7 Cancelled 2000s Adult Animated Series That Need a Revival

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Everyone’s feeling nostalgic for the 2000s, and that includes wanting to revisit some great adult animated shows that were unfortunately cancelled too early. We’ve seen a lot of classic cartoons make comebacks recently, and adult animation is no exception. With new shows being released all the time, it’s a perfect opportunity to give these older series another chance and introduce them to a new audience – they certainly deserve it.

Many promising animated shows from the 2000s were unfortunately cancelled before they could really gain popularity. Thankfully, with today’s streaming services and wider access to content, these shows have a better chance of finding an audience. Here are seven shows that deserved more attention and could be very successful if revived now.

7). God, the Devil and Bob

Matthew Carson’s show, God, the Devil and Bob, had a troubled history. Though created in 2000, only four episodes originally aired before it was cancelled and removed from television. The remaining nine episodes weren’t shown until eleven years later when Adult Swim picked up the series, finally giving fans the complete story. The show centers on an interesting premise: Bob finds himself caught in a conflict between God and the Devil.

A divine reset of life puts Bob in the unlikely role of representing humanity. He and two others spend a lot of time discussing big questions over drinks at a bar. The show was canceled due to falling viewership and criticism of its religious themes, but a reboot could resonate with audiences today, as the world is now more receptive to its core ideas.

6). Drawn Together

Originally airing on Comedy Central in 2004, Drawn Together, created by Dave Jeser and Matt Silverstein, feels like a strange choice for a reboot. It heavily relies on a reality show format – celebrities living together – that isn’t as popular now, and many of its jokes haven’t held up well over time. However, those very qualities are what make revisiting the show potentially exciting.

The show was groundbreaking for Comedy Central, using animation to explore edgy content, and the idea of bringing it back to push those limits again is really interesting. It could easily fail, and maybe it’s not a smart move, but it’s something we’re all curious to see.

5). Xavier: Renegade Angel

Created in 2007 by John Lee, Vernon Chatman, Alyson Levy, and Jim Tozzi for Adult Swim, Xavier: Renegade Angel is a uniquely strange show that deserves another chance. It’s known for being unpredictable, with episodes that don’t follow a consistent storyline or connect to each other. Airing late at night, the show’s bizarre and captivating 11-minute episodes had a way of sticking with viewers.

The show’s unique style and writing create a really special vibe. It feels like it paved the way for other successful, similarly quirky shows like Smiling Friends and YOLO. When things feel strange, it’s great to have a show this weird return for another season.

4). Titan Maximum

Though it didn’t become as popular as Robot Chicken, Tom Root and Matthew Senreich’s Titan Maximum from 2009 still deserves a chance to find its audience. The show cleverly parodied colorful team-based action series like Power Rangers and anime such as Voltron, focusing on groups of heroes battling larger-than-life villains.

The show didn’t quite succeed, likely because the main actors weren’t strong enough. However, the concept itself is solid and could work well today. It deserved at least one more season to explore its comedic potential.

3). Baby Blues

When it comes to promising animated shows that were cancelled too soon, Baby Blues is a prime example. Based on the popular comic strip, the show was unfairly cut short after only nine episodes on The WB. Fans had to wait a decade for reruns on Adult Swim to see the remaining episodes, and even more frustratingly, a whole second season was completed but never broadcast.

The show featured a lot of well-known actors for its time and successfully captured the style of animated family sitcoms that became popular with shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers. Surprisingly, the episodes still hold up well today, suggesting a reboot could easily recapture the original’s charm. It really should have gotten more recognition.

2). The Oblongs

The animated series The Oblongs, created by Angus Oblong and Jace Richdale, first aired on The WB in 2001 but was cancelled before all episodes could be shown. It wasn’t until a decade later, when Adult Swim picked it up, that fans were able to see the complete series, and many realized how good it actually was. Featuring a fantastic voice cast including Will Ferrell, Jean Smart, and Pamela Adlon, it’s surprising this show didn’t get more of a chance.

This show was remarkably innovative for its time. It centered on a typical family facing everyday problems, but set against the backdrop of a wildly exaggerated world caused by heavy pollution. It cleverly addressed important social themes and was full of creative concepts that would likely resonate even more with audiences today. A second season, filled with more of its unique and quirky adventures, is definitely needed.

1). Mission Hill

If there’s one animated series from the 2000s that deserves a comeback, it’s Mission Hill. Like many shows of its time, it originally aired a few episodes on The WB before finishing its run years later on Adult Swim. Created by Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein, Mission Hill was remarkably innovative for its time. It tells the story of two brothers who reconnect as adults, and how their relationship evolves as the older, more laid-back brother initially distances himself from his younger, more studious sibling, but ultimately they grow closer through the challenges of city life.

This show, Mission Hill, felt like it was just beginning to explore its many interesting characters, and we’d love to see it revived. It would be fun to check in with Andy and Kevin and see what they’re doing now – it’s a shame the series isn’t available to watch anywhere. Please bring it back!

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2026-03-22 01:12