the longest-running. But surprisingly, it’s not even his best! The Simpsons first appeared in 1987 as a segment on The Tracey Ulman Show before becoming its own series on Fox in 1989. It’s now been on the air for 37 seasons with over 800 episodes. However, ten years after The Simpsons first aired, in 1999, Groening created what many consider to be an even better show: Futurama.

I still remember when Futurama first came on Fox, back on March 28th, 1999. It didn’t quite reach the massive popularity of The Simpsons, but honestly, I think it’s the better show. It’s just funnier and more creative, in my opinion!

Matt Groening Debuted Futurama in 1999

The animated series Futurama first aired on Fox on March 28, 1999. The show begins with Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery guy, who is unexpectedly frozen in a cryogenic pod and wakes up on New Year’s Eve in the year 2999. He then finds work delivering cargo for his distant relative, Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth, and develops a relationship with Leela while befriending Bender, a robot with a drinking problem. Billy West voiced Fry, and the show also featured Katey Sagal as Leela, John DiMaggio as Bender, and Phil LaMarr in multiple roles.

The brilliance of Futurama stemmed from Matt Groening’s insistence on complete creative control, free from network interference. He then assembled a remarkably educated writing team – including three with doctorates, seven with master’s degrees, and a collective 50+ years of experience at Harvard. The show was a clever, animated sci-fi comedy; though often relying on slapstick, it treated its science fiction elements with genuine thoughtfulness.

Unlike The Simpsons, which was a traditional family comedy in the vein of The Honeymooners, Futurama offered a sharp satire of future life, cleverly mirroring modern society. Creator Matt Groening filled the show with adult humor – including dark comedy, edgy jokes, bizarre scenes, and self-aware moments – to tell a unique story about flawed characters simply trying to get by.

The very first episode of Futurama introduces us to Fry, a pizza delivery guy who accidentally freezes himself. He wakes up in the future and ends up working as a delivery boy, a job he quickly tries to escape. Leela is tasked with bringing him back into the role, but she actually ends up quitting with him. Together, Fry and Leela team up with Bender and go on the run, searching for Professor Farnsworth. Eventually, Farnsworth hires them to work as the crew on his spaceship. This premiere episode was fantastic and perfectly launched what became a truly innovative animated sci-fi series.

Futurama Has Weathered Several Roadblocks to Remain Iconic

Despite being a critically acclaimed animated series, Futurama repeatedly faced cancellation due to low ratings. Fox originally canceled it in 2003 after four seasons, but it was briefly revived in 2008 thanks to its popularity on Adult Swim, leading to four movies. Comedy Central then aired two more seasons in 2010 and 2011 before canceling it again. Most recently, Hulu revived the show in 2023, and it has since released three full seasons of ten episodes each.

Although the show faced challenges attracting viewers and maintaining its broadcast, critics consistently praised it. The first season earned an 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers giving it a 96% score. While later seasons lacked enough critic reviews, audience scores stayed consistently high – 96%, 97%, and 96% for seasons two, three, and four – demonstrating strong fan loyalty. Its two seasons on Comedy Central were also well-received, achieving Rotten Tomatoes scores of 92% and 86%. Throughout its run, the series was recognized with multiple Annie and Primetime Emmy Awards.

The revival of Futurama on Hulu started strong, earning an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season. While the second season saw a dip to 64%, the show reached its peak with its third season. The newest season, which premiered in 2025, has a perfect 100% score, with critics praising it for delivering the same humor and strong acting that fans loved in the original series.

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2026-03-28 23:42